Hosted by former Union President Tash Miller, Stirling’s Student Union had their hustings in the atrium today, asking Sabbatical Officer candidates what they hope to change if elected. In this article, Brig breaks down what candidates said that set them apart as they set out their priorities as union officer hopefuls.
Union President:
John Adithya, current Volunteer Officer for Postgraduate Students, argued that for Stirling students, obtaining decent part-time jobs is a huge issue. As jobs in which students, particularly international students, are fairly paid and given suitable hours as students, are hard to find. On nationwide issues, Adithya said that “fake marketing” of what opportunities exist for international students in the UK is a huge issue. Cities and universities that welcome international students should be welcoming. But also “make sure that they understand the current situation”, in regards to part-time job opportunities, the cost of living, and housing.
Josh Parsonage, coordinator of Stirling’s Scottish Socialist Youth, said that his priority is to make the University of Stirling “an example case of how to do harm reduction”. Which he believes is “overlooked as an issue”. Harm reduction policies aim to increase safety measures around drug consumption without a threat of punishment for those who take them. On what the nationwide issue is, Parsonage said that all issues that students face are “connected”, and that the number one problem that these fall under is the “marketisation of higher education”. He added that as Union President, he would hope to collaborate with other student unions and the NUS to aim for a “people-led education system.” Rather than one led by profits.
Justine Pedussel, current VP for Communities and the self-branded “Sabb That Gets Things Done”, advocated that the biggest issue facing Stirling students was “access to education.” Issues such as a lack of accessibility for disabled students as well as poverty can significantly impair this. Standing by her comment: “Student engagement is really really hard when you can’t afford to eat”, Pedussel claimed that she would continue her work with the National Campaign for Housing. And spoke on how her meetings with MSPs led to proposing amendments to housing bills. That would give tenants in student accommodation the same rights as those renting privately. She also advocated for “a reporting system that works” for Gender-Based Violence, a “huge” issue on campus that “should not be an issue, because it shouldn’t exist”.
Sports President:
Laura Shaw, current Sports President, is re-running for a second term, which she said was a “no-brainer”. She claimed that the biggest issue for Stirling students was the cost of living crisis. She claimed that the continued rent increases are stopping students’ participation in sports. She also advocated for equal time to be given to all sports clubs as they contribute “equal value” to Stirling’s Sports Union. Adding that her “calendar is always open” to any clubs that wish to reach out. Shaw said that if re-elected, she would “strive for improvement”, and encourage students to take out their academic stress onto sports, adding that she aims to “bring sport to you” by encouraging free activities such as walks around Airthrey Loch to “combat academic stress”.
Angelica Oparinde, President of the Athletics Club, also shared Shaw’s concern for the cost of living crisis, and said that she hoped to advocate for more promotion of Stirling’s Just Play Scheme, which allows students to take part in sporting activities without purchasing club memberships, adding that participation in sports “enriches student experience”. Oparinde also laid out her three main points as potential Sports President: approachability, development, and employability, explaining that she intends to hold 1 to 1 sessions with her for all sports clubs, which all sports clubs will have equal access to. Additionally, she hopes to introduce a mid-term reporting system which would he;p clubs stay in line with the development plans that they plan at the start of the year.
VP of Education:
Adelayo Adebayo, current VP of Education, is standing for re-election and believes that “education brings people together”. Adebayo said that the biggest issue facing Stirling students was access to support. Regardless of the issue that students are facing, accessing support is difficult. She added that Stirling needs “someone who is passionate and someone who can make change”, and that she aims to identify complex language that appears when students attempt to access support and instead: “use clearer language that is straight to the point”, which would aim to help “students whose first language is not English” in particular. Overall, Adelayo Adebayo aims to create “an inclusive academic environment and support for a diverse range of learners”.
VP for Communities:
Ali Rees, Brig’s Secretary, aims to “strengthen societies”. By creating a link between academic departments and societies that share topics. They aim to do this via the creation of a “societies clinic” to act as an “additional pillar of support” to societies. The societies clinic also aims to raise awareness of how to apply for funding for societies in a more casual environment. Which would take place a few hours at the same time every week, allowing easy access. Rees also showed support for harm reduction initiatives on campus. And said that they would lobby the university to have safe consumption information available in all bathrooms on campus. Similar to how support helplines are promoted in the same setting.
Adam Johnston, current president of the Politics Society, aims to improve student engagement and access to housing, claiming that the two go hand in hand: “Without student engagement, we can’t have better housing”. He added that housing is “the biggest and most expensive cost for students.” And that he supports a rent freeze on Stirling’s student accommodation. If he is elected as VP for Communities, he hopes to work towards rent reductions. Johnston also acknowledged the general perception of the student union as “just an Instagram page with an office”, and added that he hopes to change this perception.
Khushhali Gupta, current Volunteer Arts Officer, has a focus on sustainability. She showed support for and pledged to continue the current work being done with the Green and Blue Space. And aims to “collaborate with them as much as possible”. Gupta also said that she’d aim for societies to create upcycling projects. And that societies were the “heartbeat” of student life, advocating for an end-of-year showcase to give societies “the appreciation that they deserve”. In regards to transport, as VP for Communities, Gupta would aim to encourage more students to cycle or walk to campus, and would also aim to reduce bus prices.
Ellie Hammond, current president of the True Crime Society, said that she has “a unique positionality to see how societies function”, and advocated for more support for societies “and those who run them”, asking the university to advertise them more to raise membership numbers. Hammond also expressed an interest in introducing training days for society committees. In order to help to teach them how to apply for funding grants. She also said that she aims to introduce car sharing and a park-and-ride system to Stirling University to cut down congestion and emissions on campus.
Magdalena Rymarczyk, well-being officer for Stirling’s Musical Theatre Society and Art Club President, said that through these experiences, she “had learned so much about the student experience.” And that she would “fight tooth and nail” for good housing for students. Rymarczyk also went on to advocate for an expansion of Stirling’s Community Fridge to include other basics, such as shampoo and toilet roll for students who are struggling. Additionally, she focused on preparing students for life after university, as “when it comes to learning experiences and qualifications, you’re expected to figure everything out yourself”.
All candidate’s full manifestos are available here.
Voting for Stirling’s Student Union Elections opens on the 25th of February at 10am, and closes on the 27th of February at 5pm.
Featured Image Credit: Stirling Student Union
4th year Politics and Journalism student.
Secretary for Brig
The Herald Student Press Awards Columnist Of The Year 2024 (which sorry i’m still not over)
