Tonight’s debate saw Chris Rootkin, Ledys Sanjuan and Sam Sayce battle it out for the position of Vice President Welfare and Community, in the Alumni Auditorium in the Forum.
First to the floor was Chris, a Third Year Biology Student, who insisted his experience working on the Students’ Advice Unit and as the General Coordinator of Voice, had equipped him with the skills needed to support students. In his opening statement, Chris stressed the importance of student safety and creating “a better connection with the community”.
Next up, Ledys Sanjuan vowed to promote the interests of international students, who make up 1 in 4 of Exeter’s student body. Speaking of the “severe lack of representation” for students coming to Exeter from abroad, Ledys suggested that additional support was needed for those who “can’t just pop home for a weekend whenever they are sad.”
Last to speak was Sam Sayce, who asserted that “student safety has to be one of the most important issues” and referred to his manifesto point of manning student club-nights with ‘street angels’ to assist drunken students home.
Then the candidates faced a round of questions, which included queries on how they planned to deal with the mental health issues which face students. Sam suggested a bi-weekly drop in centre, where he could cater to the needs of individual students and “give them somewhere to go and somewhere to talk to.”
Chris said that better advertising would make students more familiar with the facilities already available on campus.
All the candidates stressed the need for better relations between the University and the wider Exeter community, with Chris proposing that a blog about his interaction with the community might enable this.
Ledys said that if elected, she would draw up a ‘cause list’ to inform students about the charities they might want to get involved with in the wider Devon area. Sam championed a closer relationship between the University and the tourist information centre.
In what seemed a pointed question, the candidates were grilled on whether their political allegiances would hinder their ability to forge much-needed links with the local council and local parties, on the Save Our Streetlights campaign. Ledys felt this point was aimed at her specifically, asking: “You mean me?” But went on to defend her position saying that issues of safety facing women and minority groups “are issues we need to tackle.”
Chris echoed this, explaining “you need to stick up for what students believe in” while Sam called the campaign “the hot issue at the moment.”
More controversy followed, as one audience member was blasted “stupid” by another for asking whether the University was racist, in light of debate following the SSB Tribal theme.
Chris stressed the need to break away from the “white middle class stereotype”, while Ledys answered more directly, asserting “there is racism in Exeter.” She went on to say that some international students she had spoken to, felt excluded from campus life and were unaware that they could vote in the Sabb elections. Sam said that better promotion of international societies on campus could help tackle this.
In response to a question posed by VP Academic Affairs Imogen Sanders, the candidates all pledged to work to support students to avoid incidents of plagiarism. They also aimed to improve the mitigation and extension processes, labelling the current system, “extremely stressful”.
The nominees also faced a thorough quizzing from Grace Hopper, current VP Welfare and Community, on how they intended to build on the projects carried out by Sabbs this year- particularly in regards to the housing fair. Each of the three suggested a landlord accreditation scheme would make it easier for students to find reliable housing.
Chris also proposed better promotion of the Student Advice Unit, which looks over student housing contracts at no cost, while Ledys suggested student mentors should become clued up on Exeter housing so that Freshers’ could find the advice and support they need more easily.
A website similar to that of Trip-Advisor, which would provide students with ratings of housing and landlords, was Sam’s idea.
The candidates were also challenged on the language and wording of their manifestos. Ledys explained that she used the word “demand” as she believes “a Sabb should be strong enough to say…this is what we need.”
In the closing statements, Sam reminded students to “vote for the manifesto and not just who you know.” Ledys echoed this point, urging international students to vote, while Chris said his “enthusiasm as well as approachability” made him right for the role.
Tomorrow’s debate for the role of AU President will take place from 6.30pm in the Alumni Auditorium.
Cathy Thom, News Editor
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