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.
Campaigns are now underway for YUSU positions and for Student Activities Officer there are three candidates, Arthur Pitt, James Croydon and James Anderson. The Yorker gives you the coverage on their campaigns. At time of press, James Anderson was unavailable for comment.
The Yorker: What has motivated you to campaign to be student activities?
Arthur: My university life has been dominated by student activities. As a founding member of The Lemon Press and an avid York Sport player, I’ve been involved in societies from the start. As the current chair of a society I know the problems which members and committees can face. I feel I could be extremely useful to York Students helping them develop and maintain their society, societies are the best part of uni, I want to promote them!
James: I decided to run for student activities officer because I believe student activities are vital to the university experience. They develop you as a person, add to your employability, and also provide great entertainment and friendships.
The Yorker: What experience do you have to recommend yourself to the position?
Arthur: As previously stated, I am the founding member of a very successful society, The Lemon Press and have been Chair for the past year. On top of this I work in YUSU’s marketing department part time. This means that I was responsible for organizing this year’s 3 route Fresher’s Viking Raid as well as a good deal of Fresher’s Fair. I understand the intricacies and problems the union faces with university bureaucracy.
James: For the last year I have been a RAG Officer. This has brought me into touch with so many students and societies. I have really enjoyed my time doing this and want other students to get as much out of student activities as I have.
The Yorker: Do you think that you have a good chance of winning?
Arthur: Of course. I feel that I’m the best candidate for the job and I am a nice guy as well!
James: The competition for this position is great this year and I will have to work very hard to win. I am confident in my policies and I really hope the students give me a chance to put them into practice.
The yorker: What is the main aim/policy that you would like to achieve if elected?
Arthur: My main short term policy is to sort out the horrendous space issues that societies have. YUSU doesn’t do enough to pressure the University into giving societies storage space, which means too many committee members have to keep equipment at home. I will ensure that more space is found in areas such as Grimston House which has unused rooms. Another space issue is about booking large performance spaces. Don’t you think it’s a bit crazy that Dance Soc isn’t allowed to use the Dance studio? I will change that.
James: I would focus on greater cooperation, improved efficiency and fair play. My most exciting and new policy would be the creation of Societies vouchers. With the increase in tuition fees, I am determined to get the university to provide a better experience. I would pressure them to increase the grant they give for Student activities and from that I would create societies vouchers, which would cover or subsidize new students' membership to a society of their choice. These would go in Fresher’s Packs and would vastly increase participation from day one.
The yorker:Why have you chosen to run for this position in particular?
Arthur: I have had so much experience grappling with YUSU and societies that I feel its time someone sorted out the problems. And since no one else seems to be prepared to, that leaves me. I’m passionate about student activities because they shape the university we attend. Take away the societies and you kill all the culture at the university. Now that would be rubbish.
James: As I mentioned earlier, Student Activities have really made my time at university, and I hope that by running for Student Activities officer, I can encourage more students to get more out of their time too.
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