SU Elections 2016 - Your Candidates

welcome to your guide to the candidates running in the su elections 2016!

It’s once again time to choose your future student leaders and representatives!

This year we are asking you to not only vote for the six full time Executive Officers but also for your part time student representatives in the form of Forum Chairs and the Accountability Board.

Voting takes just a few seconds - not bad for a decision that will probably have a substantial impact on your experience whilst studying at Plymouth University.

The elections are for everyone. Whether you are based on Plymouth campus or in a Partner Institution, an international student or living locally, a mature student re-entering education or an 18 year old straight out of college, the Executive Officers are here to represent you.

It doesn’t matter if you have never stepped foot in your Students’ Union building because the Executive Officers spend a lot of their time representing students’ interests in the University, local community and even nationally. Even if you don’t think that UPSU has anything to offer you, the chances are that you have benefited in some way by decisions that have been influenced by the Executive Officers.

There are over forty students standing in the SU Elections. They are all giving up their time for one week to try and persuade you that they are the best person for the job of representing Plymouth students and ultimately making your student experience the best it can be. If you see them around campus then be sure to challenge them on what they can do for you and choose your preferred candidates carefully.

The SU Elections are one of the biggest and most influential ways that you can have your say on how your SU is run!

Everything that we do is led and guided by your views, input and feedback, whether that’s through the student led Forums, Course and School Reps, by submitting motions (ideas), attending our AGM or voting in our Part or Full Time elections.

The candidate manifestos can make a huge difference to the way that your SU is run and they will influence the direction of the Union and the University through their campaigns and projects.

It’s really important that you take the time to read the candidates pledges and vote for the people that you believe will truly represent your views and your needs as a Plymouth University student.

So have a chat with the candidates, read their manifesto and go to upsu.com and vote!

Ruth Titmuss SU President, 2015 - 2016

This is your guide to the candidates asking for your votes in the SU Elections 2016.

Go to www.upsu.com/elections to view the candidates, their full manifestos and to vote for your future student leaders. voting is open from friday 26th february (midday) to friday 4th march (midday)

Read about each of the candidates for all of the positions and have a think about who will represent you the best, who wants to address issues that are important to you and who you think would make the best Executive Officer or Student Representative for the next year.

Our six Executive Officers are elected by you, Plymouth University students, to represent you for one year. It is a full time role and they get paid to do it. The Executive Officers focus on specific areas of the student experience as well as working together on the big issues affecting the student body. They are also Trustees of UPSU, so the whole organisation is led by our students.

President • Leading the Executive Officer Team • Internal and external communications • Representing Plymouth students in the local community, nationally and across the University and developing community relations • Working as a trustee of UPSU

VP Sport • Representing Plymouth students • Supporting the short and long term development of UPSU sports clubs • Developing sporting partnerships strategies and opportunities in the University and local community • Working as a trustee of UPSU

VP Education • Representing Plymouth students, both Postgraduate and Undergraduate • Working to improve student experience in all areas related to education (feedback, course costs, placements etc.).

• Leading on the development and support of the academic representation system • Working as a trustee of UPSU

VP International & Outreach • Representing International students on the Plymouth campus and those who are studying at one of our Partner Institutions • Developing and supporting the Plymouth Partner Institution network, ensuring that they receive sufficient support, representation and access to facilities that other University of Plymouth students have • Working as a trustee of UPSU

VP Welfare • Representing Plymouth students (and students in the community) • Improving student experience in all areas relating to welfare (health & wellbeing; equality & diversity; support services; housing, safety; student finance) • Supporting Mature students • Working as a trustee of UPSU

VP Activities • Representing Plymouth students • Develop and support Societies, Volunteering, Fundraising and Student Media • Supporting staff at UPSU and the University in key activities including training, Sports and Societies Fairs & Award ceremonies • Working as a trustee of UPSU

President My Three Key Points: 1. Support: The UPSU needs to be a place of sanctuary. I promise that every student that comes to the UPSU, that needs help or assistance, will be provided with every means of support. Many students come across issues while at university and don’t fully understand what the UPSU can do to help. I want to provide a clear message to every student and society what assistance the UPSU can give.

Aadam Burt

Plymouth School of Government

2. Community: Strengthening relationships within the Plymouth community will not only provide us with new opportunities but also make goals that were once unachievable, achievable. I promise to bring a better sense of community to the university and provide greater opportunities for each individual student and society 3. Trust: Having trust in the UPSU to provide you with help with every goal you have and knowledge that they will respond quickly and efficiently. I promise to make the UPSU one of the most trustworthy places in the student community.

