SRC President Candidates

Kaley Macis

Personal Statement

Since my arrival at UWE, I’ve been constantly involved in enhancing your student experience, be it as a student rep, a campus committee member, UWESU employee in the bars/shop and as St. Matt’s chair this year. My time at UWE and UWESU has given me extensive experience not only of how the university works, but how it sometimes doesn’t work! University is meant to be the time of our lives, and I have spent the last three years fighting to make sure that you all enjoy your time at UWE.

I’m honest, driven and hardworking. I set myself goals and I aim high to succeed, and if elected I will fight and win for students across the whole university. UWE is a fantastic university with fantastic students, and I strive to make it a place that we can all be proud of.

SO REMEMBER, VOTE KALEY!

Manifesto

Why vote Kaley?

UWE needs to think about the students that are here now. Planning ahead is great but the students here now should be UWE’s priority.

The move to the new campus is a hot topic and I will act as a channel of communication between the university and the students to ensure that every student is considered when it comes to moving. I want fantastic learning, living and social facilities for everybody.

This year, we have fought hard to make UWE something to be proud of, introducing more student reps, halls reps and improvement of executive communication: the student voice has never been louder, but there is still more that can be done! One of my aims for the year is to increase the attendance at the AGM; it offers students an excellent chance to find out what their officers are doing, but people don’t know enough about it, I’ll change that.

As a campus chair, I’ve heard lots of feedback. One issue that really concerns me is that you feel like customers, not students. With the possibility of rising fees this year, it is vital that you know where your money is going. I’ll make sure that you are getting what you pay for; I’ll lobby the university to provide a detailed, understandable breakdown of expenditure.

YOUR money, YOUR university. Make sure the right person is representing YOU. Improve YOUR education, improve YOUR student experience.

Vote Kaley Macis #1 for SRC President

Bullet Points

• Making the student voice the most important voice at UWE!
• Focus on the students here NOW, your university, your experience, you’re what matters.
• Ensure accommodation, learning and social facilities on the new campus are accessible for all students.
• Improve transport between campuses, car parking and cycling facilities on ALL campuses.
• Increase support of student activities and events with particular emphasis on UWE sports and societies.

Paul Saville

Personal Statement

Hello. I’m 24, in my final year of study at UWE; in which I study Sociology and Criminology.

Having thoroughly enjoyed my studies in the last 3 years, I have also been working close to our students union and the Western Eye; OUR student newspaper. Over the last year, I have also worked on the Societies Exec; as Campaigns Officer.

I enjoy reading and writing and also like cycling and being outdoors.

I love the movement in Bristol and the culture that comes from such a great city!

Over the last 5 years, I have been actively campaigning on a number of issues.

I consider myself a people person and find working to make differences in the community particularly rewarding.

I would be honoured to represent student’s interests.

STUDENTS FIRST! PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT!

But let’s let actions speak louder than words shall we?

Manifesto

I believe in a union which is transparent, honest and accountable to its members; putting student’s interests first.

Recently, UWE have announced that there will be 15% - 20% cuts across the university, over the next three years. Government funding for Higher Education has been cut significantly and this will have a detrimental effect on our studies. It’s a very important time to stand up for our education and the right to access it!

We deserve investment, NOT CUTS!

The decision to close St. Matt’s Campus, has resulted in some students having to move to Frenchay. We must now ensure the best provision is set out for students. We must say what we require, not just take whatever is handed to us.

Over the last 5 years I have been to other student unions across the UK and in Europe and it seemed apparent that when students have good facilities, they want to get involved!

I propose to seek more investment in our students union and facilities.

We need to build our union which encourages participation!

Generally speaking, unions can be very powerful. But it's up to us to decide if that's what we want right now.

Do you share the vision of making our union a better place that truly works for students first? A place inclusive of all; where you are actively represented and valued?

Then please offer your support and vote for making me your representative.

I am ready to defend your interests over anyone else’s.

Vote!

