Wednesday March 11 brought different levels of campaigning from all three of our candidates, with the focus seeming to be on preparing on their busy week ahead! Continue Reading

Name:

John Crossley

Year: 3

Course: Sports Journalism

Position running for?

Media Officer

Why are you running for the position?

I want to go into broadcasting and this will be a valuable year of experience, not only as a broadcaster but as a person as well. It’s not just the journalistic skills it’s the personal skills too and I really enjoy life in Preston and living here.

Experience and skills?

I’ve been involved with student media since in my first year, when I contributed in every edition of Pluto Sports as a reporter. In my Second year I decided to get my own radio show and do an hour a week producing it. I think it’s by being involved with Frequency I’d go to the studio radio conference last Easter that I was able to get heavily involved with student media which really struck a core with me.

The values and opportunity as well for media volunteers, so that’s why I decided to initiate to be Deputy Station Manager at Frequency. I think by putting so much of my time and effort and putting so much forward that someone said why don’t you become Co-manager with Andy Hudson. I ended up taking it all on and becoming Station Manager which I never really intended to do but I’ve learnt so much from this year from managing a team of volunteers, getting people involved, getting people excited about our media.

So I really I think it’s this last year that I’ve developed by keeping people happy and working to deadlines.

Top 3 goals in the office?

Develop the website and integrate the media to be more effective.

More dedicated office hours and have better support and opportunities for our volunteers, with training and apprenticeships.

Improve the brand as a whole, with the two key areas being PSTV and Frequency.

Campaign plans?

I want to inspire people. I want people to see and recognise I would be very good at this job. I want people to see I have got some good ideas. You’ll definitely see my banner in the SU and campaigns team out about on campus.

What are your negatives?

I’m quite loud and I like to always think that what I say is right but that’s not saying I don’t listen to other people. A lot of the time I try to force my opinion or what I want to do but I think that’s important  for this position, being the driving force.

How can you improve on your predecessor?

I think, with no disrespect to him, that a lot of the time when people needed to speak to him he wasn’t there. He was very good at the start of the year but then other things caught up and I (as the department head) was left to my own devices.

Which is why I think I will be taking an active role and make sure everything is ok and I know what is happening and pushing it forward. I want to be actively involved in all three areas.

How can you cope with the responsibility and pressure?

I think I will cope very well with the skills and experience I’ve given this year and as well with the swim team in 2nd year, I had a lot of responsibility there, organising people and planning things. I like having things planned out and having set dates to do things. I think that will work really well.

Why should people elect you?

Because I’m passionate in student media and over the past 3 years I’ve shown that. I’m passionate about providing the best opportunity. I consider myself quite very hands on, as I used to be the captain of the swim team. I grab things by the horn, I’m more of a doer than a talker I’d say.

10 seconds to sell yourself?

Please vote for me, vote John Crossley as your Media Officer!

Name:

Lindsay Bradley

Year: 3

Course: Police and Criminal Investigating

Position running for?

Education Officer.

Why are you running for the position?

I’m quite passionate about the academic standards of the university and I believe every student should have the same high standards of education.

Experience and skills?

As I’m in my 3rd year I have spent a lot of time studying obviously and a lot of this job is about course representation and academic representation within each school and throughout the 3 years I’ve noticed how course reps individually affect you, so I think that’s my experience. I’m quite an open person and confident and willing to go speak to students to find out what they want and a good listener.

Top 3 goals in the office?

Make students more aware of the academic issues e.g. NUS Brook and broken Campaign, about top-up fees, as many students are unaware of these.

I’d like to continue the Good, the bad and the feedback campaign as it has been really well received.

And also accredit course reps by the university, as they have integral roles.

How would you improve Course rep training?

I want every school to be represented. I want them to be known and get out there and be more approachable. Maybe using different methods to get them known.

Campaign plans?

I want to get my name known, I think that will be the top priority as there are so many students to reach. I don’t to give away any game plans but there’ll be some buns and cakes.

What are your negatives?

I think the biggest thing that stands out against me is that I’m not a course rep as the other candidates are but I think it’s good to start off on a blank slate.

How can you improve on your predecessor?

Hopefully I’ll improve on the Good, the bad and the Feedback. She’s done a brilliant job and it is hard to reach the amount of students but I do want to make sure every school is represented.

How can you cope with the responsibility and pressure?

Because I cope very well.

Why should people elect you?

I think they should elect me because I am passionate about the standards of the university and people should want me around for another year. I think I’ll make the university a better place.

10 seconds to sell yourself?