My Three Key Points: 1. Campaign and lobby against the government’s decision to scrap maintenance grants and the prospect of rising tuition fees.

2. Operate UPSU in the most environmentally sustainable way possible through the minimisation of waste, energy efficiency and appropriate education.

3. Push to eliminate any marginalisation of students including ethnic minorities and disabled students, creating a level playing field for all students.

Joshua Leal School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

My Three Key Points: 1. If elected, I promise not to ramble on about making students drink less, but to make drinking safer. I would do this through increasing the use of Club Hosts, making water and food more accessible during club hours on campus, and ensuring that all students know the signs of alcohol poisoning and spiking.

Lowri Jones Plymouth School of Law

2. Also, I want to improve the relationship between students and Plymouth residents by creating a Know Your Neighbours scheme, encouraging an open dialogue with local communities and working to eliminate the bad reputation of having students as neighbours.

3. Finally, I want to make Plymouth University an ambassador for global citizenship by expanding the current ‘Global Challenge’ programme, including workshops and activity days for all students on international issues such as sustainability, politics and human rights, and by giving students an opportunity to improve their employability with a ‘global citizen’ accreditation.

read the full manifestos and vote at upsu.com My Three Key Points: 1. Proud to be Plymouth: I want more awareness of all the good work done by Plymouth students. From sporting success to vast charity support to academic greatness, I want Plymouth to be shown to produce students with more than just a degree, on a national level.

morwenna dobson Plymouth Business School

2. Employability: With the cuts to grants, the financial pressure on students is at an all-time high. I promise to increase the amount of part time jobs on offer throughout your degree, as well as offering more opportunities to expand your CV, enabling you to leave university with more skills and training than the average graduate.

3. Student Support and Wellbeing: I want all students to feel confident in contacting the advice team, regardless of the size of the issue. Informal and relaxed drop-in sessions will be set up around campus, with members of the advice team available to give impartial advice to any student concerns.

My Three Key Points: 1. Transparency: I will continue the work that Ruth has done so well. I will get updates from the Uni in regards what your fees are spent on, and enable you to feed back to the Uni on financial decisions it makes. After all, you pay for a service.

2. Career pathways are always a worry. I want to introduce a Job Fair, twice a year, where companies can come onto campus and talk to students – and possibly even recruit for placement or graduate positions.

Phil Ives

3. I will campaign to increase awareness of Invisible Illnesses. The recent cuts to the DSA are appalling, and anything that can be done to increase the societal consciousness of such illnesses, and reduce the stigma, can only be beneficial to all.

School of Humanities and Performing Arts

My Three Key Points: 1. Transparency: How the student union performs and gives back to the students is paramount to what the SU does. I want to implement a system to not only show what the student union is doing financially, but also to let students have their say in how the SU uses its funds - from what is available in the retail areas all the way to large-scale events. I also aim to make the SU more affordable to students overall.

Scott Bryan School of Marine Science and Engineering

2. Pride: The UPSU has a large variety of societies and activities representing the students, all of which deserve to be shown off and promoted all year around. I want to utilize the SU spaces and facilities to promote and show our societies at their best 3. Openness: The SU can be a daunting place for students new and old, but it offers a great range of services for the students. I want to be available to address the needs of students and interact in an open space. I propose to hold an open-door day where anybody, student or staff, may come along and speak face-to-face about anything they wish.

vp sport My Three Key Points: 1. Provide better information and help for sourcing external funding and sponsorship for your sports club - I want to help clubs source larger external grants from places such as Sports England and national governing bodies as well helping clubs get funding from the SU 2. Create training workshops and ‘how to guides’ to help raise clubs’ profiles through social media and external sources.

Jake Van der veen

3. To conduct a review of club partnerships associated with the SU and the University, in order to maximise the benefits for clubs and students. This includes where clubs train and compete.

School of Earth, Geography and Environmental Sciences

My Three Key Points: 1. Address Mental Health Within Sports Clubs: Have guest speakers, sports psychologists, healthy mind = healthy body campaign, link with charities like Plymouth mind for National projects

Louise Charles Plymouth School of Law

2. Create a page/website where students are informed of where a match/competition is taking place and the result of that event: Culminate all venues, times and teams information onto one site. Sports teams deserve support regardless of whether they’re in BUCS or not. Use media e.g. radio etc. to promote games and announce results regularly 3. Creating bonds with local sports team: Help keep costs down by finding nonuniversity teams in the South West to have friendlies with. Creates more competition, could even create new annual events.

