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.
Jenny Coyle: I created a society concerning the use of sun beds and the harm they cause, providing students with alternative methods in which to tan. For this society I managed to gain sponsorship from two multi-national companies (L’Oreal and St Tropez), and so proving that I am capable at gaining sponsorship for welfare events. The money raised from this society is then donated to Skin Cancer Research UK. I am also a member of Vanbrugh JCRC, which I have found a fulfilling experience and which has helped build my team work, communication and organisational skills.
Ben Humphrys: Lots. Halifax welfare, YUSU Welfare Committee, HCSA Freshers' Committee 2008, Union Council and former trustee, LGBT Officer and LGBT Committee, presenter of the URY Welfare Show, various society positions and break up advisor for many many relationships...
Mathew Pallas: I’ve done loads of things in my four years here at York, but the two that are most relevant are my roles as YUSU LGBT Officer and as Langwith Welfare Rep. Being a college welfare rep means being on the “front lines” of welfare provision. It involves a lot of 1 to 1 contact with students, and really helps give an understanding of what students’ concerns are. Both roles also gave me an insight into how YUSU and the welfare system work, where there are problems, and where there are opportunities to take things forward.
JC: I am running for the position of welfare because I am passionate about how students experience university life, and making sure that their safety and well-being is of a high priority. Although my past welfare experience may be limited I think this could become a positive, as I will be able to gain a different perspective which students may find extremely helpful.
BH: Because I want to see fewer bad things and more good things. Bad things like friends suffering from depression, people being screwed over by their landlords, students feeling unable to come to us when they need help, students dropping out because of that time, or from being estranged from their parents, or just not finding their course as easy as they’d hoped. Good things like students dusting themselves off and picking themselves up, students enjoying uni and finding the housing move at the end of the year smooth sailing rather than a huge ball of stress, students getting the most out of uni life. It's simple.
MP: I think welfare is a very interesting job, but it’s also a very important one – particularly this year as the role of Academic & Welfare officer has been split into Academic Affairs Officer and Welfare Officer, meaning there is a real opportunity to take the role forward and develop welfare provision in a way we haven’t been able to do before. I think the experience I can bring to the role will really help us make the most of this opportunity.
JC: I believe that students should vote for me because I’ve lived my university life to the maximum, and I think that this provides experience which is invaluable. I want to make welfare campaigns less patronising to students so that they can connect with them more, and also make them far more accessible by showing students exactly what is available to them.
BH: Because I’m experienced; because I’ve actually dealt with students facing some of the most terrible problems they could face. Because I’m committed to this union, as I’ve shown week in week out as LGBT officer, because I’ve seen where what we do is good and, more importantly, where what we do is bad and I want to fix it. Maybe most importantly though, because I’m aware that we in the welfare team often fail to reach many, even the majority, of students, and because that is the single greatest failing a union welfare service could have, a failing that I will tackle.
MP: I’ve experienced welfare from both the YUSU side and the college side, so I’ve got a very clear understanding of how everything works, and where there’s room for improvement. There’s a real need for more joined-up thinking in welfare provision - properly thought through strategies on issues like alcohol and sexual health, and better communication between student and university welfare providers. Also, my policies are things that will have an impact on all students – not just freshers and future entrants to the university. The work I plan to do on the Housing Code of Best Practice will affect all students living off campus next year, while my plans to improve the careers service are particularly important to students during the current economic climate.
JC: Starting Tanning Soc. When my friend Martin and I told everyone the idea we had, everyone laughed at us and said there is no way anyone would join. At the stall at Freshers' Fair we were inundated with people wanting to join, and I would have to say that the society being a success and raising money for charity is one of the best things I have ever done at university.
BH: The Love Without Borders campaign. It's been a nightmare; in fact it’s not even over yet. Three weeks of stress and more coffee than is healthy, but it's been completely worth it. We’ve reached students who’ve never been involved before, we’ve been able to give support to people who would never have had it otherwise and we even managed to raise £1300 auctioning off everything from the Student Development and Charities officer to Sir Ian McKellan’s jumper!!
MP: Definitely YSIS. I’m volunteering at St George’s Primary in Fulford at the moment, working with kids around age eight. They’re really great at that age – so enthusiastic about everything! I’d recommend YSIS to anyone. When I finish at York I’m planning to do a PGCE and go on to become a primary school teacher.
JC: I would probably have to say spending too many Wednesday nights in Ziggy's...
BH: Vanbrugh cakes....
MP: Baking. Whenever I’m stressed out with work and essay deadlines, I cheer myself up by making a cake. Not exactly healthy eating, but it does make me popular with my housemates. Chocolate cake and banana cake are probably my favourites.
QUICK FIRE
JC: Duck
BH: Duck, Trevor the (R.I.P.)
MP: Duck. I really miss Trevor!!!
JC: Gallery
BH: Troffs on a Sunday
MP: Sunday Troffs
JC: Night
BH: Both normally.
MP: Night
JC: Tea
BH: Coffee... see above
MP: Tea!!! (Yorkshire Tea or Earl Grey, depending on my mood.)
JC: Neither
BH: Neither, they’re not my type.
MP: Brown. Although I would like to see someone like Jon Cruddas or Harriet Harman become PM one day.
OMG, I agree with Jason!
"knowledge(including policies and implementation thereof)"
Someone who hasn't been involved previously - or even someone who has - needs to research carefully in order to offer appropriate and achievable policies.
This does not appear to be the case here.
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