I want to make a difference and make sure tuition fees are used in the best possible way.

Name:

Kajal Somaiya

Year: 3

Course: Human Resource management

What position are you running for?

I am running for the Education Officer.

What experience and skills do you think you can bring to this role?

I have been at this university for four years and I have obviously been a course rep myself for most of my educational year, so I feel my skills and experience from working at the SU currently and the experience being the course rep, has shown that i can actively listen, advise, and be good support whilst being a student.

Do you have any campaign plans whilst running for this role?

At the moment I have already been trying to survey a few things by myself of what are the general issues at the University’s educational facilities. I’d like to campaign more on the coursework deadlines, timetables, university fees. Obviously this is just a rough estimate and will do more research on that.

How can you improve on your predecessor?

How I see this is I see as a personal experience. I would like to improve myself really. It’s more about trying to make aware the real issues and the university and I would just like to say, may the best candidate win!

What three goals would you put forward if you got the position?

The first goal would be to train with the SLO’s which are the student’s Liaison officers and the course reps so that the jobs are getting done more efficiently. The other goal would be to make my policies more aware to all the student bodies and those who delegate with me know who I am and know what they need to do. Third most important goal is to make life better for students. So I would like to be a supporting figure for my students really.

How do you think you would able to cope with the responsibility and pressure of the role?

I have been a student here for four years and have managed my time quite effectively. I have also worked full time at my years at the university, being a placement student in the SU and i have managed to delegate tasks and manage my university work.

Why do you think people should elect you?

As I said, I’ve got the experience and the skills and a clear vision of what i want to do and I just really want people to know that I’m actually here for them and not myself and want to give something back to the university. Being four years in to the university, my final message is support me to support you and we can work as a team to make life better for students.

How are you going to improve the course rep training?

I have not thought about this much at the moment, however I think of minor things like calling a meeting with all the course reps and probably giving a presentation on what my policies are, therefore, we are all aware and really just helping them really on a one to one basis and training them that way as well and then getting all the issues and training all the course reps within the issues that are raised through students and maybe training them in order to promote themselves to their fellow students and ask them to raise the issues for them.

Sell yourself in 10 seconds?

I’m here to help and support you. Support me to support you and all work as a team and make the educational facilities and the educational experience great for students.

Name:

Sarah Morton

Year: 3

Course: Fashion and Brand promotion.

Position running for:

Activities and Participation Officer.

Why are you running for the position?

I’m running for the position because it is a role I am very passionate about, I’ve done a similar role before, as a team leader for the Princes Trust. I’ve also been a buddy co-ordinator for the Give-It-A-Go programme and I work in the Clubs & Societies office in the Student Union already. So, it’s something I know a lot about, and I definitely want to do it.

Experience and skills?

Definitely. I’ve got a lot of experience, and I’ve definitely got the skills that are required.

Top 3 goals in office?

I definitely want to raise the profile of clubs and societies, especially the sports teams, as a lot of them do really well in BUCS competitions, but don’t get the recognition for it. I also want to get more students involved with clubs and societies and possibly expand the portfolio of activities available. I want to raise the profile of Give-It-A-Go, make it really, really massive, so that pretty much every student knows what’s going on and when it’s happening. The third thing I want to do is raise the profile of volunteering, especially through the V Project, and get more students involved in that, because they are just not enough involved in it.

Campaign plans?

I think a really good model would be the buddy’s that we use for the Give-It-A-Go programme, just like promote everything as much as possible, and get all the literature and information out to as many students as possible, especially in student halls and especially in Freshers week, I think that’s how to get hold of as many people as possible.

What are your negatives?

I think my negative points, and what may go against me in this campaign is, I’m involved in the Snowboarding team and have been involved in it for three years, and am well-known within the extreme sports teams, but the likes of the big teams, football, rugby, hockey and stuff, a lot of people maybe don’t know me, and that might be where I fall down.

How can you improve on your predecessor?

I think Kelly has done an absolutely amazing job, probably one of the best APO’s there has been, and I really just want to follow in her footsteps, and do pretty much what she has, but just raise the bar slightly more, pushing things slightly further. But, definitely on the same lines as her, as she’s achieved so much.

How are you going to cope with the added responsibility and pressure?

I don’t think there’s going to be extra responsibility or pressure, as I say, I’ve done a similar role before at the Prince’s Trust, and it was like a 24/7 job, so I’ve done it before.

How are you going to improve links with Clubs & Societies?

There is a big divide between them, I think Give-It-A-Go is a perfect for that kind of thing, just like organising more events where clubs and societies are together, and it’s not like separate event for clubs and another events for societies, just more events where they are together, trying to merge them.

