A group of York students has won the opportunity to have their very own I-phone application developed after winning The App Challenge final, held at the Ron Cooke Hub on Wednesday, January 18.
YUSU Welfare officer Bob Hughes has warned students to be vigilant after a student loans phishing scam has been revealed.
Her Majesty the Queen will be visiting York on Maundy Thursday, 5th April, as part of the 800th anniversary of York’s Charter for the traditional “Royal Maundy” ceremony.
A flood caused by a heating system “failure” forced the university IT services to shut down many essential systems on Sunday night, causing problems for many students on the eve of their exams and assignment due-dates.
1:35: To Summer of 69, we finish our coverage. Check back over the next few days for further coverage and comments.
1:30: SU President candidate Nadz Kunwar tells The Yorker: "I've had so much fun campaigning, it's a shame to lose."
1:20: The Yorker secured the first quote from our new SU President, when we asked how he felt. He replied: "I'm about to pass out."
01:18: Joe Clarke said: "At this time, it seems like a mockery." However, Tom Scott said: "People keep asking me, am I going to take the job and the answer is Yes. I be doing the best damn job I can."
01:14: And now for the big one... 2984 people voted for this postion. AMC described having to announce this fact as her proudest moment as president. The winner is Mad Captain Tom Scott. Some members of the audience are singing "We want our vote back". Theresa Dolan said: "This uni is a sham!"
Candidates:
The winner is Mad Captain Tom
01:03: Matt Burton becomes the first officer to serve two years running. He said: "I'd like to thank all my campaigners. I really think I can do it. Thank you very much to my Sabbs, everyone has been really really supportive, even the people at the front. Thanks, enjoy the night." A song specially requested by Matt Burton is played. No one at The Yorker has a clue what it might be. Joe Clarke said: "A landslide victory for the deserving candidate."
Candidates:
The winner is Burton
12:54: Current AU President Jo Carter has explained the situation. A drunk member of the audience pressed a button on the slide. They went through normally as they were unsure how many members of the audience had seen the slide. Carter has been round and apologised personally to all candidates. Doorsafe are now guarding the computer to avoid the event happening again.
12:51: AMC was just spotted falling into the recycling bins. We're currently trying to get hold of her for a reply.
12:47: Sam McCormmick said: "It's a disgrace that they didn't offer an apology, they should have rushed through the results rather than brush them under the carpet. They're messing with people's lives there."
12:42: We're almost there folks, only two more results to announce. However, we're thirsty, will someone buy us a pint?
12:37: AMC told the audience ex-Academic and Welfare officer Grace Fletcher-Hackwood texted in and said: "This is the best job in the Union." AMC added: "I agree with her, it is the best job, and the most important." The post got a large number of votes with 2373 votes cast.
Candidates:
The winner is Leyland
12:34: Mad Captain Tom said: "Someone just described me as a walking spoilt ballot paper."
12:33: The results have now been announced officially. After first round Collinson 535, Lacy 642, Coney 545. After second round Collinson 593, Lacy 662, Coney 563. Third round Collinson 658, Lacy 723, Coney 606. Last round is Collinson 790, Lacy 856. Lacy wins an extremely close contest.
12:29: Another unfortunate mistake... Result went up before any annoucements were made. Alex Lacy is new AU president
Candidates:
The winner is Alex Lacy
12:25: New Ents Officer Naomi says she feels "OK", then "Good" and finally settles for "Excited about the year to come". Baywatch themes comes on. It's like Toffs on a Tuesday night, except I'm using my laptop and nowhere near as drunk...
12:09: Shanks, who won with yet another convincing result, told the audience: "Thank you very much. I'd like to thank all those who have voted for me and have helped me along the way. I'd like to thank my house, my OTC attachment, the campaigns we all ran were great, which is great for communications."
Candidates:
The winner is Shanks with 923 votes, above the threshold of 871 and half.
12:06: With a massive threshold of 927, Jamie Tyler won SDC with a landslide 937 votes, without the need for a second round of voting. The Derwent crowd chants "Tyler, Tyler, Tyler". Tyler said: "You guys are all amazing, I love you all." Witts won James College, the only one Tyler failed to win.
