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.
Additional reporting from Chris Travis, Antonia Moura, Rachel Basch, Chloe Dean, Claire Curtis and Laura Lennkh.
Check back over the next few days for further coverage and comments.
01:51 According to Tom Scott our elections have seen the highest turnout of all the universities in the country. Although 23% isn't exactly impressive.
As the night draws to a close we can't help but note the amount of discontent amongst students, who said apathy is dead?
01:50 Our new YUSU President Elect Tim Ngwena says: "I feel very good, I feel relieved, very relieved. It's been months of hard work."
Reflecting on the year ahead Ngwena voices positive views: "I think the team is great, they represent the students and even though it was very close in certain cases, it just goes to show the calibre of the candidates."
01:47 Former YUSU presidential candidate Bushby told The Yorker: "I think we're going to have another year of uneffectual [sic] leadership. Tom deserved to win tonight. I'm disappointed with tonight's results. I don't think we are gonna see the development, improvement and growth of York University that we deserved. I'm glad I'm graduating this year."
01:44 Former YUSU Ac&Welf Officer, Grace Fletcher-Hackwood told us: "I'm disappointed two of my good friends lost. I find it disappointing personally. Langrish worked really hard over a long period." She has stressed that she thinks "the union will be in safe hands."
01:39 "Student fucking politics is dead!" exclaims one student.
01:35
01:34 24% turn out...
01:33 The crowds roar as the names of the candidates are announced...
Tom Scott announces: "In 3 months, someone is going to take over from me. They're going to have the worst job and the best job they will ever have."
01:31 They're playing the final countdown in L/N/028...
Bushby, in a drunken state, has told us "Tim shouldn't win! Tim can't win! The YUSU clan needs to be broken down, we need change!" Very strong words, but the exit polls suggest he won't be the man to make such a change... We'll have to wait and see though!
01:26 Lewis Bretts tells The Yorker reporter Claire Curtis: "I'm glad it's all over!" He says he's "really excited about it all" and is "very serious about all my policies, I feel I've set realistic ones."
01:18 With only one position left the candidates, if you didn't know already, are as follows:
Only Tom Scott, and apparently his IT help, know the answer to who has won... Watch this space!
01:12 With a drink in hand current York Sport President Alex Lacy told us we're great “and by great I mean shit”, bitter much?
01:11 Burton has advised his successor to have "thick skin!" and tells us to "expect some really good things for the next year." He's got four months left and it will, apparently, "be emotional when I leave." Unsurprising after all that time in the union!
01:05 Sharpe is eliminated... Screams a plenty.
Bretts takes the stage: "Being a candidate is a bit weird. Every single person who has put a poster up: I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I'd like to thank Sharpy and George." For anyone who doubts YUSU: "Take a look round look at this bar, because that's what YUSU does!"
'Fix Up, Look Sharp' plays as we await President!
01:04 Democracy & Services Officer
Candidates:
It's close! Looking like Bretts or Durkin...
00:59 Emily Scott has told us that she looks forward to her term. "It's unexpected and so hard to judge! I thought it'd be right down to the wire." Describing it as "eighteenth months in the waiting" she can't wait to "focus more on sport with no more degree getting in the way!"
00:54 Elected student Activities Officer (and ex-Yorkerite) Kinchin speaks to YSTV as students dance to 'I see you baby'. The whole place is packed as we await the last two results: Democracy & Services and President.
00:51 Rory Shanks told The Yorker, "I think the year ahead is going to be an interesting one. I wish Rhianna all the best she had a good campaign." He wants to put in place some of the policies he campaigned with in the last few months he has in office.
00:48 The results are greeted with mixed views: "I think this is the one that disappoints me the most." Another another saying: "Thank fuck it's not Rory again."
00:42
Student Activities Officer Candidates:
"Thank you so much for voting for me! I'd also like to thank Ella and Rory, you've been great!" This was met by boos from the crowd. A second year Politics student told The Yorker "naked men are not a campaign, I'm disappointed."
00:38 York Sport President
Candidates:
Scott wins in the second round (graphs coming soon!) She wins with 1192 votes.
"You're amazing, thank you York! I think I'm the happiest person in the world right now!"
00:36 York Sport results are about to be announced. "Scott, Scott, Scott!" can be heard from L/N/028. Looks like a landslide for Scott...
00:31 Following vigorous interviews with YSTV, URY and Nouse we finally get a hold of our new Welfare Officer, Humphrys. "I didn't expect such a big win, especially because of the quality of the other candidates." He told us he's "very flattered and pleased." He seems keen to get stuck in!
