22.35

Waheyyy and Hustings is OVER. Thanks everyone, it’s been emotional. Good luck to everyone running, see you tomorrow in Vanbrugh for the debate where we will be taking questions from the floor, bring your paper and your ammunition and take your chance to ask the Presidential Candidates exactly what you want!

22.35

Oh – and is there any Golden Dragon left!?

22.34

Over and out! See you soon, from Apcar…

22.34

Sam thinks the student market was a “lovely idea” but that discussions need to be open.

He chooses: that without a way of involving people, there’s no way of involving people in Democracy, so therefore Services because of its contribution to the Union!

And the finally tally:
Nouse: 3, Vision: 0

Yayyyy!

22.33

Dan Walker thinks credit must go to the guys that set up York Student Market. He thinks Services directly affect people and Democracy can sometimes get lost on campus, so Democracy is more important. He goes for Nouse too….I get the feeling that everyone’s just following the crowd on that one…

22.31

He goes for NOUSE. Wise choice.

22.31

Chris isn’t in a great position to comment, he says, on the first question.

Democracy is most important, in his opinion.

And…although he thinks he’ll get slated either way: Nouse because of their “wonderful blog and all the comments”. Waheyyyyy.

22.30

Would you bring a student market to campus?

Which is more important Democray or Services?

Nouse or Vision?

22.29

FINAL QUESTIONS…AGAIN…

22.28

Dan would like to be environmentally friendly…

LONG LIVE DOUBLE GLAZING! No one likes single glazed.

And he’d vote for…come on, Dan…Sam.

Oooer. Sam and Dan. It rhymes. San. Dam? No, can’t make it work. Oh well.

22.26

Chris would vote for Sam and his “fantastic knowledge”. It’s definitely man love.

22.26

Sam thinks there are other ways of finding out what people think other than UGMs.

22.24

Lynn can you get my dry skin cream? I woke up this morning and my pillow looked like a flap jack…

22.24

Re-fillable water fountains!? A revoluntionary concept…Ooooooer.

22.23

Penultimate round wahoooooo!

22.22

Dan would “definitely be more open”. YUSU should be there to “knock walls down”. He’d “definitely get fully behind colleges”, which is his headline policy – college strength.

He’d like to get YUSU funding for college space in campus media, by working with YUM.

22.22

Does anyone like Alan Partridge? Monkey tennis anyone? Give us your favourite quotes. Anyone for a cup of beans?!

22.21

Sam would definitely improve on his predecessor, he thinks, and wants to concentrate not on what’s broken, but on what progress he can make.

His headline: an Ents review. That everyone should a say on what’s run, which he believes is crucial, in conjunction with better gigs. He’d like to “re-invigorate” campus!

22.20

John Major up again, still no dancing… We are apparently a lovely bunch but there aren’t enough of us. WE’RE DOING OUR BEST JOHN OK? He would look into replacing patio heaters and would do some research to find an alternative.

22.19

Pipe down, Tom Flynn!

Nick Scarlett is giving me a nod. Where’s the hat, Nick!?

22.18

Sam has “taken influence from Chandler from Friends” for his dance….

He wants to review the way we run events and will be submitting a UGM tomorrow for an annual review of campus events.

Daniels also based his decision on his competency to run.

22.17

BOOOO. DANCE. BOOO.

22.16

John Major up next/Etheridge…. HE REFUSES TO DANCE. Just lost about 60 votes for that I reckon.

22.16

BOOOOO, EVERYONE CAN DANCE, CHRIS!
The Chair is forcing him to answer the question by physical displays…

22.16

Walker’s up first with the questions from each other:

Dance – Carlton’s dance a la Fresh Prince of Bel Air. AMAZING. A classic moment, no?

Unique selling point – the mobile Courtyard. Taking bar facilities out to colleges who don’t have them, which he says is a very viable campaign policy.

Deciding to run for D&S – after coming out of his college Chair position, and feeling his competency was high.

22.15

Fresh Prince Fever here at Hustings….here you go

22.13

Dan thinks the catered aspect of York is “very very important”.

As for the Sabbs…we definitely need to keep a President, who should be a face of the Union, and have a Welfare Sabb – we should never take it forgranted…and thirdly, Sport, which he admits is incredibly important, especially for college involvement.

No joint-questions to the other candidates allowed! Oooooer. Dan asks: why did you make the decision to run.

22.10

Daniels would choose the Sabbs:
President taking on the D&S remit
And having Academic and Welfare.

Something about a dance?
He dances.
I think everyone is too brainwashed, as Charlotte says, to realise the brilliance of Sam busting a move.

22.10

Daniels would choose the Sabbs:
President taking on the D&S remit
And having Academic and Welfare.

Something about a dance?
He dances.
I think everyone is too brainwashed, as Charlotte says, to realise the brilliance of Sam busting a move.

22.08

Oooh a hoot, a whistle and a purr for Daniels. Looks like Dave Hansen’s Animals of Farthing Wood speech from yesterday is already creeping in… brainwashing anyone?!

22.07

Controverrrrrsial, I hear you say? : If there could only be 3 Sabb positions, what would they be?

22.06

Daniels is back. Thinks that Charlie, Rhianna and Emily are ace. Aw, that was nice. He thinks that there is progress being made to involve more disabled students.

22.04

Walker says we’ve not had “many decent female Sabbs in”…

And thinks it’s important to put together an election booklet so manifestos can be widely distributed.

Matt Bailey nodding vigorously to “our courses are insane in terms of contact hours”.

22.02

There aren’t many female candidates running for Sabbs…

Chris says we need to emphasise why being a Sabb is a wonderful opportunity.

He’d offer to meet every student if possible…and is talking about disenfranchisment of certain colleges.

We need more non-alcoholic events, he claims.

22.00

Charlie Leyland giving me winks. At least there’s an upside to this night. Apcar feels loved.

21.59

OOH OOH. More breast-stroke. Will Etheridge follow suit?

Chris would “never threaten Big D”.
He’s also applying for an MA.

And the stroke….”well, things haven’t gone swimmingly this year”…but HE DOES A BACKSTROKE. Another moment to watch back later, we feel! A definite must.

