Beyond the Puff Piece

Perhaps then this election could be more than a popularity contest, that before voting we inform ourselves beyond the candidates' self-serving public relations puff piece – do we really need to know that they love everybody and that they're going to cut the price of food and booze? The purpose of this article is to do just that, to inform members of the candidates' visions for the UCSA in the year ahead.

We understand most of you don't care and won't vote, but you should. This is an election for your students' association, what it does impacts all of us. As a member, you should have a say in its future direction.

All candidates* were asked a series of questions, from which their positions on important issues pertaining to the student body, the University, and our city have been drawn and printed below. We hope in reading this, that you, the UCSA's members will understand that there is a choice come election day, between contesting ideas for both the future of the UCSA, and on important issues affecting students.

* Finance Officer candidate Campbell Sinclair was the only candidate who did not respond to our request for an interview.

Interviews conducted by Emma Potter, Alex Meates and Matthew Prendergast

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES:

• Joshua Bird

"I am for all students."

Why do you want to be President?
I got volunteered through my club (UC Hockey) and I took it up as I saw it as a really good way to get things done. I've been here seven years and feel only now do I know enough to run. I've done a few degrees and a lot of stuff with clubs. I want to run because I think I can do a really good job and that I have the skills and the knowledge.

What do you think is the UCSA's role?
Student services, particularly here where a few years back the University took a step back from providing anything that was not academic. Providing food, recreation, welfare support, mentoring support. Then negotiating with the uni and standing up for rights and things like that.

What do you think is the President's role?
Only full time exec member, the only one there all day everyday, following up making sure things are done, you are the first person most students would contact, the figurehead, the one most students would know, the most keyed-in person with the University and politics. So really, communicating with everyone. I think there should be a president that is coming up with new ideas, finding out if they are needed, wanted, and making them happen, not waiting for someone to come to them with the idea.

Candidate's response to criticism that his policies are nothing new, and the business-as-usual candidate:
Business-as-usual as in the things we are trying to offer we should offer. But different in that the things we are offering is not up to the level which we expect. As a club, we were promised certain things by UCSA staff in the past and it has been really hard to get those things, it needs to be a lot easier. The UCSA should be in the areas it's in with food and services but it needs to be better.

What are you interested in as President and what do you want to achieve?
UC Sport. I have been asking about it for the last two years, it is only this week that it has got to the point where they are asking for consultation. There are more sports clubs then any other clubs; membership numbers are not the same of course, because we have to have people there every single week. There is a lot we can do just to bring up the reputation of the University. Canterbury as a region is always pretty high on sports, when you think of things like rugby and stuff; the University should be that high too, it should be a major draw card for us. We have a lot of resources now, with the College of Education and their sports programmes, but people don't really talk to each other. That's my biggest thing.

What impact do you think Voluntary Student Membership would have on the UCSA?
As we don't charge for membership, it would be stupid for students not to take advantage of stuff that's free, and students do take advantage of stuff that's free. If it's easy, just a ticked box on enrolment, I don't see why people wouldn't do it.

What is your view of the UC Master Plan?
I think we have taken a good step with the UCSA under the library where it used to be; where it was, was not that useful. At the same time you have to have the social side put away to the side. I think student services should be in one place, from a UCSA perspective that's a big thing, that academic support should all be in one place; social, clubs that sort of thing should all be in one place, and not necessarily in the same place. Moving the College of Ed across to here is not necessarily a bad idea; we are in a really good position where our campus is all in one place. Moving the College of Ed would mean that Arts and Science that overlaps with T-Col would make it all the same. I noticed as I walked through T-Col on the way here, there is no one really canvassing for votes over there, it's as though they are completely separate.

What is your view on the current liquor ban in the Riccarton/Ilam area and making it permanent?
It's not a bad thing, you shouldn't be drinking in the streets; it causes all sorts of problems for the students' association so when we try to do something good like barbeques or concerts and things like that we're already on the back foot – publicity-wise everyone already doesn't like it. I don't see what major benefit you get by being able to drink on the streets; you can finish your drink at someone's house and then go to the pub, or finish your drink there before moving on to the other; you don't have to carry it and drink on the way. Unfortunately, unlike Otago, most of our neighbours are mixed in with all sorts of retirees.

