Name: Joshua Henning
College: Wentworth
Year: Postgraduate
Subject: MSc Early Prehistory
Campaign in three words: Value, action, engagement.
What’s the most important part of your manifesto?
To be honest I think that my final key policy to get out of the office and directly engage with students at a grassroots level has to be the most important part. Without talking directly to people, garnering new ideas and feedback, how I can represent them effectively? Hopefully it will also help to give YUSU a larger presence on campus and greater relevance/meaning to a larger proportion of students.
How do you differ from the other candidates?
At the time of writing (Sunday Week 5) I’ve yet to see the other candidates’ manifestos or any campaign material and although I’ve sat with George on a few university committees I don’t really feel that I know either him or Robyn well enough to comment at this stage. What I can say however is that unlike the other candidates I have studied as both an undergraduate and postgraduate at York so have an insight into issues affecting both tiers of study. Something which the other candidates may not be as familiar with.
What was your favourite thing the previous officer did and why?
Dan has had a number of victories since he took over the role last year. Personally I believe that his securing of additional course rep funding, giving each department’s reps an extra £500 to spend on library resources is particularly significant. Though not a relatively large amount of money in comparison to the price of many academic texts, giving students direct control over the allocation of additional departmental resources can only be of benefit. Coming from a department where it can sometimes be difficult to get hold of certain books and journal articles, I personally welcome the opportunity for us as students to be able to directly control where money is spent in terms of new texts/resources.
What’s the most important thing about the role you are going for?
Academia is the one thing that unites every student at this University, be they part or full time, undergraduates or PhD. As such it is the one position where YUSU has the opportunity to directly impact upon everyone it represents and have a direct relevance for them. Utilised to its full potential the Academic Officer position has the opportunity to show that our Union can and does have a positive impact on the student experience at York.
How are you campaigning?
My campaign strategy is simple, I want to get the message out to as many students as possible and encourage as much participation in this year’s elections as I can. As with my pledge to ‘get out of the office’ if elected, it’ll be a case of me and my campaigns team going out and engaging directly to voters, getting to know their views and what things they believe could be improved within their departments and/or on a campus wide level. For the record if anyone sees me out and about during campaigning and has a question or idea then they are more than welcome to stop me at any time for a chat to.
What do you like the most about York?
I wouldn’t say that I have a favourite part of York, the city is beautiful and an amazing place to live so can’t really narrow it to anything in particular. Though I must admit having my department housed in a Grade 1 listed Medieval Manor House, once used by Henry VIII to house the Council of the North is pretty cool! (If you’ve let to visit King’s Manor then I would certainly recommend it before you graduate)!
What’s the best slogan you can think of for your campaign?
Erm Josh Henning for Academic Officer? I’m one of those unfortunate people whose name doesn’t really rhyme with anything that rolls off the tongue, so am still working on that killer slogan I’m afraid!
What do you think about York Vision?
Truth be told I’m not a massive fan of your new website layout. I’m sure you’re lovely people all the same though.