21.59

Daniels now, can’t wait for the swimming. Anyone for butterfly?! He thinks Derwent have a massive college spirit. I’m in Derwent, it’s true, nothing beats a good Slag and Drag. He wants to keep Big D, huzzah! In a years time he will have improved campus events and made as much progress as he possibly can. He’s going for front crawl I think, but didn’t pretend to swim as much as Dan…

21.57

Out of water desmonstrations of breast-stroke from Mr. Walker. Two widths!

Charlotte’s not impressed, she’d do the whole LAP, apparently. OH REALLY, Charlotte? Reeeeeally? Let’s just think back to Derwent’s Take Me Out, shall we?

21.55

Charlotte just gave me a little ROAAAR. I think the insanity is setting in. Must be the spring rolls. Or the company.

21.54

Walker:

Would want to think about the plans for this stadium and give it due consideration…but it’d be a positive move in terms of giving links with the local community.

Dan says turning Democracy into a staff position is fine as an idea, but that it’s important that a York student should take on the role. Students need their own say on campus.

We should always “respect the student body”, he believes.

21.52

Etheridge is in support of the first proposal – we’re desperate for a swimming pool, he claims…

Students should be responsible for their own democracy, he says.

And we seem to be leaning towards green policies, so probably that way he thinks.

21.51

Daniels, whooping before he even starts and WHISTLING. Cheeky. He wants to ensure that students get the best they can out of student facilities. He would want to think about the wider impact of what we do and go with what the students want. Very democratic indeedy.

21.51

Lots of questions coming in from Tim Ngwena…

21.50

Mark Corrigan, it’s Apcar here: are you here this evening? Come visit! Although Charlotte’s relationship status is confidential information. Sorry…but still, come on downnnnn!

21.49

More questions now:

The City of York Council have discussed proposal for a City League Stadium which might be part of Hes East…what are your thoughts?

Plans to remove Democracy from a Sabb position and make it a paid position – thoughts?

21.48

Daniels up now… he says “yeah fantastic, but it’s not going to happen is it?” to the monorail idea. Well done Sherlock… Seriously though, he will expand the travel scheme if he gets elected. He wants a YUSU complaints procedure as well as the University one. He wants independent hearings and stuff, and would want to look at other unions to get some more ideas for that one… He doesn’t want to talk about YUSU being broken but how we can make progress. He really at good at speaking, I feel very inspired.

21.47

Well informed but dramatic words from Sam Daniels, brief coming up from Charlotte in a second when he’s finished speaking…

21.47

Would like to take the opportunity to note here: the Nouse banner has not fallen down this evening. Yay!

21.45

Walker now…

Hilarious idea, (apparently the idea has always been around since he started…) it’d be brilliant, if Alan Sugar could “drop a couple of million on us”…

Offensive behaviour towards another student is unacceptable in a university environment, he says: “I’d have thought people who be a bit more grown up than that” – but punishment should be dependent on proof and the seriousness of their actions.

Dan says a lot of people “kicked off” about Burton’s previous plans to reform the Grad Ball, and that he’d been in the wrong by supporting that move. He’d like to re-format both Freshers and Grad Balls, but he wants to consult students via UGMs with enough time and information to make an informed decision.

21.43

Monorail anyone?! Click here (when you get home obviously…)

21.42

Etheridge- the first question has been planted, he says, but he doesn’t agree!

The constitution should allow students to report offensive behaviour…but thinks the Union shouldn’t have the power to reprimand students.

He believes his campaign is one of the most positive, in that he believes promises must be upheld.

21.41

More questions:

What do you think of a campus monorail?

(Kat says extra points if you can sing the song from The Simpsons)

21.40

Etheridge takes the stand:

The best thing to do is not to make financial commitments until you’re aware of the implications. He want to be careful not to take away from SA.

Walking 28 miles in a day for charity, raising over £2000, with everyone coming back alive!

He’d love to take over McQ’s if financially viable.

21.40

Sam up again, thinks that a better act for the Summer Ball would be super-duper. He thinks we have to be careful that the Ball doesn’t affect student activities. His best achievement is organising and running Access All Areas. He would keep McQ’s. Lots of whooping. I have a feeling everyone is just whooping for everyone so it’s not very easy to tell you who’s getting the best reception from the crowd…

21.38

The Ale idea went down well. Surprise, surprise…

21.38

Walker –

Spending more money on larger acts should be done. Profits are mostly high anyway from the summer ball, and would be worth it if the bands actually turn up.

Leading new students onto Goodricke Hes East is his biggest achievement, which he thinks is obvious as it’s a remote location, something he’s most proud of in his “life, let alone University.”

He’d consult students re. McQ’s and would look at accounts to see if it could be done, and would personally look into a Real Ale bar, with jukebox.

21.36

Rhianna is wondering if Etheridge is saying that she didn’t fufill her election promises this year? Ooh-er, fisticuffs at Hustings tonight…Actually, who do you do reckon would win out of Rhianna and Etheridge in a fight to the death?

21.36

The questioning saga begins:

Would you spend more money on a better summer ball, and would you take the money from higher prices or SA?

What’s your best achievement since being at University?

What would you do if you were offered to take over McQ’s from the University?

21.35

Dan Walker swaggers to the stand… what a husky voice! He isn’t going to bore us. Hoorah! He thinks campus and uni has untapped potential, and he has the passion and commitment to make his policies happen. He wants to get back onto the major gig circuit. Rock and Roll. He wants to involve colleges, with clear and accessible democracy, and wants a forum with opinion polls. He thinks fresher’s ball was an awful start for YUSU last term. He will provide a shopping bus and “will drive it [himself[ if he has to”.

21.34

Punchy punch speeches from all 3 candidates so far. Check them out later on at YSTV, they’re well worth a watch.

Finally – this might get tense…the atmosphere is hotting up, oooh ooooh!

Walker is getting so into it that he has to step back a bit from the microphone.

21.33

Chris Etheridge now –

He starts up with a LOT of ideas including a swimming pool, drinking fountains and many MANY more…but claims these ideas aren’t fanciful, and that promises that are only headlines end today. He says he’s checked and can fulfil his promises. His experience: organising 4 society balls, 2 charity walks raising £5,000, YUSU Campaigns Officer, and says that real changes takes time and doesn’t take place overnight. The list is so long that he urges us all to go to his website.

