Scandalous messages sent by the YUSU Academic Officer have been leaked to York Vision.
The messages were sent to a third year student, who wishes to remain anonymous, and appear to urge them not to run for YUSU President in this term’s upcoming elections.
Luke Elliott, a third year Physics student, blasted the elected officer’s conduct: “Tron has clearly crossed a line with this behaviour.
Thomas Ron, commonly referred to as ‘Tron’, has held the role of Academic Officer since the start of the academic year.
One of the private messages, sent on November 17, 2015 from his official YUSU Facebook account, shows how he tried to put off the potential candidate, saying: “because I have heard of a candidate who will VERY easily win.”
York Vision understands that the candidate mentioned, but not identified, is Ron’s fellow YUSU Sabb, Scott Dawson, who is rumoured to be running for the position of President.
A later message shows Ron encouraging the student to “go for Welfare and Community”, the YUSU Sabbatical position held by Scott Dawson this year.
Ron defended his actions, releasing a statement saying: “None of my actions were designed to cause harm or offense. As soon as I became aware I had cause upset, I offered immediate apology.”
However, the reciepient of the messages said: “It felt like he thought he was doing me a service but essentially telling me I’m not good or popular enough to win the election isn’t a service or advice.”
Ron also said: “It’s in the interests of students for YUSU elections to be accessible and open to all, they are and that’s what I want to continue, I believed this to be a private conversation with a friend where we discussed our own politics, this conversation does not influence the process or the outcome of the elections and was never designed for print in the run up to the elections.
“With all this in mind, I will now refrain from discussing the election or potential candidates with anyone.”
One outraged student, Max Palfreman, hit back at the Sabb’s comments and said: “Ron’s actions have made a farce of YUSU democracy.
“Student politics is not supposed to mirror the cronyism of the politics we are used to seeing on television.”
YUSU regulations from last year’s elections clearly state that candidates must not use Union resources, including official YUSU accounts, to campaign York Vision understands Ron is considering re-running for his current £18k a year role.
YUSU President Ben Leatham said: “YUSU is committed to open and fair elections, we consistently have one of the highest election turnouts of all students’ unions in the UK.
“With nominations having opened last week, we’ve already had a lot of interest and inquiries from students considering candidacy.
“I’m confident we’re going to have an exciting, engaging campaigning period that will inspire the student body and ensure a great new team who are, most importantly, selected by their fellow students.”
Nominations are now open for the next elections.
Luke Elliott called on YUSU to act saying: “This reflects badly on our entire student community. If YUSU are truly committed to representing all of our students then they must deal with this quickly and decisively.”
Everyone needs to chill out, Tron was acting in the best interests of the students and i for ine trust his judgement.
Will Vision ever start supporting the students rather than vindicate them. Holy shit he would rather have one candidate over another and gave his opinion on whether he would get the role or not. This guy is obviously not right for the job if he is getting upset because Tron said something he didn’t want to hear. If he disagrees he should just fucking run for prez regardless and try and prove him wrong!
@Perspective The fact you assume it’s a ‘he’ sums up why there is something wrong with the mindset of students in York.
“Moral outrage!”, accompanied by superfluous mutterings of moral outrage.
Tron should resign. It is completely unacceptable for someone in his position to think he can ‘carve up’ roles for people. He’s completely skipping the election process and putting his friend in as President.
Maybe that’s the whole point, maybe it was a girl running… in which case of course she would be discourage and welfare would be a much more ‘feminine’ role to go for
TRON showing his career politician side once and for all… he clearly does not care about democracy, just being in the good books of who he thinks will be the next prez – get some principals.
Tron mate, you need to be a bit more discreet
it appe3ars corruption is rife…
glad I saw this before firming York, Durham here I come….