With voting for the NTSU elections beginning in just a couple of days, it’s time to find out who the nominees are for Confetti and Breckenhurst Officers positions.
Taya Stevens, BSc (H) Zoo Biology student.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’ve been at NTU for three years and will be continuing next years in a masters. Not to further implement the Brackenhurst stereotype (and to also shoutout Geography students) but animals are a core passion of mine.
I’ve found that pets have been a huge help in coping with lockdown and stress of final year.
I’ve grown so much in confidence at my time in University and feel like I can represent the students at my campus and get them better immersed in university life even in the face of lockdowns.
How will you make sure to represent the NTSU community at campuses which are not in the city?
Most importantly by listening to the students to bring changes to resolve issues and improve their university experience.
As an outside campus, it’s important that Brackenhurst isn’t pushed aside or is the last to see changes happen. We deserve to have the same improvements and opportunities as city campuses.
How will you help everyone feel included, especially with possibly having ongoing restrictions?
Accessibility to events and keeping, students informed of what’s going on will be a focus when bringing in new plans for the campus/university.
Especially in the case of ongoing restrictions I will be sure that students know what is available to them and continue with the wellbeing packages and create online events that are held live and can also be done at any time a student found convenient to prevent missing out.
Joe Haley, BSc Live and Technical events student.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a second year Live and Technical Events student at Confetti, though I’ve actually been at Confetti for nearly 4 years now as I went to college there too. I’ve worked as a course rep and student ambassador for the past 3 years, and I’ve been a CERT mentor since September.
Ever since secondary school I’ve wanted to become a live sound engineer, though since being at uni I’m also considering events management instead. I’m a bit of a nerd, and I love music.
How will you make sure to represent the NTSU community at campuses which are not in the city?
If elected, I hope to bring NTSU right onto Confetti Campus, as presently there is basically no presence whatsoever.
This could be through NTSU events at Metronome, our venue, or even through a more permanent NTSU space on-campus.
I also hope to solve the problem of the words I have heard oh so often from students on other campuses – “What’s Confetti?” – by pushing the many great events we have at Metronome, as well as the amazing work that our students produce year over year.
As this is a new role, I will listen to as much feedback from Confetti students as I can, and ensure that I can make this role work for them.
How will you help everyone feel included, especially with possibly having ongoing restrictions?
The main issue that the ongoing restrictions has brought to Confetti Students is that of not being able to access campus.
Most courses at Confetti are highly practical, and those that are not still require access to powerful computers and equipment that many students simply can’t afford at home.
When necessary I will lobby the university to make sure that students get the extra time they need with equipment when it is safe to do so, or otherwise that their grades are not penalised as a result.
I feel that this is an area where the current Students Deserve Better campaign by NTSU has not yet gone far enough.
Candidate Chloe Philpott has not replied to our interview invitation.
You can cast your vote from 7pm Friday March 12, until Friday March 19.
By Olimpia Zagnat