Deputy Editor Harry Lincoln caught up with this year’s candidates for the University of Lincoln Students’ Union Media and Communications Officer position.
David Martin has not been available for an interview with The Linc.
Hayley Cook
Age: 20
Hometown: Boston
Course studying: Journalism
Year of course: 3rd
Q: Presuming that you are elected for the position you are running for, what is the first change you would like to make? And more importantly, how do you plan to implement it?
A: If elected, the first thing I want to improve within Lincoln’s Students’ Union is communication between the officers and the student body. Despite this being the most important part of my job, I also think this is the most important aspect of any student union.
Whilst I will be available to talk to all students and intend to make sure everybody knows who the officers are and where they can be found, the main way I want to implement this is by redesigning the website. With better navigation, officer blog updates and regular updates for news and results from the Students’ Union and Athletic Union, the website will be more informative for current and prospective students.
Q: How is your past experience/university course going to help you implement changes if you get elected?
A: With a degree in journalism, I have dealt with media and communication constantly for the past few years. Having contributed to Bullet and been Sports Editor for The Linc, I have extensive knowledge of how these two media outlets are run and how they can ensure student news is circulated around campus.
I worked with Siren FM last year and think it’s important to utilise such a fantastic amenity in the SU. As editor of my own magazine, I have also had experience at managing a magazine, which will benefit me as Managaing Editor of Bullet, and have organised various events including a Charity Concert and Spring Ball, which will help me when organising the Freshers Fayre and Media Awards.
Q: What made you apply for this position?
A: I’m passionate about student life – especially in Lincoln, and think that my previous experience makes me an ideal candidate for the job. I truly believe that with the four main points of my manifesto; creating a better Freshers’ Week, including all students from all campuses in our Students’ Union, developing the website and launching SUTV, I can improve communication within the Students’ Union and ensure students are aware what is going on in their university.
Q: What do you think University of Lincoln students want and need most now?
A: After speaking to many students in preparation for these elections, it was clear that many felt excluded from the Students’ Union because they couldn’t see what the officers were doing, or because they were not based at the Brayford Campus.
University of Lincoln students need to be informed about what is happening at their university; whether they are in Lincoln, at Holbeach or in Hull. Communication is the key to this and I truly believe that if I can implement the policies stated, the students will get exactly what they want; a students’ union they feel proud to be part of.
Read Hayley’s manifesto
Read Heyley’s blog
Emma Devine
Age: 21
Hometown: Churchill, North Somerset
Course studying: Advertising and Public Relations
Year of course: 3rd
Q: Presuming that you are elected for the position you are running for, what is the first change you would like to make? And more importantly, how do you plan to implement it?
A: As a team, during the three-day training given, I plan to ensure that, together, we each achieve our manifesto points for the benefit of the union. Personally, I want to have the calendar organised, allowing for time for each officer to spend at each campus. SUTV will be online by September 09, if it isn’t already by the end of this year, and [I will] follow up my contact with BAM, the Unions’ website provider, to improve the navigation and design of the website. I would then look into planning and organising events for Fresher’ Week, including the Commercial Fayre and SU Handbook.
Q: How is your past experience/university course going to help you implement changes if you get elected?
A: I have been heavily involved with the Students’ Union for the past year as a Part Time Student Officer, which I was elected for last year. This, alongside my degree, I feel marries excellently for allowing me to succeed in this position. Within my course, I have learnt how to communicate effectively to a vast group of people, promoting and managing corporate reputation and dealing with negative press. Within the past year the Union has had to deal with difficult news issues surrounding it. With my background in PR I could manage these issues accordingly, whilst protecting the Union and university itself.
Q: What made you apply for this position?
A: My degree has revolved around ensuring that a large organisation like the ULSU has and maintains the best image and reputation to all those inside and outside the establishment. Within the first week of being a Student Officer I had decided that I would be running in these current elections for the communications role. I saw, and still do see, the job as a fantastic opportunity to start my career in the communications/PR market. I have shadowed Dan Windross throughout the year to research the role thoroughly and get an insight into the jobs responsibilities. I decided that this is the job for me and so handed in my nomination.
Q: What do you think University of Lincoln students want and need most now?
A: After spending the last week roving around every campus, it has been made quite clear that involvement is a big issue. Students, when asked if they are “having a good time”, answered “yes” but not in the most enthusiastic way as I would expect from a university student. I believe the Union needs to provide its students with enthusiasm for their university and union by encouraging participation, promoting activities that each officer is holding and promoting student contributions to the Union.
The university experience should be fantastic and I strive to achieve this for every single student enrolled at the University of Lincoln; let’s put our Union on the map!