• Leroy Hopson

"Because I haven't got confidence."

Why do you want to be President?
I don't want to be president, I want people to make up their own minds and decide on the issues. I want people to know that they do not have to vote for the candidates that are running, that they can express their dissatisfaction with the people who run for the UCSA, and that this will not necessarily hurt the UCSA – it might make it stronger.

What happens if everyone votes No Confidence?
As I understand it, it sends a clear message that people are not happy about how their students' association is being run and has been run in the past, and it lets candidates know who holds the real power here and who gives them the mandate to govern. The formal process as I understand it is that the returning officer requests nominations for all the positions that are not filled, then a student forum is held and a person is elected from there.

What if you win?
I have thought about this, and it's a lot of money to turn down. I have two options: I could take the job, make a few good changes, then resign and then it's on my CV – that's a good thing. Or I could just do the job and if things go badly I could carry on and say "I told you so, you should have voted no confidence".

What do you think of the other candidates?
I've made assumptions about who they will be, and done some research on how they are and it is based on having no confidence in past executives and no confidence in the current executive and no confidence in future executives. There is one group of candidates running a very flashy ad campaign; they are the people I probably have the least confidence in. They are careerists, people should be asking of the candidates whether they are running to represent the students or driven to put themselves ahead of the students.

What do you think is the President's role?
When it comes to smaller issues like events and stuff they have a lot of power, but when it come to things that matter to students, which often involve the uni and uni administrators, it seems they sort of don't take on a strong leadership position, that they are more drinking the Kool-Aid. I think that's been shown in the past by previous executives, for example the levy.

What do you think is the UCSA's role?
To represent student interest and stand up for students, to not take half-measures, to be strong, and to assert their power as much as they possibly can. I will say I support the idea of having a students' association and think it has done a lot of good, especially after the earthquake we have seen a lot of good things come out of the association.

What can the UCSA do better?
Not for me to say. I think the UCSA can do better by having more accountability of the executive, I think Canta is too close to the current executive to act as a proper watchdog, I think they can focus on the big problems as opposed to the price of chips.

What impact do you think Voluntary Student Membership would have on the UCSA?
I think students would lose their confidence in the association.

What is your view on the UC Master Plan?
I don't have any confidence in it.

What is your view on the current liquor ban in the Riccarton/Ilam area and making it permanent?
I am against the bylaw – I am against laws, I think people should be able to go and have picnic with a bottle of wine. It does not address the real issues, it is set up to address issues, but affects people who are not a part of that.

• Erin Jackson

"Because I'm re-energising the UCSA."

Why do you want to be President?
I think that 2012 will be the most challenging year for this city, and that will be the case moreso for student issues, student politics, student representation. We need to do something about how student interests are represented when you've got a whole city trying to rebuild itself, when you're trying to look at how do you re-energise, re-motivate, and get students coming back. I think the UCSA is a really powerful mechanism for change in terms of being able to represent those students and make sure their interests are represented and I want to do that, that's why I want to be president.

What do you think is the UCSA's role?
Representing students. I think that as long as student interests are communicated to other stakeholders, to the University, the Council and external parties, as long as students are looked after and there is real consultation and service provision, we will see the continued provision of services and amenities on campus, support for your clubs and structures, and strong advocacy, that should be the core focus of the UCSA.

What do you think is the President's role?
50% is dealing internally with the executive and looking at making sure those roles are fulfilled and making sure that the students are being consulted, your talking with them and communicating with them. The other 50% is the consultation, sort of watchdog position with the University itself. The presidency gives you a really powerful position to have close contact with powerful people like Dr. Rod Carr, which is really valuable in terms of being able to have his ear on issues that affect students and asking him the hard questions about what's happening so those issues can be communicated back to the students. Essentially, all over it's a channel of communication.

Candidate's views on the UCSA's "incomparability":
It is quite clearly the best students' association in New Zealand, that's my honest belief, there is no other students' association that balances your social requirements versus your academic advocacy, there is no other university that has the number of clubs that we do, there is no other university that has such a range of options that the UCSA is responsible for facilitating. The UCSA is incredibly unique and I think it's what differentiates the University of Canterbury.

