Manifesto Points:
- Fairness in Funding – Ensure funding for societies is distributed fairly in the face of rising costs.
- Fairness in Communication – Ensure societies are communicated with openly by both YorkSU and the University.
- Fairness in Future – Ensure societies are left with the tools to survive far into the future.
Hi, I’m Kory, and in my time at York I’ve given my heart to societies, having been Deputy Station Manager at URY, Treasurer at YSTV, a Project Manager at TechSoc, YorkSU Multimedia Rep, and a two time Roses Media Lead, the level of commitment I’ve put in has lead many to joke that societies were my real degree, and academics was the hobby.
And honestly? I see their point, I’ve gained and learned so much from my time at societies at York that it feels as though it rivals my degree itself, and for that I feel it’s only right I try to give back to the amazing community here at York.
Through that time I’ve also come to see a lot of the shortcomings of how our societies are treated, and I want to work to fix that.
I’ve seen societies struggle to spend money on development, instead having to spend what funding they do receive on ever rising operational costs.
I’ve seen societies struggle to find space to operate in as the University continues to restrict and close spaces on campus, and provide no suitable replacements to the societies that operate in them.
I’ve seen societies’ concerns on the above issues talked over and ignored by the university board.
And it is tiring to see. Societies need to be respected and placed at the forefront of discussions that actively affect them.
Societies need adequate funding that is fairly distributed to them to ensure they can not only continue to exist in their current form, but thrive and develop long into the future.
Societies, their funding, and the space they occupy on campus need to be taken into consideration when making cost-cutting decisions if the University wants to continue to claim a limited impact on the student experience at York.
Fairness in Funding
- Reassess processes in regards to Media and Societies grants to ensure funding is fairly distributed so societies have both money to operate and develop
- Lobby for increased funding for societies to cover rising costs due to inflation and cost of living.
- Ensure societies are properly educated on what funding sources are available to them and how to apply.
Fairness in Communication
- Lobby the University to ensure societies are consulted promptly in discussions of the future of their space on campus, and are supplied with adequate replacement spaces in the event of potential building closures.
- Ensure that the SU remains transparent and open with student media and the student body as a whole, especially on decisions regarding activities at York
- Ensure societies’ concerns are taken seriously by university officials, and that society operations are treated as important to the “student experience” as other areas of student life are.
Fairness in Future
- Ensure societies have the training and information necessary for them to both run their societies well, and feel comfortable handing them off to new committees
- Ensure the Student’s Union continues to act as a bastion of student ingenuity and foster the amazing community of activities and opportunities at York.
The manifestos appear here exactly as they were submitted to us. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of York Vision.
Don’t get us wrong, the York SU elections are very important. But so much of the election process is formal and serious…which means it can also (at times) be a little bit dull.
But we don’t think it has to be like this. So alongside their manifesto, Vision asked each candidate a series of light-hearted, get-to-know-you type questions. This should give you a little dive into the individual personalities of the candidates:
What would be the theme song for your campaign?
Those Were The Days – Gents & Ginger (Gotta Rep those student bands)
If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be?
The 2nd Tallest Duck on Campus, that’s spent their entire life being overshadowed by LongBoi
What would be your go-to activity date i.e. a walk on the beach?
Ooooo it’d have to be a gig, I love live music (Bonus points if it’s a BandSoc Band) (Even more bonus points if it’s my band).
We gave the candidate a word, and asked them to think of what the question would be:
Answer: Goose
Candidate Question: What typically comes after “Duck Duck” in the popular game of the same name?