Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor, a second-year archaeology student, is Arts & Humanities Faculty Coordinator, a course rep for a very successful department and a member of the W&D Validation panel.
Taylor’s manifesto is somewhat vague in that he doesn’t explain what the “right methods” are which a student trustee ought to carry out. In his URY interview, however, he placed great emphasis on improving communication and inclusivity in meetings. He also wants to rid the trustee position of a “behind-the-scenes” and bureaucratic reputation.
He believes he is the best candidate to “track back through the system” and “see where bad practice could be occurring” within YUSU. He places great emphasis on accountability; “it is one of the big roles of the trustee that the Union Chair does not uphold”, he explains.
His position on the W&D validation panel, he says, has provided him with “useful knowledge that can be applied to monitoring, commending, and criticising those decision makers at the high end of the system.”
Megan O’Kane
O’Kane is a second year social policy course rep, the team that were awarded as ‘Course Rep Team of the Year’ at the 2011 YUSU Awards.
O’Kane wants to “step back and see the Union from a new perspective whilst promoting the best interests of students.” In her URY interview, she reiterated the fact that a student trustee must ensure that “YUSU must act within the constitutional framework” and that it must “be held to account and uphold the views of students.”
However, she offers little in either her manifesto on her specific strategies for ensuring this remains the case.
James Burch 
James Burch is a first year Physics student who has chosen to run for two positions in this year’s election: Senate Rep and Student Trustee. He has provided the same manifesto for both positions.
Burch offers the following reasoning for running for the positions: “I’m applying for being a senate rep mainly because I’m interested in the running of the university. I’d also like to help in this running of the university, and take on the responsibilities of this role. ”
His manifesto lacks a central theme and instead offers a random collage of reasons as to why he should get the position. He focuses upon his previous experience at a senate meeting, his interest in the subject and his experience as a course rep.
Jason Rose 
Jason Rose is a familiar name to many on campus, which comes as no surprise seeing that he held his first electoral position as senate rep in 2007-2008. Rose was also one of the first YUSU trustees. Since then he has gone on to graduate, take a year off and come back to undertake a part-time masters degree. “I was privileged to have been one of the first trustees of YUSU a few years ago and am seeking the support of the student body once more to help the Board steer the Union correctly in the future.” In this year’s election Rose, like a number of others, is running for the position of both senate rep and student trustee.
Roses’s manifesto capitalises on his previous experiences and closes with the following statement: “I’m as passionate as I was three years ago and am still willing and able to pledge that I will give my all for the Students Union – if you guys give me one more chance to help you out!” Although he offers no further information on what aims he intends to take up if elected into the position.
Harry Clementson
Harry, a second year Computer Science student from Goodricke College, comes to the race with a solid backlog of experience and an apparent enthusiasm for the role.
He claims “an in-depth knowledge of student life at York”, something backed up his listed experience, which highlights what appears to have been a fairly involved two years at York; he is current Treasurer for Goodricke College, Merchandise Officer for YUSnow and a Student Ambassador for the University.
Like many candidates, Clementson proposes “communication” and “organisation” at the forefront of his manifesto, asserting he will keep dialogue between himself and other members at a “high level, to ensure all of our decisions are realistic and adequately discussed”.
Whilst he does not have a list of concrete policies, his experience and wide involvement on campus will undoubtedly make him a credible candidate.