Why are you running on a ticket and not independently?
I think that running for a position like pres, VP, finance requires a huge amount of effort, commitment, time, cost, and exposure, and I think a ticket best facilitates that. A ticket gives you more opportunity to reach a broad base; I'm running with two like-minded guys – we agree on where we want to see the UCSA go and we bring with us a massive cross section of the university, we've come from two of the largest clubs on campus, and I can say that I have had issues presented to me that I might not have known about, as I hadn't had as much consultation with a faculty as Todd or Tom had.

What impact do you think Voluntary Student Membership would have on the UCSA?
This is a really big issue, an issue that's more prominent and of far more concern than anyone has given it at Canterbury. We are the most behind in terms of our understanding of this issue out of all the universities. It is an issue that I have been quite passionately against for several years. VSM presents a raft of issues, but the UCSA is in the best position to not be affected financially, but in terms of mandate the potential issue comes in as you might not represent all of the students, the only thing in saying that is if you are not charging to join then you are probably going to join anyway at the moment there are only I think two students who have opted out.

What is your view on the UC Master Plan?
I think that in terms of its biggest effect, that the UCSA will end up as part of the University, there are two schools of thought: one group saying we need to be in the heart of the campus, and the other group saying there is something really nice about having the river and the UCSA having its own patch. Following the earthquakes it would be very rash to continue with those plans without stepping back and saying "how do we learn from this year, how do we make the University of Canterbury the most innovative and the most technologically capable?" We have the opportunity to become a world leader in what is offered here.

What is your view on the current liquor ban in the Riccarton/Ilam area and making it permanent?
A liquor ban is a solution that does not fix the perceived problem. I don't agree with it, I'm not advocating massive drunkenness in the streets of Riccarton/Ilam but I don't think the Council has necessarily considered the issue in terms of what actually the problem is they are trying to fix, and what they see as their concerns. At the same time, we need to consider resident relations, and I think that is something that can be done better.

• Andrew Stratton

"Easygoing, fair, social, and supporting."

Why do you want to be President?
I think I can definitely do something, I want to take the UCSA back to a really simple grassroots organisation, as opposed to something that everyone's campaigning on, you know, everyone wants more services the whole works, but I want to bring it back to something really simple all about students, all about the social life.

What do you think is the President's role?
After reading McNab's blurb, answering a lot of emails [laughs]. But seriously; sitting on a lot of boards, listening to students, and basically passing that information onto the certain committees or boards. And hopefully implementing what students want.

What do you think is the UCSA's role?
Providing services for students, not just academic, but more social.

What do you think the UCSA can do better?
They can cut a lot of things; I think some services are not needed. I think they can provide better services for food and beverages, for example I know The Foundry and how that was run last year and that was just ridiculous how they set profits on that, and prices. I think they can also look out more for the long-term interest better, rather than sign long contracts with suppliers, which I think goes against the student interests as far as price-setting seems to go. I think they can do a lot better, affordable planning better.

Why're you running on a ticket and not independently?
We are ex-Foundry staff, all mature students. I think that's critical – we have the same mind set.

Would you find it difficult to work with other people if you were the only one elected from your ticket?
I've lived overseas for seven years, I've lived in Egypt, and worked alongside people from different cultures; I can work alongside anyone.

Is "The Foundry Party" ticket simply a group of disgruntled former employees seeking some sort of redemption?
I love The Foundry. I know Jebs was a little bit annoyed with it, but I'm definitely not. I loved working there, I never regretted it, if it was open I would still be working there. I'm not disgruntled at all.

Your blurb proposes to cut prices, how would you fund the shortfall in revenues?
One thing I'm really campaigning to cut is the mature student house, that's just one of the things. I think The Foundry and other services can be run at a profit, but it should be minimal. Some services I wouldn't cut would be the health services or the Learning Centre, but there would have to be cuts and they would be looked at carefully.

What impact do you think Voluntary Student Membership would have on the UCSA?
I think it would have a significant impact if the UCSA remains how it is; if it doesn't pick up its game socially, I think people will choose to not opt in.

What is your view on the UC Master Plan?
Although I'm not that familiar I would say that I am not that keen on seeing the UCSA building move, it is such a great facility.