No more broken promises, he says.

21.31

Sam Daniels up first…

As your candidate for D+S he’s not going to tell you how to make your decision, in a democracy it’s up to you. He thinks that progress is possible and will re-brand UGM’s to let students know that they really can make a difference. He will bring better entertainment to campus. But what’s better than a giant panda you ask? I know, I know… He wants to bring a serious change to campus entertainment. Lots of good cheering and whooping/woofing?! Very good speech that, “I have a dream” etc. etc.

21.28

We’re back. Democracy and Services now…

21.26

Lots of people seem to have left…including Ali Clark, Nouse Tech-extraordinare. So long, farewell!

21.23

Spring rolls. Sweet and sour chicken. Rice. Heaven.

21.21

Many greetings to all of Nouse‘s followers…come see us at the front. We’re pigging out but like visitors…

21.20

Tom Flynn keeps adding to the debate….and the SA candidates LEAVE THE FLOOR, to a huge, huge tumult.

21.19

Katie up next, she thinks YUSU Fair 2 and Employability week are both great. She would vote for Nick because he has far more experience. She is also a vegetarian.

21.19

Hesselwood thinks Freshers Fair is so hectic that this year they engaged far more….

She’d vote for Luke because their policies are fairly similar.

And would go with the Jack Russells because badgers wouldn’t taste great.

And…the food has arrived. Yayyyyy. Charlotte is crunching a spring roll next to me. Very distracting.

21.17

Scarlett thinks that ‘We Are Golden’ is the best thing that YUSU have run for a long time. He’d vote for Katie because he thinks she has a fresh approach.

21.16

Tom: “Can we talk later?”
Chair: “I can guarantee you we won’t.”

Where’s Doorsafe when you need them!?

21.16

LAST TWO QUESTIONS:

Rhianna has achieved many great things this year – what would you choose as her best so far?

Which of your opponents would you vote for and why?

AND THE RETURN OF:
Would you rather eat a live badger or have Jack-Russell terriers for feet?

Also – a marriage proposal to the Chair from Tom Flynn…AND HE GETS MERCILESSLY SHOT DOWN.

21.16

Malkin would vote for Rachel because “her policies are better”…no offence. Don’t you just hate it when people say that?!

21.14

Malkin up next, very strident…

He was talking to the head of Doug Soc who apparently just wants to be left alone. Know how you feel… He thinks course reps are fab and wants to destroy the stereotype that Gordon Brown did/n’t set up.

21.12

Tim Ngwena has entered the building…

And Unsworth now:
She loves the communication through the societies forums, but knows that a lot of societies take care of themselves and are very capable. She says the job of SA is for them to be there when needed. She’s also loving the subject societies. Equal support is needed across the board, and equal opportunities for every single society.
She also has no idea about the Gordon Brown comments – she thinks SA is a very difficult position and Brown can “take it wherever he wants to, or whatever”

21.11

Hesslewood back for more, she loves those questions…

She wants to start up a societies committee, and feed information around about information. Speaking of which I am starrrrving. She thinks it’s a really good thing to get YUSU engaging with departments and that it’s all a question of communication. She thinks all the officers in the Union work incredibly hard and challenges Gordon Brown to try being a Student Activities Officer. To be honest, I can’t see Gordon trekking it up to York to take her up on the offer….

21.09

Scarlett thinks societies do a good job of sorting themselves out…

He thinks Rhianna has run some very good society forums this year, and would like to carry on that good work.
“You can’t get them to engage with you if you won’t engage with them.”

He loves the Course Rep system, but thinks they should be encouraged to get involved with subject societies. “Work together, not against each other”, says the Captain.

Gordon Brown probably has better things to think about currently!?

He’d like to see some of the Sabb when they’re still there “working their asses off for us”, as they do, at 1am!

MUCH HECKLING.

21.09

Fight the power Scarlett…

21.07

A small mini-bar seems to be racking up and drunken giggly people are submitting pretend questions about Gordon Brown. Hardy-ha-ha.

21.06

How would you improve communication between the Union and all the societies?

21.06

Wow. So many questions. Lovely.

21.05

Scarlett thinks the YUM officer needs more general respect of what they do and they need to be given more responsibility. He thinks they should have more powers…like Napolean Dynamite. I’d really like wolverine powers personally… He doesn’t thinks things should be done exclusively online but thinks you shouldn’t have to go to the studio if you can do it from home. I like that idea as I prefer to work from my bed, like John and Yono Oko…except I don’t think they were working…

21.04

Wow. So many questions. Lovely.

21.03

Malkin, again:

Not stepping on anyone’s toes can be avoided by frequent meetings and talking. He admits to being a bit of a gossip, and says the role needs to know everything that’s going on, especially about things that he “wouldn’t dream about knowing” about at the moment…

RAG isn’t under the SA remit, Malkin says, and is up for living back on campus so would be right there but without stepping on people’s toes.

Going into the Studios means talking to people, and that’s a necessity rather than going online than waiting for an email. He likes the “system perfectly as it is.”

21.03

Only 75 comments *sob* doesn’t look like we’re going to break our record under these fun new censorship rules…

21.01

Unsworth up now…

She doesn’t have a lot of experience in YUM and would want to massive liase with the YUM committee. Thats me. GET IN. She thinks a YUM chair is very important…to chair things. Very incisive. She wants to emphasise the importance of society forums and get people to say exactly what they want online.

21.00

What happened to the ACTIVITY question, anyone!!?

I want the panda back.

The panda was fun.

20.59

Rachel first, again…

She’d liase with the YUM Chair, which she’s had experience of this past year, “communication is the key”.

She thinks the position should exist, as it’s essential…Rachel thinks that it’s really difficult.

RAG would definitely get involved in anything that way related, and would always check with the CEO if she wasn’t sure.

Everything is online, she believes, and really loves the YUSU Studio, it’d seem…

20.57

More questions..whoopa…

How will you ensure that you don’t step on the toes of the YUM chair?

How will you carry out RAG related policies which are not under your job description?

What more society admin would you put online?

20.57

Where. Is. The. Food!?

