Manifesto Points:
- Advocating for Student Leaders and Championing the Colleges
- Tackling the Cost of Living
- Better Support for International Students
Hi! I’m Simon, I’m a final-year English Language and Linguistics student, and I’m running to be your Union Affairs Officer! As Alcuin College President last year, and a Department Representative since 2023, I have firsthand experience of the issues facing students, and a strong determination to tackle these head-on. My manifesto pledges bold, achievable changes that will tackle many inequalities seen across the University, improving the student experience for all.
Advocating for Student Leaders and Championing the Colleges
The University claims to be proud of its collegiate system and appreciative of its student leaders, upon whom it is so reliant. Alas, it does not put its money where its mouth is, and neither can York SU be relied on to support these volunteers. This is simply unacceptable, and must improve. My proposals to better the student leadership experience include:
- Building on the College Support Campaign I led last year (including the Open Letter to Vice Chancellor Charlie Jeffery), ensuring the promises made in the University’s response are honoured;
- Busting bureaucracy and better training for all student leaders! I will push for a review of the resources supplied by both the University and York SU, and demand updates to these materials and their accessibility where necessary (not least, risk assessments and the horribly outdated Event Management system);
- Implementing a system that recognises, rewards and celebrates student leaders regularly and meaningfully;
- Improving communication across the University and championing frequent, open dialogue between students, the University and York SU, ensuring the student voice is listened to and acted upon;
- Working alongside the Union Development Officer and Community & Wellbeing Officer to champion better services and support from our campus bars and First Bus.
Tackling the Cost of Living
Expenses are going up, but incomes are not. Many students are struggling more than ever, impacting their education and wellbeing, yet the University continues to turn a blind eye, as demonstrated in their recent 9% average hike in on-campus accommodation costs. I plan to champion support for students during these unprecedented times by:
- Challenging the University on its outrageous recent hike in rent costs! I will lobby to secure the future of affordable accommodation (including the £99 rooms), and push for assurances and safeguards which ensure the student voice is consulted with and acted upon prior to any future increases;
- Increasing the availability and frequency of other cost-of-living initiatives, including the Fruit and Root bags and the advertised £2.50 evening meals through the Shop, Save and Sustain initiative, to help promote healthy and affordable living;
- Pushing for any profits made in on-campus catering and shopping to be recycled directly into these facilities, thereby keeping their prices down;
- Ensuring on-campus student jobs are meaningful in terms of their hours and flexibility. Too many students have to take a second job as their role at the University is simply not sustainable;
- Lobbying to end the closed-campus approach over weekends and vacation periods. The current blanket shutdown is particularly hard on those (including International, estranged, medical and postgraduate students) who remain on-site during these periods.
Better Support for International Students
International students form a quarter of the University’s student population. They pay nearly three times as much as Home students, yet once they are here, they and their needs are often neglected. This is simply not good enough, and something I am keen to address. My proposals – many of which would also benefit Home students – include:
- Creating an easily-accessible document with useful information (for instance; registering with a GP, creating a bank account, and signposting to relevant support services);
- Improving access to English language lessons for those who need them, both via the Languages café and IPAL schemes, and through students undertaking English-teaching qualifications (like TEFL or CertTESOL), who will themselves benefit from this firsthand peer-teaching experience;
- Lobbying for clearer guidance on visa processes and restrictions, particularly around exams and resits, and improving housing support and guidance;
- Re-introducing the International Student Buddying scheme, which, inexplicably, was discontinued this year despite costing almost nothing to run;
- Creating and advertising events across campus for International students, increasing opportunities to meet others, build a community, and find their sense of belonging at York;
- Utilising data from the recent International Students’ Survey and continuing dialogue with International students to make continued, meaningful changes which cater to their wants and needs, and ensure their voices are heard and listened to.
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?
Alice Cooper “Elected”. Cos, I wanna be elected!
If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be?
Tony the Tiger…. I’m Grrrrreat! (Although it was tempting to say Gunnersaurus, just to wind the Spurs fans up 
)
Do you fit your college stereotype? (please provide your college)?
Yes, I suppose I do! Fairly studious, not a great partygoer, and a little bit alternative…. yep, I think that fits the Alcuin vibe!
We gave the candidate a word, and asked them to think of what the question would be:
Answer: Charlie Jeffery
Who in this University needs to be more visible, and answering to students’ concerns and complaints?