During our Students’ Union Elections Media Day on Saturday 24th February we chatted to the candidates who are running to be elected as your Community Officer for the 2018-19 academic year. Take a look at what they had to say.
Marisa Muramatsu
Marisa Muramatsu is a final year History and Politics student, running to become the next Community Officer.
Marisa explained why she is running for the role:
“The University has an abundance of resources and skill sets that can be utilised to improve the University and community around us. I feel that I can be the person to direct these assets.”
It is her experience, she told Impact, that she believes makes her stand out from her other competitors:
“I have a good background with the SU, having been social secretary for my halls and History Society, and I am now President of History Society, which has given me experience working with student groups and tending to their needs.”
““I want to be able to give leftover food from campus to homeless shelters and food banks.””
Marisa went on to explain that she has four main policies that she wants to implement: student welfare, housing, transport and wider community issues. She used the example being to have more microwaves and kettles around campus for students to use.
She is a firm believer that the University of Nottingham community has to be addressed before a wider community can be reached.
She adds that she wants more emphasis on travel within the University, stating that she ‘want[s] a University-run minibus service to help SB students, those in sports societies and also to help transport students home during exam season later at night.’
Another of her policies is to focus on the wider community issue of food waste: “I want to be able to give leftover food from campus to homeless shelters and food banks.”
She concluded with her slogan, and the appeal to University of Nottingham students: “My slogan is #Savingyourhood. It’s a Robin Hood theme, implementing the idea of saving our community.”
Emma Heasman
Jacob Collier
Jacob Collier is a third-year History and Politics Student and is running to be the Community Officer.
Talking to us, Jacob revealed that he aims to resolve issues surrounding housing. According to him, a university accreditation scheme is a good approach to improve the quality.
Furthermore, Jacob states that he wants to address problems concerning mental health by investing more time and money. He plans to introduce first aid training “so that all students can see the signs of it and help and respond to people that are in need.”
“[Jacob] criticises the University’s decision to cut certain mental health services: “We need to make sure it’s properly funded.””
In his opinion, both mental and physical disabilities require more attention. He criticises the University’s decision to cut certain mental health services: “We need to make sure it’s properly funded.”
Pointing to his network of local councillors and politicians as the current president of Nottingham Labour Students, he emphasizes his suitability for the position: “That’s something you need if you want to make change and fight for students.”
Jacob plans to use his social media, and Jacob’s Crackers with his manifesto points written on it, to spread his message to as many students as possible.
Jacob is looking forward to talking to students and making sure that their voices regarding community issues are being heard.
To continue this, he plans to have regular drop-in sessions around campus to be more engaged and open for different opinions, “so [he] can be a visible presence and not just somebody sat in [his] office all day”.
Pia Schäfer
Tasha Bednall
Tasha Bednall is a third-year History student and the current Environment and Social Justice (ESJ) Officer.
Her main manifesto points are improving campaign training for students, converting Bag O’Nails into a student bar, lobbying the University to become a Living Wage accredited employer, to improve recycling in halls, and to reduce the use of plastic on campus.
Out of her manifesto points, Tasha highlighted that her Living Wage accreditation point is one that she is most looking forward to achieving, given the progress that has already been done through the Living Wage campaign.
“”I think the University should be an empowering space for students, and an important part of that is making sure that it’s safe.””
As a current SU part-time Officer, she has acquired a lot of experience. For example, political engagement of students. In addition, whilst being the ESJ Officer, Tasha has been part of student campaigns.
When asked what inspired her to run as Community Officer, she said: “I think the University should be an empowering space for students, and an important part of that is making sure that it’s safe and that the students have the tools to stand up for what they believe in.”
The slogan for her campaign is ‘Your Community better with a tash’, which Tasha explained will be followed by a moustache themed campaign.
Tasha believes that people should vote for her because she is dedicated to the SU and its students. She goes on to explain that she is also already used to being part of an Officer team. But ultimately, she is “dedicated to making sure that students are safe and happy.”
Leonor Moniz
To read the manifestos for your Activities candidates, head to the Student Leader Elections website.
Featured image: Poppy Anne Malby
Images courtesy of Impact Images.
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