20.57

It’s all about the YUM. Yummmm Yummm.

20.56

Hesselwood now –

“Colleges are a massively great area with the whole issue as they’re not fully part of the Union” so she’d like to sit down with Saul (Union CEO) to discuss.

She thinks publicity is the key to Hustings, and thinks students don’t have much choice but to engage with the elections because of postering etc.

Rachel would check about past controversial society ratifications, and if there were no ruling it’d otherwise be out of her hands.

20.54

bahaha you can even hear the clinking of bottles at the back of tonight’s hustings…

Scarlett: Thinks Ultra Vires is misunderstood and that we need to communicate to the societies what it means clearly by using a lawyer. He also wants LN028 instead of here, potentially because he fancies a beer and burger and also hopes people are watching on URY. EH?! URY?! YSTV is I think what he means…lots more cheering and “yeaahhhhsss”

20.54

Watching URY!? Oh, Nick…

20.54

Ms. Hogarth-Jones has noted that we could become secretaries after this and our touch-typing abilities becoming top top notch…excellent, an opportunity to buy a whole new wardrobe of smart clothes. Yay!

20.52

Next – Luke Malkin.

If colleges want to do this, he’d ask why, because the charities are voted in for students, but would understand only in terms of one off cases such as AIDS crises.

He’d also encourage events, assuming they’d want to fundraise, to use as little money of the college budget as possible.

Malkin would book rooms in advance so people attend Hustings and make it more high profile, and says it’s not well advertised enough but was expecting a worse turn out than this…

There’s nothing immediately stopping a BNP society, but there’d be nothing stopping the society – and would direct them towards talking to the racial equality officers.

20.52

Luke was apparently expecting less people…what can we say Luke, when there’s beer and party hats the students of York can’t resist….

20.50

Unsworth up again…

She thinks that colleges raising outside of RAG is a very difficult one. She thinks more people need to go to Hustings, like Rhianna she’s not digging tonights humble abode much either… She thinks that people weren’t aware that hustings were on tonight. She thinks you can’t turn down people wanting a society and that she doesn’t have the position to say “no you can’t have that” to anyone. She also thinks that last point is “probably controversial”. Do you?

20.48

PWM is in the house…

The questions continue –

If a college wanted to fundraising for charities outside RAG, what would your response be concerning ultra-vires laws?

How would you overcome barriers concerning student led activities?

How would you make sure more students turn up to Hustings next year?

If students were seeking ratification for a BNP society, how would you treat this case?

20.47

Unsworth now… thinks you can never have too many volunteers and wants to create more projects which are relevant to more people to accommodate anyone that wants to participate. She organised the parade this year, and wants to liase with Woodstock committee well for events. She thinks that facilities, timetabling and space are all massive issues and something she wants to work on. And Peter Warner-Medley’s just popped in through the door…

20.45

Hesselwood takes to the floor…

She’s been “massively involved” in getting these numbers of volunteers, and would like to get projects linked with the local community.

Hesselwood says the problem with CRB checks is that international students can’t get this if they haven’t been living in the country for under a year, but this needs to change so as to alleviate the problem.

Rachel would be doing whatever Woodstock needs her to do, and lending her support throughout, including going upwards to the university.

She thinks that societies should work with departments even more, and going online which Rhianna has started this year, but needs to be developed even further.

20.42

Nick wants more funding to facilitate more volunteering. He wants international students to get more involved and will work with the ISA to do this. He would do whatever the Woodstock co-ordinator and the RAG co-ordinator would ask him to do, and lists lots of helpful things like doing their paperwork etc. He thinks the University aren’t very good at communicating with YUSU and we need to put pressure on them so that they “don’t make a balls up of things”.

20.42

Can the panda make himself known to Nouse later?

And any updates on the take-away? Getting peckish at the front, here…something about spring rolls, I heard through the grapevine?

20.40

Malkin wants to work heavily with volunteering chairs, and pick up on it when people aren’t doing things. CRB checks should be able to comply with volunteering

As a Woodstock events organiser, Luke wants to walk as a dogs-body as much as possible and is willing to take on the role to sort everything out.

He wants to open the Dixon Studio, which will be a large performance space, and therefore will create less clashes. He thinks feedback is very important – with communication it’s not difficult to work out these issues.

20.38

Even more questions:

YUSU Volunteering has too many volunteers- how could we make sure all students have the chance, and how can we ensure that given CRB checks, international students could get involved?

What’s your organisational role in Woodstock?

Given that various drama societies have run-ins with timetabling, how will you foster better communication between societies, YUSU, and departments?

20.37

Luke Malkin takes to the stand…

He would be happy to have the Yorker in YUM IF they signed the media charter. Quite right too. He loves the amount of beneficiaries there are at the moment and wouldn’t want an increase apart from maybe one or two. Re. the summer ball, he would encourage performance societies to do things like warm-up acts. Lots of whooping for Malkin too, it’s like being on the set of Jerry Springer…

20.36

Please tell me someone has submitted an “Activities challenge” as a question for candidates? If not…just a suggestion…
Maybe the panda could get involved!?

20.35

Unsworth for questions, starts out by stating that she feels she might be re-iterating, but…

It’s not for her to say, but should be taken into account by YUM Committees, and says she doesn’t have much knowledge in that area, but one of her policies is “what would I do for you” – and might delegate in that area.
Another policy is to focus on her core charities, and says it’s all about focussing on the students and their desires.
Unsworth wouldn’t be comfortable taking profits away from activities.
She’d like to consult D&S about the last question.

20.33

Hesslewood up now…

She likes the Yorker and thinks its good to have an external source. She doesn’t think it should be in YUM without signing the media charter. She thinks we should have more charities so that there’s more chance that students feel passionate about them and want to get involved. For the Summer Ball she will work as a team with the other Sabbs and discuss the act with them. She wouldn’t be willing to take money from activities.

20.31

Scarlett to answer first:

He thinks The Yorker is good, and an external looking in is good. He thinks the YUM Chair needs to think about this – and is disappointed that YUM Chair didn’t get a Hustings position. He thinks the relationship with The Yorker should be formalised.
Scarlett likes the 6 beneficiaries work well, too many wouldn’t be useful.
Having more money at the Summer Ball is up to D&S in his opinion, but thinks that it’s not a case of affording acts…money should go straight to Student Activities instead.