My Three Key Points: 1. Facilities: As the current VP Sports I know that sport facilities are a priority for students. I will lobby the University for more/better Sporting Facilities in the local community, on and near-by to the University. I also want to develop a plan to extend our Students’ Union gym to enable extended opening hours and more gym equipment in a location convenient to you! The University needs to invest more time and money and I will make this happen.

matthew dark School of Biological Sciences

2. Director of Sport: I want to work with the University to introduce a Director of Sport to develop the University strategy related to sport on and off campus. This will mean that sports will be represented in the University with more funding and increased facilities.

3. Increasing Contacts: I will increase UPSU’s contact list to enable sports clubs and individuals to gain access to a wider community of skilled coaches, helpers and sporting elites.

read the full manifestos and vote at upsu.com My Three Key Points: 1. Expansion of Intramural Tournaments/Leagues: We need to bridge the ever increasing gap between societies and sports and encourage sports clubs to set up intramural leagues and tournaments. This would lead to various sports being able to promote their brand and ultimately increase sign ups.

Oliver Thompson School of Earth, Geography and Environmental Sciences

2. Increase community outreach involving sports such as volunteering: Amassing a total of over 50 hours volunteering involving football coaching I therefore know the important of community outreach involving volunteering. If elected as your new VP Sports I will work tirelessly in order to get such opportunities around the local Plymouth area as well as nationally. The Icon Awards are a terrific creation and I will centre rewards and incentives on the volunteering performed.

3. Improve social media and communication devices: I want people to feel proud to wear their sports kit and I want the various activities and ventures undertaken by our sports clubs to be well documented and represented across all social media devices within the student’s union. To achieve this, we will need the corporation of our media societies such as the radio, newspaper and SU:TV.

My Three Key Points: 1. COMBATING DISCRIMINATION: I want to level out the playing field between males and females within sport in terms of coaching standards, facilities and publicity.

Leading with the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign and continuing campaigns such as ‘Out in Sport’, I would like to place more emphasis on opportunities being available to everyone at the university, removing stereotypes within sport.

Philippa Williams School of Earth, Geography and Environmental Sciences

2. ENGAGING IN SPORT: I would like to encourage more involvement of students within sport, regardless of ability, by increasing awareness of sports on offer before fresher’s week, increasing approachability of committee members at the Sports and Societies fair and publicising of sporting fixtures weekly to encourage support across the university.

3. COMMUNICATION: I want to encourage more social interaction between different Sports and Societies to reduce divisions and create a happier student environment.

I want to simplify the working relationship between the hive and sports committee members with particular focus on advancing notice of events and deadlines and increasing the ease of captains team sheets. I also want to improve the relationship between sports clubs and kit providers.

My Three Key Points: 1. Enhance Sporting Ability: I will endeavour to enhance every UPSU athlete’s sporting experience and abilities by ensuring each sports club has access to high quality coaching and coaches.

2. Enable Participation: To run a sports club, firstly there must be members. Therefore, sports clubs have to enable potential members to try the sport to convince them to sign up. My main two methods that will help sports clubs achieve this will be a ‘Try Before You Buy’ policy and the encouragement of interclub events.

Robert Fall School of Humanities and Performing Arts

3. Equip: If you don’t have adequate equipment, your progress will be stunted. So I will ensure each sports club doesn’t suffer from inadequate equipment and can train to their fullest.

vp education My Three Key Points: 1. More e-books to be made available for students.

2. More guest speakers to come in and offer placement/graduate opportunities.

3. Course Refresher Sessions for students who have had time out of university.

Frankie Lawrence-Thompson School of Psychology

My Three Key Points: 1. Placement Database: To lobby the university and eventually work with them to establish a university-wide placement database, allowing students to easily access and apply for placements or internship appropriate to their course.

2. Accommodation Security: To widely promote the free tenancy contract checking service, and to eventually make it the norm for student letting agencies to refer potential tenants to this service, giving students peace of mind when signing tenancy agreements.

