Blog
Policy Update & And Report from Final UGM
Filming UGM speeches has had an unexpected side effect; every so often, I’ll find that my grandparents have seen them. Whenever we chat about the finer points YUSU policy, it reminds me of the variety and diversity of this job and it ensures that I never forget the surreal elements of Sabb Life. Over the past year I’ve run events, created budgets, negotiated contracts, consulted lawyers, run elections, written minutes, researched policy, recruited staff, poured pints, and developed ideas. I’ve sat in meetings, I’ve fought in meetings, and I’ve represented students to the university, to the community, and to national bodies. These have been opportunities given to me by the student body, and opportunities for which I am incredibly grateful
I’m proud of the work I’ve done over this year to leave a union that is more professional, more efficient, and better resourced than it was when I arrived. I have implemented a staffing restructure to ensure we are better equipped to serve our members and support our officers. I oversaw the development and refurbishment of ASC, the Studio and the Student Centre, ensuring we have a fit for purpose area for welfare and academic support, and that we ensure that our student activities are as accessible as they can be to all our members. I’m proud of the fact that our budget next year is likely to reflect our increased focus on our representative function, in particular academic affairs. I’m proud of that fact that more students voted in our election than last year, and that we’re likely to remain one of the top few unions in the country for election turnout. I’m proud of the fact that we ran a successful general election campaign, one where over 1300 students voted on campus. I’m proud that I have developed a more successful strategy for student representation within commercial services, ensuring that Derwent Bar remained open, and that we have our say in future developments. I’m proud that of the work I’ve done with venues in town to ensure that students have safe, fun and successful nights out. I’ve outlined in an attachment to this blog some more details about how I’ve fared with some of my manifesto pledges.
The time available to you as a Sabb means that it can often be hard to quantify the results of your actions. Too often the things that take the most time happen behind the scenes, fighting to ensure that we retain the good things about student life at York, and fighting to ensure that every single decision is made with Students in mind. Since I stood here more than a year ago I have learnt a huge amount about myself, about students, and about the university. Being a Sabb is more of a lifestyle choice than a job - we are human, we make mistakes, but never doubt that we are working for you. Criticise us, question us, challenge us, but never forget that the thing bringing us into work in the morning is the belief that we’re make the decisions that are best for the student body as a whole.
Anyone who has looked at the league tables will see that the key to the future success of our institution is an improvement in the student experience. YUSU must ensure that academic standards are maintained, and that the university always remembers the importance of our members in the face of changes in the national landscape. As students and as an organisation we need to decide where we will compromise, where we will stand our ground and where we want to see our institution go – to do this we need your support, and we need your engagement. YUSU is, and will only ever be, only as strong as the sum of its parts.
You can view my policy update here: Policy Update