20.29

What is your opinion of the Yorker and do you think it should be in YUM?

Do you think RAG should have fewer beneficiaries with lots of dosh or lots of little ones with less money?

Would you spend more money on a better summer ball act? Would you raise ticket prices?

20.29

Hannah Ellis-Petersen braves leaping over the stands…any peril for Nouse!!

20.28

There’s a Scarlett massive here, big whoops…getting rowdy!! And a “ridiculous amount” of questions…

20.28

Scarlett up now and the crowd goes wild!

He doesn’t want to say much about the past. He’s now talking in rhyme. he wants college specific rag raids in freshers term and easier admin for societies online. He wants summer work and volunteering set up for students and wants skills training programs for students so they are better equipped to work. If you like what you hear can I hear a cheer? Scarlett asks. And the crowd goes wild again. Very rowdy indeed.

20.27

Nick Scarlett, aka. Captain Scarlett is talking in rhyme. Poet laureate? Comments below, please…

20.27

Next to take to the floor: Luke Malkin.

Luke might be easily impressed because he’s from Stoke-on-Trent, and has been Dancesport President, and thinks it should never ben forgotten how much there is on offer here. Luke claims to have a great knowledge about how things work at York – he says the biggest problems are about society spaces, and that there is a disgrace in that YUSU have no system of knowing where any society stores its equipment on campus.
He wants to introduce Lucky the Duck, and have a Lucky 7 policy scheme. Luke is confident about his policies, and that he doesn’t want to make an empty list of these. He wants voters to check them out online.

20.25

Pandariffic here at Hustings, I take back everything I say about this being boring.

20.24

Kathryn Unsworth up now…

says she doesn’t think she can make a good impression following the giant furry Panda. Fair point. She thinks uni is not just a academic experience. She thinks some students don’t know how to get involved and wants to encourage further interaction between societies and forums on campus. She wants to make sure everyone is aware of Ultra Vires and understands it (see Nouse for some cracking articles on that btw). She wants to push RAG and YUSU volunteering to reach their full potential and get bigger and better events. Massive and very loud cheering for Kathryn including a claxon I think…snazzy..

20.22

FINALLY! Some FUN!! A huge furry panda has just entered the building to applaud Rachel.

And then swiftly exited.

Who is this mysterious mammal!? Comment us up with insider info please!

20.21

Screams for Rachel Hesselwood!

She’s currently YUSU Volunteering Officer and has been widely involved in representing the student bodies – she sees the role as being about communication, support, and not for RAG events. The role is to fight for “what you want”. Some demographics don’t fully participate so Rachel wants to make sure Activities are fully accessible. She want to be forward thinking and has reserached her ideas but “isn’t taking the easy way out” on her policies.
Rachel wants to make sure that RAG and Volunteering aren’t forgotten, and wants to begin a Society Starter Fund Programme.

20.19

Hustings hotting up now for Student Activities…

20.19

Deafening cheers for Nick Scarlett! OUCH.

20.18

Starting up again now…run back to your PC’s…

20.17

Anna Bucks of YUM-ba fame informs us that some of the question time videos are up from yesterday’s Hustings…go go go!

20.13

Frecks is not so happy about that last comment…freeing up the media eh? I have pointed out to him that us not commenting on his spanking gestures is against his campaign but he says he doesn’t think it’s in the public interest…hmm…

20.12

Stephen O’Ryan is fessing up to Nouse about his waxing tendancies – it even won a free meal on a date with David Sharp!

20.12

Matthew Freckleton has just wandered in…and made a massive spanking gesture…

20.10

Stephen O’Ryan is fessing up to Nouse about his waxing tendancies – it even won a free meal on a date with David Sharp!

20.09

Sorry bout the duplicated entries, still on 15 min break!

20.04

Could we hear more about this eco-friendly pub? Interesting stuff…

20.02

Free food has been promised to Apcar from Mr. Bulley! Well, a bite at least. I will be holding you to this…

20.01

Thank you for the hat Captain Blue, but I will be keeping impartial. It is beautiful though. Maybe I will sport it in the Nouse office next production weekend?

20.00

It’s all got rather emotional in here! Wow.

20.00

Robyn and Verity –

Plastic bags: will continue to campaign on this issue, a survey of students in Your:Shop has found that a lot of students would actually bring their own bags instead of pay a charge. Students want easy instead of hassle, they say. The girls want to find out what the students want.
An eco-friendly pub is a future plan too, it’s a pattern rather than a career positioning, a degree has even been changed to make sure.
They love it – so are proud of their “geekdom”!
They would describe themselves as a little bit hippie, but people have a stereotype of not a lot getting done. The girls are planning to override this, and get opionions out to people – stereotypes shouldn’t be an issue. They’d like to work with other committies as well.

20.00

Sorry, have just been corrected by lovely George – hippy is actually spelt “hippie”. Correction duly noted. Thank you George!

20.00

Robyn and Verity –

Plastic bags: will continue to campaign on this issue, a survey of students in Your:Shop has found that a lot of students would actually bring their own bags instead of pay a charge. Students want easy instead of hassle, they say. The girls want to find out what the students want.
An eco-friendly pub is a future plan too, it’s a pattern rather than a career positioning, a degree has even been changed to make sure.
They love it – so are proud of their “geekdom”!
They would describe themselves as a little bit hippie, but people have a stereotype of not a lot getting done. The girls are planning to override this, and get opionions out to people – stereotypes shouldn’t be an issue. They’d like to work with other committies as well.

19.59

15 minute break..wahoo!

19.59

Robyn and Verity –

Plastic bags: will continue to campaign on this issue, a survey of students in Your:Shop has found that a lot of students would actually bring their own bags instead of pay a charge. Students want easy instead of hassle, they say. The girls want to find out what the students want.
An eco-friendly pub is a future plan too, it’s a pattern rather than a career positioning, a degree has even been changed to make sure.
They love it – so are proud of their “geekdom”!
They would describe themselves as a little bit hippie, but people have a stereotype of not a lot getting done. The girls are planning to override this, and get opionions out to people – stereotypes shouldn’t be an issue. They’d like to work with other committies as well.