Why should you be elected?

I should be elected as APO as I’ve got loads of experience, and I’m really passionate about the student Union, and I’m just really enthusiastic about the role, and I think people should vote for me!

Name:

Thomas Bailey

Year: 3rd

Course:

Archaeology, also has a Forensic Science Degree

Position:

Activities and Participation Officer

Why are you running for the position?

Having been here for 5 years UCLan is my way of life now and I have a lot of passion for it at my heart and I want to pass that baton onto other students. I want to show them how great this university can be!

Experience and skills:

As I have been here 5 years and played sport, throughout the 5 years I’ve seen the activities and societies change from when I first started. At first there was less people involved but as it’s developed over the past couple of years, more opportunities have risen and people are more approachable. I’d describe myself as very approachable and friendly and I can adapt to the activities. So I want to develop these past few years really and push it on and make sure it runs on in the right direction.

Top 3 goals in the office:

Develop Give it a Go and RAG as it gives students a massive opportunity to get involved.

Promote more clubs and societies, because as the Chairman of the Football team I get a lot of people coming up to me wanting to get involved even at this stage in the season so I want to push that as well.

And make sure the relationships with students and the student committee are maintained and excellent, just so people are aware of these opportunities so more people can get involved.

Campaign plans:

Get involved with everything really, make sure my publicity is there. I want to get out there and meet people and talk to them. If I was elected that’s how I’d be so I want to show and give a taste of my views.

What are your negatives?

Sometimes I can get, not a bit short-tempered, but wound up a little bit and I start to get overheated but as soon as I’ve calmed down that’s it really but other than that I haven’t got any.

How can you improve on your predecessor?

I’ve known Kelly, as I did my first degree with her so I know what she’s about and I think she has similar views to me. I can develop her views and push them forward, so I can build on great foundations she’s already laid.

How can you cope with the responsibility and pressure?

I think I’d cope well as I’m very good at adapting and creative and obviously I’ll have everyone around me to help so, I’m not afraid to ask for help.

How will you aim to improve the relationship between clubs and societies?

By getting more people involved as by getting more involved more bonds are made and more friendships. Hopefully, the more people involved and more friendships and bonds it will bring the clubs and societies closer. And it will also expand them, making them bigger.

Why should people elect you?

I have had 5 years of university experience. I am friendly, approachable, hardworking, organised and adaptable. I am very dedicated to achieving my goals also.

10 seconds to sell yourself?

I look forward to seeing everyone at the university and meeting everyone. Vote for Big T!

Name:

Samantha Hutchinson

Year: 3

Course: Public relations and management

Position running for:

Campaigns officer

Why are you running for the position?

Campaigns officer relates a lot to my course so I can bring that experience to running campaigns for the Uni and I’m easy to talk to; anyone can talk to me about anything.

Experience and skills?

Obviously experience from my course and I have good communication skills: I can solve problems for people, I’m a good listener, I’m here to help and that’s what I want to do.

Top 3 goals in the office?

1. I want to make the uni more aware of environmental issues. Trying to recycle more and let students know what doing their little part can help.

2. I want to try and make university a safer place for students

3. Involve more people in the union through different campaigns, like the recent student debt drive.

Campaign plans?

Posters, word of mouth, megaphones, a lot of people I know on sports teams will be handing out flyers for me, I’ll be using facebook- anything I can do to get a message across.

If you could run one campaign during your time in office, what would it be?

Something about the environment, or making links with local charities and the community around UCLan. The things that are there in the background but that students aren’t necessarily aware of.

What are your negatives?

I hope I don’t have any! I think I need to work on my organisational skills, but in a position like this you’re going to get better.

How can you improve on your predecessor?

I don’t want to improve just continue what’s already been done; more student involvement and just building on what’s been done this year

How can you cope with the responsibility and pressure?

It’s a full time position so I won’t have any conflicting interests. I’m very driven to do this so obviously I’ll try the best I can.

Why should people elect you?

I’m a real person, so that always helps! I’m easy to talk to, sociable, fun, everyone will get to know me. I just like to help people.

Sell yourself in 10 seconds?

I’m a very bubbly, talkative, lively person, I’m approachable… vote for me!

Name:

Karen Asbury

Year: 3

Course:

Journalism

Position running for:

Media Officer

Why are you running for this position?

Dedicated a significant amout of time so far to student media this year and in second year. I’d like to continue it, I know they said it isn’t a job but it is a job and I want to do something that I like; I think I’d be good at it and I think it’s my cup of tea.

