Tim’s team triumph

Tim Ellis – President

Promises:

>  Initiated the ‘What Are You Paying For’ campaign, targeting extra costs of studying and living in York, such as buying textbooks and York Sport membership – which is free from next year.

>  Emphasised York’s collegiate system by making colleges visually distinct – though more work can be done here.

>  Couldn’t get sabbs to every JCRC meeting – though YUSU’s new JCRC co-ordinator improved communication with colleges.

>  Implemented changes which will improve the freshers’ experience for international students.

Ellis came through on almost all of his policies from last year’s detailed manifesto. His no-nonsense approach to the University and his co-operation with JCRCs have served him well.

Performance:

>  Brought in solid acts to the bigger events, although the Central Hall development affected the amount of events arranged.

>  Raised profile of YUSU elections, leading to a record turnout.

>  Stopped the Uni increasing campus rent prices above the rate of inflation.

>  Oversaw the Hes East expansion while making sure Hes West was not ignored.

>  Made a start on the YUSU website, though some areas of it remain undeveloped.

Ellis has performed well in a trying year for the sabb team. Throughout growing pressure for ‘value for money’ degrees, he has kept students and JCRCs satisfied.

Popularity:

Ellis keeps a lower profile than his fellow sabbs, but his firm friendliness with those above and below him makes him a favourite with all.

 

Sam Asfahani – Sport 

Promises:

>  Maintained a focus on college sport by introducing a second College Sport Officer and doling out £900 to each college to support their sports societies.

>  Implemented a minibus fleet to transport sports clubs – though this was plagued with difficulties, like minibuses not turning up.

>  Did not arrange a college sports weekend tournament against Durham – focused instead on existing tournaments.

Asfahani made good use of his two-year term in office – it meant he could make a start on many of his 2011 pledges earlier. His manifesto was realistic and most of the policies could be seen through.

Performance:

>  Secured a £142,000 deal with Sport England, which allowed him to consistently improve college and participation sport – it also let him hire a Sports Participation Manager, who will start next year.

>  Has overseen the construction and imminent opening of the Sports Centre on Hes East.

>  Has made plans for the Huntington Stadium to be used again in next year’s Roses, after last year’s Roses opened there.

>  Arranged a deal with sports kit manufacturers Surridge – though the response to this was mixed.

Asfahani had a strong second year that saw him maintain a steady focus on college sport, and put in place many projects that his successor can follow through.

Popularity:

Asfahani’s known for being approachable and charismatic. He was shy about posting on the YUSU blog, with only three entries this academic year – he prefers instead to deal with societies in person.

 

Bob Hughes – Welfare

Promises:

>  Set up a number of services that destigmatised mental health issues. His planned ‘Don’t Bottle It Up’ campaign hasn’t seen the light of day, but is expected to appear next year.

>  Organised for a second STI clinic session to take place every Friday, 12-2pm, since the Wednesday one excluded sports players.

>  Organised a series of talks in every college in which he warned students against choosing their house too quickly, as well as other common house-letting pitfalls.

Hughes’ 2011 campaign manifesto was comprehensive as well as realistic, and he’s worked hard to fulfill most pledges that he made.

Performance:

>  Set up and maintained a Clubbers’ Bus service that ferries students back from York’s official YUSU club-nights.

>  Trained college welfare reps and members from the liberation committees so that they are better equipped to deal with students’ welfare issues. Head STYCs will also be more thoroughly trained in time for next freshers’ term.

>  Blogged frequently on the YUSU site with information for students about how to deal with welfare problems.

>  Developed welfare awareness by collaborating with societies such as YSTV, with whom he made a York ‘Come Dine With Me’.

Hughes has kept his nose to the grindstone this year to raise awareness of the welfare services he and his team are running.

Popularity:

Hughes is an all-round lovely chap, loved by students for his personality and policies alike. He’s made sure that his name and face are well-known around campus, which is especially important for a Welfare officer.

 

James Croydon – Activities

Promises:

>  Arranged for societies to pool their allotted cash to buy first-class equipment to share. Online booking not yet possible, however.

>  Could not finalise his 2011 pledge to give every student membership to one society for free.

>  Could not organise a ‘Societies Week’ in his year – although ‘Celebrate York’, which he did arrange, made up for the loss, showcasing some of York’s finest societies.

Croydon’s policies were great, but he wasn’t realistic enough about what could get done in a year. He has set up the groundwork for his successors to build on, though.

Performance:

>  Fought against the Uni over this year’s postering ban – achieved a compromise in which noticeboards would be set up around the university.

>  Saw through a successful freshers’ week in 2011 – 90% of students were satisfied with the Freshers’ Fair that he organised.

>  Made YUSU Volunteering one of RAG’s recognised charities, and allowed for more volunteering opportunities in the local community.

>  Initiated annual events such as ‘Celebrate York’, which allowed students and locals to come together.

Croydon performed his duties well this year, and when problems arose he worked his hardest to represent York’s societies in dealing with them.

Popularity:

Although Croydon didn’t always make a huge effort to connect with the student body in his downtime – his YUSU blog count has only just broken double figures – he was reputedly very easy for societies to work with.

 

Graeme Osborn – Academic

Promises:

>  Helped organise and open the newly refurbished 24-hour library – his help ensured that the library’s relaunch went ahead on time and with no major problems.

>  Improved the average assessment feedback return time – though many departments are still not meeting the recommended six-week deadline, which Osborn hoped to improve on.

>  Put plans in place to increase staff/student contact hours by next academic year.

Osborn’s 2011 manifesto was ambitious, which led to his falling-down in some areas – but overall his upholding of campaign promises has been impressive.

Performance:

>  Lobbied the University to stop waiving fees for disadvantaged students and introduce bursaries instead, which are more immediately helpful.

>  Tried to arrange for students to be given printer credit allowances proportionate to their expected printed work – but now instead seeking for the University to make assessment online-based.

>  Made the most of our NUS affiliation by getting York students involved in schemes like the NUS Student Skills Award.

Osborn did well to ensure students will get value for money despite the fee rise – but we can’t help but feel the time spent on trying to get £5-10 off printer credits could have been better spent on softening the blow of the impending £9000 tuition fees.

Popularity:

Not as much of a Sabb Around Campus as the others, but what else could be expected of an Academic officer? He blogged for YUSU reasonably often, and was clear about his activities in Academic Assemblies.