Ryan Minshull Plymouth School of Law

3. Regular faculty mixers and representative meetings: To hold regular faculty mixers so students are able to meet similar like-minded people, and to also hold regular meetings between course and school reps, to prevent a breakdown in communication and to allow any genuine concerns to reach those who have the power to make a positive change.

My Three Key Points: 1. There needs to be more emphasis on student representatives with clear lines of communication open. This should begin with a fair voting system for each department with sub representatives per course. I want to implement more training for representatives and meetings. I also will be available for drop in ‘surgeries’ as an additional opportunity for students to discuss ideas face to face.

Sarah Fuller Plymouth Institute of Education

2. I firmly believe there should be a wider range of events at the SU to accommodate for the ordinary and the extraordinary! I aim to work towards having something happening daily (without forgetting mature students) influenced by what YOU want.

3. I intend to improve cross curricular options throughout the university with focus on employability and skills such as peer mentors, CV boosting workshops, interview preparation workshops, an improved recruitment fair, referencing skills workshops, basic ICT training courses and student designed resources so you are able to have input into your education.

read the full manifestos and vote at upsu.com My Three Key Points: 1. More study spaces: As VP Education, I know this is a priority for students. I want the University to develop an app which will send notifications to your phone of available study space based on your location. I want to keep RLB open 24 hours around crucial deadline times. I promise that I will lobby the University to extend the library and increase desk space and plugs. I will utilise UPSU space to provide temporary study space around assessment deadlines.

steph Wearne School of Humanities and Performing Arts

2. Exam Stress-Less Events: I have already created the Puppy and Cupcake Party. I will do this a minimum of 3 times next year. I promise to create more stress relieving events so you can chill out around exam times and enjoy yourselves.

3. 15 day feedback on assessments: With semesters, quick feedback is now crucial.

You worked hard for that essay, you deserve quick and quality feedback. I promise to lobby the University to change the policy from 20 to 15 working days maximum turnaround time. #VoteWeenie

My Three Key Points: 1. Marking and Feedback: • More consistent and systematic marking, ensured by better guidelines for and cross-referencing between markers.

• Qualitative feedback: option of 10 minutes personal contact time per assessment to turn feedback into something useful!

• Beginning-, mid-, and end-module contact with tutors to build a clear account of your progress – great for instant improvements, and future references!

Stephanie Hartgen School of Psychology

2. Assessment Season Support: • Giving you support when it’s needed most. Every student should be entitled to £2 worth of snacks plus a hot drink per week during assessment season, giving you one less thing to worry about!

3. Smarter Choices: • Improve library resources – especially more (up-to-date) core texts, in print or eBook format!

• Four or more hours of lectures straight? Exhausting! Campaign to end back-toback slots and give us time to breathe!

• No more 9ams! Science says our average age group doesn’t fare well this early, and student parents miss 9ams for the school-run!

vp international & outreach My Three Key Points: 1. Compulsory Student Liaison Officers at all partner colleges: Partner college students feel that they are not a part of Plymouth University, and don’t know what UPSU has to offer such as advice, social events and support. Partner college students will also be able to get their views represented at local college, Plymouth University and national levels much easier with Student Liaison Officers.

Alex Gosling Plymouth School of Government

2. Cultural food nights: Cultural food nights will be events held on campus to celebrate the different cultures of Plymouth University. Students will be able to cook and prepare a cultural dish to represent their country.

3. Community hosts: Community hosts will be local volunteers in the public who maybe lonely or wanting to meet students of different cultural backgrounds. While the Community hosts will be a member of the public the students can talk to about any issues the scheme will also allow the host and student to learn about each other and develop a larger sense of community belonging.

My Three Key Points: 1. EMPLOYABILITY: Boost employability skills and opportunities for international students by holding specific sessions for international students in September during Welcome Week and in January during Refreshers when exchange students start their experience in Plymouth. Encourage participation in Societies, Clubs and democratic representation as a key tool to develop transferable skills.

Dave bertelli School of Earth, Geography and Environmental Sciences

2. CULTURE: Hosting cultural events across the academic year, highlighting the diversity on campus. Nigeria National Day, Chinese New Year, Eid, Oktoberfest can become great festivals to improve integration of international and home students.