Experience and skills:

Not a stranger to running a publications- PR1 editor since September and deputy features editor 2nd years. I’m an organisation freak generally, I know how the place is run, I’m here all the time, I redesigned PR1 in the first place with Andy Squire and re-structured these offices, so I think I have a good solid idea of what to do.

Top 3 goals in the office:

To better the quality students get from their SU media experience. It’s great to put something on your CV but I want students to be involved with training in whatever area they want to concentrate on so their time is spent better. Also more volunteers. Basically more organised, things are running good and things have improved in the last year, but I think it needs to be smoother and tighter.

How will you improve Pluto, Online, PSTV and Frequency?

I would combine them really. PSTV hasn’t really lifted yet, the year before nobody knew what it was but the time I right now to really launch it; it’s got into a routine, people know what it is, but it hasn’t really been publicised. It would be good to combine it with other mediums and get more volunteers. TV and broadcast is something people really want to do, but they don’t know they can.

Campaign plans:

Funny ones so far. Flatmates say “vote for ginge” the usual facebook groups and blogs so people can keep in touch with it. I’ll also be canvassing halls.

People might know my name but not my face or what I’m doing.

What are their negatives?

I think It would take up an enormous amount of time because I’m a bit of a perfectionist so I don’t like to leave things half done.

How can you improve on their predecessor?

I think the website would be where I improve. It’s been redesigned and looks great but in terms of content it’s mainly left to the SU website for information about the SU but the Pluto site could incorporate frequency and PSTV, which atm it doesn’t. The media is as a whole and would work better combined together.

How can they cope with the responsibility and pressure?

I’m not a stranger to it! The PR1 deadline means I’m regularly in this office until things are finished. I edit two magazines at the moment, so I think it will be ok.

Why should people elect you?

Daft as it sounds, it would be nice to have a girl in the position. I think I’m  too organised to let anybody down, if people vote for me they’d be getting a lot more for their time in general.

Sell yourself in 10 seconds…

I’m Karen, I’m a journalism student, so I know what I’m doing, I’ve studied law and basically I just love all media- I really want this position. Vote for me.

Name:

Sarah Burnham.

Course:

Public Relations + Business.

Year: 3.

Position running for?

Education officer.

Why are you running for the position?

I’m running for the position because I feel really passionate about education, it’s the main reason why people come to university. It’s the most important thing when you’re here, so I just feel really passionate about making sure everybody who comes to UCLan gets the best possible education they can get.

What experience do you have and what are your key skills?

I’ve got a lot of experience, I’m volunteering at the students union already and I’m already a course representative at UCLan. I’ve also set on the student council; I’ve also been involved as a delegate at an NUS conference before so I have experience in talking to lots of people. I’ve got good communication skills, through my public relations course, I hope to bring a lot to this role, and I hope people vote for me.

What are your top 3 goals?

If I get elected, I’ll be campaigning to keep the cap on fees, I’ll be campaigning to make course rep refresher training available online. It takes a lot of student’s time to get trained for such an important and vital role, I want to build on the current feedback campaign that is underway, and build on the school representation in the union?

How do you plan to improve course rep training?

I want to improve it by making it available online, I think that it’s really important that course reps are trained, in the first instance when they come back to university. But a lot of the refresher training is to recap on the stuff that they have already done and what they already know. If they’ve already been a course rep for a year then they’ll have a lot of knowledge about the things you do as a course rep and know who the best contacts are and that’s so I think it’s just. They’ll know that as Education officer I’ll be there to support the course reps, make sure it’s not taking up too much of their time and so they can do it whenever they want and they can just recap on the important issues.

What are your negatives?

I’m really committed, I’m really passionate, I really want this and because of that I tend to over commit and maybe put too much focus on the elections and not enough on my course.

How can you improve on your predecessors?

My predecessor is really good actually, improving on what she has already done means building on the feedback campaign, building on the new school representatives that was only brought in last year and to see that system still works, building on all the good work that has been done so it’s not lost. Sometimes when there a hand over and some things gets passed on and bits get left behind but really just to keep building on all the really good work that has already been done.

How are you going to cope with the responsibilities and pressures that come with the role?

I hope to handle them quite well. I quite like pressure, I quite like responsibility, I hope to handle it by just doing the most I can for students and for students to know that I am there to represent them. The role of the Education officer is that you represent the students at the very top level in the university, so I want to make sure that students know that I’m there to represent them.

Finally, why should you be elected?

For the role of education, just ABC vote for me, Sarah B.