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a. Cambridge Energise Policy Endorsement

CUSU notes:

1. That it has resolved to support the aims of the Energise Cambridge campaign, including that of persuading the University to adopt a more ambitious policy towards renewable energy.

2. That Energise Cambridge has submitted a policy proposal document to the University’s Environmental Strategy Committee, which outlines the campaign’s recommendations for said ambitious policy.

CUSU believes:

1. That it should do all in its power to support renewable energy at the University of Cambridge.

CUSU resolves:

1. To endorse the document submitted by Energise Cambridge, in order to give it the full weight of the student voice as it is considered by the aforesaid Committee.

Proposed by: John Wallis

Seconded by: Fiorenza Brady

b. Candidate Reimbursement in the 2012 CUSU Elections

CUSU Notes:

1. There is no current provision for giving financial support to anyone who wishes to run as a candidate for Sabbatical office in the CUSU Elections;

2. The Graduate Union has historically done so, offering £50 to each candidate if they can demonstrate incurred expenses in campaigning;

3. It can cost over £50, and in some cases over £100, to run a campaign for Sabbatical office;

4. There is approximately £1000 remaining in the Council Free Budget, as well as £1750 already allocated to the CUSU Elections Committee for spending on the CUSU Elections;

5. Over the last four years the average number of Sabbatical candidates in any given year is 13 (2011=15, 2010=9, 2009=13, 2008=16).

CUSU Believes:

1. That encouraging as many people as possible to run in the Elections is for the benefit of CUSU and the student community;

2. That no candidate should be deterred from putting themselves forwards on financial grounds, although the financial cost of running a campaign can be high;

3. That such a vision aligns with our widening participation agenda, so applying it to seeking elected office in CUSU is a natural extension;

4. That CUSU should not move immediately to paying the full costs of people’s campaigns, but should trial such a scheme with the limited funds we do have.

CUSU Resolves:

1. To offer candidates up to £50 of reimbursement for legitimately incurred expenses in the course of running for election to a CUSU Sabbatical Office;

2. To top up the CUSU Elections budget with £400 from the Council Free Budget.

Proposed by: Charlie Bell (Queens’ College, CUSU Elections Committee) Seconded by: CUSU Elections Committee

c. Mental Wellbeing Officer Electoral Arrangements

CUSU Notes:

1. The CUSU Mental Health Officer used to be a representative position with a defined constituency (and therefore used to hold a vote at Council), and as such was elected cross-campus, as we have considered necessary for such positions.

2. When the Disabled Students’ Campaign was created, the Mental Health Officer became the Mental Wellbeing Officer and ceased to be a representative position.

3. The election for Mental Wellbeing Officer is still held in the Lent cross-campus elections, when all other non-sabbatical, non-representative executive positions are elected at CUSU Council.

CUSU Believes:

1. The needs of Cambridge students’ mental well-being is being met well by the work of the Welfare & Rights Officer and the rest of the Welfare Team, and the Mental Wellbeing Officer is an important part of that team;

2. That the position’s election ought to be brought into line with the other non-sabbatical members of the team and elected at CUSU Council;

3. That this would be a better state of affairs, as the effort and time required to run for the position currently is over and above what is expected of all similar positions.

CUSU Resolves:

1. To amend the Standing Orders to instead elect the Mental Wellbeing Officer as part of the part-time executive elections at Lent Council IV;

2. To make these changes in time for the current round of elections, such that the 2012 cross-campus elections will not include the Mental Wellbeing Officer position.

Proposed by: Rosie O’Neill (CUSU-GU Welfare & Rights Officer) Seconded by: Morgan Wild (CUSU Education Officer)

d. Ethical Affairs Sabbatical Officer

CUSU Notes:

1. The CUSU campus-wide referendum of 2009 which voted to establish an Ethical Affairs Sabbatical Officer should funding ever be available;

2. G.2 of the Constitution which requires a vote to be taken annually by the Council, by a two-thirds majority, to decide if such funding exists and is sustainable;

3. That, irrespective, the head of CUSU Ethical Affairs will continue to be elected cross-campus as either a part-time or full-time position.

