Why I’m voting Yes-No.

Banners are up, tables are covered in flyers and Union House is plastered with posters. It can’t be election week already, so what’s this all about? Well, in essence, that question exemplifies the problem: only a relative handful of students know.

UEA’s Student Union has not had the best of times recently, with accusations of inefficiency, top-down decision making and opaque processes. How many students actually know how Union Council works, for example? How many even know it exists, who they are being represented by and how do they voice their opinions? It seems to me like we have a problem with democracy at UEA.  A referendum is being held this week in an attempt to make the whole shebang more transparent, efficient and representative. I believe the best way to do this is by voting YES to change (proposal 1) and NO to a president (proposal 2). Here’s why.

Our current Full Time Officer structure is outdated and doesn’t work. None of the current titles fully match their fuzzy job descriptions. Officers should have clear roles, with accessible titles. This needs to change, and proposal 1 will do this.

Proposal 2 is to leave the would-be new role of Campaigns and Democracy Officer by the wayside and introduce a President. In an institution already suffering from problems of democracy, where representation isn’t seen to be representative and where communication is not effective, adding a further layer to the hierarchy is nonsensical.

A Campaigns and Democracy Officer would work with a sub-committee to promote understanding of Union politics to all students. We have a right to know what is being said on our behalf, how to raise our concerns and how to get support for campaigns. The presidential role is being marketed as a main point of contact with both the University and students. How can a single person represent 17,000+ students on all issues? How can a single person appear approachable to everyone? They can’t.

If we have more equal officer roles, more people’s opinions can be heard on a level playing field. If a President is to be the representative face of the Union, it’s only natural that theirs is the view point that will be heard the loudest. Let’s not let this happen. Let’s vote for a Union that promotes diversity, democracy and equality. Let’s vote NO to proposal 2.

I’ll be voting YES:NO. I hope you will too.

Click here to vote.

Editors’ Note: According to the terms of the referendum Question Two- ‘Should the “Campaigns & Democracy Officer” be renamed “President” and in addition take a lead role in campaigning to the University for students and coordinating the Student Officer team?’ a President would have the full duties and remit of a Campaigns and Democracy Officer, with an added co-ordination role.