Some sabbatical officer candidates have been called out on social media for not attending a housing rally on February 27.
The rally, which was organised by the Stirling Solidarity Space, was protesting against another proposed rent increase for university-managed accommodation.
A few dozen students gathered outside the Stirling Court Hotel on campus where a meeting deciding the increase was said to be taking place.
Various election candidates were in attendance, including Solidarity Space members Justine Pedussel and Aaron Caulfield.
Members of the group had asked candidates at the alternative hustings the night before if they would attend the rally.
Pedussel, the current housing officer who is running unopposed for VP Communities, later posted on Instagram stories about it.
“Glad to have seen [Aidan Fairbairn] and [Laura Shaw] today and all President candidates,” she wrote. “Sad that only [Aaron Caulfield] and [Aliyah Hossanee] showed up of the VP Ed candidates!
“Choose carefully who you vote for! Do you want someone that cares enough about your well-being to fight for your rights?”
A Union spokesperson said: “As you’ll appreciate, it’s not appropriate to comment on individual candidates during the election.
“It has, however, been great to see lots of positive campaigning this week which has been demonstrated through an increased voter turnout over last year.”
The Solidarity Space also told Brig in a statement: “It was an absolute delight to have several Sabbatical candidates with us at the protest. It is unfortunate that some could not make it due to prior commitments – indeed, some of our own members could not make the protest as the unsustainable level of university rent forces them into working almost full time to survive!
“We are confident that, even if some did not attend this protest, all union election candidates will act in accordance with Union policy and do all in their power to oppose the rent increase imposed by the University.”
Feature image credit: Ciara Tait
Film, media and journalism student. I like writing about my inability to eat gluten.