CUSU Believes:

1. That our funding situation has not changed sufficiently in the past year to allow us to fund an Ethical Affairs Sabbatical Officer.

CUSU Resolves:

1. To maintain the Ethical Affairs Chair as a part-time position for at least the next budget year.

Proposed by: Harriet Flower (CUSU Coordinator) Seconded by: Otava Piha (CUSU Ethical Affairs co-Chair)

e. Abolishing ‘Slates’ in the CUSU Elections

CUSU Notes:

1. That the current Standing Orders permit candidates to stand as a “slate” or formal grouping of candidates. This allows them to campaign as a team, share ‘campaign spending points’, and share an electoral label and literature;

2. That slates were almost abolished in 2010, with a majority of Council voting to remove them (narrowly failing to reach the required two thirds majority).

3. That in many other universities which permit slates, students’ union elections have become dominated by political parties and groups running slates of candidates.

CUSU Believes:

1. That when candidates are standing for separate positions in separate elections, they should be judged by the electorate on their own particular merits for those particular positions;

2. That the popularity (or unpopularity) of one candidate in one race should not have an effect on the success of a candidate in a different race (as the allowing of slates could encourage);

3. That slates (and the pre-election rumours of such) can dissuade able candidates from contesting positions;

4. That, should these changes be made, candidates will still be able to make arguments and espouse opinions that are similar to other candidates’ for other positions – they will simply be prevented from forming formal groupings.

5. That the CUSU Election Rules should proactively encourage as many students to stand as possible in the elections, and that banning slates will further this aim.

CUSU Resolves:

1. To amend the Standing Orders as detailed below in order to disallow slates (referred to as “political groups” in Standing Orders) in the CUSU Elections:

Proposed by: Gerard Tully (CUSU Returning Officer / President)

Seconded by: Ruth Graham (CUSU Women’s Officer)

f. Boycott the National Student Survey (NSS)

CUSU notes:

1. That active CUSU policy states that ‘the White Paper will be damaging to widening participation, the quality of our education and the ethos of our public university system’; ‘that student pressure and activism is essential in forcing the Government to change course’; and ‘that there continues to be a sustained attempt by Government to monetise our education and turn students into mere consumer.’

2. That, as reported by the Times Higher Education Supplement, the government has decided to postpone the parliamentary vote on its HE White Paper 'indefinitely'.

3. That in spite of this back down by the government, 'the vast majority of Government plans for HE can still be achieved without primary legislation,' and many of the plans outlined in the White Paper are already in train, including: the reduction of the block grant, changes to borrowing rules that favour private providers, changes to numbers control, and more.

4. That active CUSU policy resolved ‘to continue campaigning against the disastrous effects that the HE White Paper will have on students’ education.’

5. That the National Student Survey (NSS) is an integral part of the White Paper, as it is the key mechanism for students to ‘rate’ their modules and courses as ‘consumers’ (see sections 3.5-3.14).

6. That the NSS has begun in Cambridge.

7. That CUSU has previously opposed the NSS stating: ‘It produces meaningless data which is gathered in an intrusive way. Therefore, CUSU is encouraging all its members to opt-out whenever they are contacted by IPSOS-MORI and to not take part in the Survey.’

8. That boycotts of the NSS for reasons related to the monetisation of education have been encouraged at Nottingham, Sussex, and Portsmouth. In 2010 the boycott was encouraged by the University of Sussex Student Union.

CUSU believes:

1. The government back down on higher education reforms shows the success and importance of the sustained protest by students and lecturers over the last two years.

2. In light of the likely postponement of the Higher Education Bill, it becomes even more important that students and lecturer remain vigilant and keep up their opposition to the dangerous aspects of the government's higher education reforms.

3. While the government's actions mean the dropping of some of the provisions of the White Paper, others of the government's plans to marketise and commodify education remain unchanged.