Candidates:
The winner is Jamie Tyler
11:55: Rich Croker, ex-YUSU President tells us: “I don’t think students are voting for the pirate, they’re voting for RON. The pirate is the new RON. Students aren’t voting for him as a candidate, more someone who isn’t the typical SU.”
Prior to the Presidential Battle of Croker’s era, the exit poll had never been wrong. After a change from a three-day analysis of 300 votes, to a one day, 100-sample exit poll, the result was wrong in its first year (the election of 2006/7). Although Croker said: “A win of a maximum of 10% on the exit poll gives you your winner.”
11:43: Langrish told the audience: "I don't think the result actually reflects the level of effort put into the election." Meanwhile the pirate and his crew are tearing the dancefloor to pieces with their probably illegal moves.
11:40: The results coming thick and fast. Langrish and Batula miss first round of voting by 1.5 votes despite winning in every college except James College, but end up winning in the second round by a landslide.
Candidates:
The winners are Langrish and Batula with 963 votes after the second round of voting. The next best got 379.
11:36: AMC has a slip-up and effectively announces the results for Racial Equality before giving the college break down.
Candidates:
The winners are Nicholls and Twaites.
Candidates:
The winners are Aziz and Apea by 289 votes.
11:30: Adam Wiles, new Student Action Chair tells us: "I want to follow on from our fantastic previous Chair."
11:26: Crowd favourite Umbrella comes on. We love it.
11:23: The SDC exit Poll suggests Jamie Tyler to win with 51% of the votes, followed by Sarah Witts with 22% and Fran Olley with 21%. Tyler isn't taking anything for granted.
11:12: Helen Adams, the new RAG President, who dyed her hair blonde as part of her campaign announces: "RAG is going to be amazing this year!" Meanwhile the crowd (and The Yorker team) bop along to a bit of Avril Lavigne.
11:07: RAG Pres is a close one. New Student Action Chair Adam Wiles said: "Thank you very much everyone, I'd like to give a big thank you to the voters, and especially my campaign team."
Candidates:
The winner is Adams with 1162 against 873 for Fink
Candidates:
The winner is Adam Wiles with 1221 out of 1439 votes.
10:59 Member of the audience Nick Connell said: "Why do we have to wait until 1am to find out who gets president?"
10:46: Rhianna Kinchin is feeling fantastic after beating RON.
10:44: Some more results for you. Ben Humpries said: "In your face RON."
Candidates:
The winner is Dods and Durkin with 1470 out of 1752 votes.
Candidates:
The winner is Sarah Fennel and Ben Humphrys with 1278 out of 1509 votes.
10:33: Rory Shanks is "Loving Nadz"
10:21: Nadz Kunwar just told us: "Matt Burton looks amazing. Not."
10:29: It's all kicking off now!
Candidates:
"The winners are Harrison and McIntosh.
Candidates:
The winners are Kinchin and Kerrigan with 1230 votes.
Candidates:
The winners are Laura Payne, Matt Burton, Tom Langrish, Matthew Pallas, David Levene, Andy Dixon and Michael Wood.
10:11: Charlie Leyland has told us she got 62% in her exit poll, but isn't counting her chickens for Academic and Welfare. She says: "I just want to know". Meanwhile Aimee Gamble, surprise entrant in the race for the AU told us that her nomination was all down to Matthew Pallas. She gave her blank nomination form to Pallas who signed her up - she says her aim for the night is to simply beat RON (as she isn't actually a member of the AU).
10:09: The announcer has requested "everyone to report to the dancefloor". Currently no one has responded, in fact Joey Ellis and Matt Burton have just departed.
10:05: Mitch: Yes I do. Anon: Official times are 12.15am for AU and 1am for SU President. As the event is running over half an hour late, I couldn't possibly say.
10:00: Alex Lacey is feeling "slightly perturbed".
9:58: The Yorker are in situ, Sarah Witts, running for SDC says she feels "calm" whilst Nick Bradley, Services and Finance Candidate, is feeling the nerves.
9:50: Here we are, finally in. The event is running late, so you'll find out about results as soon as they come in. Feel free to post comments below as we go along!
