The next NTSU elections are nearly here – we got in touch with the two candidates running for President to help you decide who to vote for.
Sam Harris, 3rd Year Politics & International Relations.
Why did you decide to run for the President?
I am running for President because we need a change at our Students’ Union.
We need a President who is not afraid to speak out and support students.
I have never had any intentions to run for any position at NTSU before, I have always been content with the SU.
However, this year has shown how important our SU is, and how important it is to have a SU team willing to challenge the status quo.
Myself and others have done all we can as students to influence the SU from the outside, from the Academic Open Letter with 7,500 signatures; to the rent strikes, unfortunately none of which were supported by our SU team.
This year we have seen a huge lack of representation; many students left in impossible positions academically and thousands being unfairly forced to continue to pay rent.
What do you believe sets you apart from other candidates? Why do you think you fit in this role?
What sets me apart is that I am not afraid to speak up and get things done.
I have shown throughout my life at NTU that I am not afraid to speak out about issues that are important.
I have spent my time this year supporting students with housing issues, getting access to mental health support and dealing with issues around crime and racism – all of which should be the job of the SU.
One of my core principles is honesty and openness. I believe students should have the right to know ‘why?’.
Why are NTU only extending certain assessments for certain courses? Why do NTU continue to advertise accommodation providers who have treated students unfairly this year?
I will ensure that students get the change needed while continuing to be open and honest, breaking no promises.
I have spent all my time at NTU supporting other students, ensuring that friends and course mates have their issues dealt with, even when the SU wouldn’t.
I have engaged with numerous student groups and ensured I can represent the views of all, especially those who often feel a second thought of the SU.
Ensuring I represent the voices of International, Mature and Parent students has been a high priority for me and will always be.
Making certain that the voices of all students are not only heard but listened to is key.
What changes would you make to the NTU/NTSU if elected, especially in voicing out student opinions that are mostly unheard during this pandemic?
The voices of students who often feel a second thought of the SU is integral for me.
Arranging weekly open drop-in meetings with students and their representatives from various groups will be greatly important to me, if elected.
I will also change the culture of racism and discrimination at NTU and make certain that hate crime is reported and dealt with properly. I will not allow issues such as these to be swept under the carpet.
Additionally, ensuring openness and transparency will be such a fundamental part of my role, making sure that students are fully aware of what we are working on & how we are fighting for you.
There are a lot of changes needed at our SU, these will be addressed on day one.
Conor Naughton, Incumbent.
Why did you decide to run for the President?
My work securing the best experience for NTU students is far from over, that’s why I’m running to be re-elected.
I’ve led the Students’ Union for a year already as President during an unprecedented year with countless challenges arising from the pandemic and government restrictions.
I’ve worked with Students’ Unions across the UK, local MPs and the NUS to fight the government for better treatment of students, and I’ve only grown more passionate in my desire to fight for victories and change for students both at NTU and nationally.
What do you believe sets you apart from other candidates? Why do you think you fit in this role?
I am the only president in SU history to complete every point in their manifesto including securing the 2020 cohort the graduation they deserve, a freeze in bus pass prices with new options saving students £135 and £60, recruiting a record 400 student mental health champions, securing increased study space despite Covid restrictions and giving students one of the only in-person freshers’ weeks in the UK.
I’ve got the experience and knowledge required to continue to lead NTSU back to normality over the next year and have a clear manifesto and plan to achieve it with tangible outcomes.
The University will listen to my representation and work with me as proven with the over £5m in rent refunds, £2m in new hardship funding, Q&A events, opening of more study space and much more.
What changes would you make to the NTU/NTSU if elected, especially in voicing out student opinions that are mostly unheard during this pandemic?
As President this year I’ve worked hard to increase the channels for students to feedback issues both directly to NTSU but also to senior University staff.
I organised two student Q&As with the University on assessments and student experience both attended by thousands of students, they were also one of the only Q&A events of its kind at any University in the UK and my ability to organise these is testament to how NTU will engage with me on important issues.
Additionally, I’ve attended sessions no other president has ever previously engaged with so I can support students in all areas, for example joining our VP Education to attend weekly meetings with NTSU School officers, attending Sport & Society Assemblies to hear how I can help them and finally, holding weekly in-person drop-ins with the exec when able to with Covid restrictions.
If re-elected I will continue to make NTSU’s work to benefit students and make it more transparent by organising a fortnightly ‘ask the exec’ Q&A so students can hold us to account on what we are doing to represent them.
Voting for the students’ union elections opens at 7pm on Friday, the 12th March and will close at 5pm on Friday the 19th of March.
By Sripriya Vattikula