I’m guessing since you’ve picked up this election supplement, and you’re reading this article, you’re at least marginally aware of the fact that the YUSU elections are currently going on. Exciting times, yeah? No? Fair enough. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn’t blame you if this were the first you’ve heard of it. As much as the Sabbs, the candidates and overly eager campus hacks (guilty) want to make it out to be the event of the social calendar, the fact of the matter is that for the majority of students, it’s just another source of spam from that Freshers’ group you forgot to leave.
Unnecessarily complicated and bureaucratic, way too long and often painfully boring and out of touch, YUSU elections have never been big campus crowd pleasers. This year, however, they’ve seemingly been taken to new, dizzying heights of dullness. Where, in previous years, we have at least had the mildly entertaining election themes (last year’s was Sesame Street and it resulted in an unnamed former Sabb running around dressed as Big Bird), it was this year deemed to be patronizing the candidates. It’s been replaced by the vague slogan of “Taking Your Stand”, artistically represented by a cartoon foot. Yes, a foot. Couple this with the complete lack of promotion outside the odd Facebook event and the two additional weeks added to the already lengthy process, and you’ve got a recipe for apathy.
So, with that being the reality of our democratic microcosm, being the ever-positive optimist I am, I would like to present an alternative reality. Imagine, if you can, a few weeks from now, on election night, returning Officer Tim Ngwena announcing to the room that this years’ turnout was close to a 100 per cent. Now picture the face of newly elected President Lydia Blundell/Tim Ellis/Aaron Rolph/Charlie Rowley. I imagine it to convey a mix of happiness, relief, shock and the slightest sprinkle of a fear. “Wow,” they might say to themselves. “This genuinely matters, doesn’t it?”
Imagine the efficiency of a team of Sabbatical Officers who know that they are actually the representatives of a united student body. No more simply “keeping up a good working relationship” with the administration, they would march into the hallowed halls of Heslington and fight for our causes, knowing that they’ll have all of us to answer to if they don’t.
In fact, never mind the Sabbs, imagine what Brian Cantor, tucked away in his ivory tower, would say if he caught word of this unparalleled mass student participation. Imagine the leverage a Union with full student support has when arguing against hidden course costs and for increased contact hours, better quality teaching and a 24-hour library! With 14,000 regular students behind them, the Sabbs might be listened to for once, and the administration might not be that quick to shake their heads and close their cheque books.
So my plea is, look beyond the dullness, drabness and despair of the state of the YUSU elections and vote. Don’t vote for the candidates, vote for yourself. Don’t vote for what YUSU is, vote for what it could be.
This is entirely what my campaign is about. I *love* this article. I want to fight on behalf of all students at York and *really* make a difference. I will not be tucked up in the YUSU tower if I’m elected, I’m going to be out and about every single day I can, meeting with the SMG, members boards of studies’ of EVERY department to make sure that you as the student body get what you deserve. I’m not interested in pussyfooting around, trying not to upset the delicate balance between YUSU and the university. If elected, I will fight tooth and nail for everything that students have been asking for and STILL not got for year after year, and am totally prepared to make enemies in Hes Hall to do this.
If a candidate is not prepared to be unpopular to pursue the best interests of the majority, then they should not be standing.
It is as simple as that.
Vote Al for Academic Affairs at yusu.org/vote now!