What is your view on the current liquor ban in the Riccarton/Ilam area and making it permanent?
I think it's a load of rubbish, I think the Police and the Council in general are way too hard on students for what we bring to the area. For example Saturday night the ENSOC Ball was closed down early by the Police, how was it any different to any bar? If you went down to the Fox on a Saturday night they would never close it down early. I think there is an unjust attitude against students in general. I'm really anti the bylaw.

• William William

"We continue and improve UCSA."

Why do you want to be President?
Sitting on the executive this year gives me a lot of experience. After the earthquake we all know things went wrong, the three of us personally thought that it would be good to have three people that had been on the executive to continue the efforts put by the previous exec, and we also decided we wanted to improve on some stuff that had not been done well.

What do you think is the UCSA's role?
In my opinion there are two: representing students, advocacy; and also the business side, trying to get income so we can give it back to clubs and provide services for students. We want to achieve lower prices, but sitting on the exec this year has opened my eyes that this is not any easy task; we need income to support the entire UCSA system, when we have the system the end product will come out, this end product is basically the most important thing, representing students, giving services out.

What do you think is the President's role?
Basically it the first point for representation. I will talk to the University, and at the same time I will talk to students, that's the first and most important. In business terms, the managing director; in advocacy terms, it would be representation.

What can the UCSA do better?
Definitely the past two years we have had good momentum since Nick McDonnell and Steve Jukes came in, and then Kohan this year there has been a lot of momentum that we have been able to keep, which has meant we have got to be able to be in touch with students, got back to what we were supposed to be traditionally: a student-orientated, student-owned and student-run body – it's important we keep it that way. What we can do better is to have continuity; every year the new exec comes in and they bring new ideas, that is good, but there is a lack of continuity – if we can get a continuity then things will be better in the sense that there is a clear and long-term picture that students will be able to enjoy.

Why're you running on a ticket and not independently?
I decided to run with a team because the three of us have been on exec, and within this one year I have been able to see how the performance of Nathan and Craig. I kinda think we are basically on the same level, have the same opinions, and have a good working relationship; I will be able to work with them really well.

On the 2011 Exec's record and his part in it:
Going back to February, after the earthquake the whole exec came together, we discussed a lot of things such as creditability of the degree and students' needs on campus, study spaces and things like that. Within that period I myself as the international rep was focusing on representing international students, because after the earthquake lots of international students felt unsafe, which is understandable when you're in a hot zone where things are not certain. What I did was I talked to Kohan, then I went up to UC and confronted them and asked them why A, B, C, D, E; they came back again and then we discussed again. Basically representation is something we have been doing well, something that has been big this year after the after shock in June within a week of exams, we were able to get most of the exams aegrotated, delayed, or cancelled.

What impact do you think Voluntary Student Membership would have on the UCSA?
It will not affect much I think, members do not pay a fee. If people choose to opt out then they will miss out on services. The Student Levy also plays a role.

What is your view on the UC Master Plan?
It's really important; it will shape what the UC student experience will be. The UCSA will be a big part of it, we can push for what students feel is important to them; it is long term planning. It is always good to hear from students on their preferred options then we can voice that for them – that's what's been good about this exec this year, we have had a clear communication line with students.

What is your view on the current liquor ban in the Riccarton/Ilam area and making it permanent?
I'm against the ban, we have proved that students are not all about alcohol or binge drinking, we have done things like the Student Volunteer Army – the earthquake hit and we went out there and helped clean up. I will push hard for the ban not to happen.

Whether that's really his real name...
It is in a sense, I only have one name William, but for the purposes of bookkeeping etc this university decided to give me a second name; it is my real name.

VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

• Alison Grant

"I'm Not Your Average B.A."

Why do you want to be VP?
I think I can make a change and I have the motivation to do something, I've got something to offer.

What do you think is the UCSA's role?
The UCSA is working for the students, making their life at university as easy, as enjoyable as possible.

What is your understanding of the role of VP?
To work alongside and below the president, but to be a team with everyone else. Being part of a team. I don't think the VP has a more important job; it's being important in the team.