00:27 With our blogging team so close to the bar (strategic positioning!) we can see The Courtyard appears to be making a killing. Burton comments that: "I wouldn't say it makes so much, it's all recycled into the union. As long as everyone is having a good time that's all that matters!"
00:20 Tom Scott has told us that "I feel absolutely bloody knackered." You and me both...
Following her re-election as Academic Officer Leyland has told The Yorker that "I am so excited and so pleased. I didn't have much time to campaign but I feel that the whole year has been a campaign."
00:17 In a short speech Humphrys thanked campaigners, supporters and voters.
Sarah Fennell who has worked with Ben for the past year described him as my other half" and told us that "I campaigned for Ben so obviously I know how brilliant he is but Matt had some good policies too!"
00:12 In the third round RON and Coyle have been eliminated and...
It's Humphrys with 937 against Pallas 768
00:10 Welfare first round
Humphrys:831 Pallas:664 Coyle: 598
00:08 Welfare Office
Candidates:
00:07 David Sharpe running for Democracy and Services, has told The Yorker: "the night isn't too bad, I'm quite nervous. All week I've been building myself up to not winning. The LGBT results have show how important voting is."
00:05 The first Sabbatical Officer of the night is announced: Academic Affairs Officer
Candidates:
"Thanks you so much! We'll do you proud. Email me whenever you want! Let me know your problems." Leyland becomes the second YUSU Officer to run for a second term, following Burton's re-election last year.
00:01 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIE!
Watch out for Academic Officer and Welfare Officer results in the next few minutes!
00:00 In a move that mirrors last year's AU President mess up we saw the first round showing, incorrectly, that Moldova and Ball win had won by 2 votes, whereas the actual results showed that Vince & Medley were in the lead, which became clear on the second round. What a close one!
23:57 Rumours suggest that Jenny Coyle, Welfare candidate, has no idea who has been elected so far. Watch this space for Welfare results!
23:57 Current LGBT Officer Sarah Fennell told The Yorker: "I'm really pleased with doorsafe. I think they did a fantastic job and I think the fact that something like that has happened really shows how important LGBT officers are! People wonder whether or not we're needed, and clearly we are."
23:52 Women's Officer Ellie Kuper Thomas told the Yorker: "Homophobia should NEVER be accepted on campus. It should be noted that that it was a woman who challenged him and a second woman who challenged him and brought doorsafe to the scene."
23:48 Two of our Yorker reporters are being interviewed by YSTV. How exciting!
23:44 A fight broke out following chants of "You queer bastards!" Doorsafe forced a man to the ground and threw him out the back door after a woman complained about his inappropriate comments and aggressive behaviour.
23:39 LGBT Officer Candidates:
The crowd goes wild! The results are so close. 817 to Madavo & Ball 814 for Vince & Medley and 181 to RON! A second round is needed.
The results are 822 to 824.
23:36 RAG Officer Candidates:
With a final total of 1346 Fry and Stones to 342 and 118 to RON.
A simple thanks as they take the stage.
23:34 Student Action
Candidates:
Total stands at 1475 to 187. "Go student action woo!" yells Hesselwood.
23:17 "The Sneddonator has to be favourite" according to ex-Yorker Sports Editor and vice-captain of the men's football team.
Doorsafe have confirmed that "there's no more than 600 people in there, that's for sure!" Hopefully more people are logging on to The Yorker to find out the results!
23:07 Women's Officer Candidates:
Final votes stand at 1485 for Kuper Thomas and Ali and 265 for RON.
Kuper Thomas and Ali announce: "We're not here for us! We're here for the women of York university!" and start to chant "Whatever we wear, wherever we go, yes means yes and no means no! Get involved with Women's Committee!"
23:05 Environment & Ethics Candidates:
1493 to 241. The winners take the stage and thank the voters. The audience cheer as they say they hope to see us all involved.
23:03 A quick chat with Chris Etheridge and Jason Rose reveals that both of them are "extremely happy and feel privileged." They were apparently "expecting" the RON vote but were happy to "win in all colleges" Although extremely close in some colleges, Lanqwith seeing the voter turn out at 99 to 64. They put this down to party politics, citing David Levene's high RON count.
22:46 Bushby and Bradley seem to be getting chummy as one half of the Women's Officer candidates threatens to complain about Britney's 'Womanizer' being played. So everyone's having fun!
