Student Union Candidates

by UAL Voices Team

The SU Elections are upon us, and we need you to elect the various posts that will lead to student representation at UAL in 2010/11.

This year is going to be fundamental for change in education nationally and locally, so we need exceptional people to be the voice of all UAL students.

Among the huge variety of other things that your officers will have to fight for are:

The threat of astronomical tuition fees: The HE Funding Review currently underway is expected to deliver an increase in top-up fees. We need to fight the spiralling level of student debt and make sure no one is priced out of education.

Funding Cuts: We are facing huge funding cuts from the Government to arts and education – which means that our University and Colleges will have to make cuts over the coming years.

We need Officers who will lobby on a national level to protect our art schools and creative disciplines.

UAL is going to change significantly over the next few years and students need to have a say in any changes! For without strong opinionated student leaders, we’ll be left out of the big decisions that will be made next year.

The only way to get the right leadership is in the upcoming elections. Perhaps most importantly, our officers will be powerless unless you prove you care about change by voting.

The University will associate high turnout in these elections with the legitimacy of who wins, and this will empower them to make the changes you want.

If you do not vote, you might as well be actively damaging your own learning experience, course or college, and potentially making things worse for those who come after you. Voting takes only a few minutes online, but it will make a year’s worth of difference for students and staff at UAL.

Voting is open at www.suarts.org from 12 noon on February 26 to 12 noon on March 5.

Presidential candidates (paid post) Main spokesperson for the student body, in charge of liaising with the university and external organisations...
	Créstin van Heerden Putting students in the drivers seat!		Louis Hartnoll I’ll fight for jobs, defend students’ interests, promote equal opportunity and align with trade unions.
	Vicky Richards It’s not about me, it’s all about you!		Natalie Richardson Be happy, vote #1 Natalie.
	Rishi Kansara Fighting for what you deserve. Bringing the passion back to the ARTS straight from my heART! Vote Rishi Kansara.		Marcus Rydnemalm We need improvements! It’s our SU and together we can create the CHANGE we want, let me be the first!
Activities and Volunteering Officer (paid post) Responsible for leading the development of societies, student media, events and exhibitions...
	Jessica Clarke Vote Jess Clarke...simples!		Richard Willsher I’ve Upped My Standards, UP YOURS!
	Johan Stjernholm The volunteer activities give excitement and meaningful interaction between the students. It is crucial they get enough support.
Culture and Diversity Officer (paid post) Champions diversity and lobbies the university on student integration and widening participation...
	Takeshi Shiomitsu Vote Takeshi Shiomitsu for a union that fights for equality for all students!		Nabeel Qureshi This is our time...support me now, and I will support youn for the rest of the year. Let’s bring improvement!
	Peter Johnson Many arts, one university, bringing you closer together by supporting your culture, diversity and improving your student experiences.		Sam Varney Increased networking and collaboration, Vote more social space. Vote improved communications. Vote equality, accessibility and transparency.
	Maria Pankova Together we can make a change. Vote Maria for Culture and Diversity Officer and let your voice be heard!		Elsa James Valuing diversity regardless of race, gender, disability, age, social class, sexuality or religion. Vote for ELSA JAMES.
	Eloise Tomlinson All the UAL students closer together. More support for UAL students.
Education Officer (paid post) Represents the interests of students on academic matters and champions the improvement of the learning experience and standards at UAL...
	Maliha Aziz We are the change we have been waiting for.		Chris Lane My aspiration as Education Officer is to work with students to develop and support course structures all through the university.
	Robyn Minogue Championing a greater learning experience, from teaching to social space and welfare. Fighting to protect the interests of students.		Lubaina Mirza Vote for L.O.V.E. – Learning * Opportunities * Vision * Experience! Vote for LUBAINA MIRZA as your EDUCATION OFFICER.
	Tobias Edward Rose Getting your money’s worth
Vice-Presidents Represent the students across the different colleges.
For LCC...
	Fi Dinh Vote for Fi Dinh and reclaim your student’s rights in the college and across the country.		Richard Schembri Be-Kind Re-Wind, no wait... Re-Elect! I’m still “your guy” and I hope to continue to work tirelessly for you furthermore.
For CSM...
	Alexis Ahn Alexisism –Revolutionary Art movement.		Jolyon Wardle Bringing effective change to CSM with a handson approach.
For LCF...
	Jonathan Beckerson (Luca) I feel passionate and committed to making the college a better place; and will endeavour to make all voices heard.		Aalyysha Vashist vision is going to be myI believe in actions not words, your vision, so please support me.
			Fairooz Aniqa Get your opinions heard by voting Fairooz for VP.
For CCW...
	Benedict Butterworth Singlehandedly we’re nothing, but when elected as your middleman, we’ll make a kick-ass team with some awesome changes. VOTE BUTTERS!
Student Trustees Responsible for the financial and legal running of the organisation.
	Sydney Fleming-Gale Student funding should go straight back into funding student’s welfare! Making decisions for better experiences.		Adyam H Markos Striving for excellence for the Student Union organisation through strategic allocation of funds and resources to ensure success of the Student Union’s development and sustainability.
	Jake Wiseman Passionate, creative, fun, enthisiastic, hardworking. A year in the job, and a long record of success at SUARTS.
Democracy Committee Holds the SU Executive to account.
	Noe Auvelius Make it a better place for youand for the entire university.		Serena Cunningham I believe I am suitable for this role because I believe in equal opportunities for all.
	Clara Yee I seek to preserve the Union’s democratic virtue and integrity for benefit of all my fellow students.		Leila Dowlatshahi I’ll be someone who will hold the executive committee to account on their responsibilities and promises made to the students.