4. The NSS’s function is to increase the marketisation and commodification of education, which is deeply troubling.

5. Student experience cannot be quantified and made into a commodity for sale to the highest bidder.

6. The NSS does not produce anything of value to Cambridge students in assessing student experience.

7. There is a need for student feedback and it is important that such feedback is used constructively by students and lecturers, not destructively by people unconnected to the university wishing only to maximise profit and close courses.

CUSU resolves:

2. To encourage students to boycott the National Student Survey.

3. To communicate with other Student Unions, encouraging them to take similar action.

4. To organise a separate survey of students for constructive use by students, CUSU, JCRs, MCRs, and lecturers, outside the structures of the NSS.

Proposed by: Daniel Benjamin, Trinity College

Seconded by: Rees Arnott-Davies, Corpus Christi College

g. Support the Disability Funding Campaign

CUSU notes:

2. That £500 of emergency funds were allocated to the Disabled Students Campaign’s Degrading is Degrading campaign at the CUSU Council in Michaelmas of 2011.

3. That until recently the DRC had only 2 fulltime advisory positions, totalling approximately 1600 hours in term time.

4. That there were 1421 students registered with DRC as of July 2011, a 15% increase from the previous year and the numbers have increased every year in recent years with only 638 in 2006.

5. That the DRC's funding is currently being negotiated with the university and they have been temporarily allocated the funding for one more advisor.

6. That CUSU has a Women's Sabbatical Officer but no Sabbatical position that focuses on Disabled Students and their needs.

7. That the Disabled Students’ Campaign wish to run a campaign for increased funding for the Disability Resource Centre, for which funds will be required for publicity materials.

8. That the Disabled Students' Campaign has been forced to not proceed with a large number of projects and campaigns for disabled students because it does not have the resources as a group of disabled students running this alongside their degrees.

CUSU believes:

1. That the Disability Resource Centre is massively underfunded. That just an hour for each student is far too little and far less than that available at other universities and that this is especially ridiculous given some of the issues accessing Cambridge.

2. That the one additional advisor though useful is nowhere near enough given the massive increases in needs that the Disability Resource Centre has seen over recent years and that given funding is currently under review this is a good opportunity to get further funding for the DRC.

3. That disabled students face a whole range of issues with the university that are not relevant to non-disabled students and that these issues cannot be effectively addressed by an autonomous campaign due to the number of issues faced and the fact that disabled students will tend to be limited in what they can achieve alongside their degrees.

4. That one way to support and campaign for disabled students would be to have a disabled CUSU Sabbatical officer.

5. That the £500, allocated for Degrading is Degrading, would be useful if available for the Disabled Student Campaign’s campaign for funding for the DRC and a CUSU Disabled Sabb in addition to the Degrading is Degrading Campaign.

CUSU resolves:

1. To authorise CUSU Sabbatical officers to support the campaign of the Disabled Students' Campaign, and campaign directly, for more funding for the Disability Resource Centre and for a CUSU Disabled Students Sabbatical Officer.

2. That CUSU allow the Disabled Student Campaign to use the funds allocated for the Degrading is Degrading campaign on this funding campaign.

Proposed by: Esther Leighton

Seconded by: Chris Page

Dear Clare,

Below are the CUSU Council motions that Mark and I will vote on on Monday. Please read them and let Mark and myself know if you have any questions or opinions either way, so that we can take these into account when we go to vote.

