Andrew Smith for VPSA <smith4vpsa>

"Make it another Good Friday"

FAQ625 giorni fa
 
Name: Andrew Smith

Year and Course: 4th year History student


Define the role of your chosen position?

For me the VPSA has to act as a friend to the societies and ensure that the DUSA services and facilities are being run in the interests of students and that DUSA activities are open and representative of all students.


What are your main policies for office?


1.The introduction of a student radio station


2.The introduction of a ‘Flat-Finder’ service to help students looking for flats or landlords looking for tenants and provide an alternative to the overpriced flats offered by Sanctuary Management which at £320 per month cost more than a good flat in the West End. Hermes no longer helps to provide an alternative so it’s time DUSA did.


3.To expand the successful loyalty card scheme to give ALL societies the same benefits enjoyed by the Sports Clubs- if you are doing your best to represent your union then your union should do its best to represent you.


4.To introduce recycling services and renewable sources of energy in order to create a greener and more sustainable DUSA. On this theme I also want to compliment the introduction of Fair-trade products with a preference for local and ethically sourced goods where possible.


Student Activities: As the VPSA you will be responsible for student activities, whether that be through societies or through sponsorship. As VPSA how do you propose to boost levels of student participation in these areas?

In order to boost participation it is essential to listen to students. If elected I intend to contact the leading members of all societies and ensure that they have all the support and facilities they need for the coming year. I intend to host forums and discussions with all the societies and faith groups to ensure that they all have access to the facilities we offer and that DUSA can help them through the sponsorship and facilitation of their social events and fundraisers. Through the expansion of the loyalty card scheme I intend to reward the active societies and encourage the less active ones to participate in DUSA activities. This role is less concerned with the commercial aspects of DUSA than the VPS role has been and if elected I will dedicate all of my time to working with the societies, faith groups and sports clubs to ensure that DUSA represents them. I also intend to visit the satellite campuses and postgraduate groups and discuss how we can expand the appeal of DUSA.

Furthermore the introduction of a University Radio station will compliment the growth and success of The Magdalen and will provide a forum and a collective voice for all students regarding events on and off campus. If DUSA is open and welcoming to students then students will be welcoming and open to DUSA and it is a testimony to the success of this Executive that all of these elections are being contested.



Engagement: finding out what students think and want is crucial in DUSA making the right decisions. As VPSA how will you engage with students to find out what they want and how will you use the information you get?

First of all it is important to mention the Commercial Surveys which have been introduced by the last couple of executives, I intend to compliment these with a survey on the quality of student housing and work closely with the sports union regarding representing students in terms of sport and leisure facilities. I will work with an open door policy and reserve specific hours for student consultations. I intend to consult students regarding possible events such as film and art shows and provide a book service so that students have a better choice on campus than just the glorified Porta-loo behind the tower building. I intend to have a presence on the satellite campuses and I believe that the introduction of small measures, such as a suggestions box and a public mobile number, can be just as important for encouraging student involvement as any forums or consultation groups. I will not be appointed- I will be elected, and as a result it will be my job to represent all students regardless of if they voted for me.

Throughout the year I intend to visit all societies, sports clubs and faith groups for face-to-face consultations I can guarantee that if I am elected I will not make any major cultural or environmental changes to DUSA without student consultation; DUSA facilities are not the domain of any executive: they are the property of all students. When we all work together then we achieve more than any of us can on our own.



Engagement: As VPSA you will spend a lot of time interacting with diverse student groups. What qualities do you have that will appeal to these groups?

One of the great pleasures of our university is the breadth of the diversity on campus and I want to embrace this diversity and make sure that the services offered by the union are working in the interests of ALL groups whether it’s the Islamic Society or the LGBT Society etc. Before coming to Dundee I was involved heavily in the drafting, consultation and promotion of a camping and parliamentary motion that was aimed at removing corporate advertising from Scottish schools, the bill failed by a handful of votes but got support from most of the major parties and anti-poverty groups in Scotland.

This is just one example of my work with diverse groups and since then I have been involved in the production of two and award winning documentaries and have worked on a number of domestic campaigns with faith groups, including the anti cuts campaign on campus and the police consultations regarding the University Special Branch programme.

I have always been very approachable and I respect all beliefs. I have a track record of having worked with diverse groups and I want to carry on doing so and to carry on the good work of the previous executive.


Trustee Status: as a member of the Student Executive you will be a trustee of he Association, what do you understand to be the principle duties of a trustee?

The principle duty of any trustee, including VPS, is to ensure that the association is managed efficiently and in line with ethical practices. This means in practice that trustees must work in the interests of DUSA at all times and that all money raised in and spent by DUSA is used in the interests of students and that the collective benefit of students is prioritised over the benefits of individual trustees.
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Election Statement 2008625 giorni fa
 
Election Statement 2008

Some of you may remember my candidacy from last year and in fact some of you may even have voted for me last year, for those of you who have I hope you do so again and for those of you who haven’t, I hope to convert you over the next few days of the campaign.

As a 4th year student I have seen a lot of change taking place on campus, I believe that the next executive needs to carry on the pattern of good work which has taken place over the last couple of years. As a student who has been a strong friend of various campaigns and societies on campus I believe I am in an excellent position to bring the changes students want to see.

I view the role of VPSA as being to open up the University facilities and services for all students. Although I want to work closely with the societies and I want to let ALL students of ALL societies share the same loyalty card scheme enjoyed by the sports clubs. I also believe that the role of VPSA goes beyond working with societies and I want to use the job to help to provide an alternative to the overpriced halls offered by Sanctuary Management through my proposed ‘Flat-Finder’ service.

I want to work to provide a recycling and environmentally friendly union and intend to work with the local ‘People and Planet’ group every step of the way to introduce a higher ethical standard to DUSA. I believe that interaction with students is the most important part of the job for any DUSA member and I will always have my door open, diversity is our strength and I want to help create a DUSA that is representative of all our students.
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