So last night was the official union lead hustings, a chance for candidates of all positions to answer questions and make a small speech to try and further their cases. There was a decent turnout, though the lack of advertising for this event certainly didn’t help attendance. The night was highly enjoyable, highlights included VP for Academic Representation, David Morris being propositioned by almost all the speakers, climaxing with him being chased by an overly amorous Darren Grainger (presidential candidate). The originality of some of the questions also made for some interesting insights into the quite frankly disturbing psyches of some candidates. I’ll try and outline my major findings from the evening to help anyone interested in the main aims and over all personality of each of the candidates in each of the positions up for grabs. Firstly I’ll start by looking at the Presidential candidates.

SU PRESIDENT

An SU President is the figure head, the representative of the whole student body transferred into one person. They are the person who is seen by the outside world, the person who attends student funerals, who addresses your interests, they are the big boss of the union, and probably the busiest member of the entire university, never mind just the SU. It is a BIG job, and so we must ensure the right type of person is elected to the job.
Originally 8 people applied for this position, however candidates seem to have dropped by the way side as the election process continues, there are now only 5 who wish to run, with candidate Alex Reppold, a 3rd year BSC Psychology student dropping out after the deadline, and it will be up to an appeal hearing as to whether he is forced to run. Basically, the name Alex Reppold may appear on the ballot slips come election day, however he has expressed his wishes, and does not wish to be union president. So, let’s meet the rest, eh?

Cheryl Coffey, BA American Studies 4th year, just returned from the states.
Cheryl’s main focus is on increasing the police presence around the university, to fight crime against students. She is also an advocate of the ‘walk home’ scheme, a service provided by the university, whereby students who are walking home are escorted to ensure safety.
She also will fight to make funding information more accessible for students, to help you become more aware of what you are entitled to, and stop financial hardship.
She wishes to better advertise the AU results in some form of league table available to all students, to increase awareness of our university’s achievements, and encourage people to go out and support our teams at various events.
Other issues she will campaign for include;
longer opening hours for the Library,
more travel opportunities for students to and from Scarborough,
will look into the publication of a yearbook at the end of term,
and will actively seek more opportunities for the non-Christian community at the university.

‘I will listen to you and do my best for you as students’

Darren Grainger, Law 3rd year, was head of Yorkshire Universities Royal Navy Unit.
Darren too is focussed on crime prevention, suggesting the best way to tackle the crime against students in the local area is to supply rape alarms, increase police presence, and push the walk home scheme further.
He promises to strive to make the University more environmentally friendly, by installing devices such as room sensors for lighting.
Darren also promises to;
hold the NUS to account,
have an open door policy to enable problems to be dealt with immediately,
expand upon the potential of Hullfire, Jam, and HUSSO,
and try to keep the Union Shop prices down.

‘We should always push for more’

Richard Kendal, British Politics and Legislative Studies 4th Year, just returned from working in an MP’s office in Westminster.
One of Richard’s main policies is the updation of the Rez bar on the second floor of the Union. He suggests we convert the currently poorly used space into an internet café and juice bar, a place to socialise with friends where librarians won’t tell you to be quiet, and you are free to eat and drink.
He wants to better advertise and improve the access to skills workshops and extra training sessions to help improve your CV.
Richard also admits;
‘we are not as safe as we used to be’ and would strive to improve safety in the university and surrounding area,
and will seek to promote the university.

‘Even if you don’t vote for me, vote for somebody’

Ed Marsh, British Politics and Legislative Studies 2nd year,chair of Hull labour Club.
Ed claims we have a right to sexual health, and would seek to open a GUM clinic on campus, to make it easier and quicker for students to get advice and STI tests.
He would reopen the Rez bar, as a fully functioning bar, citing its different atmosphere as the reason why this wouldn’t disrupt Sanctuary bar’s business, and would prove popular with students.
Another of his major policy focuses is on the improvement and maintaining of Hull’s student accommodation. This would be sought through better links and improvement of the scheme, and maintaining university ownership of the Lawns Halls.
Ed also is campaigning for;
increased student safety through employing a permanent Community Services Officer for the university and through subsidised self defence classes,
a 24 hour library service,
and securing Wednesday afternoons for sports activities as they are ‘coming under increasing threat from unsympathetic timetables’.

‘I want to reinvigorate this University’

Jessica Tollerfield, Philosophy 3rd year, in charge of promotions at Jam.
One of Jessica’s key aims to tackle alcohol related problems at the University. She points out that most crime against students, is by students, and alcohol often is a major factor. She would tackle this problem in various ways, firstly within Asylum, encouraging bar staff to refuse to serve people who are obviously too drunk already, and asking door staff to ensure the safety of those ejected for alcohol related offences or those on their own and drunk by helping them to a taxi. This would cut the number of students walking home and so cut the number of attacks happening at this time. She would also encourage increased police presence around the university to improve safety.
She also wishes to reverse the decline of amenities at the Union, by encouraging businesses back into the lots previously occupied by banks, and laundrettes.
Other issues Jessica is campaigning for include;
running an open forum to allow easy access for student concerns to be considered,
organising more awareness events for student welfare such as STI Clinics,
abolishing the £5 fine system in place within the library for those who repeatedly forget their library card,
and using the ‘give it a go’ scheme to further improve student participation within societies.