AUSA elections: The low-down

Who, what, where, when and why


So it’s that time of year again when we vote for who we want our next AUSA Sabbatical Officers to be. If you’re first year and new to AUSA, or in fourth year and still have no idea what’s going on we’ll try to give you the low-down on the election process.

If you want to get rid of those irritating SCEF forms, stay at the library until 3am, or even abolish 9am lectures – get your voice heard by voting for a Sabb officer that you like the sound of.

 

So – AUSA used to have seven positions up for grabs, but now after the whole restructuring thing that’s been happening over the past few months there are only five:

  • Communities Officer
  • Education Officer
  • Sports Officer
  • Welfare Officer
  • Student President

They wanted to change it because apparently the structure and the constitution of AUSA was difficult to work with and it was hard for the study body to get our heads around. It seemed way more confusing than it probably was.

So here are the lucky boys and gals that have put their name forward to be our next Sabbatical Officers.

Communities Officer

This role will basically keep the uni and the community at peace with each other. The roles they could possibly take on include arguing for fairer housing prices, the food we get on campus and helping out with the local schools. 

Zainab Aloba, she was the first female president of the UNESCO society

Lewis Macleod, one of his aims is to reduce the rent in halls

David Robertson, he wants to encourage regular updates of your sabbs progress and their projects

Education Officer

This is obviously about what uni is all about – our glorious education. Things that these guys want to tackle include putting all of our lecture recordings online, having longer library opening hours and fighting against course cuts and job losses.

Tunde Lashore, wants to enable a smooth transition from being a student to an employee

Liam Fuller, he’s running again this year what a keen bean

Finlay Archibald, is against C7’s.

Sports Officer

For a change this year it’s two girls who are running for this position. Ideas they have are to promote healthy eating, introduce self defence classes and helping out with the running of the universities’ sports clubs.

Alice McClellan, thinks non-competitive sporting opportunities would be a good idea

Janey Millar, she has 2 years on the Sports Union committee and 2 years on the Women’s Hockey Club

Welfare Officer

These girls will be working to ensure our welfare at uni is all good, so like working closely with the advice centre and student night line.

Jenny Killin, one of her ideas is to introduce an STI clinic in house at AUSA

Iona Richardson, she has two years on the Welfare Committee, three years on Liberation Committees, and three years joint LGBT positions in lots of societies

Ailsa Lyon, wants to introduce “chill-out” spaces on campus

Student President

This is the boss, the main role in AUSA.

Stephen Watt, “What’s Needed? Stephen Watt is Needed! Vote Watt!”

Drew Burgess, just (please) for your own benefit go and look at his manifesto

Sean Press, wants an AUSA app

Chukwuebuka (Chubbe) Anucha, #ChooseChoobs hell yes with that hashtag

Time to say bye bye to this lovely lot (Photo: AUSA)

You can find all of these candidates’ manifestos on the AUSA website so you can check it out for yourself.

Campaigning starts on March 15, and closes March 17 at 3pm. Yes, this means you will be hounded outside the library. Voting runs at the same times, and results will be announced after 8pm on the 17th.

The Tab Aberdeen wishes all the hopefuls the best of luck, and we encourage all students at Aberdeen University to use your voice and vote. It is your student experience after all.