Activities President Candidates

Activities President Candidates

The Activities President is interested in the social and cultural activities of the Union, works to support the Campus Chairs in their roles with the Union, act as Chair of the Activities Council and is also interested in the Media and Entertainment provision of students at UWE

Alex Bright

Personal Statement

Hello hello! I’m Alex, a “get on with it” type of guy. My initiative lead us to the re-launch of our student radio station (hubradio) and now co-manage the whole operation. My UWE Business School background and current student status keeps me involving student opinion wherever I can with an open mind. I live life for the ride, and just want to make sure we are all enjoying it as much as we can - some ride if you’re on it alone! I want to lead you into a more involved student lifestyle, one you can laugh along with.

Manifesto

You might not know it, but we do have an amazing foundation already.

I’ll involve more activity with societies, such as Dance and Cheerleading as well as Urban and Live Music - I’ll match their involvement as sport teams do already.

Student Media is an amazing tool to start your career in anything from journalism or presenting to management and marketing so let’s encourage this more. Media ties students and locations together, so let’s host radio shows from Bower Ashton and broadcast in Glenside’s bar while managing the station from Frenchay. These tools are the face of the union, and you probably don’t see/hear much of it.

It’s time for the UK’s 10th largest uni to lead in providing a diverse choice in weekly club-nights. You’ll notice that hubradio are behind the union’s new night at the Thekla nightclub every Monday. And you’re probably reading this after hubfest, the only week-long event which encourages students to get involved with their union (after Freshers’) - again, a hubradio event. Freshers’ Week is hugely important to you (not just freshers’) so it’s about time you were boasting about big-name acts playing for UWE students. But I’ll keep those big name bands and DJs coming to your campuses throughout the year, so you can keep boasting.

The SU shop prices can be lower. UWE accommodation also needs a quality checkup! Plus we could be pioneering a leadership in environmental awareness.

All of this can be done. I intend to do it fast.

Bullet Points

• Ensure you’re enjoying your student experience, past the point of studying (including events and entertainment)
• Promote how you could be involved with loads of activities, not all call for drinking!
• Show media teams and societies what they’re worth as well as showing them off externally
• Provide volunteer work to help with events and entertainment planning to local community support
• Involve students across all campuses and ensure they’re treated fairly, for the whole year

Alice Bouquet

Personal Statement

Hi, I’m your current Activities President! I studied Drama & English at St Matts. I have also been Sabbatical President at my College.

I have been involved within student unions, and entertainment since 2000, and am the MOST EXPERIENCED CANDIDATE.

I’m sociable, enthusiastic, extremely driven and relish the opportunity to work hard for a cause that I believe in.

Other Experience

South West Rep for NUS National Council 07 08

National Conference Delegate 02 03 07

President 02-03

RAG Officer 00-02

NUS Board of Governors training

NUS Active Political Leadership training

RE-ELECT ALICE #1

Manifesto

Last year I told you this union had been apathetic towards LOCAL and NATIONAL issues for far too long. Then I discovered… passionate students HANDCUFFED by a restrictive constitution. Mandated from UWESU AGM, this matter was addressed URGENTLY.

CAMPUSES and CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW

Continue the fight for the 5th President (Welfare/Campaigns/Campus Support) -that YOU voted for at the AGM

Fight for more DEDICATED FUNDING to support campus committees

ENTERTAINMENT

MORE EVENTS on campuses, and in the centre

FRESHERS –totally revamped, better value for money and more daytime events

SNOWBALL –better entertainment, better food and cheaper drinks

Rehearsal rooms –support homegrown musical talent

A return to quality STUDENT LED events

SOCIETIES

INCREASED by 25% this year!

