NUS Conference Candidates

Why do we have to elected people to go?

Under NUS rules, all Higher Educations Union's must elected their delegation by cross -campus ballot to help ensure that the students who attend represent the students at their institution.

When and where is conference held? 27th - 29th March 2007. Blackpool Wintergardens.

Adam Waterhouse

BSc Sports Conditioning and Coaching, Hartpury, Year 2
I am the best candidate because I will benefit from achieving information from the conference that can be used to enhance and expand the SU of UWE, I will also be the very first Hartpury Campus representative.

Kat Smart

UWESU Elected Officer, Sports President
You should elect me to go to NUS national conference because as Sports President this year I've had a great involvement with the NUS, as I:
"¢ Contributed to the NUS referendum in October 2006.
"¢ I am an elected delegate for our regional conferences.
"¢ Have attended various NUS events as Sports President.
"¢ Was involved in the organisation of our union's part in the national demonstration in London.
I now have a greater understanding of NUS and this is why you should vote for me. If elected I will be a fair and valuable representative of UWE students.

Tom Ramplin

Applied Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Frenchay, Year 3
Higher Education is currently under relentless attach from market forces. The NUS is at the forefront of the fight against this. Having been involved in the NUS affiliation campaign, the free education for all camping and many other campaigns to defend public services. I am in the perfect positions to keep pushing the NUS into action on this critical issue, I am very familiar with NUS 'democracy' and procedures and I am not intimidated when required to defend the appropriate positions.
I want to see an open, democratic and effective national union for us all today.

Lee Griffin

UWESU Elected Officer, Activities President
As an elected regional delegate I think I am perfectly set for this task as a national delegate. Throughout the years I've been a passionate debater in all issues that have come up for discussion within UWESU, now I want to make that same voice known on the national stage with the NUS.
I can't stand biased policies that send organisations down the path of agreeing with a vocal minority. What the national conference needs is a balance, a balance of debate and a balance of opinion. Vote for me if you want reason to rule instead of knee-jerk politics.

Florian Mertens

Information Systems Studies, Year 4
I believe that my delegation in NUS is important to forward current issues on a university and national level from our environmental groups, technology experiences and effective student representation.
My greatest interest is NUS International Students. My involvement in the international student groups of UWE and my presence within the Diversity Committee makes me the most suitable delegate to represent the UWE cultural diversity.
Being at NUS has the added value of comparing current concerns at our university with how other Unions tackle them. I wish I could participate in these invaluable, informal discussions for some great ideas.

James Addicock

Media and Culture, St Matts, Year 1
I feel I am the best candidate to attend the NUS Conference because I am enthusiastic in participating in student debate and I believe every student has the right to an opinion and the right to have that opinion herd. In the past I have approached politics with an open mind but I find myself naturally aligned to the left, as a result of this I have now become an active member of 'Student Respect'. Some of the main topics I am personally concerned with are cheaper education for students, the environment and keeping the NUS as a national (cut word limit exceed)

Bill Boon

Politics, Year 2
As a Stop the War and Respect activist I am the best candidate to attend the NUS conference. I have campaigned against top up fees and Islamophobia. I am a member of the student Respect national committee and am therefore fully aware of the problems within the NUS. Our national Union has great potential to fight for the best and least expensive education possible. It should oppose any attacks on our liberties and against the marketisation of education. Vote for me to go to conference and I will do all in my power to make this the case.

Alice Bouquet

Drama, Year 3
I have been to Conference before, in 2002 and 2003 (before and during my Sabbatical at my College) and I think this makes me the best candidate. I know how conference works and would be able to help newcomers understand the system.
In my report after Conference I would therefore be able to evaluate and reflect on the progress (or not) of the NUS on its long-running campaigns.
Conference is dominated by Party politics by I will vote on behalf of UWE students, NOT behalf of a political faction. Vote for an independent candidate!