3. PROGRESSION: Students transitioning from Partner Institutions to Plymouth University in their third year to top up their degree need more support. Hosting regular “tea breaks” and day-time socialisation events will help transitional students to familiarise themselves with the SU and the services we provide they can fully rely on.

read the full manifestos and vote at upsu.com My Three Key Points: 1. To promote homogenous understanding; • of unique and sort after opportunities / privileges, available to students and its unrestricted access. Privileges from: Disability Assist to Free Food and Transport during tough times.

• of substantial benefits associated with cultural differences and informal ways to seamlessly integrate; in relating with Locals and foreign colleagues.

David James elemi School of Marine Science and Engineering

2. Provide effortless commute from Airports to Plymouth; • Selected train cars from airport terminals Dedicated exclusively to Plymouth University and College Students. A (£) Zero cost Service, to Plymouth and partner Campuses from every major city in the UK, exclusive to resumption and admission sessions.

3. A Day in The Life Program; • Imagine being employed at your dream firm, occupying your dream position at the expense of the University, for a day or more? To be available across all academic discipline, regardless of Where, What and How Bizarre or Unique your Dream might be. With a Retainment potential.

My Three Key Points: 1. To promote an engagement for partner students and international students in fresher’s week, to ensure they feel welcomed from the start of their degree.

2. To actively engage in the student voice of all international and outreach students.

3. To encourage, enhance and promote the opportunities for all international and outreach students to participate in on campus events.

samantha fox South Devon College

vp welfare My Three Key Points: 1. To Start a UPSU Feel Good Festival: Exams and Assignments are tough, but could be made easier with a Feel Good Fest. This will be focussed on: Study Help; Being Active; Eating Well; Health Advice; As well as loads of activities… The best thing about this is that it’s all FREE!

2. To raise awareness of Mental Health Problems and the Support Available: Mental Health problems are a growing epidemic. So I plan to help break the stigma and raise awareness of vital support services.

Joshua Knight

3. Liberation History Month: If elected I want to work with various Forum Chairs to deliver Liberation History months for Women, Disability, BME and LGBT+. To recognise the disparities of equality and how far many have come.

Plymouth School of Government

My Three Key Points: 1. Interactive Support Service: There are fantastic welfare services available to students, many are underused. I aim to raise awareness of services and make student life a little less daunting by creating an accessible online interactive map to signpost all services. This will include counselling, health services and the useful amenities in the local area.

Liv Kempton School of Psychology

2. Tackling Below Standard Accommodation: Students commonly face dodgy landlords and below standard accommodation at an unacceptable expense. I want to launch a huge campaign to give the power back to students, making them contract savvy, setting a housing standard and increase use of all the help available regarding contract signing, and claiming back deposits.

3. Student Safety Campaign: Working on Club Nights I witness first-hand the threats to student safety. I want to reduce student vulnerability by campaigning for safer nights out, drug and legal high awareness, and preventing risk of theft.

My Three Key Points: 1. To make realistic drug and alcohol safety advice available for all students. Almost every year I’ve studied at Plymouth there has been a drug-related death in the student body, and just one is too many. I hope to help combat this by allowing students access to judgement-free advice and by making it easier to come forward with concerns

zoe page School of Psychology

2. To protect the approximately 20% of Plymouth University & Partner College students receiving disability support from the cuts to funding due to come in from September 2016 as best as possible, exploring available options to mitigate harm.

3. To provide assistance to students facing financial difficulty - regardless of their background. I will endeavour to set up two schemes to do this. The first, a ‘room of requirement’ where requests can be made for basic course supplies. The second, trying pay-what-you-can markets to help combat food waste, encourage students to eat well and explore food, and keep costs low

read the full manifestos and vote at upsu.com My Three Key Points: 1. To promote positive sexual health, raise awareness of the risks of unprotected sex and end the stigma of STIs. 2. To raise awareness, increase support and end the stigma of mental health and wellbeing issues.

3. To help students increase their personal safety, so that they feel safer and more confident.

chloe mills Plymouth School of Tourism and Hospitality

My Three Key Points: 1. To support students in any advice they may need towards sexual health related issues, including sexual violence or abuse. I want it to be easy for students to get the best support from the start if they are sexually assaulted. To make sure students understand what consent is and to support all students in this taboo subject.

Lorna Markillie Plymouth School of Law

2. I want to provide and support students with mental health issues. I want to provide students with easy access to any support they may need or require. I want to make it easier for students the find the information to services quicker, or at least to sign post to the organisations which can help.

3. To provide stress free activities to students during / after exams. This might be in a number of ways, for example, by maybe having a bouncy castle on campus.

