Fi Vickerstaff for

Vice President/External Officer

Hi, my name’s Fi and I’m in my second year studying English. Sometimes Sidney can feel like a little bubble, but it’s important to remember that the college is part of a much bigger bubble which is represented by CUSU. The newly combined role of SSCSU Vice President and External Officer is your channel between college and the wider university and I think that it’s really important to utilise the opportunities that this new role provides to get your views heard in Sidney Open Meetings, SSCSU exec committee and CUSU council.

If I was elected as your Vice President/External Officer, I would;1. Encourage students to attend Open Meetings by providing 4 free-entry tickets to Big Fish

Ents events (including CINDIES and FEZ) and chocolate to be won at the end of every meeting as a raffle prize for attending. I would also continue to bring excessive amounts of cake, cookies and jelly to meetings, and heavily publicise these meetings by displaying posters around college.

2. Expand the role of Vice President in order to support the current President and all members of the Exec committee more effectively. I intend to produce a central calendar to be displayed in the post-room to inform all members of the Exec committee and student population of up-coming meetings so that issues can be raised in advance. I would also be willing to sit on any council meetings in place of the President when he is unable to attend.

3. Ensure that all Sidney students are made aware of developments which occur at Open Meetings and CUSU council by setting up a Twitter feed and Facebook group which can be used to post instant updates, and displaying posters around college which briefly detail key issues so students do not have to read more exhaustive e-mails if they do not wish.

4. Work closely with the new computer officer in order to update the SSCSU website regularly with information relating to meetings and councils. I would also establish a forum on this website which can be used to discuss issues which are raised or should be raised at college and university councils.

5. Campaign for improved accommodation facilities using my position as chair of catering and accommodation council in order to ensure that, where college are not able to lower rent rates, students are getting the best value for money. In addition, I would also establish an online form on the SSCSU website which students can use in order to voice comments and complaints at any time regarding catering, accommodation and bedders when the e-Maintenance form is not appropriate.

6. Attempt to represent the general, unbiased views of Sidney students at CUSU council by collating feedback on issues which are to be raised in meetings and councils using Facebook, the SSCSU website and surveying a wide range of students in the bar and hall queue before meetings take place.

I feel that I would succeed in the role of Vice President/External Officer because I am prepared to make time in my ‘busy’ English schedule in order to ensure that Sidney functions effectively as both a college and as part of the university. I am excited to expand the role of Vice President and have the time, energy and experience needed to accomplish this.

Please vote Fi Vickerstaff for Vice President/External Officer