RANK 1 RANCAN
The USU should be the heart of campus life, not just an administration body. I’m running to supercharge your student experience with more club funding, cheaper eats, better campus life and stronger support for all students.

SUPERCHARGING CLUBS & SOCIETIES:
We’ll increase funding for clubs and societies so you’ll get more events, bigger events, and better events. We’ll also speed up approval for funding, cut reimbursement times, and make it easier to start new societies.

A CAMPUS LIFE WORTH SHOWING UP FOR:
We’ll fight for subsidised student meal deals at USU venues and a campus-wide happy hour. We’ll bring in more food trucks, improve markets, have more snooker, air hockey and pool tables, and offer late-night coffee at Fisher until midnight. We'll also create more outdoor spaces, including permanent outdoor table tennis tables and more gazebos.

BACKING COLLEGES:
College and USU life should be connected, not separate. We’ll provide increased support for college events at USU venues and bring greater consultation and collaboration with College S Clubs.

SUPPORTING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:
Eastern Avenue will play host to more cultural events throughout the year, we’ll host visa and work rights information sessions, whilst also developing online support resources.

The role of a USU Board Director, as is the role of any director of a not-for-profit, is to guide the organisation in the direction sought by its members. In the case of the USU, this means Board Directors are tasked with liaising with students and student bodies to seek input, before applying this input in practical ways to guide the strategic direction of the Union, whilst upholding fiduciary duties and following best practice in governance.

Giving priority to my responsibilities and duties as a Board Director will ensure that I can dedicate sufficient time to the role, ensuring timely and effective delivery of services and upholding of responsibilities. I will always hold my duties as a Board Director and a representative of the student community as paramount and, in so doing, will ensure that I dedicate the necessary time to the position.

Given the role of the USU is to directly support the student community, upholding the best interests of the USU and the student community are not mutually exclusive and are largely aligned. The most effective way to satisfy all stakeholders is through open dialogue, where sharing ideas and discourse is encouraged, thereby preventing dissatisfaction within both groups and enabling a greater understanding of the desires of all. Whilst prioritising the direct interests and wishes of students, I will also not lose track of the fact there must first be a functioning Union for the USU to then serve students.

I believe improvements in the USU could be pursued by way of directing a greater portion of funding directly towards clubs and societies. I believe the best way to allow students to fully engage with student life is through following their passions and interests through clubs and societies, and by increasing club funding this would empower students to do so. It would also allow for greater power over the way funds are used to be held by students, ultimately giving everyone greater control over their university life.