CONTINUE working to revamp committee training -give it the overhaul it needs

CAMPAIGNS

EDUCATION FUNDING –next year is the decision about the £3,000 cap on fees – elect an experienced campaigner

Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance (SHAG) week –BIGGER AND BETTER

STUDENT MEDIA

MORE issues of Western Eye

FIGHT for a full time Hub Radio station manager

ENVIRONMENT

Strengthen the NEW UWESU Environmental Task Group

COMMUNICATION

Continue Activities show on hub radio –a WEEKLY chance for ANY student, on ANY campus to have their questions publicly answered.

There’s SO much I want to sort out before I leave UWE.

So, for an extended manifesto and my achievements this year, look at Facebook group…

RE-ELECT ALICE BOUQUET #1 for UWESU ACTIVITIES PRESIDENT

Bullet Points

• ENTERTAINMENT –bigger, better and more enjoyable for campuses/city. Supporting quality student led events
• FIGHT for fairer national Education Funding through campaigns –keep the £3,000 cap on fees
• FIGHT for the urgently needed 5th President for WELFARE, CAMPAIGNS and CAMPUS SUPPORT
• CAMPUSES –ENSURE a better structure for support and communication between them. It’s SO important!
• ENVIRONMENT – make UWESU a leader in good practice. Lobby the university for high standards

Vicki Broderick

Personal Statement

I am a third year Drama student who is actively involved in University life and the Student Union. In my first year, I was appointed as Club Secretary for Trampolining and in second and third years, I have been the clubs Social Secretary. This involves organising nights out and events away from the sporting aspect – they’ve been a great success and we always have a lot of fun. In my spare time, I also work with the Outreach Centre and secondary school age pupils in Bristol - It’s a challenge but very enjoyable

Manifesto

I firmly believe that as much as University is about furthering your education and knowledge of your chosen subject, it is equally about making loads of new friends and furthering yourself as a person. The easiest way to do this is by getting involved in the extra-curricular activities that UWE offers, whether that be by reading the student paper, tuning in to the radio, coming along to a live music night at the union or joining a club. Meeting a wide variety of people furthers your university career and can only enhance your experience.

If I am elected as Activities President, I aim to increase the profile of RaG (Raising and Giving) week across all campuses – showing that charity can be fun (one of the events is a bar crawl!). Also, I think we should have more nights offered at the union such as bands playing, karaoke, quizzes etc. We have two big spaces available and don’t utilise them as best we could.

Another important aspect of being Activities President is having a strong involvement with the Student Media. We are currently publishing a newspaper and magazine and producing a radio station – a huge achievement and an excellent way to get student opinions and voices across. If I were elected I would look at raising the profile of our media so that more students have the opportunity to appreciate and contribute if they so wish.

University life should be fun and I aim to make it as accessible as possible!

Bullet Points

• Increase the profile of RaG week across all campuses.
• Promote volunteering opportunites – you feel good and it looks great on your C.V
• Raise the profile of our Student media and encourage others to get involved.
• Make the union more high profile with better events such as live bands.
• Support individual clubs to run more events, raising their profile and membership.

Peter Haytread

Personal Statement

I’m a man of many strings to my bow. I enjoy making thought provoking films and debating topical issues regarding politics and philosophy, but my main passion lies in the arts and music, to which I devote a lot of time particularly to playing the guitar in bands. I’m extremely out-going and work very well with others. I work well alone but thrive in a team. I would gain great job satisfaction from working for and with young and like-minded individuals.

Manifesto

If elected president of the Activities council I would listen to everything others have to say and give clear, concise input. My opinions on all topics would be justified and coherent. I would be completely democratic and work at all aspects of my job in a liberal yet thorough manner.

I will completely immerse myself in the policies of University life, bettering and enhancing the overall Uni experience.

I believe there are a number of areas where my skills would be most valuable. As a third year student I believe not enough is being done to advertise the sports and societies at UWE. There is limited information provided on each campus about subject related societies. I believe the transport department needs a lot of devoted time and effort as it plays a major part in bridging the ever growing gap between our campuses. This is also an area I wish to target: The campus bias and whether or not we should have a “main” campus. The implications from this way of thinking segregate a potentially united university. I propose that a lot more work is done to better the universities policies on helping to make Bristol a more eco friendly environment.