Many thanks, Pete

a. Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment

CUSU Notes:

1. That the Hidden Marks report, published in March 2010 by the NUS Women’s Campaign, revealed that 68% of women students have experienced sexual harassment while a student at their current institu­tion. Many women students reported experiencing persistent harassment in pubs and club nights, and reported that this kind of behaviour was seen as normal at such an event

2. That 16% of the incidents occurred in a learning environment such as a lecture theatre or library

3. That the NUS’s definition of sexual harassment is as follows:  

The defining characteristics of sexual harassment are that it is unwanted, persistent and of a sexual nature. Examples of unacceptable behaviour include:  

- Unwanted sexual comments (including comments about your body or private life)  

- Unwelcome sexual invitations, innuendoes, and offensive gestures

- Wolf whistling, catcalling or offensive sexual noises

- Groping, pinching or smacking of your body, such as your bottom or breasts

- Having your skirt or top lifted without agreeing

- Someone exposing their sexual organs to you without consent

4. The zero tolerance to sexual harassment campaign was established by the NUS

Women’s Campaign with the aim of helping unions create an environment where all students can enjoy their time at university without per­sistent and unwanted attention of a sexual nature

5. That a number of students’ unions including Cardiff, Sheffield, Swansea, and Goldsmiths have already successfully implemented a zero tolerance policy in their Union

CUSU Believes:

1. That no student at this institution should be forced to just ‘put up’ with sexual harassment and that ac­tion must be taken to ensure all students are able to enjoy their time at university without experiencing sexual harass­ment

2. That sexual harassment should not be tolerated, and those who commit acts of sexual harassment should be stopped and disciplined for their actions

3. That although sexual harassment predominantly affects women students, the policy should and must be applicable to all students, regardless of gender, sexuality, or any other characteristic

CUSU Resolves:

1. To adopt this zero tolerance to sexual harassment policy and publically campaign to challenge the normalization of sexual harassment

2. To mandate the CUSU Women’s Officer to support interested parties in individual colleges, departments, bars and clubs in Cambridge in the following:

a.      

ascertaining what the appropriate pathway is for students to complain in the event of an incident of sexual harassment, and to improve the pathway if it is not appropriate

b.     

making this pathway clear and accessible to all students

c.      

providing training for staff members working in bar environments, on both the policy itself and the process for dealing with any incident that occurs

3. To mandate CUSU to review its current disciplinary and complaints procedures to ensure that they fit with the zero tolerance policy

4. To mandate CUSU to put a description of the Zero Tolerance Policy on our website and include it in the Freshers’ Guide for 2012.

UCS Committee Manifestos

Vice-President

Peter Haysom- Nominated by Jin Lee, Ed Williams

I would like to apply for a chance to take a real interest and involvement in the UCS committee and therefore our College life. I want to ensure that there is sufficient communication between the Student body and the Committee at all times. I would like an opportunity to represent all of you and relay your views to the CUSU. Most of all, I want to act as an aid and support to each committee member, and help to make sure decisions that are taken with the College in mind are taken considerately and efficiently.

I believe that I have the passion for communication and interaction that is necessary for this position. I am hard-working, dedicated and resourceful in all that I do. I therefore urge you to vote for me as figure that would be a real asset to your lives as students.

Aniqa Mortuza- Nominated by Nick Courtman, Seconded by Tom Breeze

Secretary

Louise Barker- Nominated by Alex Anderson, Seconded by Caroline Purse

The main reason why I feel that I would be a good choice for UCS secretary is that I am extremely efficient and organized. I think in a strategic and logical manner, and I am adept at time management, all of which seems to be crucial to performing the role of secretary well and keeping the committee running smoothly.

I appreciate the importance of the role of secretary in keeping the rest of the college informed about what the committee are doing, and I have various ideas of different ways to do this to strengthen the bond between the committee and college. The committee cannot really serve the student body if the student body do not know what the committee are doing and feel sufficiently involved in it, and it is crucial that the secretary works to maintain this dialogue.

More generally, I am sure that I would be well suited to a role on the committee; I am pragmatic enough to be valuable in meetings, but also passionate about the college, so I think I can be relied on to make good decisions contributions on behalf of Clare.

