YUSU

YUSU Elections 2011 » Candidates

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Sophie Shaw

NUS Delegate

  • Profile

Sophie Shaw is a James College student in her third-year studying Politics who has previously been politically active on campus.

Shaw would go to the NUS conference and fight for motions that allow greater participation from the student population so that the NUS remembers it works for the student again and she would make sure York’s views are represented and heard at the National Conference.


Reporting by Hailey Badger

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Raoul Lundberg

NUS Delegate

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Raoul Lundberg is a third-year Politics student from Halifax who has been politically active at York. He helped organise education drives in York and participated in the ‘Great York Sit-In’ that occupied part of the Physics building last term.

Lundberg would argue and vote for any democratisation of the NUS and would work to ensure the NUS backs student led protests and sit-ins that have swept across the country in response to the governments tuition fee cap removal.


Reporting by Hailey Badger

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Luke Sandford

NUS Delegate

  • Profile

A second-year PEP student, Sandford has sat on YUSU’s Union Council for a year as YUSU Campaigns Officer and as Ordinary Member. He was involved in the organisation of getting York students and dealing with NUS for the Demolition protests last November.

Sandford would support NUS policy that best reflected the University of York policy and engage with the NUS over the expected rise in tuition fees. He would write a full report on the NUS conference to bring greater awareness and explanation of the NUS and its role and relationship with York.


Reporting by Isabelle Wynne

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Ben Humphrys

NUS Delegate

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Ben Humphrys, brings considerable experience of student politics having been YUSU’s Academic Affairs Officer last year and before that Welfare Sabbatical Officer.

Humphrys would consult York students to ensure that the issues he would bring to the NUS reflect the views of the student population and he wants to make sure York’s voice is heard in the national arena.


Reporting by Hailey Badger

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Alexandra Peck

NUS Delegate

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Alexandra Peck is a third-year Politics and Philosophy student from Vanbrugh. She hasn’t been involved in any union politics directly by enjoys campaigning and has participated in many events organised by the groups campaigning against the cuts and against arms trade.

Peck wants to take issues such as the failure of the NUS in recent times to support every student-led campaign against the government’s cuts. She would argue for the NUS to defend the value of all degrees and try and get the NUS to lobby universities to reduce the hidden costs of University.


Reporting by Hailey Badger

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Tørris Rasmussen

Senate Representative

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Tørris Rausmussen is a first year PPE student from Norway. He was educated in South Africa and given the rise in fees his manifesto states his desire to maximise the money the university will receive as a result from this. His interests outside the university include national and international politics, and transportation and logistics.

He is the Thinking and Drinking Co-ordinator for the New Generation Society, a position which required political impartiality and which he feels will give him an advantage should he be elected.


Reporting by Rose Troup-Buchanan

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Tom Rigby

Senate Representative

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Tom Rigby is a second-year English Literature student who wants to get involved in student politics and believes that there is a lot of scope in the position of Senate Rep. Rigby has contributed towards several media societies and enjoys sport, reading and is a saxophonist.

Rigby wants to establish JCRC contacts across the college and talk to subject reps from many departments to understand any common inter-disciplinary concerns that can be addressed. He will look at trying to get the University to provide functioning cash machines, improving the printing facilities and addressing any closures of college bars.


Reporting by Nouse

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Jaime Riley

YUM Chair

  • Profile
  • 60 Second Manifesto

Riley is a second-year Language and Linguistics student who has been heavily involved in a wealth of media societies across campus, including Vision and YSTV. Outside university, she has gained work experience at the BBC and ITV.

She hopes to co-ordinate the campus to make the most of the media societies currently present, encouraging unity between the different groups as well as helping to foster diversity among the various media outlets.

Riley wishes to keep the same high-standard media coverage but encourage greater collaboration on certain events. She wants to have a separate YUM mailing list so that students can keep update across all of the media societies and the creation of the “multimedia journalist” to try and bridge the gap between broadcasters and print journalists.


Reporting by Isabelle Wynne

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Jake Farrell

YUM Chair

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  • 60 Second Manifesto

Jake Farrell is a second-year from Derwent who has been heavily involved in many media societies. He is the current co-Sports Editor for Nouse, has a prime time show on URY and plays an active role in the magazine Haus, while also playing football for Derwent Firsts.