Why are you running on a ticket and not by yourself?
We're all ex-Foundry staff and I'd actually thought about running for exec but never thought about running for one of the higher positions. When I got asked I thought "yip... I'll give it a go".

Would you find it difficult to work with other people if you were the only one elected from your ticket?
I'm pretty good at working with other people. It would be probably more challenging, but I think from what I've read of other candidates most of the people are advocating for similar things, so it should be all right I think.

What do you think the UCSA can do better?
Making students more involved in decisions. Get students more involved about decisions. Act like a watchdog on the University.

What areas are you interested in as VP, and what would you want to achieve?
I don't think I'm interested in any particular area. I just want to make a difference, and I hope I can make a difference. I would like to see a bar back on campus [and]...that's the main goal of our group, but it would be nice for students to relax because they're building the Undercroft but there's not really anywhere we can go to relax and chill out from our studies.

Your blurb states that you want to cut the prices at cafeterias, provide more free gigs, and a place to drink. How do you intend to fund what you see as other essential student services without the profit generated from these ventures?
I'd like to see students working in the cafeterias, making it more student-directed. Try not to be so much focused on profit, minimise that focus and focus on providing on a service to the students without worrying too much about maximising profit. In that way that can minimise prices hopefully... I'm not an economics student, that's the other people on the team's role!

What impact do you think Voluntary Student Membership would have on the UCSA?
I don't know if I can answer that question effectively sorry.

What is your view on the UC Master Plan?
I think it's a positive step forward after the earthquake. The Kirkwood Village and other villages around is a good step forward because those facilities are quite good.

What is your view on the current liquor ban in the Riccarton/Ilam area?
I think it's needed because of the lack of anywhere for students to go in town it's needed. I'm for it.

• Andrew "Sheep" Mills

"Keeping the president honest, always."

Why do you want to be VP?
Mainly to keep the UCSA president in line, because I have heard from numerous reports that the president himself has been relatively arrogant in his time as president. Not really helping the people he is meant to be for. As UCSA VP I feel I can kick the pres into line making sure he toes the line and never goes over it.

What do you think is the UCSA's role?
Helping students all over campus – that's the short and small of it.

What is your understanding of the role of VP?
Seems to me pretty much the president's lackey, gets filled-off work that doesn't require the president's signature that I can sort out.

What do you think the UCSA can do better?
Cut down on bookshop prices; I went down there this morning to buy tape to put campaign stuff up everywhere [holds up tape] and it's five bucks. I'm pretty sure you could buy tape of similar size or bigger for three dollars or so, and similar other things like refill pads which are six dollars but only three dollars at Whitcoulls or the supermarket. I'm sure they have their reasons but I would like to see the margins and see if they can cut anything down for the benefit of the students. Or even if they could spread the cost evenly over the year.

What areas are you interested in as VP, and what would you want to achieve?
UCSA is doing the best that it can already, generally the sign of a good job. I would be there to push it further. I would like to see the dental plan trial implemented and extended for regular check-ups, not just emergency care. Not necessarily on-campus, as that would be a huge capital cost, but definitely something that is semi-funded by the UCSA.

What impact do you think Voluntary Student Membership would have on the UCSA?
It's my understanding the UCSA is already voluntary because you can opt-out.

What is your view on the UC Master Plan?
[UC Master Plan was explained] Having a plan is a good idea, to sort everything out and to stop little campuses popping up everywhere like they have in Auckland; we should definitely have one big unified campus it is a much better learning environment than having to trek down through malls and down the main street to get to lectures.

What is your view on the current liquor ban in the Riccarton/Ilam area?
While it keeps university students out of trouble, it was also implemented as people who actually live around the university are not only uni students. We are not just impacting ourselves, we are impacting all the families and people that live around here. I think they were properly involved in creating the liquor ban. I was for the temporary liquor ban after the earthquake as it kept everyone from New Brighton and Sumner and everywhere coming over here and totally trashing the place.

What about making it permanent?
It is probably a bad idea; you can have temporary liquor bans that can be brought back when things get mental, like O-Week and Re O-Week. There is no real reason for a permanent ban, all the places that have drinking outside, e.g. The Bush, they have big bouncers and the police are there most the time anyway – the liquor ban doesn't really do anything.

