OUSU elections largely uncontested
Only one post will be contested in this year’s Student Union elections. Two candidates are running for President but five sabbatical positions and all the part-time executive positions are uncontested. Current President Emma Norris denied the situation reflected a long term decline into apathy, but admitted that it was unusual for certain positions such as the Vice President (Finance) to attract only one applicant. “There’s no way to predict it - it varies from year to year.
We’ve tried to increase publicity, increase contact with JCRs and update the candidates’ information as much as possible.” She said there had been a lot of initial interest in the posts but that people may have been put off by candidates declaring their interest very early in the campaign. “It’s all cut up way too soon,” said Norris. VP (Access and Academic Affairs) Charlynne Pullen argued that the collegiate system put the central union at a disadvantage.
“Oxford has more people involved in student politics than other student unions around the country but this tends to be focused on JCR positions,” she said. Norris also admitted that JCR politics do seem closer to students on a day to day basis. “Students should feel as passionately about their central union as they do their JCRs, it is as relevant to their needs.” Last year only the positions of President and VP (Finance) were contested, and no nominations were received for VP (Women).
10th Nov 2005