Seun Sowunmi has been elected as Undergraduate Officer, Wantoe T. Wantoe as Postgraduate Officer, Alisa Brown as Welfare, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, and Shermar Pryce as Communities and Common Room Officer in the latest SU elections. In total, 1471 people voted out of a total student population of over 26,000 students – compared to last year’s turnout of 4206 students, this year saw a 65% drop.
This is the first set of elections since the abolition of the position of president, under the new “flat” structure. It also follows the resignation of SU President Dr Addi Haran early last month, who cited “institutional malpractice” as the reason for her departure.
Pryce won 712 votes against Leo Buckley’s 278 for Communities and Common Room Officer. Pryce’s manifesto said he wished to re-introduce the role of President, reform Trustee Board appointments, and “prevent future erosion” of democratic structures. In his role as Communities and Common Room Officer, he has said he will address college disparities and give powers of society registration and funding to the SU instead of the University Proctors.
Three candidates ran for Welfare, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, making it the most contested position in the election. Brown received a majority of the votes, with 645 compared to 235 for Honcques Lous and Grace Chalhoub’s 147. Brown’s manifesto included a list of “12 changes in 12 months” which included promises such as meal vouchers for low-income students, ring-fenced funding for balls and formals, free sanitary products in every University building, and lobbying Blues committees for gender equality.
Sowunmi beat Henry Morris with 735 votes to 204 to become Undergraduate Officer. She ran on a platform of holding the SU accountable and improving its transparency. She promised to improve the SU website, the room booking system, create a guide to the University mental health services, and lobby the University to diversify the Counselling Service staff.
Wantoe ran uncontested for the position of Postgraduate Officer, gaining 735 votes, whilst there were 199 votes to re-open nominations. His manifesto focused on improving financial and mental health support for postgraduates, particularly international students.