• Todd Rabbitt

"I'm dedicated to the job."

Why do you want to be VP?
I really want to get involved in the UCSA and have my opinion voiced to the students. I feel I can represent students well over a wide range of people.

What do you think is the UCSA's role?
Representation of students and making sure that everyone's wants and needs are looked after.

What is your understanding of the role of VP?
Help the president with their work, with anything new that comes up, help push through with the exec with good ideas, organise quite a bit of stuff, and where the president can't be, be.

Why are you running on a ticket and not by yourself?
I thought it was good being with Erin and Tom, both being from law. Sometimes engineers don't get the best rap in a political sense, and I felt running with them might let people know that I am serious, and I've got to know a lot more people through that mix of different crowds, especially law people.

Would you find it difficult to work with other people if you were the only one elected from your ticket?
No. It would be a shame; I would quite like everyone on the ticket to get in... that would be ideal. Looking at all the other candidates' ideas and what their policies are I feel as though I could adapt and take to discussion what they're talking about and come to a compromise. I think I could work with other people quite easily.

What do you think the UCSA can do better?
I think the UCSA this year did very well considering the circumstances. One thing I would say is communication, especially with status of buildings and reasons why they're not getting fixed. Everyone that's running is going on about The Foundry. I'd quite like to know what's wrong with the building. If there was more communication I think people would understand why things aren't happening.

What areas are you interested in as VP and what would you want to achieve?
The University support of clubs is something I have a strong opinion about. I think it's one of the most important thing at this uni is that the clubs run well and have good events for the students because it's different from other universities.

What impact would Voluntary Student Membership would have on the UCSA?
From what I can gather it won't have as strong an impact on the UCSA rather than other associations because we don't actually pay a set fee to join the UCSA. I don't think it will have that big an impact.

What is your view on the UC Master Plan?
I don't actually know that much about it, but returning to normality is something that's very important. Getting student space back, classrooms back, just normality is probably the most important thing in the next 10 years.

What is your view on the current liquor ban in the Riccarton/Ilam area?
I know a lot of people disagree with it, and from what I've read it's been put in place because there's been an increase of damage in Ilam, and I haven't seen that increase in damage. But if it keeps residents happy, it might be something we have to take on the chin.

If elected, what one policy would you want to have implemented at the end of your term?
I'd really like the clubs to be improved. This year has been a bit of a shambles – I think the clubs need as much support as possible to keep the social life high, not just in a drinking sense, there's other events. Bringing student morale up through having fun.

• Craig Whitnall

"We will change your life."

Why do you want to be VP?
I'd really enjoyed what I'd done as a general exec. I've got an overall impression of what the organisation is like, and I want to be VP so that I would have more time to focus on those miscellaneous projects. So I'd hope I could get student feedback and ideas about new creative projects.

What do you think is the UCSA's role?
To lighten the life of the University ... with the events, daily vibe on campus and the markets. We represent students when things come up like we did with the exams. We fought really hard and got things changed.

What is your understanding of the role of VP?
The VP is the link between most of the exec and the president. They can be on more of a friendship basis with the exec, and it's easier to chase them up for deadlines and stuff. The VP has more of an opportunity to get the student perspective and to embark on wider roles with any of the executive that need any extra help.

Why are you running on a ticket and not by yourself?
If you run by yourself you get stuck and spend half the year getting to know each other, learning everything. With the people I'm running with we've been on the exec before and accountability is so much easier.

Would you find it difficult to work with other people if you were the only one elected from your ticket?
No, I don't think so. I've known Erin for a wee while and I get along with people very well. I guess Erin would be the only one that I'd really have to get along with because we'd in the top two positions of the organisation, and I feel we'd very easily be able to come to compromises.

What do you think the UCSA can do better?
Day-to-day life on campus in terms of social space with the Undercroft. We need to draw people to a regular chill-out zone, have music at all our cafes, better vibrancy day to day. Also, sustainability.

What areas are you interested in as VP and what would you want to achieve?
Sustainability. I would want to achieve drastically reduced power bills, carbon neutrality. I would like to have music outside cafes as more of a draw into the Undercroft and the other social spaces. Drinking fountains. Maintain what we've been doing with the markets, but also implementing fresh fruit markets.