Farrell wants to retain the current reputation of York’s media societies and create an environment of “healthy competition” between them. He would help provide the best experience for members of the media during their time at York while also communicating between the societies to ensure all outlets are running smoothly.


Reporting by Hailey Badger

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Pav Dhande

Council Chair

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  • Hustings

Pav Dhande is a second-year Philosophy student, who came second for the Halifax Presidency this year.

As Chair, Pav plans to use York’s collegiate system to promote Union General Meetings in order to improve attendance. He also wants to work with media in York to promote the good work that is done by the student body, to improve the relationship that York students have with the local population of York. He feels that YUSU need to be in better contact with some of its members and says that is something which he plans to work on in the upcoming year.


Reporting by Nouse

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Luke Sandford

Council Chair

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  • Hustings

A second-year PEP student, Sandford has already been on the Council for a year as YUSU Campaigns Officer and as Ordinary Member and thus believes himself to be fairly familiar with its workings. He was involved in the organisation of getting York students and dealing with NUS for the Demolition protests last November.

Sandford hopes to increase interaction between students and YUSU, a lack of which is the underlying cause for the Union “not knowing” all the problems that students face. Campaign Officers will be organised into coordinating more events in colleges and making sure they are well publicised. There is also the possibility of fostering a less formal atmosphere in meetings to encourage discussion and make the council seem more accessible.


Reporting by Isabelle Wynne

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Leslie Tay

International Officer

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  • 60 Second Manifesto

Leslie Tay is in his second year studying Economics and is the social secretary of the Singapore society furthering its interactions with other International student groups by organising joint events with other groups including the Brunai and Indonesia societies.

Tay has worked within the International Students Association (ISA) as student events officer since being elected last June and if elected will grasp the opportunity to “bring up the issues” as part of this new YUSU position.

Tay wants to see an International Common Room created combined with a more successful International Week. He would introduce an international forum held once per term and help bridge the gap between home and international students by giving associate membership to home students.


Reporting by Jess Stone

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Zhao Yin

Volunteering Officer

  • Profile

Zhao Yin is studying an MA in human resource management and has been involved in societies such as Dance Soc. If elected she wants to provide help for all University students from her role as Volunteering Officer.


Reporting by Martin Spurr

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Hannah Brearley

Volunteering Officer

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  • Hustings
  • 60 Second Manifesto

Brearley is a second-year English and History student. As one of the incumbent YUSU Volunteering Officers, Brearley is confident that her extensive experience and her “hands on approach” in volunteering recommend her to run on her own this year.

Brearley’s experience in volunteering have included working with adults with learning difficulties as part of a buddy system project in the York area, and participating in both the Kids’ Club and Kids’ Camp programs. She has also been involved in Nouse and is currently Secretary for the University of York Aerobics Society.

Brearley would put in place more structures for fundraising and sponsorship and help encourage more independent fundraising. She would like to expand Volunteering Week and create more interaction between Colleges and volunteering.


Reporting by Jess Stone

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Emma Gardiner

Women’s Officer

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  • Hustings

Emma Gardiner is a second-year student studying Social Policy, she has attended all but one of the Women’s Committee meetings since finding out about it and is now on the committee.

She co-founded the Social Policy society as well as organised Dark Room lessons with the Photography society, and is the Treasurer for both Committees.

Gardiner wants an open position for a man on the Women’s Committee and use the position of Women’s Officer to raise the issue of welfare more often for the Committee.


Reporting by Nouse

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Nell Beecham & Cat Wayland

Women’s Officer

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  • Hustings

Cat is a third-year PPE student from Derwent, and Nell is a second-year Goodricke student studying Sociology.

The candidates have both been involved in many student activities: Wayland as Labour Club Chair (the first female Chair in eight years) and as well as speaking about her views at NUS conferences; Beecham has been LBGT Officer for the past year and an activist for Women’s Rights on campus.

They describe themselves as committed to their cause as both candidates have been a part of the Women’s Committee since their first terms in York. Beecham has had experience in women’s rights beyond the University, she has been involved with a “radical” women’s group in London prior becoming a student in York. Wayland has equally stated her enthusiasm, declaring that she has been “interested in women’s rights from a young age”.

Beecham and Wayland want to ensure anyone can participate in Women’s committee if they wish and provide real change through their campaigns by strengthening bonds with feminist organisations and YUSU Liberation Campaigns.