Treasurer

Sebastian Sadr-Salek- Nominated by Sarah Ling, Seconded by Oliver Pashley

Hi, I’m Sebastian and I’m a first year musician. As your UCS

Treasurer, my priority would be to make the next year as easy and simple as possible for you and your finances by ensuring that your college bill is not higher than it has to be. Of course, this would involve negotiating with the bursar to prevent significant rises in rent and KFC but I would also like to keep a close eye on the UCS’ finances on the whole throughout my term in office in order to eliminate any wastage and unnecessary spending as well as continuing what has already been done to ensure that the UCS’ finances are as transparent as possible. I hope to be as fair as possible in distributing the societies’ budget and to allow smaller societies with a high potential the chance to develop. On a lighter note, I would like to investigate the possibility of treasurer’s treats (they exist for many societies, so why not for Clare as a college too?) and sponsored events (such as bops and week five activities), which would give the organisers more money to play with.

Luca Manzi- Nominated by Gordan Pal, Seconded by Michael Yoganayagam

The qualities I plan to bring to the post of UCS Treasurer will be those of efficiency, fairness, a focus on support for less wealthy students and a total dedication to representing your wishes. To this end I will focus on increasing bursaries, preventing increases in rent and KFC and allocating money fairly to the various societies which represent the broad scope of the Clare student experience.

Services Officer

--NO CANDIDATES—Please email me your manifesto.

Access Officer

Zoe Bunce- Nominated by Claire Harwell, Seconded by Simon Durrant

I have always been strongly committed to fair access. It is something I truly believe in. Clare College has long been a leader in improving access at Cambridge. However, with the imminent rise in tuition fees potentially putting many people off higher education, now is not the time for complacency. I have already enjoyed being a part of some of the great access opportunities Clare has to offer, such as the tours of college, the shadowing scheme and target visits. As well as carrying on these events, I would like to introduce some more targeted schemes for prospective students. This would include getting current students more involved in subject days and giving prospective students more information on interviews and the chance to talk to us about our own interview experiences. I would love the opportunity to help to keep Clare an open, friendly and diverse community!

Edward Mills- Nominated by Gaby Laing, seconded by Maria Harvey

I'm Edward, a first-year MML student. If elected as UCS Access Officer,

I would:

* Create a formal 'Alternative Prospectus' for Clare to provide an insight into student life. In its current form on the UCS website, it is excellent but is in need of formalising.

* Expand student participation in College tours through training sessions on how we can engage school pupils.

* Introduce an 'Access Bulletin' within the UCS Bulletin, informing everyone weekly of school visits, requesting volunteers, and communicating other information.

I am heavily involved in Access, having led around 20 school tours and Q&A sessions since October. I have also taken part in the Shadowing Scheme, and am eagerly looking forward to working on the Access Bus.

After the Shadowing Scheme, my shadow commented that 'I used to think loads of uptight posh snobby people went there ... I've definitely changed my negative perception'. To me, this encapsulates Clare Access, and I believe that continuing to change these perceptions is a task that I am well-equipped to achieve.

Charlotte Searle- Nominated by Jess Egan, Seconded by Katie Beere

One of the things I believe Clare should pride itself on is the extensive and effective access scheme that is promoted year round. Having applied to Cambridge from a state comprehensive, I understand what a help it is to have the support of people already at the university - to be assured that no one will look down their nose at you. Despite my wild NatSci lifestyle, I would ensure I could make time for the tours, visits and events central to the schemes that are put on to encourage applicants from non-traditional backgrounds. I feel that the position is, this year, as important as ever: the tuition fee rise will undoubtedly - and has already begun to - have an effect on the attitude of prospective students from lower income households. It is therefore a priority to highlight the generous bursaries available at Clare and the support that such students would receive. I hope to help continue the college's status as a non-elitist community that welcomes students from any background.

Rebecca Blaylock- Nominated by Temi Wilkey, Seconded by Aniqa Mortuza

I value the diversity that I have experienced at Clare, and want to maintain it by reaching out and integrating people of all backgrounds. I believe that diversity, tolerance, and a sense of open access form the main ideology of Clare, and I am dedicated to reinforcing this principle.