My honesty will be the basis of my respect. I will take a no-holds-bard approach to my campaigning once we have reached a collective verdict on matters.

Bullet Points

• Societies – I propose to make them more advertised and accessible.
• Greener UWE – I will raise awareness about the environmental implications of a University.
• Transport – I will lobby the Uni board to improve the U-link services.
• Faculty Mergers – I will bring up ideas on how to make a more united Uni.
• The Student Village – I intend to address the issues concerning the new Village.

Terry Newbegin

Personal Statement

My name is Terry Newbegin. I am 24 years old and come from a small town called Abingdon. I am studying Film Studies at St Matt’s and I am in my second year. I have worked in the kitchen at Escape bar since I started University last September. I may have cooked you a Burger or two, or called you up to sing on the karaoke. I love music, film, comedy and rugby. Before University I worked in a number of retail management positions and organised events, gigs and DJ’s for pubs and clubs in the local area.

Manifesto

Time for a Change.

If I am elected I wish to bring a few things into play that I feel will benefit ALL students on ALL campuses.

The events budget has to increase. We as a student union pour all our capital into Fresher's week and the some-what controversial Snowball. This has meant events throughout the year have been non-eventful. Red bar at Frenchay sits un-used most of the time. Glenside, Hartbury, St Matts and Bower Ashton have inadequate support in organising their own events. This is simply not good enough. Why should they have to feel excluded and isolated? I will, if elected, be visiting each campus each week to help in the running and organisation of events.

We as students are losing out on a memorable university experience due to a lack of organisational skills in the handling of this budget.

Clubs and societies are the foundations of any Student Union. Again this is an area that is under-funded and quite simply biased and old fashioned in some areas.

I wish to give all societies equal backing and support. Small or large they are all part of the UWESU. Favouritism has to end.

I wish to raise awareness and increase support in charitable causes, and also boost our own RAG society. This year they have been working very hard despite having inadequate support. This has to change.

If I am elected I promise you I will fight on your side. We ALL deserve an experience to remember. We (words cut exceeded word limit)

Bullet Points

• To increase the events budget to improve our student experience on ALL campuses.
• Campaign for a purpose built Student Union venue to attract bigger bands/DJ’s.
• Improve the U-link Bus service. It’s a good idea yet to be fully realised.
• Support all clubs and societies equally and increase their budgets.
• Re-invent and re-ignite passion for the student union. We still have a voice.

Dee Singh

Personal Statement

I AM A 23YR OLD POLITICS STUDENT FROM BRISTOL. I HAVE BEEN BASED IN THE FRENCHAY AND ST. MATTIAS CAMPUSES OVER THE YEARS IN WHICH I HAVE ATTENDED UWE. I HAVE BEEN THE TREASURER FOR UWESU’S ‘URBAN SOCIETY’ FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, AS WELL AS, CHAIR OF THE EVENTS COMMITTEE FOR UWESU. I HAVE WORKED WITH PREVIOUS ACTIVITIES PRESIDENTS TO PROVIDE EVENTS FOR UWESU, AND, HAVE ADVISED ON THE RUNNING OF CERTAIN EVENTS SUCH AS THE 2007/08 FRESHERS FAIR. THE ACTIVITIES PRESIDENTS OF THE PAST HAVE NOT GONE FAR ENOUGH TO PROMOTE UWESU AND I WANT TO CHANGE THAT.

