Getting political

Today I’d like to talk a little about the world of student-based politics and, from a personal perspective, what I make of them. I’d like to preface it by saying that all opinions presented are my own. I believe there are a massive number of reasons to get involved with them, and if you’d like to do so, the SUSU website is packed with great advice, tips and information: check it out here!

So an aspect of life as a member of the Southampton University Students’ Union (SUSU) you'll often encounter – more so than you'd perhaps appreciate at times – is the world of student elections.

Citing the statistics published online, there are over 500 elected student officers each year in SUSU, with nominations and voting staggered throughout the year. These officers take roles in the surprisingly vast bureaucratic systems underpinning SUSU’s administration, covering bodies including (but not limited to) JCRs, Student Leaders, Academic Presidents and, most pre-eminently, Sabbatical Officers (responsible for overseeing the running of the entire Union).

Such groups cover everything from the organisation of Friday nightlife in the Union’s Cube venue, provision of services, student support and events on campus (including on academic courses), forming dialogues with the University, financing of and affiliation with a huge number of societies, to every activity in the Union and its associated policies and, most importantly, representing you and me.

But although SUSU politics may not be immediately obvious to the average student throughout the year – some opt to remain more distant from SUSU - you’ll certainly notice their presence when referendums and elections come around, irrespective of their cause. The flyering, campaigning and general buzz of activity engulfs the place and is nigh on impossible to ignore!

Whenever there’s a decision to be made, a great number of students – be they journalists, reporters, candidates, campaign teams or organisers – demonstrate their effervescent zeal and creativity in lighting up campuses, halls of residence and any other student areas in many different forms, and it makes for a lively and exciting atmosphere around the University.

At the other end of the spectrum, I’ve spoken to people who seem to be slightly less interested the idea of student politics. Among other motivations for not wanting to engage them, some cited a preference to focus on their studies rather than get involved with extra-curricular commitments, while others held the belief that their impact was exaggerated.

So, like everything at Uni, the extent to which you want to get involved is entirely up to you.

Personally, I’m an advocate of the opportunities that the elections present. Not only is it an occasion on which you have the potential to vote in representatives who reflect your views, or indeed even nominate yourself for a position (it’s surprisingly straightforward!), potentially leading to changes in whatever aspects of the Union you deem necessary, they also offer the chance to get some insight into how a massive organisation like SUSU actually functions, particularly at events like Union Council meetings (which anyone is welcome to attend, exceptional circumstances permitting).

Furthermore, it’s never been easier to get the information you need to make your mind up thanks to the incredible coverage provided by budding journalists and teams of student media, be it for SUSUtv, Surge Radio, the Wessex Scene, the Soton Tab or other outlets. And if you want to get involved, there are training sessions and opportunities aplenty created around election times, as huge teams assemble to produce high quality programmes and material; just check out their relative websites for information, or get in touch with them.

So although I didn’t have the time to scour their manifestos, just listening to the candidates (for last year’s Sabbatical elections) openly getting their views across during a series of live televised debates gave me enough of an idea as to whom I agreed most with, and therefore should investigate the policies of.

On the other hand, from my own experience, I can understand why some people prefer to remain withdrawn as, from afar, elections can come across as slightly drawn out, particularly given the sheer quantity of representative positions that are voted for (although I’d add that I appreciate the need for them). For example, I was initially intrigued by the novelty of the elections when the first round – voting for Course Reps – arrived in my Fresher year, but, after a while, the frequency began to dilute my interest. However, I believe this point has been raised and that the timescales of their organisation are on the move – so it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on!

And, contrary to rumours, their results can have massive implications for student life. For example, living outside of halls of residence this year, my housemates and I expected to be bombarded with requests for council tax payments, from which, as full-time students, we’re technically exempt. Originally dreading the hassle of organising a claim for such exemption, out of the blue I recalled a snippet of information I’d heard banded about and, a quick search of the SUSU website later, the excellent work, in collaboration with the University, of Chloe Green, SUSU’s VP of Welfare & Communities, laid our fears to rest. Exemption has, as of this year, become an automatic process which takes place (in certain areas, I should probably add, so it’s still worth checking!) after students’ enrolment – so that was one less thing for us to sort out amid acclimatising to a busted boiler and the resulting cold showers!

And, with a referendum on whether to apply for affiliation with the National Union of Students (NUS) approaching, and the “Yes” and “No” campaigns and publicity teams gearing up on social networks and throughout SUSU media (I really recommend giving the publications I’ve mentioned a read over when you have a spare minute), the impact of the decisions that SUSU’s members make is only going to augment.

In the interests of impartiality I’m not going to delve into the arguments for or against affiliation, I’ll only say this: it’ll have a huge effect on my, your, and our Union!

So it’s time to get political!

Robin