Whilst I feel that there is no blueprint for an access officer, I think my personal circumstances will make me a strong candidate for this position. Coming from a non-traditional background in the North of England, and a school where the success rate for Oxbridge applications is one of the lowest in the country, I have first-hand experience at climbing the Cambridge ladder. What is more, I feel I am approachable and easy to talk to. Together these factors provide me with the essential tools to help dispel the traditional Cambridge student myths.

If elected, I intend to build on the efficient work which is already taking place by:

• Raising the profile of ACCESS within college

Welfare Officer

Alex Rossides- Nominated by Billy Aldridge, seconded by Sam Walker

Everyone knows Cambridge life can be at times scary, tiring and just plain stressful. I am running for Welfare since I know that while deadlines and other problems will never go away, they’re certainly made better by talking. For that reason, I’m not making any promises – I can’t find solutions to all of your problems - but I can listen in a totally non-judgemental way. All I aim to be is friendly, approachable and ultimately, someone who you can easily come and talk to if you feel you need to.

      Cambridge already has a fantastic network of care but I believe I can fill the peer support role with enthusiasm, dedication and with open ears. Not only that, but the fact that I am a Second Year means that I’ve come through Exam Term - I know what it’s like!

This is exactly the kind of thing I want to do when I leave University, so I’ll promise to be proactive and bring sensitivity, hard-work and care to a hugely important job.  And if that doesn’t do it for you, the promise of UNLIMITED tea and biscuits should.

Temi Wilkey- Nominated by Hannah Phillips, Seconded by Rebecca Blaylock

I would love the opportunity to be your welfare officer because the last few months that I've spent at Clare have been some of the best of my life and I want to contribute in, any way that I can, to the sustenance of such a friendly and welcoming community. I think I'd suit the position because, at the risk of sounding cliché, I really love people and am a good listener. I know that I'm someone who is easy to talk to and feel I always make it my mission to make people smile or lift their spirits when they're feeling down. I think I'm both approachable and organized and so would be able to become both a friendly face for the forthcoming freshers and a valuable member of the committee. I know Amy's done an amazing job this year and I'd like to try my best to follow suit.

Guy Norman- Nominated by Evie Prichard, Seconded by Michael Goodwin

The most important responsibility of a good welfare rep is to be there and be friendly and approachable for anyone who needs someone to talk to. I think I'm a good person to give this responsibility to-

I'd try and be as successful as Amy at being approachable, and making sure that those who need it can easily find friendship and support in me. I'd set up a weekly tea and biscuits session in the LCR for anyone who wants to chat. I'd help the (already very successful) LGBT reps to support all our LGBT students- girls and guys - and ensure quieter and/or confused students can find care and someone to talk to. I like giving up time to talk to people- I'm a philosopher, the debates I busy myself with are thousands of years old, I'm always happy to make them wait a few more hours for anyone.

Katy Davis- Nominated by Magnus Maharg, Seconded by Jessamyn McArdle

The role of welfare officer is one that I greatly respect as an essential part of the notoriously friendly Clare College community. I would love the chance to continue the success of and develop the position in order to maintain the college’s rightful reputation as a special and caring place. I enjoy listening to people and as a counsellor at my old school have had experience of trying to work out personal problems. I feel comfortable discussing any such issues and particularly appreciate the welfare officer’s role in raising awareness of sexual health as it is an issue that really can’t afford to be ignored.

To make the most of the position I have thought of a few possible developments that could be made, such as creating a ‘welfare room’ in college where the officer and welfare reps spend a certain amount of time each week, allowing people to just drop in for a chat in a confidential, neutral and welcoming environment.

Buildings Officer

Alice Bean- Nominated by James Austin, Seconded by Julia Kelly

I'd like to be your new buildings officer because I'd like to improve the process of balloting, making it simpler and swifter. Many colleges' students form groups before allocating ballot numbers, meaning that you can then select accommodation with people you know well on a much surer basis than now. I'd also like to review the room points system. For example making the size of a room more heavily weighted would make an oxo room more representative of what you get for your rent. I'll send a survey around beforehand to reassure myself that these suggestions tally with majority opinion. I think freshers could be better informed of what a room description means. Maureen often gets queried about this so I think it's an area in need of improvement, e.g. giving a typical size range for those rooms. Finally, I will enthusiastically represent our voices on the accommodation committee.

