Hustings got off to a slow start yesterday with a reasonable sized crowd if you don't take into account that most of them were trying to have lunch.
First to speak was Jon Smith standing for Deputy President (Graduate Students). Mr Smith spoke of improved realationships with college, social unity and inclusivness of undergraduates. He described himself as the founder of PostGrad Soc and was the clubs first chair in 1999. He completed a PhD in Aero and has just completed a maths degree.
Luis Hui, also standing for Deputy President (Graduate Students), also spoke of improving relations but this time with more emphasis on PG reps, professional bodies and other universities. He mentioned his background in EE, Finance and is currently a MSc student.
RON was represented by Richard Walker who rambled in his own fashion about the fact that undergraduates eat from polystyrene plates and postgrads need a real leader (presumably instead of a polystyrene one?). If you think the best thing to do is reopen nominations with the opportunity of new candidates standing vote for RON.
CAG chair has 4 candiates standing, Ramya Ramaswami & Adalina Sacco are standing jointly and Priyan Maleuwe Tantrige and RON are also standing as separate candidates.
Ramya Ramaswami & Adalina Sacco, and Priyan Maleuwe Tantrige, could not make husting but Ramya Ramaswami & Adalina Sacco sent the current CAG chair to represent them who spoke of the work they'd done for the food run and helping the homeless.
RON was represented by Richard Walker again, who said something about the summer ball (which is on the 18th June).
Kian Low and RON stood for Welfare Campaigns officer, Kian Low started the trend of applogising to those who were trying to eat lunch and this lead on to the problems of student apathy. He mentioned the importance of this position as it gives him a seat on Council, the policy making body of ICU. He mentioned that he's helped in organising 100 Imperial students to go to the G8 summit and ended by promising change in the union.
RON suggested he would stay in college and campaign for students fighting with cockraoches rather than going to Scotland on a jolly.
In questions Kian Low commented on the importance of the Environmental policy and the problem of traffic accidents involving cyclists on the Cromwell Road.
Tom Elliot and RON stood as RAG chair, Tom spoke of improving participation and praised the volunteers during the Tsunami Appeal. He commented that this had given him insight into improving participation and that this may be best done by using societies and individuals as well as the normal RAG events.
RON commented that the only RAG this candidate had ever come across was the one by the side of his bed. Needless to say RON was represented by the esteemed Rich Walker.
Daniel Chowdhury and John Collins stood for council chair.
Daniel Chowdhury sent appologies as he has an exam next week but advised voters to go to the union website or email him.
John Collins mentioned that he'd left a cruial presentation to attend and had sat on Council for 3 years and been RAG tresurer and a member of Dramsoc as well as being C&G President this year, so commitment wasn't an issue. Mr Collins commented on his style of chairing being quick and the importance of keeping meetings moving, and his intention of raising the profile of Council by putting posters on the walkway if topics of interest arise. The Babar Ahmed topic was an example he used to illustrate this.
RON was represented by Sameena Misbahuddin who explained about RON and didn't mention the Summer Ball.
The highlight of the event was Sam Rorke (acting as returning officer), asking "Isn't there a better time for erections?", which isn't exactly what he meant to say.
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