Bullet Points

• If elected, I will donate part of my salary (£3750) back into UWESU.
• WE MUST build a union inclusive of all, encouraging people to get involved.
• To ACTIVELY REPRESENT the student of TODAYS interests, needs and rights; first and foremost.
• Ensure St matt’s STUDENTS moving to Frenchay next year receive the provision they deserve.
• I actively oppose course cuts, increasing class sizes and rising tuition fees.

Shahan Miah

Personal Statement

I’m Shahan, I’m 21, from Bristol but don’t really have the accent, and am in my senior year of my Media and Cultural Studies degree. I often give the wrong impression about myself, but now I don’t mind. I don’t have much of a sex life, hence I have a lot of spare time on my hands, that and some tissues. Before I came to uni, I got drunk on two pints, now it takes me at least four. My favourite number is W. I had no idea Bambi was a dude until I saw the film a few years ago. I haven’t had any experience in student government, but I have been involved with the government. If I were to be SRC President, I’d most likely be compared to Boris Johnson or Silvio Berlusconi, in the controversial and funny senses. Did I say I was a comedian?

Manifesto

Ah right, the serious bit. Well, if for some reason I do become SRC President, some of my intentions include making sure UWE recruits the right students; there are too many students failing a year, especially at Level 1. I would try make all students who do fail that they MUST retake in the summer or face immediate kicking-out. Also, I will try jazz up the Student Representative Council, so that all students know about it and actually give a damn. I would also work to see that the less popular courses are removed and possibly try remove entry for prospective students via clearing, so that more money can be spent on the students who deserve to be here. If I were to be SRC President, I will use my position to make myself more known to all students all the time, one way or another, most likely by a weekly radio address on Hub Radio or open letter to all students, and also make the Annual General Meeting in 2010/11 far more interesting for people to actually attend. As for the New Campus, I’d make sure that the transition for many students of the other campuses goes as lame as possible. And finally, if I do become SRC President, I’d like to be referred to as “Mr President” and have “Hail To The Chief” played every time I walk into a room.

Bullet Points

• Do you actually want me to be SRC President? No, really?
• If elected, I will try do a decent job. I can’t promise much
• Revamp the SRC to actually make it interesting for everyone. Maybe a name change?
• Not bringing back the 24 hour window. You loves it
• To be one of the worst Presidents the world has ever seen...if somehow elected

Colin Offler

Personal Statement

UWE: my name is Colin and I’m a second year Education Studies student. I came to UWE to change, there are so many of us from so many different backgrounds. It’s somewhere where the Students realise that studying is only part of University.

I’m the sort of person who likes to try my hand at anything and everything. I’m a committee member for UWE’s bar school, I play for the UWE ice hockey team and I work in the Students’ Union bar, (love my colleagues there to bits!) I lead a lively, outgoing lifestyle as well as keeping hard at work with my studies. I like to be inspired and to do everything with passion. I love my life right now, the degree and opportunities UWE is giving me are amazing. I feel it’s time to make a difference and give something back for everything UWE has given me.

Manifesto

Your UWE experience is yours and I believe I can make it better. I want to ensure all our campuses are more then just places we go for our lectures. They should be places where we actually want to be, with tip top quality spaces for us to learn and enjoy ourselves.

The quality of teaching we experience needs improving. Our timetabling needs to be student focused, the 8.30 start needs to be scrapped and we need the flexibility we deserve. Also, the feedback we receive from exams and assignments need to be more prompt, clear and useful.

U-Link and First buses must be improved and the parking facilities and prices need a slapping. There needs to be more recycling, cheaper prices in the SU shop and events students actually want to attend.

We need a strong student voice with proper communication and explanations for changes made. Where was our input when they shut St Matt’s campus, cut language courses, scrapped 24hour window and put a £50 charge on re-sits?

We pay so much towards our education here at UWE; your Students’ Union needs to ensure that money is being fully re-invested in us. UWE has the foundations and the potential to be so much more with change. Your Union needs to be jumping on issues as and when they happen. I promise, no matter who you are or where you are from, I will work for you, represent you and make your University life better.

Vote Colin… simples.

Bullet Points

• Make sure that UWE treats us and our interests with great importance and respect.
• A tip-top educational experience for all: quality teaching, flexible timetabling and inspirational classrooms.
• Cheaper prices in the SU shops, more appealing campus events and increased recycling provision.
• A total review of transport, sorting out Ulink, the awful car-parks and bicycle provision.
• Get the truth about what UWE does with our money, ensuring they invest in us.