My Three Key Points: 1. To create an awareness of services available from the SU, the University and wider Plymouth community to get you the help you need when you need it.

2. Reforming how we view accommodation to make sure all students get to live in a safe, happy and affordable home.

3. Continuing and driving forward important campaigns such as the ‘Stress less’ campaign and ‘Know the line’

Megan Heywood School of Art and Media

My Three Key Points: 1. Introduce more counselling and mental health facilities: With a rise in the need for mental health services I propose an increase in mental health facilities to make it more accessible to all.

2. Better housing support for students trapped in poor housing conditions: Create a fund and work alongside halls accommodation to relocate students from poor housing.

Helen Kallenberg Plymouth School of Government

3. Enact a 3 strike plan for rogue landlords/letting agents: This is to put a stop to landlords and letting agents taking advantage of unknowing students.

vp activities My Three Key Points: 1. Society Suggestion List: If students aren’t sure what societies to join, they can list their interests & hobbies and suggested societies to join will be listed online, before they sign up or commit to anything. This will increase publicity.

2. Society Recognition Scheme: This will be opened to society members and committee members as individuals too, where the society team to see who has contributed what to the society, and for members to get rewarded on what they do in the society (Bronze, Silver and Gold awards etc).

jessica ball School of Computing, Electronics and Mathematics

3. E-Event Booking System: I will introduce a system where society chairs can book online for rooms in certain parts of the University, and this will also be published online on their own society page so members can see what events are on for that particular society.

My Three Key Points: 1. I pledge to provide better integrated volunteering and fundraising opportunities for sports and societies, such as templates for fundraising events and more volunteer projects, along with the creation of a volunteering and fundraising league table for societies and sports, including monthly recognition for outstanding performance and development of the ICONS scheme.

Jessica Vagg School of Earth, Geography and Environmental Sciences

2. I want to make life easier for societies. I pledge to work with UPSU to increase societies’ funding, simplify the funding application process, push for a boarder range of sponsorship both internally and externally to UPSU, and increase overall financial stability of societies.

3. If elected I will ensure every society, sport and student group is given the opportunity to have one to one meetings with the new UPSU Media team. This will improve exposure, branding and promotion of events. I will also introduce general workshops in areas where students feel they would benefit, such as how to increase membership. #VOTEVAGG

My Three Key Points: 1. UNITY, (‘Inter-Societies Competition’): Already existing in various universities in the UK and around the world, the inter-society competition is a relaxed and fun way for societies’ members & chairs to meet and socialize with other societies, throughout the year with different competitive activities (physical and intellectual). I truly believe that the Inter-Societies Competition will increase the family spirit within the university environment.

Luis bruzzichessi Plymouth Graduate School of Management

2. PROGRESSION, (Development of the Media Entity): As our current VP ‘Activities’, is fighting hard to get the media entity started, I will continue to develop and support the prospective entity in order to benefit and promote Societies, Sport teams, Volunteers, Fundraisers and the university’s activities in general.

3. SUPPORT, (Volunteers & Fundraisers): If I am to be elected, I am going to increase the recognition of volunteers and fundraisers by providing them with further university certificates, prizes and using our media to increase their profile (e.g.

‘Volunteer of the month’ and ‘Fundraiser of the month’).

read the full manifestos and vote at upsu.com My Three Key Points: 1. Incorporate the facility for online payments for event tickets, charity donations, merchandise, equipment and kit for societies through the SU website and app.

2. Give training on generating funding and promote self-sustainability within each society.

nehal (Nelly) Chohan

3. Provide opportunities for student enterprise through the creation of pop up stall/ shop area and a forum for ‘commissions of work’ to be displayed and completed by students on behalf of other students, societies and the University.

School of Biomedical and Healthcare Sciences

My Three Key Points: 1. Boost Event Coverage: I will maximise the full potential of UPSU Media and develop it into an easier platform for societies to advertise all of their events. I strongly believe this will raise awareness as well as boost participation and increase the success of every upcoming event 2. Jam Aid: To host a series of charity music events in the SU that encourages all students from all societies to form together in a combined effort to raise money for those who need it most.

oliver parker School of Marine Science and Engineering

3. Development of Academic Societies: To help academic societies provide the best possible career opportunities for you by developing more specific career fairs based around particular degree subjects as well as introduce more networking events, guest lecturers and workshops.

forum chairs The purpose of the Forums is to enable UPSU to support and embrace the diverse nature of the student body. The role of a Forum Chair is to lead their Student Forum and to attend the Union Executive Committee, giving them the influence to really evoke change.