Academic Affairs Officer

Nate Mattison- Nominated by Benjamin Mortimer, Seconded by Susie Hill

My name is Nate Mattison, and I'm an affiliated student in English

(effectively, a second-year). I'd like to be your next Academic Affairs Officer; although the position may be abolished, the stresses of Easter term cannot be, and someone needs to help make them manageable. I would coordinate de-stressing activities with the Welfare team, including more tea and biscuit breaks in the LCR, massage sessions, and perhaps yoga classes. I also would run several mock exams during the first part of term; these could be as often as twice a week, given enough interest and schedules permitting. Should you need more targeted help, both next term and beyond, I would do my utmost to connect you with the necessary resources - Clare and the University want you to succeed, and you should take full advantage of what is available. If you have any suggestions for other activities/workshops next term, or ideas for the rest of the year, I'd be glad to hear them and see if they could be implemented.

Matei Jovanovic- Nominated by Ania Slotala, Seconded by Sam Burnell

Dear Clareites,

We all are very lucky to be in a very social, very friendly college with high academic performances: a wonderful place to live and study in. The reason I am running for UCS Academic Affairs officer is to be able to contribute to maintain this long-term balance we can be proud of.

I am well aware the several aspects of the role, especially during Easter term. Before coming in Clare I spent a first undergrad year in Paris, where I encountered exam pressure for the first time. If elected, I promise to carry out efficiently all the measures possible to relieve you from this pressure, as running de-stress sessions in the LCR or Cellars, putting on mock exams sessions for people to practice under exam conditions. I also suggest making a system in which the years above would agree to help students from the years below, through essay exchanges, group studying...

During the rest of the year, I promise to represent your views on academic issues and be an efficient liaison with the college.

Having contacted Kai, this year's officer who has done a great job, I am also aware of the specific situations that can occur when for instance putting exam practices in place: I would need to contact whoever allocates room usage, book the Latimer room, get someone (or myself) to supervise the students, which I would be glad to do.

Finally, maintaining this balance between my course and college life has been a priority to me, being part of the Boat Club and the May ball Committee in charge of the budget. If elected I promise to be a very efficient, friendly and approachable Academic Affairs officer.

Social Secretary

Frances Edmunds- Nominated by Gabby Cummins, Seconded by Jessie Spears

As the coolest most sassy party go-er around. The "lad" of the fresher girls. LOL. 'but seriously i'm the biggest booser'. I feel, perhaps over-qualified for this role. My friends know me as Fran Sancisco- named after St Francis of Assisi, who loved animals. just like me. Although, I'm not suggesting I'm a Saint (yet) my caring nature would surely prove a hit with the new fresher boys? If not. my tits definitely will. My plan is simple- but i hope you'll agree effective. Freshers week- 'party f**king hard' get 'drunk lots' but 'chill for those who want to'... As for the matter of bop's they will be regular and radical- first theme TRAILER TRASH. just like me. if not a FRAT PARTY. 'f**king parties. I LOVE PARTIES'. love frannie.

Evie Prichard- Nominated by Ben Miller, Seconded by Luca Manzi

I have loads of ambitious ideas not only for improving bops (making the buttery area less institutional; improving themes, atmosphere and decorations; trying to involve older years more; taking some inspiration from pop-up clubs and perhaps the ArcSoc parties etc.), but also for extending the role of Social Secretary beyond the planning of social events centred around partying and drinking to include more stuff aimed at the broader college community. I think it could be cool to do more film screenings, find a quiet, sober evening activity for most non-bop Saturday nights, push for occasional themed formals and try to organise regular sober-ish events as well.