19.59

The two E&E girls are really going for this hippie thing in their speech…far out man…

19.57

David is proud to say that he has already been in contact with Costcutter about getting them to reduce plastic bags on campus, and that Yourshop no longer has them. He is doing this job because he cares about it so much, and it’s a huge part of his life. He was chair of the Oxfam Youth Board and thinks he is pretty good at challenging the stereotype, because he is wearing a shirt. He’s right you know, he doesn’t look very hippie-ish at all. He can build relationships with people who aren’t hugely involved with the movement. And who also happen to like fine tailoring. Ok, the last bit was a joke…

Seriously though, it was a very heartfelt and emotional speech, the “huge part of my life” bit brought a tear to my eye…

19.56

Sorry, have just been corrected by lovely George – hippy is actually spelt “hippie”. Correction duly noted. Thank you George!

19.54

How would you reduce the usage of plastic bags?

How will the position add to your career prospects?

How much of a hippie would you describe yourself – how will you combat this sort of stereotype?

19.53

David Clarke up now…

He is “not worried about the rising population of the world”. Fair enough. He thinks that people realise that they have the option not to have lots of children. He doesn’t want to tell people what to do but want to makes it easy for people to make choice about their life. He thinks the fairtrade cola in Yourshop is great, “You should try it!” he offers, could he be to Gumtree Cola what Britney is to Pepsi?!

19.53

Thanks, Captain Blue! I’m starving, had to eat some horrible Piri Piri chicken in Vanbrugh earlier, and then left my cupcake at home

19.52

Verity and Robyn:
There’s not a great deal they can do on the first issue – but there’s such a thing as Fairtrade condoms, apparently!?
But campainging needs to be continued on this, and the discussion of Fairtrade opens up issues of social justice and the global south.
Lots of universites are Fairtrade certified – we need to set any example.
Paper campaigning is more of a waste, they say – but they are online. People are on Facebook anyway, and it only takes a few minutes to look at a manifesto. It won’t be added energy, it’ll be part of energy already being used. It’s not perfect but better than printing on paper.

19.50

Does campaigning online use up energy? Hmmmm…. Nouse aren’t so sure…

19.50

Questions:

The rising population poses an enormous problem for environmental security – what can you do about this in your role?

As the University is already Fairtrade certified, do you think it’s important to continue campaigning on this?

Are you campainging online, and if so do you think it’s stupid that it uses a lot of energy?

19.49

Verity and Robyn say that E+E weren’t mandated to take action for Gaza. They would want to talk to the new campaigns officer and the new president to make sure something is done about this. They think YUSU can still do more for ethical banking, providing freshers with information about ethical banking before they come to York, and they want to keep pushing for divestment from the Arms trade. they see the lake as a political situation and they don’t want to do anything to the lake which might damage the current eco system and campus – they think it needs to be looked into thoroughly.

19.48

Salt and pepper spare ribs!
Maybe something with peppers? If you’re paying, that is…please

19.47

Can my hat have a blue N on it please, Captain Blue? – from Apcar.

19.46

David would like to look into any oversights about the Israel issue…

And he made sure, this year, that YUSU’s other bank account is with a more ethical bank.

He’s interested in looking at the lake, and progress in getting it cleaned up.

Apcar would like Chinese, please? Or Thai. Yum yum.

19.45

More questions!

Last year YUSU adopted a motion condemning Israel’s actions on Gaza – how can we promote more action?

How will campus be made cleaner?

19.44

David tries to make the most of recycled materials and wants people to publicise the elections without posters. In terms of 10:10 he has applied for an Environmental Accreditation Scheme which measures the Unions environmental efforts and how they can improve.

19.43

The girls say they haven’t printed anything on paper but have just used recycled newspapers. They want to encourage college recycling and that it’s not difficult to have green campaigning. They like the idea of using online campaigning.

For 10:10 – attending meets and being persistent is key, they think, and recognise that YUSU is working towards being paper free. They also want to encourage the departments to recycle as well.

19.42

Come on everyone, more exciting questions!

19.41

I wish Nouse had a fashion statement now. Maybe we should’ve made some paper hats.

Questions now:
How would you promote the environment during elections?
How will you get YUSU to complete its 10:10 commitments?

19.41

Verity and Robyn up now…

They really want o makes a positive impact on campus. They will reduce waste on campus and improve recycling facilities. They will get more Fairtrade products on campus including ethical Cola in the courtyard. Sounds tasty. They will make it easier for people to get involved with E+E and will produce a guide to Ultra Vires (I think, didn’t quite hear!)

19.41

19.39

David Clarke, the current Environment and Ethics Officer is up first…

David says it’s one of his most enjoyable and proud moments of University life. He’s made sure YUSU has honoured its mandate to move to more ethical banking, and signing up to the 10:10 scheme.
He wants to make the role more accessible, and clear away stereotypes of needing to live in a tree to be involved. He wants to make sure YUSU wins national awards as well.

19.37

Environment and Ethics up now…

19.37

Oh what fun! Visual questions! Audio, visual, waheyyyy!

19.37

Loads and loads of clapping from the audience who want to RAG candidates to dance, but they won’t

19.36

College involvement: colleges are a big part of York, like in Mr and Mrs York which was successful, you need to get people involved. Bigger RAG events means lots of colleges!

Is it important to work with YUSU volunteering?: as generally charitable people, they’d like to work with them through general support…they haven’t thought about it too much yet.

How to get the massive mailing list involved in RAG?: all the policies should be all inclusive, but people need to know who RAG are actually raising for.

A supplementary question: CAN THEY DANCE?

19.34

Quotes from the Ents officers, who state: “The party don’t start till we walk in”. They think it “generally went well” but that the last question was a bit awkward, saying you need “balance between things that you do normally and things you do when you’re drunk”…Waheeyyyy and its an entrance from the Hutchings!

19.34

The boys would encourage raising for other charities than the beneificaries…

RAG and Student Activities officers working together – the pair would make sure local volunteering schemes happen, and would support those because they’re one of their core beneficiaries.

Their favourite beneficiary this year? Marie Curie Cancer Care.

