As winter approaches, we say goodbye to our summertime sadness as snow on the beach looks ever more likely, University of Leeds Students have a simple choice. The choice is more of the same, or a radical change to improve the NUS, and thus the student experience for all.
Firstly, about me. Iām Ciaran Weir, a fourth year BSc Social Policy with Quantitative Research Methods students, originally from the Midlands, who happens to be a huge Lana Stan. I had the luxury of studying abroad at the Australian National University for my study abroad, which was the experience of a lifetime. My experience of student politics in Canberra, is what has encouraged me to run to represent you as your NUS Delegate, despite being relatively unknown, the NUS delegate elections pave the way to shaping the future of student experience across the United Kingdom at all participating Universities. I donāt come from a political background, I donāt come from an LUU background, which I think could be my biggest strength. Iām not running for election to enhance my C.V, to promote my own party-political views, or as a continuation of an LUU role in the past. Iām running because I believe in what the NUS stands for, representing and giving students a voice, which is even more reason why Iād like to be considered to represent you. A vote for me is a vote for change, whereas a vote for someone else could be a vote for more of the same.
Lana Del Ray said āItās you, itās you, itās all for you, everything I doā. Going into the role of NUS delegate that will be my mantra. I want students to feel heard and represented, and the first thing I think is important is that the NUS works to restore its relationship with the UK Government. The UK Government suspended its relationship with the UK Government 18 months ago, due to a widespread antisemitic culture in the NUS, meaning that student voices are no longer heard in the way they used to be heard. First and foremost, if elected, Iāll encourage the University of Leeds to push for the restoration of this relationship and take whatever measures necessary. Without this relationship, student voices are stifled, and we know that students are struggling so much with the cost of living, antisemitism on campuses and accommodation and rental crises in student cities including Leeds.
Iām a pragmatic candidate, I believe the NUS should spend its money, time and resources on things that work, rather than things that donāt. Firstly, the NUS should focus on ensuring Universities, and the university system in general provides a good value for money for students. The NUS should focus less on playing politics, and more on helping students. For example, in 2016, the NUS LGBT+ conference was criticised by Stonewall for implying that gay men donāt need positions in LGBT+ societies as they are not longer oppressed. But the NUS hasnāt recently commented on the skyrocketing number of graduates who are unemployed, or working in jobs that donāt require degrees. I have witnessed this first hand, as a fourth year with friends that have graduated. The number one reason most people come to university now is to prepare them for the workplace, I believe that universities should work harder to improve their studentās chances of success in an already overcrowded job market.
As a UK based organisation, the NUS can lose sight of the international picture, I want to be a champion for international studentās experience, as well as encouraging more British students to take part in international experiences. Since Brexit, the UK has no longer been part of the Erasmus scheme, instead part of the Turing Scheme, the NUS must pressure the Government to providing more funding so every student can afford to do a placement abroad.
Feet donāt fail me now, take me to the finish line. Thanks for your consideration!