Manifesto

IN THE TIME I HAVE BEEN STUDYING AT UWE, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN AN ACTIVITIES PRESIDENT THAT I FEEL HAS BEEN ABLE TO COMBINE CREATING GRASS ROOT POLICIES THAT WILL HELP NOT ONLY THE PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETIES AND HELP SOCIETIES TO FEEL THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO ASK FOR HELP FROM THEIR UNION, BUT, THAT ALSO IS ABLE TO PROVIDE UWESU WITH A PLATFORM ONTO WHICH IT CAN RAISE ITSELF. IT HAS BEEN MY FORTUNE TO NOTE THE PROGRESS OF THE LAST THREE ACTIVITIES PRESIDENTS AND WHILE THEY HAVE MADE GAINS IN ONE AREA, I FEEL THEY HAVE NEVER FULLY ACCEPTED THE POSSILBILITIES OF THE ROLE.

IF ELECTED, I WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THE DECISIONS WHICH WILL ALLOW STUDENTS TO FEEL AS IF THEIR UNION IS CATERING FOR THEM. I WILL DEDICATE MY TIME TO PROVIDING ACTIVITIES WHICH DO NOT ONLY INCLUDE END OF TERM BINGES. I WOULD HELP SOCIETIES TO INCREASE THIR OWN POTENTIALS BY GIVING THEM A STAGE TO WORK ON.

I WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP UWESU UNDERSTAND HOW THE MINORITY STUDENTS FEEL THEY ARE CONSTANTLY OVERLOOKED. I WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A UNIQUE INSIGHT INTO WHY A LOT OF STUDENTS FEEL THEIR UNION IS OUT OF TOUCH WITH THEM AND THE ISSUES WHICH ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM.

Bullet Points

• CREATE BETTER ENTERTAINMENTS- OVER THE PAST YEAR THREE OF UWESU’S CLUBNIGHTS HAVE FAILED TO PROVIDE.
• CATER FOR THE MINORITY AS WELL AS THE MAJORITY- STUDENTS FEEL INCREASINGLY DESPONDENT WITH UWESU
• SORT OUT THE PROBLEMS WITH FIRST BUS AND U-LINK
• INCREASE AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT HELPING SOCIETIES AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES NEEDED.
• PROVIDE A PLATFORM ONTO WHICH STUDENTS CAN GET MORE INVOLVED WITH UWESU

Ollie Williams

Personal Statement

I'm currently a UWE student studying Bsc (Hons) Radiography. I live and study on Glenside campus which gives me a different perspective on life at UWE to those who mainly utilise Frenchay.

I have a great interest in sport, displayed by being a participating member of our Canoe Club and the captain of our 1st Squash Team who won its respective league this year.

My other hobbies include playing guitar and performing in musical events and also volunteering at a junior squash club.

I have an active social life and utilise the bars and attend university events around UWE regularly.

Manifesto

If elected for the position of Activities President, I aim to:

Reinvigorate the opportunity for all students to get involved with societies, which have been left far too long without support.

Create new links between; media, RaG (Raise and Give), bars, clubs and societies, as well as reinforce existing ones

Give equal focus to all campuses, increasing the opportunity for students to get involved with their Students' Union and improving the facilities they can access.

Help students that are seeking independent campaigning opportunities and look into new ways that the SU can support these students without having to go through so much red tape.

Reinvent student events across all campuses, with a focus on increasing student participation in organisation processes to improve the standards of these events.

Open up the structure of the Students' Union and retract from its archaic nature, taking it back to its roots in being led by the students.

Increase involvement with RaG to raise its profile further and get every part of the Student's Union working towards projects in this area.

I feel that I would make an ideal Activities President because I'm a fresh face to the university

and therefore can bring new ideas to the Students' Union and really represent the views of students.

Being from Glenside I feel that I have a great appreciation of the involvement of all the satellite campuses as well as Frenchay and would allow me to represent UWE as a whole.

The future's bright, the future's Ollie........

Bullet Points

• IMPROVE the accessibility and quality of UWESU facilities across all campuses
• SUPPORT students in campaigning on issues that they are passionate about
• REINVENT UWESU events through increasing student input and involvement.
• REINFORCE links between media, RaG, bars, clubs & societies and all departments of the UWESU
• EMPOWER the student body by simplifying the structure of our Students' Union.