Whilst I'm personally really disappointed with the result, Tom was democratically elected. What I would like to see is a statement from him clarifying his position/aims for his presidency. I'm mainly concerned about his position on his campaign pledges, if he stands by them it will make the uni a laughing stock and if he doesn't then isn't he defrauding those who voted for him? Either way I'm not sure this is what YUSU needed to improve its position with students.
Hmm - the campaign pledges I recall are: cutlasses for all - will not be allowed by the University; the cannon - he has stated there will be one as soon as it can be sourced ethically (good luck!); free rum - YUSU does not yet have a bar, so there's a way to go on that; pharmacy on campus - that is a long-term undertaking that could not be achieved in a year. Sounds like he'll have time for other things!
""Either way I'm not sure this is what YUSU needed to improve its position with students.""
There is of course the fact he may have got in because YUSU has such a low rating amongst students they thought a "joke" candiate would send a message?
@103 But this is what you don't seem to have yet understood:
When he accepted the job, he stopped being a joke candidate or a protest vote, so who are you sending a message to? He will be the leader of YUSU, so YUSU is now the joke. You might not have a problem with that, but many people do.
Don't forget the one about society budgets. If it's not possible to pay the budget in dubloons, he'll settle for actually telling societies about budget changes. That's one policy we could have done with having from last year's committee.
Without being too self-indulgent ... ah bollocks to it ... I know this is self-indulgent, but after multiple rounds of voting, I did actually win NUS delegate, even though Michael Wood got more 1st pref votes. Sorry mate! Just to say thanks to all who voted for me and I intend to do the best job I can at NUS
Dan Taylor ye be first to walk the plank. Yarrrrrrrrrr!
Anyone interested in writing a blog re: elections / student democracy / piracy in general, is welcome to email me at blogs@theyorker.co.uk.
Marie Thouaille
Blog Editor
Does anyone even know how the duties of the student president are defined?
Do we care, and should we?
How will it affect us? And do the tiny minority of people who participate in YUSU really reperesent our interests or just sit around in the SU offices all day drinking tea and collecting salary?
The results and controversy surrounding this year's elections may finally help to answer some of these questions, which i would suspect many students have.
It can only serve to improve the state of student politics and get more people interested. It will be interesting to follow Tom's presidency.
It will prove to be the best possible result for our uni in the long term, and hopefully future candidates will have to do better at appealing to the majority of the student body rather than just a few YUSU insiders.
Anyway, its just funny. Has any student president ever achieved anything comporable to making thousands of us laugh so hard? I doubt it.
Ben Pahari
ps. I do not think that York uni will be a laughing stock because students form other uni's care even less about our student politics than we (as in the majority of students here) do.
pps. seriously read this:
http://yorkuk.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=24147917048&topic=3987
not just a pirate?
Read this too:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=9208824316
You know Ben, I just want to say that I find your post really and truly offensive.
I'm not a YUSU officer, and never have been, but I have spent hours working for YUSU as a volunteer. I honestly can't believe you think that YUSU officers just sit around all day drinking tea, and I honestly can't believe you think YUSU only affects a "tiny majority of YUSU insiders".
Its been said before Ben, but have you never been to a quiz or an event in a campus bar? Have you never thought about how much beer costs on campus? Have you never used a Q-Jumper at Toffs or Gallery. Ben, you like Live Music, have you never wanted more gigs on campus, or wanted Bandsoc to be better? Have you never wanted the cost of living on campus to be cheaper, or wanted support when you're looking for houses? Were you not an member of any societies? Did you play sport? Did you really not go to any freshers events when you arrived?
Lest you think YUSU officers don't do any of those things, I've seen them doing it, I've been in meetings with the university where they've been discussed.
I struggle to believe that any student exists who hasn't used or benefited from YUSU, I can't believe that any student hasn't wished they did more either.
To say however, that "YUSU is a joke", "it's funny", "no one cares about YUSU" is just plain wrong. Thousands of people go to campus events run by YUSU, and use services they provide, that's hardly a 'tiny minority'. I've spent a lot of time working for the Union, I've given up paid work to work for free, and whilst I don't do it for recognition, or even without getting some enjoyment from it, to say that I've been wasting my time, is something I honestly find personally very hurtful.