Academic forum This forum is all about education. It seeks to identify key educational issues that affect Plymouth students, and influence the University to improve these things. This could be about teaching learning services and other academic student support.

daniel van cleak

Plymouth Business School

Running for: academic Forum Chair

black, asian and minority ethnic (BAME) forum This forum is open to any student that identifies as a BAME student and the chair of this forum can only be elected by students that also identify as BAME. It meets monthly to discuss and plan local and national campaigns around topics that affect BAME students.

omar abu-seer

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Running for: black, asian and minority ethnic Forum Chair

environment and sustainability forum This forum is a chance for students to share their ideas for ultimate change within the UPSU and the University. It meets monthly to discuss and plan local and national campaigns around environment and sustainability issues affecting Plymouth University students.

harry barrat

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Running for: environment & sustainability forum chair

sports forum This forum is open to any student interested in student sports clubs and meets to discuss and plan campaigns around topics such as varsity, club budgets, approval of new clubs and other sport related issues.

Matthew Hammerstone Plymouth Business School

Running for: sports Forum Chair

read the full manifestos and vote at upsu.com students with disabilities forum This forum is open to any student that identifies as a disabled student and the chair of this forum can only be elected by students that also identify as disabled. It meets monthly to discuss and plan local and national campaigns around topics that affect disabled students.

Sophie Godwin

Plymouth Institute of Education

Running for: students with disabilities Forum Chair

volunteering forum The Volunteering forum is open to anyone interested in volunteering and fundraising at Plymouth University. It is a space for Plymouth University students to get together and discuss and plan volunteering/fundraising opportunities and events.

Abby Williams

Plymouth Institute of Education

Running for: Volunteering Forum Chair

hannah palmer-davis

School of Biomedical and Healthcare Sciences

Running for: volunteering forum chair

By-Election Forum Chairs Interested in running for a Forum Chair position? There are some positions still unfilled.

These part time roles offer you the opportunity to campaign on issues that you are passionate about and kick start your career with experience, skills development and training.

• • • • • • • • •

Faith & Belief Forum Chair Global Students Forum Chair LGBT Forum Chair* Mature Students Forum Chair* Partner Institutions Forum Chair* Postgraduate Forum Chair* Society Forum Chair Welfare Forum Chair Women’s Forum Chair*

Nominations for these positions will open in Autumn 2016

Union Executive Committee Chair The Union Executive Committee (UEC) is made up of the 15 elected Forum Chairs, 6 elected Executive Officers, and is also attended by the Chief Executive and staff support members.

The UEC is in place to make important decisions that affect the student body and ensure that the wide diversity of the student body is fairly represented in these decisions.

In the 2016/17 Academic Year nominations will open for the next UEC Chair. The chair of UEC is responsible for chairing the monthly UEC meetings, and progressing and chasing any actions arising from the meetings. They should run the meetings in the most fair and democratic way possible and should become knowledgeable of the UPSU Constitution and Bye-laws so the meetings can be run in accordance with these.

• Union Executive Committee Chair Interested and want to find out more? Contact the Student Voice team on studentvoice@su.plymouth.ac.uk

accountability board The Accountability Board is made up of elected Students. It is their role to scrutinise the elected officers and student Forums to ensure they are being as fair and representative as they could possibly be, and to hold them to acccount. The responsibilities of the Accountability Board fall into 4 main areas: • Holding meetings with the Executive Officers to hold them to account • Observing and scrutinising Student Forums to make sure they stay democratic and that members of the Forum are being listened to and treated fairly.

• Observing the Union Executive Committee, and making sure the decisions made are fair and representative.

• Assessing policies submitted by students during Policy Referendums, and making sure they are legal, safe and financially viable before they go out to an all student vote.

accountability board chair matt hatfield

School of Marine Science and Engineering

Running for: accountability board chair

accountability board member Kannee hamilton

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Running for: accountability board member

Maximilian shirley Plymouth School of Law

Running for: accountability board member

robert milligan

Plymouth School of Government

Running for: accountability board member

Accountability board member by-election The Accountability Board consists of nine elected members and a Chair, in addition to the elected candidates from the SU Elections 2016 a by-election will be held in Autumn 2016/17.

