Manifesto Analysis: a round-up of the SRC general representative applicants

Alongside the sabbatical officers, it is the general representatives’ role to represent all students on campus. Their wide remit allows those elected to explore and promote areas of passion. This is the most hotly contested position with eleven students vying for the role, and News Editor Luke Chafer gives his rundown of each manifesto.

Abdul Iqbal:

A fourth-year mechanical engineer, Abdul lacks experience in similar roles however has great enthusiasm. His primary objective is to enhance the student experience, to enable students to become “great leaders in the fields they want”, by offering opportunities with clubs and societies. 

Arda Gyunesh:

Visibly different in structure compared to the rest, Arda’s manifesto is focused on three core values: equality, communication, and safety. He discusses his desire for greater cooperation between year groups, increased safety on campus, and equal treatment of all students. In a crowded field though, he does little to stand out, presenting values all candidates appear to promote.

Ellie Wood:

Ellie demonstrates both her experience and understanding of relevant student issues in her manifesto. She has been an SRC freshers helper previously and sat on the RAG committee. Her areas of focus are to make training like “Mind Your Mate” mandatory for SRC clubs and societies (as it is in GUSA); to ensure that students currently housed outside of Glasgow can integrate into student life; and to push for greater transparency on issues of investment and environment at the University.

Fraser Innes:

A different tack has been taken by Fraser in acknowledging the SRC’s limited budget. He states: “If elected I would look to focus the limited resources [of the] SRC on more easily attainable goals rather than to risk achieving nothing running against the brick walls of the university establishment”. Whilst the sentiment is understandable, it appears to throw the purpose of the role into question. One might suggest that it is in fact a student union’s role to run against “the brick walls of university establishment” if it means standing up for student interests?

Keshav Jhawar:

Evidently a keen candidate however besides the longing for the role, Keshav’s manifesto lacks substance.

Lewis Trundle:

A third-year computer student Lewis has also been an SRC freshers helper and currently holds the position of Charities and Outreach officer on the RAG committee. Lewis’s primary aims are to promote the services and clubs already on offer but to also offer greater assistance to home students in embedding into campus life. Overall Lewis shows a blend of relevant experience and measured aims for his prospective time in office.

Pak Su:

Pak Su offers a manifesto that revolves around two aims: improving student mental health, and improving international student representation. He is the only candidate to provide tangible methods for ensuring achievement of proposed goals. He also boasts experience as a freshers’ team leader, as well as being a 1st-year medicine class representative. 

Qijia (Vivian) Zhang:

Qijia’s personality comes across in her manifesto, which speaks of her experience as a class representative during her undergraduate degree in New Zealand. Her main focus is to ensure the environment for international students is improved. 

Rita McGonigle:

A third-year politics student, Rita’s manifesto is packed full of pledges: improving women’s safety, increasing access to information and support, and the creation of more clubs and societies. Unlike a couple of the other candidates, she doesn’t have past experience on committees, but offers a host of interests and a connection to current issues for students.

Ross Whip:

Ross’s manifesto is clear and concise. He aims to use his experience as a home student to remedy some of the challenges they face. This is in addition to another of his pledges to improve signposting to pre-existing services. 

Sreejitha Sreekumar:

Focusing on mental health provision and student access, Sreejitha feels her prior experience in a college union alongside a history of extensive volunteering at events will help her achieve her aims.