Check out the sexy graphs if you cant be bothered reading our amazing commentary!
22:39 Yet another uncontested position...
Entertainment Officer
Candidates:
1525 to 274 to RON
"We're going to have a great time doing this for you!"
22:38 Disability
Candidates:
1480 votes to Cornock to 165 for RON.
22:36 Campaigns Officer Candidates:
With 1343 and 462 to RON
22:34 Check out the exit polls here
22:33 Up next is RAG, Entertainment and Disability Officer results. Watch this space for more interviews and news!
22:28 David speaks of his recent victories: "It's really great to have won, obviously, but I'm shocked about the result for NUS delegate. I'm looking forward to getting on with the job!"
He also confides in our editor Amy: "I'm a lot of things and media whore is most definitely one of them!"
22:28 Charlie Leyland told The Yorker: "I'm having a good night - I've just missed the results though because I was giving Matt Burton medicine: he's not very well. Apparently I've got NUS delegate, I'm very pleased."
22:24 Not sure how the single transferable vote system works? Check out the following podcast by URY's Rob Watts which explains it all.
22:19 We found the final presidential candidate! Tim told us that he's feeling confident but that he thinks it's going to be a very close race. "Even closer that the exit polls suggest. A lot has happened in the last few days."
22:13 Grant Bradley, running for YUSU president has told The Yorker "I'm nervous but prepared for the outcome; I loved every minute of my campaign! For those who have a chance of winning, it's going to be very close!"
22:08 Chair of Union Council Candidates: David Levene
David wins with 1314 votes to 337 RONs. He tries to give us a comment but has to run to the stage. Levene takes centre stage with "How many student politicians dose it take to change a lightbulb? Ony one but they need a Chair!!" Joke courtesy of Ellie Kuper Thomas who is also running for Women's Officer with Amal Ali.
22:05 Rachel Basch and Amy are in L/N/028 awaiting the first set of results. Seven people will be going to Blackpool as NUS delegates.
Candidates:
The crowd go wild! "David! David!!"
21:59 One of our reporters, Rachel Basch, has spoken to Charles Bushby, he is "feeling great, I'm enjoying life, I was interested in making some noise and I feel I've done that."
21:57 The Yorker has heard that voter turn out is down from last year's 27% with around 23% of those eligible actually casting their vote in these elections.
21:54 5 minutes until Chair of Union Council and NUS delegates are announced. Watch this space.
21:52 URY main man Scott Bryan is hovering nearby, we may be his next victims...
21:50 The dance floor (aka L/N/028)is looking empty but Amy just had a bit of a boogie with the other two girls there! Mandi Madavo is also having fun, "the atmosphere is really good!"
21:45 Things are hotting up but things have barely started yet! Langrish didn't look too happy but told us that he thinks "it's going to be a close race."
Langwith bar is getting fuller and fuller and we're getting hotter and hotter!
21:43 Ella-Grace Kirton has told The Yorker: "whether I win or lose, I'm still going to have a great night!" She hasn't seen the exit polls yet, we'll be bringing them to you soon.
21:35 Current and past YUSU officers are milling around, however only a few people seem to be dressed as Thunderbirds. Former YUSU Ac&Welf Officer Grace Fletcher-Hackwood told The Yorker "I really wanted to come back! I've got friends running I think all the positions are well-covered."
21:28 Well, we're finally in! Those who manage to get past the strict security (the future president is in here after all...) are slowly arriving in The Courtyard as we set our laptops up for a night of fun.
Check back here from 9pm for our live coverage or check out each update as it happens on our Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/theyorkeruk
i think its interesting that shanks, langrish and durkin all campaigned together yet didnt get elected. Out of the three i only voted for Tom as the other two were up against people who were better suited to do the job...
Perhaps we should now wait to judge those elected on their performance in office from May/July this year. Tom Scott wasn't exactly as terrible as those trying to no-confidence him this time last year would have had you believe.
Credit for Tom Scott's "IT help" should go to Tim Fletcher and Chris Northwood. Good job not screwing up and revealing the results too early like a few years ago guys 
I wish people would stop dismissing Tim as 'just having won due to Fusion and Bad Taste support.'. Whether he won mainly due to votes from people within those groups is irrelevant - he wouldn't have had support from them unless he'd done a good job running them. People don't automatically vote for someone within their society. York after all is a very small Uni - and so if being in the same society as one candidate meant voting for them, a lot of my votes would have been split at least 2 ways. Obviously being close friends with someone is different (and along those lines, it'll always to an extent be a popularity contest) but a mere acquaintance with someone isn't enough to insure votes. So, Tim's election, whether we agree that he should have won or not, is due to him doing a good job with both his campaign and the things he's done in the past.