Reporting by Celia Scruby

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Rebecca Irwin & Baxter Willis

RAG Officer

  • Profile
  • Hustings
  • 60 Second Manifesto

Students of History of Art and Criminology respectively, the pair already have a year’s experience on the RAG Committee and were involved in the organisation of last week’s RAG activities. Both have also been involved in college committees and the Big D Committee.

They hope use both big events to help widen participation, and capitalise on smaller public holidays like Valentine’s Day. They intend to put the “fun” in fundraising, so that it doesn’t seem like a chore and also want to ensure that as many people as possible get involved as early in their university life as they can.


Reporting by Isabelle Wynne

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Basim Al-Ahmadi & Lawrence Binitie

Racial Equality Officer

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  • Hustings
  • 60 Second Manifesto

Basim Al-Ahmadi is a second-year student from Alcuin studying Politics with International Relations and although he has no experience of student politics so far, is enthusiastic about getting involved with YUSU and trying to make a difference.

He is running with Lawrence Binitie, a second-year from James studying Maths and Economics and is the Treasurer of the Investment and Finance Society.


Reporting by Hailey Badger

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Emma Brownbill

LGBT Officer

  • Profile

Brownbill is currently in her third year studying Computer Science. She has a long history of representation of LGBT issues as former James College LGBT representative and holding various positions within the YUSU LGBT Committee, including transsexual rep.

She prides herself on having fought for students’ rights to have their preferred name recognised by the university and working with the university equal opportunities office to make data collection more friendly to LGBT students.

Emma has also been social secretary for the LGBT Liberal Democrat group, the only such body in any major political party that has direct petition making power at the university.


Reporting by Jess Stone

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Chris Edwards & Özge Bektasoglu

Ents Officer

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  • 60 Second Manifesto

Chris Edwards is a second-year Halifax student studying Electronic Engineering. As the current Ents Officer for Halifax he brings experience into the role.

Özge Bektasoglu studys Philosophy and Engineering and is also a second-year student from Halifax. The change in position made them “want to get involved and make a difference” and they wish to have a more “hands on” approach.


Reporting by Hailey Badger

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Liam Haakon Smith

Disability Officer

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  • Hustings
  • 60 Second Manifesto

Haakon Smith is a third year Philosophy student from Halifax College. His hobbies include creative writing, DougSoc, volunteering at his church one Sunday a month, and he also enjoys hanging out with friends. His experience at university includes holding two representative positions on the LGBT committee, and has done a lot of work with Women’s Committee, although not as a member. Outside the university he is helping organise York Pride.

Haakon Smith feels “it’s really important that this role be filled by someone who actually has disabilities”, as he does, and he quotes the slogan there should be “‘Nothing about us without us’- a disability slogan from the 80’s”. He was confident that due to his contacts, “from working within the LGBT committee” he would be in a good position “to speak directly to university staff who have the power to change university policy”.


Reporting by Celia Scruby

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Andreas Gabrielsen

Campaigns Officer

  • Profile
  • Hustings
  • 60 Second Manifesto

Andreas Gabrielsen is a second-year Goodricke student studying Politics and Philosophy. He was the Campaigns Officer for Goodricke JCRC and under his Presidency of the Capoeira society, numbers have tripled.


Reporting by Hailey Badger

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Ben McGladdery

York Sport President

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  • 60 Second Manifesto

Name: Ben McGladdery
College: Langwith
Year: 3
Reading: Maths

Ben McGladderry has represented both his college and his university in sports, and currently plays for the badminton team. Previously Social Secretary for the Badminton society, he is now President, and is also involved in student drama.


Reporting by Rose Troup-Buchanan

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Sam Asfahani

York Sport President

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  • 60 Second Manifesto

Name: Sam Asfahani
College: Langwith
Year: Graduated
Read: Economics

Asfahani is already a well-known face across campus, having held the position of Sports President for the last year. Previously Langwith Chair, he co-founded the American Football Club, and was President for two and a half years.


Reporting by Rose Troup-Buchanan

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Robert Hughes

Welfare

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  • 60 Second Manifesto

Name: Robert Hughes
College: James
Year: 3
Reading: English Literature

Robert Hughes has experience as LGBT rep and Welfare Vice-Chair for James College and he has also been involved in a plethora of welfare societies including Women’s, Disability, Equality Welfare and Diversity.