What impact would Voluntary Student Membership have on the UCSA?
With the relationship we have with the UC it would be a simple process to say "before you get your Canterbury Card, you have to sign up to the UCSA". We can't automatically get people to sign up now but in a sense we could almost force them to sign up.

What is your view on the UC Master Plan?
I love it and have been quite involved in it. The implementation of all the fixtures and the interior design of the Undercroft is something I'm quite passionate about, and I really do want to make sure I have the most up-to-date technology in all our buildings... I would potentially like to be able to pay at cafes using Canterbury Cards also.

What is your view on the current liquor ban in the Riccarton/Ilam area?
Generally I don't support it... I know how easy it is to be drinking at a mate's flat, pick up a beer, and drink it on the way to The Foundry. But I can see where they're coming from, and as long as they're not complete assholes about it, it could be okay.

If elected, what one policy would you want to have implemented at the end of your term?
Sustainable building. Revenue made from forestry investments would have to go back into the sustainable buildings, so it's kind of like a natural cycle.

FINANCE OFFICER CANDIDATES:

• Jebs O'Rourke

"I'm Jebs The Foundry Guy."

What do you think is the UCSA's role?
As a Union it essentially should be representing the students. There are commercial aspects in that it does need to fund its operations, as we do not charge a membership fee, especially given out voluntary membership.

What is your understanding of the role of Finance Officer, and how does it differ from the role of VP?
In charge of the accounts and budget, and less than a public face than the VP or President. Obviously [the CFO] is not there chairing meetings, not leading as much, but still going over how the UCSA is run.

What do you think the UCSA can do better?
Communicate about the important students that have a cataclysmic impact, a prime example being the student services levy. That was never at all communicated and it was the sort of decision that needed to be mandated by a referendum, the pros and cons laid out on the table, not just slipped under the carpet while everyone's on holiday. There are other issues like that, such as the outsourcing of cafes and bars, which is a big issue that has not been communicated with students.

Why are you running on a ticket and not independently?
I did consider running as an independent in the finance role, but the three of us share similar ideas, all come from working within the UCSA at the Foundry, so have all seen how it runs from the inside and how it all runs from the outside.

Have you read the 2010 Annual Financial Report? What is your opinion of the state of the UCSA's current financial position?
Yes. The UCSA financial position is going to be tricky; we are still trying to figure out earthquake money, the money we funnelled down the toilet, and redundancies. I do not think it is in a bad position, it could be better, but alarms bells are not ringing.

Your campaign seems centred on a not-for-profit model of the UCSA cafes and bars, how would this work? How would services be funded?
Ideally the UCSA is not for profit, it is a charity that provides a service. We still have to fund the organisation but we can't be seen to rake in the dollars. There are ways we can fund this by being smarter and more efficient and not getting dictated by outside companies.

What impact do you think Voluntary Student Membership will have on the UCSA?
Sweet stuff-all, as we do not charge a membership fee. I remember the days when we did charge a membership fee, which was not necessarily a bad thing as it just went straight onto the student loan.

What is your view on the UC Master Plan?
The UC Master Plan is something that I feel has not been communicated well to students, especially the potential for losing the UCSA Building and having that taken out. I don't think that is known across all students. I think it is an objective that UC is pushing since the earthquake and that is why we are still not back in the building. No engineering reports have come out; no remediation work has been done; yet people are still employed in the building.

What is your view on the current liquor ban in the Riccarton/Ilam area?
I don't thing it specially needs to be permanent. I think a lot of students in the area are being victimised in light of the increase in flat parties, but perhaps it should remain temporary until the city recovers to normality.

• Tom Horrocks

"Greenly-kept UCSA student accounts."

What do you think is the UCSA's role?
The UCSA's core business should be ensuring that the University experience for every student is a good one, and that comes in the form of providing adequate services, advocacy, and support.

What is your understanding of the role of Finance Officer and how does it differ from the role of VP?
I see there being two elements in the role. The first is to ensure that the monies are spent appropriately in the best manner to ensure that students enjoy a good year at University and keeping the accounts in the green. The second role [is] situated somewhere between the general executive and the VP.