If you genuinely have never used YUSU then fine, I totally understand you not caring, and I totally understand you abstaining or not voting. Voting for Tom though, wasn't a protest vote, wasn't spoiling your ballot, it was voting for someone who says he doesn't care any of the students who he will be representing, who will be paying his wages, and who will be giving up their time to work for him. His candidacy was funny, him accepting the job, however, is not.
I know you're going to call me pompous, out of touch, and part of the YUSU clique, but I really find it offensive that people who have been willing to reap the benefits of the work I, and others, have done, are willing to call me a joke. I wonder if they would find it as funny if there were no more events on campus, no more porters, no more viking raids, no more welfare or recycling, no more societies or sports; because after all, thats what those who work for YUSU, people like me, spend their time doing.
If voting for Tom was sending a message to the YUSU president that they need to do better, then who are you sending a message to now? I'm sure Tom may well work hard, but YUSU isn't some faceless corporation, its made up of people who work hard because they do care about things which don't just affect themselves.
I wish Tom and others would think about that when they next say they don't care, and its all a joke anyway.
Wow that was long...sorry.
When has Tom said this?
No, I think people voted for Tom because he was the candidate that engaged the student body the most
"I never wanted to be here. Somehow I’ve got in"
"hell, I might as well get any more laughs I can out of this"
"I'd like to reiterate that the only reason I ran was for comedy value"
"Please remember that this is, in the end, just student politics. It's not important"
I think saying that you only ran for a laugh, that you didn't want to win, that that you're going to do things, not because they're good for the student body or a good use of time or money because "hell, I might as well get any more laughs I can out of this"
I think that saying it's not important and that its all a joke pretty clearly implies you don't care about the students that provide, use or even rely on YUSU services. Maybe you don't, but I do.
"that engaged the student body the most"
Engaged them on what? A feeling that YUSU doesn't do enough? I can't believe there there was really a deep underlying desire for cutlasses that no other candidate had picked up on...
I agree with #78. This isn't an expression of apathy; I'm one of the majority who thought having a pirate president was a fantastic idea. As Dan Taylor has pointed out, the most important thing in this election is that democracy has been upheld. We can only hope that he will somehow find a way to put a cannon onto central hall. There are too few pirates around these days...
Also, I will be sad to see the subsequent lack of Go Nadz on display. Maybe he could run for something else next time?
.#112 - whilst YUSU does of course have an effect, generally the same things happen every year and YUSU continues along it's same lumbering path, regardless of who's at the helm. I think that's what people are trying to express when they say that YUSU doesn't matter.
"Voting for Tom though, wasn't a protest vote, wasn't spoiling your ballot, it was voting for someone who says he doesn't care any of the students who he will be representing, who will be paying his wages, and who will be giving up their time to work for him."
There's a difference between claiming to not care about student politics and not caring about students. The Cap'n cares about students and about issues that affect students, just not "student politics", whatever that is.
Personally, I disagree with him. I love student politics and think it's hard to seperate from representation and the rest of the work that YUSU does. I completely understand though that other people disagree and think that they can organise events etc. while keeping out of politics.
I too have done a lot within YUSU, and wonder how the staff feel, being told "YUSU doesn't matter" and similar. It can't be a lot of fun not being able to comment!
@#114, you're taking his words and twisting it out of context.
You can care about students whilst using your position to make those same students that you're caring about laugh. Similarly, I think the point he was trying to make when he said "student politics doesn't matter" was exactly that. He's going to try and do his job without involving politics. And good on him for trying.
As for what Tom engaged them on, I don't know. I'm not a political analyst, neither did I vote for him. But there was something that made the students out there feel that he was the best person for the job. Perhaps it was the idea that he's doing this without getting politics involved. I don't know.
I'm fed up of reading all of these comments that call the people who voted from Scott stupid, or ignorant, and making the assumption that they only voted Scott to put two fingers up at YUSU, and to "send a message". Maybe, just maybe, they voted Scott because they thought he was the best person for the job.
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