I agree that the only reason the UGM voting was so high this year was because of the GFH situation.

Lewis

Secondly, I have to say it is only now in my third year that I have bothered to vote on anything. This is for a number of reasons.

First year, I was just here to have a good time, do a bit of work here and there and maybe play some sports and get a bit lashed. I wasn’t interested in what I hazily percieved to be somewhat petty politics which went on over near Goodricke somewhere. I never really had a clear idea of what YUSU did, and I am pretty sure that it wasn’t made especially clear when I first arrived at uni.

I think the ONLY thing which I properly associated with YUSU was the barcott against closing campus bars, which didn’t impress me that much, because as far as I made out, the protesting of some suddenly alcoholically challenged students wasn’t going to have much effect on the universities plans anyway (If I remember rightly, we postponed the closures pending a review, and then the bar opening hours were going to be cut back anyway in the beginning of the next year). Also, I was too busy really having a good time to really say anything more than - “Well that’s a bit crap…but Langwith and Alcuin bars are rubbish anyway, what’s the problem with shutting them midweek anyway?”

So essentially I really don’t remember YUSU having ANY impact on me personally in first year, and much the same can be said for second year. I remember being disgruntled with certain things, but never really percieved that YUSU might have the power to attempt to change anything. I am still not sure how much YUSU can ACTUALLY influence things. However, now I am in the third year and maybe slightly more politically and socially aware than I was 2 and a half years ago, I now have the attitude that there’s no harm trying whatever the odds, and if I don’t vote on things then quite frankly i’ve no right to complain or have an opinion anyway!

My point then, is the fact that I really don’t feel YUSU has enough ‘presence’ on the campus, and especially outside of campus. More could be done to emphasise the students role in the decision making at uni. One email or two a week and posters in kitchens isn’t really enough.

The trouble is I can’t really see a way of improving people’s awareness without becoming more ‘militant’ or doing things that stand out. I guess maybe that’s the answer then. (Tom Scott’s recent antics spring to mind - people do KNOW about him, simply because he stands out - however, everybody dressing as pirates maybe isn’t an ideal solution). I think one way would be to make YUSU much more of a presence during freshers week, and also within the colleges and around the campus throughout the year. Gathering interest during first year is of vital importance if you want people to continue to take an interest in second year, once they’ve moved out of the campus bubble.

Actually have representatives of YUSU going round the colleges, and showing a PERSONAL interest in students who otherwise might not have any contact with student bodies. Maybe this could be done in close cooperation with the JCRCs of the colleges. People like to be taken an interest in, somebody enthusiastic and easy to talk to who comes round listening to whatever issues or even postive points students have is much more likely to make people feel involved and more importantly willing to GET INVOLVED than an email prompting you to look at some website and fill in an online form. This could be done in conjunction with college events, such as bar quizes, or Planet Vs and Club Ds and Goodricke whatever they have. Again, I don’t really know if any of that would be feasable, but I don’t remember ANYTHING like that happening during my first year.

I think if YUSU wants more participation it simply boils down to becoming more popular, accessible and eye-catching to the general student community. Do silly things to gain attention if necessary. Organise shameless publicity stunts, make massive weekly banners that hang from central hall with catchy stupid slogans etc… Once people have noticed, laughed at you and commented on how silly such and such was, you are in their consciousness, and you may just stay there long enough for them to take note of the more serious issues that you deal with. Remain a slightly innaccessible (Yes, I know technically anyone can access the offices to talk to you, but it’s just the vibe I am on about here) cloud in a boring square office block down in Goodricke, and you simply wont.

Feel free to comment on, deride and pick apart what I’ve said. It’s just my thoughts and impressions.

Josh,
If you’d read my article you would see that it’s not that people aren’t voting because the only things coming up in UGM are considered ‘petty’. More people voted on the farcical ‘graduate in the Minister’ motion than they did on the NUS issue. If we had chosen to leave the NUS that would have completely changed how certain aspects of the university are run. I think to say that people don’t vote because they think motions are petty is just misinformed. If anything, it seems that it’s these ‘petty’ motions (in the case of the current UGM, the replacement of Trevor the golden duck) that get people voting.

Sarah Foster

From my observations over the last three years the majority of UGM votes have been for petty or stupid things; or just things I really, really do not care about. A huge majority of ethical votes, which, selfish to say, I don’t care about. Others are for things that will never change.

The things that matter YUSU can’t do anything about. Course related issues I’d send to the course rep or the head of department or whatever, not get YUSU involved.

I’m not saying YUSU is useless as for some people it’s a good thing. But for the *majority* of students it’s just something for students with low contact hours to do to keep them occupied, so we pay no interest.

Turn out is HIGHER than ever and the same criticism comes again and again.

Posters went in every kitchen! Electronic mailshot to every student! Facebook events! What more can we do?!

What do you suggest we do to improve voting turn out as you suggest Sarah? We appreciate all suggestions!

I, personally, thoroughly enjoy reading York news and getting involved politically - but even if I didn’t I’d see it as a duty to vote. And with York being a top-ten university full of majority-fluent English-speakers, I don’t think that anybody could come with an excuse of being unable to understand policies.

But how can we get them to vote? No idea, and unfortunately Australia’s fine-if-you-don’t-vote trick can’t be applied to the university! :p