I think that some of the people who have commented on this thread really need to accept that just because they feel that the "wrong" candidate was elected, be it on the grounds of pure social popularity or lack of experience, that unfortunately the majority of voters did indeed prefer this candidate and hence this implies that they feel more represented by the candidate whom they have elected, regardless of their campaigning methods, policies or personality. This is how democracy functions. I also found it extremely cringe worthy when campus journalists made reference to Tim’s race after he won the election. I fail to see why in the society we live, why Tim’s race should have had any bearing on his ability to win the election as comparing the voters of York University to the US is severely out of context to put it lightly. I really hope that line of reporting is dropped as; quite frankly it was quite embarrassing to hear.
comment deleted by the author Can people realise that Fusion and Bad Taste do not comprise 1300 votes!!!! When people saw or spoke to Tim they saw an average student like themselves which they liked and lots of people he hadnt any connection with chose him.
I admire Langrish's campaign, but it in the end, unfortunately for him, it fell short.
the fact that langrish lost proved that yusu elections are meaningless.. at the end of the day, its all just a popularity contest..
George, Charlie L battered that Ron fellow without any publicity? So how's that for high publicity.
But seriously, I appreciate the time restraints from candidates course, but isn't that the point of a campaign team? If people believe in your policies and ability as a candidate they will be more than happy to give up their time and energy to campaigning on your behalf, which does raise visibility, but also reflects a good candidate who can motivate individuals.
Aside from George's comment, on this whole popularity issue, surely these people are popular for a reason? I personally don't enjoy the company of people I feel I cant empathises with, rely on and work with. It's like being back at school reading some of these comments, the world doesn't work like that. It's intellectually cretinous to insult the electorate and suggest they only vote for the most charming candidates.
At least I have the decency of posting under my name, so that people can criticise me.
I have never moaned about my personal lack of time. I never said I do not have a life, I never said I do not have time for extra-curricular activities.
As I said, the fact that some people have the time to campaign nine to five does not mean they want the position more than the rest.
A.
That's got nothing to do with 49's point. Aristidis you've said that it is embarrassing that those who campaigned the most have won. What is actually embarrassing is your complete disdain for the decision making of your peers. People should be allowed to campaign, this is what makes democracy more transparent and accessible. Why do you think so many people feel disconnected from YUSU? Are you honestly suggesting that for candidates to purely list their policies would be better for the electorate? (which to be honest is who the candidate's should be most concerned with)I'd feel pretty disenfranchised if I didn't know much more about the sabbs than their policies. There is so much more to these roles than what the individuals pledge to do (which may or not be achievable).
Secondly, you call this a popularity contest, and I hark back to 49 on this one.People are popular because they are admired, admirable qualities are no bad thing. I don't for a minute believe this was a popularity vote, but if you want to be so base about all this then I put this to you: Do you not think, by definition the most popular candidate would be the most beneficial for the electorate? Given the qualities they are likely to exhibit. Policies are all well and good, but they need to be enacted well, and if good policies are aired during the election which plants the idea in those who can enact them then surely this is no bad thing for the student body as a whole?
"George, Charlie L battered that Ron fellow without any publicity? So how's that for high publicity."
As if Charlie did not have high publicity in the first place. In fact, Charlie is so popular (and rightly so if you ask me) that nobody even bothered running against her - nobody would stand a chance. I am sure you understand that this can't be used as an argument.
As for the time constraints. Yes a campaign team can help, which is the reason why I launched a campaign in the first place, but a campaign team needs to be organised and coordinated. And still, the amount of time a candidate has to dedicate to all this is very considerable (and to that add hustings, URY, interviews, speaking to committees etc. etc.).
In any case, this is all irrelevant. This is not about me and I only responded originally because I was insulted in a completely uncalled-for manner.
The issue here is that higher publicity proved to be synonymous to victory in these elections. I find this fact to be rather disheartening and I will try to make sure it is addressed in the election review.
Of course, higher publicity and ability are not mutually exclusive. I do believe for example that Lewis is going to do a brilliant job.
But the fact of the matter is that this process inherently favours publicity, often at the greatest expense of seriousness and policies.
Cheers Mitch, although I should point out I didn't get to know the results until the same point as everyone else though!