Rosie Scallon

Personal Statement

I’m a BIT postgraduate student and I have spent the last year at UWE working with the Student Representative Council to make the university experience better for you, the student. I am also a member of various faculty and university wide councils, all with the aim improving for all and giving me practical experience of how student opinions can be heard and used university wide.

Because of these rep experiences I feel I am the ideal candidate to represent you as students throughout the next year. I know how the university and student union operates and I have proved myself to be a fully committed and passionate member of UWE.

I’m confident, friendly, highly motivated and above all I’m committed to making UWE a better place for all to study and live.

Manifesto

So...why vote for me?

With the various campus moves happening over the next couple of years, the university will need to continue asking students for their opinions because, after all, it is your opinion that matters! The next SRC President needs to make sure that the new campus has enough room to accommodate all students, both in terms of teaching and living space, that timetabling is practical and beneficial to all and most importantly, that all students from all campuses feel integrated and happy.

A problem that I encountered whilst serving on Student Representative Council is that most students don’t know what purpose SRC serves or how we benefit UWE. My aim would be to increase union transparency, helping students to understand how their opinions are being used, and therefore making the union wholly more approachable.

With UWE buying land from HP behind the current campus, there is a fantastic opportunity to lobby the university for better car parking facilities. There is a desperate need for a new car park at Frenchay campus and the new SRC President needs to be willing to fight for this on your behalf, something I am prepared to do!

This election is about you, the students, and you need an SRC President who is willing to campaign for the issues that matter to you most: I think I am that person to make UWE better for all of us.

Vote Rosie!

Bullet Points

• Ensuring the bigger Frenchay campus is integrated smoothly with practical issues still attended to
• Increasing Union transparency, making it approachable and accessible to all
• Lobby UWE for a better car park on new HP ground
• Increasing knowledge of SRC and what they do for you
• Making sure all students know their voices are heard!

Joe Walsh

Personal Statement

I have developed communication skills which I feel are vital to this role in my degree of History and International Relations, and also in my role as a global guide this year to international students. I have also experienced conveying ideas with people from different backgrounds and different opinions, which I believe is a key skill for this position, in a cultural diplomacy conference in Berlin last year. I am also interested in international travel and development since going to Latin America and working on projects in Peru. On this note I would like to pledge 10% of my salary to a charity of the students’ choice. I would really like to travel around Latin America again when eventually leaving uni. Other interests of mine include music and more specifically the Bristol music scene particularly centred around stokes croft area.

Manifesto

• I feel it should be simple and easy to communicate with the President and part of what I look to accomplish is to create a system where it is easier for Students to represent there views directly, like a true democracy.
• I have not been overly involved in student politics so far, yet I feel this is a positive thing as the role shouldn’t be about me, but about you as in the student of this university and what I can do for you in this position. I come to you the student without an agenda, just to look out for and guard the best interests of students of UWE.
• I believe we pay enough in terms of fees to subsidise the SU, so with UWE being one of the richest universities in the country it is unacceptable that it is among the highest in terms of prices.
• I would fight against the trend of SU’s nationwide becoming privately owned, and maintain ours as a not for profit organisation.
• There appears to a move towards more web-based teaching on blackboard and less direct contact hours. I feel as students, with the amount of money we are spending, we are entitled to more time with our tutors. Yet I understand blackboard is a useful resource and would like to see it be used more efficiently by the faculty.
• Wouldn’t you like to take an hour or so break at uni in a hammock? I would.

Bullet Points

• Ensuring the SU is run as a not for profit organisation.
• The need for greater transparency towards students with regard to where your money is spent.
• Less blackboard more tutor contact.
• Expand Frenchays nightlife to coincide with its expansion.
• Hammock and or beanbag room for students to relax between lectures.

No Suitable Candidate

No Suitable Candidate is option if you think none of the other candidates are capable of doing a good job. If NSC wins the election, nominations will re-open, and other people will have the opportunity to put themselves forward for the post.