Name: Gareth Tan
Year: 2
Subject: English and Related Literature
Campaign in three words: Integration, Representation and Support
What’s the most important part of your manifesto?
I believe that integration is the most important part of my manifesto. When I say integration, I don’t simply mean encouraging international students to socialize with home students, which is a given, but having international students occupy more positions of responsibility and leadership within their societies and JCRCs. I envision putting into place during my term a self-renewing cycle of international involvement, brought about by closer cooperation with the BME network and the university’s JCRCs, that will consequently encourage a perception of the University as a fundamentally inclusive place and bring about a larger shift in attitudes as a result.
How do you differ from the other candidates?
I would say that I differ from my rivals in that I’m Singaporean Chinese. I’m from a commonwealth country with a strong tradition of English-language instruction and communication but whose citizens retain extraordinarily strong ties to their cultural roots. I’m consequently privileged enough to have no problems communicating with home students, but am nevertheless no stranger to the culture shock experienced by an individual coming here from so alien a culture. I believe this unique perspective and the capacity for empathy that it engenders for those who find adjusting difficult make me uniquely suited to this position.
What was your favourite thing the previous officer did and why?
I think that Mike Anstey did a fantastic job with pushing through the cap on international student fees. That was a real victory for international students and, if I may wax slightly grandiose here, justice in general. I’d definitely be looking towards continuing that particular tradition of excellence in activism and using the momentum generated by Anstey’s achievement to push for more international-friendly initiatives.
What’s the most important thing about the role you are going for?
I strongly believe that the International Officer’s most important responsibility is to make himself available to international students. Home students are often made aware of the avenues available to them should they wish to air their grievances very shortly after they first arrive in York, but a lot of those avenues aren’t as accessible to international students, a significant number of whom likely don’t even know that an International Officer exists to represent them. I’d thus prioritize making myself available to international students on a regular basis, so that they know that there’s someone looking out for them, and that they’re not restricted to seeking the help of their fellow international students.
How are you campaigning?
I intend to campaign in the only rational way possible, really, by making international students aware that I want to champion their causes and look out for them as their officer.
What do you like the most about York?
I enjoy the city for the incredible warmth that its residents are only too eager to show strangers. It’s an amazing quality which you don’t really get in more urbanized, concretely commercial metropolitan communities, and I can’t get enough of it! I love the university for the remarkable pioneering spirit that seems to burn brightly within each and every student, and the sense of clamorous enthusiasm that pervades the grounds on busier days. I love it also for its depths of character, in the nooks and crannies that adventurous pathfinders so often turn up, which grant those who seek sanctuary a safe haven, should the rest of the campus become TOO enthusiastic.
What’s the best slogan you can think of for your campaign?
“The Way Forward”
What do you think about York Vision?
I think it’s deserved the accolades it’s received over the years and that it’ll continue to receive them for the foreseeable future.