"And for positions like President, or Policy and Campaigns - the ability to run a high profile, effective campaign is INTEGRAL to the position"
Only Campaigns now, Policy has been pushed into Chair of Council and the others 
It's not JUST a popularity contest. We saw how second preferences made a massive difference, for a start - but the element of visibility definitely helped.
Fusion definitely didn't give 1300 votes - but how can we tell that of the thousands attending the display didn't give an extra boost? Or maybe he would have won more but it took up some of his time? Maybe Rhianna's mostly-naked men helped boost the campaign or maybe people didn't like it? Maybe some people thought that Rory had done a good job at the society forum and others didn't like it? Maybe some people voted on who they thought was fit, maybe they thought that women are more approachable, maybe they wanted change or maybe the women were simply better candidates. There's no real way of telling how much each factor affected the results - in the same way as you can't tell how much of the RON vote was because people didn't like the uncontested factor, people didn't like our party allegiances (I have a friend who voted RON against us because I was running with a tory, despite liking Chris!) or maybe they just hated us.
Everything plays a part in this and when you have tiny majorities - especially the kind in the LGBT election - who knows what the final factor was? You just have to cope with the results and move on - if they're that close then obviously both will be similarly good in the students' minds.
What I find is interesting is that of the Sabbs, half are women, a sixth isn't caucasian and a sixth is LGBT - and I think that it's actually fairly representative of the student populace. It will be interesting to see whether that level of representation will improve YUSU's approachability or not! Hopefully so 
Thomas,
why is my disdain embarrassing? It is very well justified.
So what did you learn about Rhianna through her campaign? How did packs of cereals hint to her personality? Or her naked campaigners?
I hardly think that these examples increase YUSU's transparency? And it is policies that should concern you, not personality. The important thing is to have someone who can run YUSU properly.
And my point was not about popularity as much as it was for publicity. What qualities does Sharp's motto exhibit? Still, people found it catchy, and voted for him on these grounds. Does that make him admirable? Or do you think that, because he was able to come up with a good campaign, he would make a good officer?
A.
In the welfare race Matt Pallas was more visible than Ben Humphrys and Jenny Coyle had the gimmicky campaign with half-naked men with "Vote Jenny Welfare" and a penis drawn on their chests. She had immense popularity but still in the end Ben won by a decent margin. So at least in one of the races popularity wasn't the deciding factor. Although Ben is also very popular and quite hot too!
Rory has done a great job in many areas but a lot of the people running societies don't like him, which had to count for something.
Lewis fought a great campaign with excellent publicity for his policies and he won based on that.
As for president... most people don't really know what the president does. Tom wrote the constitution and would have been perfect at standing up to the university when needed. Tim will probably be a better communicator to campus at large.
At the end of the day, the results are in. The elections truly showed the worth of every single vote (if two people who RONd both candidates had changed their second preference, the MJ people would have won).
Last year people wanted to no confidence Scott, who did an OK job. Lets allow this years candidates to do the same and only attack them if they go wrong.
"I think that it's actually fairly representative of the student populace"
More than usual, but there's still no international student - a fairly large part of the student populace.
I can't comment on Rhianna's campaign. However with regards to David Sharp I doubt the only reason people voted for was because of catchy campaign, he was chair of one of the biggest colleges on campus. To be perfectly honestly with you the people you hear saying 'ooh i'll vote for that gimmick' probably dont care and consequently wont even bother voting so i doubt it is that effective, and there is no way of measuring it. Basically it's embarrassing but it insults the intelligence of the rest of us. I think your naive to think people voted entirely on such flippant grounds. I suppose the ability to come up with a good idea and run a campaign suggests an individual probably has the skill set necessary to make a good officer.
What?! A catchy slogan suggests that a candidate will make a good officer? Are you serious?
And I am not naive, I am saying that I actually know people who DID vote for Sharp, because, in their own words, his slogan was funny.
And why not comment on Rhianna's campaign? You yourself discussed how one's campaign is important because you discover the candidate's personality. So I am asking you: you cannot have missed her campaign. What did you get out of it? Which skill did it demonstrate, which will qualify her as an officer?
A.
"Which skill did it demonstrate, which will qualify her as an officer?"
How about the ability to get peoples attention so that they take more notice of a serious issue? Seems pretty important seeing as she'll be looking after RAG. Or even how about a sense of humour? It shows that she's human and not some whiney, serious student politician, and perhaps, unlike you Aris, more in touch with normal students.
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