One of the positions people are running for this year is the Vice President Services and Communication position. This position is based around the way the SU is supported and communication between students and the University itself. The candidate will be responsible for various roles on all three campuses throughout the year including providing strategic direction to the bars and retail outlets run by the Students’ Union and the entertainments that the Student Union provides for all students. They will also be responsible for providing direction and input into the events and services provided for students and Fresher Reps during Welcome Week and Re-Fresher’s Week. They will be expected to liaise with many of the societies, Stride, the Student Advice Centre, Student Support Centre and Trent Media, whilst giving advice and support to these areas of Union operation and finally will have a lead role in communicating to students about the activities of the Union in all areas of its operation, especially reporting to members on any successes the Union has earned for its members. The candidates for this position are Christian Baker, Nick Booth, Rohan Maheswaren and Kate Wilcox. We emailed all candidates and asked them a few questions about different aspects of the role they were applying for.
The first candidate we interviewed was Christian Baker, 20, and he studies Broadcast Journalism which he feels gives him the advantage of being able to gather information effectively, use the information and then communicate with the students on what you find. Christian has also been a big part of Trent Media and has had a lot of experience at management level in these fields. He wants to increase engagement with students, the University and the Ents Teams. He has been heavily involved with Fly FM, Trent TV and has been Editor-in-chief for Platform magazine for the past year as well. He feels that the students have a right to show their opinions and create change themselves, through communication. Some of his manifesto points include encouraging night time events across all 3 campuses , encouraging non-drinking events for freshers who don’t want to be part of that culture and also wants more coverage from NTSU for Sports and Societies. He would also like to get some niche events started on a weekly basis in the SU’s. He wants everyone to feel part of the NTU community. He has been secretary and President of the Lacrosse team and has been part of budgeting; management and recruitment, everything he feels can give him the advantage in applying for this position.
The second candidate to apply is Rohan Maheswaren, 21, studying Business Management and Marketing here at NTU. He believes his course can give him the ability to present and communicate effectively and creatively. He’d like to become more involved with the Students Union and make more of an influence on the students. He has been a Fresher Rep 3 times, which has involved being organized an d confident at all times, making sure he is the support system for the new students arriving at NTU every year. He feels there should be more events for Fresher’s, not just the night-time events, so that all students can get involved and participate in the events. Rohan would like more interaction with students such as online surveys and questionnaires so that the students themselves can change the uni so that it is better. He feels he has a good understanding of the role and the responsibility that he would have to under-take. This year he was Young Students Officer which he feels has given him an immense amount of experience and things that he can take in to new jobs in the future. He’d like to improve social events on all three campuses and also get Fresher Rep guides produced so that both new and old Reps can be confident in their role.
Third candidate Kate Willcox, 20, studies Philosophy and Media which Kate believes helps her see different points of view from all aspects of life and from different people. She says it also lets her see all the possibilities that are open and the options available which helps her keep organized. She has been involved with many events around NTU including the RAG committee. Kate has fresher-repped and was also Head-rep last year as well, which she feels gave her unlimited amount of experience in the working world, by being in charge of others and supporting them as well. Some of her manifesto points include increasing communications between all three campuses so that events between all students are more available and draw more students in. She also wants to get involved more with Trent Media and make sure that all students know what is going on within each week in the Students Unions by using social networking sites more such as Facebook and Twitter so students can keep up to date on the move. Kate wants to fight for student’s right and believes that she can make a difference in this position.
And finally the fourth candidate is Nick Booth, 21; studying Broadcast Journalism which he feels has given him the experience in creating strong and effective communication with students and the university. Nick is passionate about NTU and his love for uni shines through. He is passionate about getting everyone involved and making sure no student doesn’t enjoy their time here at university. Interpersonal skills and being put under-pressure is something which Nick feels can give him the advantage above other candidates. He wants to improve communications between all three campuses as well, so that more events can be held for all students together rather than on separate campuses. He plans to keep everyone up to date with the new SU planned for the city campus and give students the answers they want. Nick says he has a real energy for NTU and enthusiasm to really make a difference. Some of Nick’s manifesto includes getting more support to Fresher Rep and visiting more halls throughout Fresher’s week. He also wants to get more students involved in competitions across the uni and get students to show off their talents in shows throughout the year.
Good luck to all four of the candidates, may the best person win!
Sophie Davis
Tags: committee, communication, nominations, ntsu, ntu, services, student executive, Student Union, voting
