Aiden Simpson, Somerville
Why should you be elected OUSU president?
Having been my JCR’s OUSU rep for a year I know how it works and its problems. I’ve recently become involved with Education Not for Sale and know about the wider anti-fees movement. I’ve also helped the Living Wage Campaign and campaigned against the abolition of the VP women position.
What relevant experience do you have?
Having been my JCR’s OUSU rep for a year I know how it works and its problems. I’ve recently become involved with Education Not for Sale and know about the wider anti-fees movement. I’ve also helped the Living Wage Campaign and campaigned against the abolition of the VP women position.
What would your main priority as president be?
My main priority would be that OUSU becomes more active in campaigning in Oxford and nationally. It is wrong to suggest OUSU shouldn’t concern itself with national campaigns such as against fees, or the contempt of many in the University towards access. I’d make sure these campaigns were taken seriously.
What is your position on top-up fees?
I support the abolition of fees and reintroduction of grants funded by taxing the rich. The current cap is arbitrary and merely a stepping stone towards unlimited fees, which the University wants. Those who fight merely to retain the current cap are likely to find they cannot even retain this.
What is your position on a central student venue?
In principle I support the idea of a Central Student Venue. However every year candidates promise this and every year they find that the funds just aren’t there. It is far more important that we focus on welfare and making OUSU the radical, campaigning student union it should be.
Stephen Baskerville, University
Why should you be elected OUSU president?
I have the approach and energy to get OUSU doing more for students on the important issues like quality of teaching, accommodation and welfare. I have the experience to do that in a way that makes common rooms stronger, develops student leadership and leads to change on a wider scale.
What relevant experience do you have?
As a JCR President I pioneered a new academic feedback system; negotiated a low rent deal at 3.5%; successfully lobbied for refurbishment of the bar; and established a bold new access scheme with college. I know how to achieve change at the college level and the support Common Rooms need.
What would your main priority as president be?
Winning change for students by building strong relationships with common room officers and ensuring they have the required skills. This means more training in how to negotiate rent, represent students, build budgets, and improve teaching. I will campaign for better student representation and a full reform of University disciplinary procedures.
What is your position on top-up fees?
Personally I am against raising the cap on fees. Higher Education funding should be fair and should recognise the shortfall in university funding of recent decades. We will consult students in order to get the best result from Government as it makes its decision on fees next year.
What is your position on a central student venue?
I am in favour of a central venue at the right price. This year’s OUSU team have prioritised it, and a group has been set up to investigate the options. The plan is to put these to Oxford students in a referendum, and I intend to implement what they choose.
John Maher, Keble
Why should you be elected OUSU president?
In a time where OUSU is undergoing comprehensive change, it needs a President that is not divisive; I am not a member of any student political party. Your Student Union should support you and make your life easier. I will deliver this for each and every student at this University.
What relevant experience do you have?
As JCR President I reinvigorated Keble students’ interest in their JCR, leading to increased turnout at meetings. I represented students to our Governing Body; I know how to negotiate with authority. I also revitalised and chaired OUSU’s Complaints Board; I can and will make OUSU more responsive to your concerns.
What would your main priority as president be?
Aside from top-up fees, I will ensure that students get a better rent deal. The current support given to Common Room officers is inadequate; I would launch OUSU’s rent campaign in Michaelmas and guarantee that OUSU provides them with the relevant information required to negotiate a fairer deal for students.
What is your position on top-up fees?
Fighting increased top-up fees will be my main priority. As an international student, I will leave Oxford with $120,000 debt; my mom mortgaged our house to send me here. The best part of England’s university system is that it does not exclude anyone; we must not allow this to change.
What is your position on a central student venue?
In principle I fully support a central student venue, which will restore pride in our Student Union and be a tangible symbol as to how OUSU is relevant to its students. In the meantime, OUSU should be expanding its relationship with Pulse and other societies to provide great nights out.
Luke Tryl, Magdalen
Why should you be elected OUSU president?
In too many ways this University fails us. Whether it’s the underfunding of the counselling service, the college academic lottery or the draconian attitude towards trashing. I believe I have the ability to take on the authorities. I’ve delivered University wide, fighting for students, which will always be my priority.
What relevant experience do you have?
I started attending OUSU council in my first term at Oxford as OUSU rep. As Union President I managed an organisation with a turnover of £900,000, almost three times the budget of OUSU. I worked for long term change: fighting for lower fees, expanding the access scheme and improving accountability.
What would your main priority as president be?
When I told someone I was running the first thing that they asked was: what does OUSU do? I’ll ensure that OUSU reaches out. The first steps are more referenda, ensuring that you’re heard, and greater accountability – giving you the power to sack us if we’re doing a bad job.
What is your position on top-up fees?
I’m opposed to any move which will make wealth rather than academic merit a criterion for Oxford admissions – I oppose any rise in student fees. I don’t want Oxford to become as inaccessible as US universities, making student life a struggle. I’ll lobby the University and government to stop it.
What is your position on a central student venue?
Great efforts have been made to improve clubbing this year. But three popular clubs are going to close costing 2,100 clubbing spaces – leading to longer queues and unsafe trips out of town. We should set aside profits from club nights and reinvest them in a permanent venue for students.