What can the UCSA do better?
Communication could be better; students are not informed as to what is actually going on, especially in regard to the reopening of buildings around campus and The Foundry. I think channels could be opened up, maybe the Red Phone and Facebook as a medium for communication.

Why are you running on a ticket and not independently?
I think that we complement each other well, and if we were to all get on together, we would add a lot of value to the UCSA.

Have you read the 2010 Annual Financial Report? What is your opinion of the state of the UCSA's current financial position? Are there challenges you see on the horizon, and if so, how will you deal with them?
Yeah, I flicked through it. I think Sam did a pretty good job, as part of my campaign I want to keep the accounts in the green and I think financial officers have done a pretty good job.

In you blurb you refer to keeping UCSA in the green, with the UCSA operating a current deficit what do you mean by this?
This year there has been a decrease in UCSA spending comparable to previous years and it's just making sure is no financial blowouts and one of the roles of the CFO is a checks and balances to ensure that there was no over-the-top spending.

What impact do you think Voluntary Student Membership will have on the UCSA?
I don't think a significant impact as I think students see the value in the UCSA and the role that it plays. I think people would sign up anyways.

What is your view on the UC Master Plan?
I think there are some interesting proposals put forward in the plan, but in light of the recent events I think they need to be reconsidered. The re-establishment of a watering hole should be made a priority for the UCSA, and also given the amount of buildings rendered unusable, they need to be a focus for the plan in terms of infrastructure. But long-term, the UC Master Plan should not be forgotten and should move to that when recovery is completed in full.

What is your view on the current liquor ban in the Riccarton/Ilam area?
I think the ban and the way that it's being enforced is pretty ridiculous, mainly due to the lack of enforcement. It's more an annoyance for students as a real halfway house measure by the Council. Long-term liquor ban enforcement I don't think is appropriate for the student area; it does not reflect the social realities of a student suburb.

• Nathan Ainsworth

"I'm Not a Bad Guy."

What do you think is the UCSA's role?
Services to students – in every way possible.

What is your understanding of the role of Finance Officer, and how does it differ from the role of VP?
From my experience of seeing three different finance officers work, it is basically reigning in the president and the VP. Controlling the finances and anything from a monetary point of view. If you just have the people with the ideas and not the practical people who nail down the finances then things would get out of control.

What do you think the UCSA can do better?
Listen and communicate with students. Students don't like being surprised, and they don't like being told what to do and think. It would be a lot better if ideas could come from the ground up rather than from some outside company.

Why are you running on the ticket and not independently?
I'm too poor to afford a campaign by myself. I was not going to run but got approached by William and felt he was a worthwhile guy to support. I would not be on a ticket if it did not have the right working environment.

You all sit on the UCSA – are you the "business as usual" ticket?
Absolutely not, if anything I think we will be more original then some of the other candidates as quite a few of the previous presidents have come from a similar background and I think the diversity will provide a fresh approach.

You have sat on the UCSA for three terms; do you think it is time to move on?
Realistically, the executive can make an impact, but it is the big three who work a lot harder and make a big impact and I'm really excited about making a big impact in my final year at Uni.

Have you read the 2010 Annual Financial Report? What is your opinion of the state of the UCSA's current financial position?
I was present when it was tabled but I have not read the report yet. I think we are doing pretty well. There are clear challenges ahead; the primary one is having the building in a state of damage along with the earthquakes, VSM, and changing students changing, but they are all pretty exciting.

What impact do you think Voluntary Student Membership will have on the UCSA?
Not as large as other student associations as we do not charge a membership fee which is the crux of the issue. It will be manageable.

What is your view on the UC Master Plan?
While currently the Master Plan is looking at two options, either UCSA going in the hub under the library or staying the other side of the river, I am just happy to see that the UCSA is featured quite prominently in it. It is comforting to know that the UC sees the UCSA as a valuable part of the varsity.

What is your view on the current liquor ban in the Riccarton/Ilam area?
The temporary ban was a good idea as there was a huge influx of people into Riccarton. As a student who enjoys drinking a beer on the way to a friend's house, it is something I don't like being imposed on me, but the central city has effectively been moved to Riccarton and if the city had a ban then, yeah, it is probably something I would support, but only if it enforced with leniency and good judgement.