Reporting by Isabelle Wynne

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Laura Borisovaite

Welfare

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Name: Laura Borisovaite
College: Vanbrugh
Year: Graduated
Read: Management

As the current Welfare Officer, Laura Borisovaite has vast experience of the position having been on the Welfare Team as Vanbrugh JCRC Vice-Chair.


Reporting by Isabelle Wynne

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Graeme Osborn

Academic Affairs

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  • Manifesto
  • Hustings
  • 60 Second Manifesto

Name: Graeme Osborn
College: Halifax
Year: 3
Reading: Politics

Osborn’s experience for the role includes having been a Politics Course Rep, Social Sciences Faculty Rep and University Senate Rep. Osborn was voted YUSU Course Rep of the Year at last year’s YUSU Awards, and has been involved in Politics Society, UN Society, and is the Concert Band Treasurer.

Osborn created and currently Chairs the Politics Department Student-Staff Liaison Committee. He has also “led the Course Rep team in increasing first year contact hours by more than a third.” As Faculty Rep Osborn “organised the student participation in the University’s Communications Strategy Review, co-ordinated the Student Annual Programme Review and was involved in the University’s review of online resources, with the aim of providing a single online dashboard into which all online resources (webmail, e:vision, vle and timetabling) would feed.”


Reporting by Hailey Badger

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Alastair Logan

Academic Affairs

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  • 60 Second Manifesto

Name: Alastair Logan
College: Alcuin
Year: 3
Reading: Chemistry

Alastair Logan has had considerable experience in academic affairs as he is the current Course Rep for Chemistry and one of the University’s Faculty Reps. He holds a seat on Union Council, sits on the Chemistry department’s Staff-Student Consultative Committee and on the university-wide Student Services Consultative Sub Committees. Logan is Chemistry Society Chair and plays darts and pool for Alcuin college.

Alastair’s other interests include playing darts and pool, playing both for his college and captaining the darts team. He has also been involved in the formation of the Darts Society and is the current chair of ChemSoc.


Reporting by Hailey Badger

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Charlie Rowley

President

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  • 60 Second Manifesto

Name: Charlie Rowley
College: Goodricke
Year: 3
Subject: Social Policy

Rowley is no stranger to student politics as he is the current YUSU Council Chair. He has been involved with URY and takes an active interest in many of the political societies on campus.


Reporting by Martin Spurr

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Aaron Rolph

President

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Name: Aaron Rolph
College: James
Year: 3
Subject: Environmental Geography

Rolph has been heavily involved in college sports, including a role as Sports Officer in James College.


Reporting by Martin Spurr

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Tim Ellis

President

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  • 60 Second Manifesto

Name: Tim Ellis
College: Goodricke
Year: 3
Subject: Politics

Ellis has concentrated his efforts at University within his Goodricke JCRC, elected as Bar Rep, and subsequently Chair.


Reporting by Martin Spurr

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Lydia Blundell

President

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  • 60 Second Manifesto

Name: Lydia Blundell
College: Halifax
Year: 3
Subject: History of Art

As former Halifax President, Blundell has experience within a college but also as RAG Parade Co-ordinator for YUSU. She has supplemented her University experience by being in many societies such as Cheesy Pop Society of which she is Co-Chair.


Reporting by Martin Spurr

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James Anderson

Student Activities

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Name: James Anderson
Year: 3
College: Halifax
Subject: History

James is currently Chair of Happily Ever After Society, a performance society on campus. He has also been involved in volunteering off campus.


Reporting by Hoagy Davis-Digges

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James Croydon

Student Activities

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  • 60 Second Manifesto

Name: James Croydon
Year: 3
College: Halifax
Subject: Politics

James was RAG chair in his second year, and was responsible for RAG week. Under his Chairmanship RAG has succeeded in raising over £20,000.


Reporting by Hoagy Davis-Digges

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Arthur Pitt

Student Activities

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  • 60 Second Manifesto

Name: Arthur Pitt
Year: 3
College: Halifax
Subject: History

Arthur was a founding member of the Lemon Press in his first year, and is currently its Chair.


Reporting by Hoagy Davis-Digges


*Asterisks indicate winning candidates*

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