Name: Charles Pottle/ Oliver Duguid
College: Vanbrugh College/ Vanbrugh College
Year: 3/ 3
Subject: Masters Environmental Geography (specialising in Marine Conservation)/ Masters Environment, Economics and Ecology (specialising in Global Change)
Campaign in three words: Communication, experience and innovative
What’s the most important part of your manifesto?
Two things really.
First – empowering you, the student. We want to implement a new framework in which students are more involved in how environmental and ethical the university is. We want to set up a new YUSU committee in which members of relevant clubs and societies, as well as college Environment reps, have a place where they can voice their opinions that we, as your YUSU reps, can put straight to the university.
Second – improving the energy efficiency of the uni, in turn saving money; money which the uni can invest back into you. Doing the simple things like switching the lights and computers off over the weekend is a big one. Why are they on if they aren’t needed?
How do you differ from the other candidates?
Together we have the relevant experience as well as the drive to complete this role successfully. As the outgoing Enviro and Ethics reps for Vanbrugh, as well as the pioneers of the Green Vanbrugh brand, we know how the college system works and how hard it is to get your voice heard. We would look to implement the Green Vanbrugh framework into all colleges i.e. Green Goodricke, Green Halifax etc.
Also we are running as a pair. We think for this role specifically where drive and knowledge are key, that two heads are definitely better than one.
What was your favourite thing the previous officer did and why?
Being really passionate about their house campaign. It may have not got the publicity it needed to be big around uni, but the drive and passion they had for it was unprecedented.
What’s the most important thing about the role you are going for?
Reaching out to the wider community of students. Environment and Ethics isn’t just for the environmentalists and the so called ‘tree huggers’. We want to reach out to everyone. If you think something needs changing then tell us. Your environment and ethics encompasses everything from your walk to lectures, to how you feel once you’re actually in the lecture itself, so let us know how you think this could be improved!
How are you campaigning?
We will be doing everything from putting up banners across both campuses (on recycled cardboard of course), spamming Facebook and Twitter with key points from our manifesto and most importantly getting out and about and talking to the students!
What do you like the most about York?
How, whatever time of day it is, you will always bump into someone you know going from one lecture to another. It can sometimes be the most awkward thing though; never knowing whether to stop and chat or just give a nod and keep walking. Another thing is the weird and wonderful things you can get up to here. The number of clubs and societies is unbelievable – I still want to give Octopush a go!
What’s the best slogan you can think of for your campaign?
Vote the OC for less CO2
What do you think about York Vision?
It would be improved if it was printed on recycled paper! However the comments sections always makes for a great read online, love how little feuds can start from the smallest of remarks.