19.32

Ooh thanks for that comment Alan, we have a reporter on it now to try and get some quotes…

19.32

One of their main policies is to get a passionate committee, say the boys, who would be committed to the position.

You can’t give without raising, they go hand in hand.

And how do you intend to fulfil policies which fall within the RAG remit other than their own? They’d offer all the support they can, and be available at any time. Aww.

19.31

We all just got Bel-aired!

AMAZING!

Questions:

If a member of RAG Committee would you do their work for them or risk it not happening?

Raising or Giving?

19.31

James and John are really excited about running for RAG officers. They have just put baseball caps on (backwards) and are now rapping to Fresh Prince of Bel Air (sorry for spelling?) with RAG themed rules. They want to do “good fund raising in your neighbourhood”. Cooollll

19.30

RAG is going uncontested…

19.29

Wow, visual questions – can we get some more of those for later please!?

Tonight is very…dry. I think it’s the room. No ambiance with the pink lights of P/X/001.

19.29

RAG up now…

19.29

Anthony has just offered to do his “retard face” and been told to be extremely careful. He has not done said face, we’ll just have to imagine it…

19.28

One big event is practical, but things such as Access All Areas are lots of little events in one – they can see how that type of event would work but favour bigger events…
To involve non-drinkers, events could open earlier, and later on alcohol can become available.

And the PARTY TRICK…
From Take Me Out yesterday, Stephen has waxed his chest as he dressed as a woman…

19.27

Would you rather have 1 big successful event or 6 little events?

What are you going to do for people who don’t drink?

What is your party trick and can you do it for us?! Ooooh thats such a good question, I TOLD you Ents would bring the party…

19.27

They don’t see a reason to disagree with the first question.

They would support t-shirted events such as Viking Raid, there’s been lots this week, they say…they’re all about leading t-shirted events in a safe, pre-emptive manner.

There’s disagreement between the pair about their music tastes…OOOOH controversial.

19.26

Service Level Agreement is apparently about who does what before and after an event apparently… sounds exciting…almost as exciting as tonights Hustings perhaps…

19.25

Variety and profit are the same thing, they say. They’re not a clash – they come hand in hand. Events for campus are more of a service, events shouldn’t be solely profit led.

College vs. Courtyard: If there were two events on the same night – the Courtyard is more likely to be well attended, so they would actively support the college JCRC.

ISA – in their manifesto they state how they want to encourage far more International Events, they want to see more and more of these.

19.25

What is your opinion on the service level agreement for Ents?

Will your organise safe alternative events for Carnage?

Cheesy Pop or Indie?

19.24

Variety and profit are the same thing, they say. They’re not a clash – they come hand in hand. Events for campus are more of a service, events shouldn’t be solely profit led.

College vs. Courtyard: If there were two events on the same night – the Courtyard is more likely to be well attended, so they would actively support the college JCRC.

ISA – in their manifesto they state how they want to encourage far more International Events, they want to see more and more of these.

19.24

Quotes from Rob following the Sports hustings, he thinks Sam “answered the questions well but isn’t focusing on the right goal – a 3G pitch is unachievable…”

19.22

Questions up now…

Do you prioritise profit or variety?

The Courtyard – what would you do if there was a college event and a uni event on at the same time?

19.22

Here we go again…Ents!
One candidate, running in a pair with a very short speech: Anthony Richards & Stephan O’Ryan.

They’re both highly experience, they claim, on both a College and YUSU level.
Their aim is to transform the Ents system – in an Ents booklet for college event success. “Crucial liasons” between the Union and JCRC. The Courtyard shouldn’t encroach on college events either, and they want to raise the profile of Ents over the next year.

19.21

Seriously I actually do want a chinese, find me later takeaway commenter whoever you are…

19.20

Ents up now, maybe they’ll bring the party… Woop!

19.19

The room is not black and gold any more.

Try red for Scarlett…blue RAG hoodies floating around…quite a lot of bewildered looking supporters…

19.18

Lots of people leaving. Well, at least there’s a sports massive at York…

Come baaaaaack, swimmers, come back! Student Activities! D&S!!

19.17

A pause for people to leave for the Swimming Gala!?

19.17

It’s quite a serious atmosphere here at Hustings today, there appears to be less drinking…apart from some bloke at the front who has fanta red bull dr pepper water and jaffa cakes, what a feast!

19.16

Sam again…

BUCS Sports entry fees are currently paid for, which Sam says is vital, but some clubs who are non-BUCS still have to pay to enter leagues and to go to away games, and they shouldn’t be forgotten.
He really want a “try something new” programme for next year, and days where the Sports Centre is opened up free of charge so people can try new sports but not necessarily competitively. Campaigns are a great idea, Sam says, but would prioritise York Sport Campaigns.
He definitely wants his 3-G pitch policy, to hopefully bring college rugby back as well. Sam thinks it’s feasible, it will take a lot of hard work, but believes it’s definitely possible.

19.14

Rob thinks we need more money for college sport but we can’t sacrifice hallmarked clubs. He’d like to see more college members recieving training qualifications etc. He would “absolutely” want everyone in the University to be involved in sport, and wants to potentially set up a York Sport Disability club and get more kids involved in exercise. He thinks his disability sport policy is his strongest and thinks York Sport isn’t officially an open access group at the moment. He thinks Sports will be a force for good. Very Star Wars Rob.. He would also back the campaign to keep racism out of football, wouldn’t we all?

19.11

This room echoes.
A lot. Ssssh you lot at the back!

19.11

Oh good, Rob has at least 5 friends!

More questions –

Do you think BUCS sports should recieve more support than non-BUCS?

How will you ensure sports will bring together the whole student body? And would you kick racists out of football and support anti-homophobic campaigns?

If you could only fulfil one of your elections policies, which one would it be and why?

19.10

Ahh spring rolls! And peking duck pancakes!

On another note,

Rob anticipates York Sport having another budget cut. He thinks de-ratifying clubs would be a bad idea but if it had to happen they would have to look at particpation but he hopes it wont come to that.

He doesn’t believe that the York Sport President role is small and advises disbelievers to chat to Emily Scott…one assumes she wouldn’t just agree…

He likes the World Cup Final and says he would find AT LEAST five people to watch it with him….sooo many friends eh?!