Interested and want to find out more? Contact the Student Voice team on studentvoice@su.plymouth.ac.uk

read the full manifestos and vote at upsu.com

Art & Media Architecture, Design & Environment Biological Sciences Biomedical and Healthcare Sciences Business School Computing, Electronics and Mathematics Dentistry Education Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences

Health Professions Humanities and Performing Arts Law Marine Science and Engineering Medicine Nursing and Midwifery Tourism & Hospitality Psychology

nominations: 14th march -18th march (midday - midday) voting: 21st - 24th march (midday - midday) find out more at upsu.com

how does it work? the voting system The Alternative Vote (AV), also known as Transferable Vote, is a preferential system where the voter has the chance to rank the candidates in order of preference.

The voter puts a ‘1’ by their first choice a ‘2’ by their second choice, and so on, until they no longer wish to express any further preferences or run out of candidates.

Candidates are elected outright if they gain more than half of the first preference votes. If not, the candidate who lost (the one with least first preferences) is eliminated and their votes are redistributed according to the second (or next available) preference marked on the ballot paper. This process continues until one candidate has half of the votes and is elected.

Voters are also able to vote for Re-open Nominations (RON), you can vote for RON at any stage of the voting.

re-open nominations (ron) RON stands for Re-Open Nominations. UPSU believes that you, the voter, should always have the choice to make a positive vote, even if you don’t agree with the policies of any of the candidates standing. This means that even those candidates who appear to be standing alone for a post still need to convince you that they are the best person for the job.

UPSU would urge you to consider this carefully. Don’t be prepared to vote for someone to represent you if you genuinely don’t think they are the best person for the job. Equally, don’t think that not voting will help either. The winners of these elections are the voice of the students on how this university develops and delivers its service to you. If you really don’t care whether your university is any good or not and decide not to vote, then the university will take that as a very positive message that they don’t need to listen to students. You will then find it much harder to be heard if you have a problem.

Stand up and be counted and make a positive vote. Vote for every post and, if you don’t agree that the candidate is good enough to represent you, then vote for RON. But most importantly of all, VOTE! Your future depends on it.

no further preferences (n.f.p.)

Placing a “1” next to No Further Preferences is vote of abstention, see below. If you do not intend to abstain you should place a “1” next to your preferred option. Your preferred option will be either your preferred candidate or if you believe no candidate is suitable for the position Re-Open Nominations (R.O.N).

You should continue numbering your options consecutively in strict order of preference until you are indifferent between the remaining unnumbered options. At this stage you should assign the next number in sequence to No Further Preferences. The Voting system will not accept Ballot Forms where an option is numbered subsequently to No Further Preferences.

Please note that under no circumstances can a later preference count against an earlier preference.

• Selecting No further Preferences (N.F.P) is an expression of indifference towards all remaining options.

• Selecting Re-Open Nominations (R.O.N) is an active vote against all remaining candidates.

each day throughout the voting period we’ll be selecting one lucky winner who’s used the hashtag #runupsu, prizes on offer include: - amazon vouchers - summerball tickets ...and more! have you got a question you want to pose to all of the candidates, want to find out more about the elections process or perhaps you want to “vote and gloat” make sure you use the hashtag #runupsu and you’ll automatically be entered in to the prize draw!

How do i vote?

1. log in to upsu.com

2. read through the manifestos

3. number the candidates in order of preference

having trouble logging in? get in touch with us at login@upsu.com

minute to win it Friday 26th february

Each candidate will take to the stage for 60 seconds to try and persuade you that they are the best candidate for the job. Anyone stand out?

We’ve included some check boxes in this guide next to each candidate, make your mark next to those who perform well or perhaps those who you want to find out more from - you can make a point of questioning them on their manifesto during Campaign Week.

campaign week friday 26th February - friday 4th March

As soon as the Minute to Win It speeches draw to a close, Campaign Week will start with a bang! During this week candidates will be out in force physically campaigning for your votes. Make the most of this opportunity to question what the candidates plan to do for YOU because the successful candidates will represent you as Plymouth University students for a whole year! Voting opens as soon as Campaign Week begins and closes at midday on Friday 4th March.

results night friday 4th march

After a long week of campaigning all of the candidates, their campaign teams and students will come together in the SU to find out who will be successfully elected in to the Student Rep positions and Executive Officer team for 2016 - 2017. Don’t miss out!