19.09

Emily Scott’s name is getting dropped everywhere…big love for the Scott, we’re feeling.

19.08

The questions continue…Sam first:

If the York Sport budget was cut, it’d have to be an extremely large amount to start de-ratifying clubs.
Sam says it’s important to have a seperate college sport officer, and he emphasises continuing from his speech about how important college sports are at York.

Superbowl any day of the year, he says, “sorry guys”.

19.07

If the York Sport budget was cut again, would you be prepared to de-ratify clubs to try and save some money?

The York Sport President role is small, why do you need college roles as well?

World Cup final or Superbowl?

19.06

Sam’s taking to the floor…

Sam agrees with Rob about the Centre – but it’s part of DFM and that’s where the relationship is made into a struggle. There is a level up that needs to be communicated to, he believes.
Now that York Sport is a sub-committee, Sam thinks this is a really invaluable help by working with the other YUSU subs.
Sharing a room downstairs in YUSU was key, Sam thinks, he’d maybe like to swap ASC with the YUSU Studio, but it’s only something they could lobby for.

19.05

Come on guys, no more questions for Sports? Nothing badger related to offer at all?!

19.04

S’up back of the room, got any gin?!

19.04

oops sorry forgot question mark earlier..

Rob wants to make sure we don’t damage the relationship with the sports centre, and thinks we need to be working more with them. He thinks that being in council on a Wednesday afternoon is not the best use of a President’s time. He doesn’t think he’ll be able to change what happens with BUCS. He was also interrupted by lots of girls during his speech. Oh dear, time your entrances laties!

19.03

Rob is a very eloquent public speaker…nice.

19.02

Next round of questions:

Would you be prepared to damage the relationship with the Sports Centre to get a better deal with members?

How do you think York Sports should work as a faction of YUSU?

What measures would you take to make sure information is not filed 66 minutes later?

19.02

Seems to be pretty equal amount of clapping for both candidates, is this an equal race.

19.01

Rob up now…

He thinks at York we don’t need to choose between participation or success, we can have both. He wants to show the University that getting fit and active is a great experience. He wants to push Rugby, Badminton and Fencing. He would rather his desk was in the YUSU studio and thinks it would stop problems like recent BUCS one… He would definitely miss his sport, it’s a paid job but he also wants to go out and see the games as part of his role as York Sport president.

18.59

Sam answering questions first…

You cannot have success without participation – university sport is helped by college sport, you can’t have one without the other.

Absolutely to a Sports Centre desk!

As much as he loves Sport, he would miss it – you have to abide by the constitution to go to events such as Union Council.

18.58

First round of questions:

Which is more important, participation or success and why?

If you could choose would your desk be in the Sports centre or in the YUSU office?

Would you be prepared to miss your sport on a Wednesday afternoon for YUSU commitments?

18.58

Sam Asfahani up next –

Most of his experience is in Langwith – as Chair, and the JCRC, lots of tournaments and playing both at College level and above. He co-founded the American Football team and is as York Sport Development Officer. He wants a 3-G pitch…he can’t promise it as yet, but is looking in to more.
Coaching and referee clincs, because they’re struggling as it is, and subsidies towards the costs of coaching training.
He want to plan for the future and pleas for getting involved and active…

Many many cheers!

18.57

Loads of clapping for Sam too whose speech is just being typed up…

18.56

lots of cheering for Rob there…oh no! someone has interrupted Sam’s speech with their noisy laptop opening noise! Grrr…

18.55

Ok Rob up first..

He believes in sport and thinks students at York should be proud of University sport. he doesn’t want to make any grand sweeping changes. He wants to play more and win more, and increase involvement amongst international students. He believes that his college sport policies will raise participation. He thinks that York Sport can be an organisation which truly enhances the York Sport experience. He is committed to being a friendly, approachable, and strong leader. He thinks financial barriers will hold us back this year, and that we need to show the University “in black and gold” that sport matters.

18.52

OK York Sport up now, get those questions coming!

18.51

Ooh ooh it’s starting up…Kat’s opening with a speech.

18.51

Victoria Lee at the front here is desperately searching for change for a fiver so she can have some vending machine luvlies before she passes out…anyone?!

18.50

We have Nick Scarlett’s speech.

All we can say, is that: it features the written verse.

What do we think? Scarlett for Poet Laureate? All will be revealed later on…

18.50

We set a record number of blog comments yesterday, wahoo! Come on audience, give us a chat….

18.48

Rhianna doesn’t like this room much, I don’t either, if you’re at home on the sofa with a massive packet of crisps and our lovely blog I reckon you’ve done pretty well….

18.48

Questions flooding in…

18.45

Rhianna Kinchin is wondering where to sit…she’s contemplating her allegiances…we say, sit with Nouse!

The YUSU massive is not strong today. Oh dear.

18.43

Nick Scarletts chums are all wearing white paper and red hats, will that win your vote?

18.40

If you are here at hustings or coming later you can submit questions which apply to all candidates by writing them on paper and passing them to us at the front.

18.39

Things are really hotting up here at hustings, lots of people again…so, what does everyone make of last nights controversial officers?

18.38

Rhianna Kinchin in chalking up tonight’s running order:

York Sport President
Ents Officers
RAG Officers
Environment and Ethics Officers

BREAK

Student Activities Officer
Democracy and Services Officer

18.38

Just being typed up for you now commenter, by the lovely Camilla Apcar…

18.36

Candidates are setting up little election corners.

Maybe tonight’s frivolities will be more tense than yesterday?

Nouse banner in a state of high security taping. Excellent.

18.33

Commenters please note: The Chair of Hustings has asked for the Live Blog comments to be moderated in line with YUSU staff protocol, NUS staff protocol and to protect the candidates from attacks on them personally, rather than their policies. The Editor has the final right of approval on all posts. All comments which have been edited in moderation will be marked with an *

18.33

Apcar here! The banner is going up again…hopefully won’t fall down today…we hope. Adam Shergold 100% Man, to the rescue!

18.22

Hello everybody, Charlotte here ready to start the second night of Hustings. If it’s anything as exciting as last night’s it should be fantastic! The room has just moved to PL001 by the way….

18.19