I want to bring this balance to freshers’ week too. If possible I’d like to run concurrent boozy and non-boozy events every night, so that people can chop and change and get to know a broader range of people, and so that no one feels left out. It’s also important to run more daytime activities, as there’s nothing worse than the stranded feeling of having no friends and no work in the first week. Small things like making sure it’s easier to identify Clare students when out during that week and speed dating including different years could make a big difference too. Finally, I’d like to gauge how much support there’d be for out-of-Cambridge college jaunts later in the year, such as to London clubs or to theme parks.

Nick Courtman- Nominated by Annie Elkington, Seconded by Egor Marisin

I have loads of ambitious ideas not only for improving bops (making the buttery area less institutional; improving themes, atmosphere and decorations; trying to involve older years more; taking some inspiration from pop-up clubs and perhaps the ArcSoc parties etc.), but also for extending the role of Social Secretary beyond the planning of social events centred around partying and drinking to include more stuff aimed at the broader college community. I think it could be cool to do more film screenings, find a quiet, sober evening activity for most non-bop Saturday nights, push for occasional themed formals and try to organise regular sober-ish events as well.

I want to bring this balance to freshers’ week too. If possible I’d like to run concurrent boozy and non-boozy events every night, so that people can chop and change and get to know a broader range of people, and so that no one feels left out. It’s also important to run more daytime activities, as there’s nothing worse than the stranded feeling of having no friends and no work in the first week.

Environmental & Ethical Affairs Officer

Emma Shaw- Nominated by Rebecca Trevalyan, Seconded by Lucy Pauli

I've been one of your Green Representatives this last year so I have gained a pretty good understanding of what it takes to become the next Green Officer, and what we as the student body need to address in the up-coming year. Central to this is the continuation of Emily's hard work in implementing the new all-in-one recycling system in Mem, which can hopefully be extended to Old Court and The Colony. In particular I'd like to focus on things that affect YOU as the students of Clare. A lot of Green issues are a personal life-style choice and although I will aim to make your lives easier in addressing them, I appreciate that a lot of us have more on our plate and these things can pass us by. However, keeping our collective environmental impact to a minimum is critically important, both to keep our electricity and heating bills down, and to make our day-to-day life in college that bit more sustainable. Keeping up our green credentials as a college relies on good communication with all college members and this is something that I would be good at.

Otava Piha- nominated by Zabeen Ahmed, seconded by Mark Rowland

This is a very important time for the environment. The implementation of the government's Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) means that Clare could face hefty fines (ultimately paid by students) if it fails to make carbon reductions. But climate change isn't the only issue. The socially responsible investment campaign (SRI) tries to channel university and college investments into more 'ethical', but profitable companies. I believe there is great potential to work with college on both issues next year.

This year, I have been following the CRC process, the SRI development and the more mundane composting and recycling battle in college. Last year I was involved in the Fairtrade campaign. My own personal aspirations for next year would be clothes drying lines (saving money on dryers!) and working with maintenance and housekeeping to improve energy efficiency (reduced utilities costs!).

The highest priority is to involve the various actors in college, to negotiate an overall environmental strategy between students, Fellows, administration, maintenance and the other departments. Ethical and environmental action is about continuity, which a fluid student system unfortunately rarely achieves.

If you have questions about or ideas on any of this, email me on op237.

Clareification Editorial Team

Effie Stoodley and Egor Marisin- Nominated by Katie Beere, Seconded by Charlotte Searle

Candidate Names: Egor Marisin and Effie Stoodley

Position applied for: Clareification Editorship

Role Description, as forwarded in UCS President invitation to enroll:

‘Be yourself, only better! Drown in a sea of thankless obligation! Indulge in unnecessary self-pity! Accidentally hurt the feelings of others! Irk jihadis! Clareification!’

Manifesto:

Yeah, alright then.

Magnus Maharg and Tom Breeze- Nominated by Tom Lindsell, Seconded by Alfie Lloyd

Salutations! [No idea what the above means, but it worked for Chonofsky]

Ali and Ahir's editorship may be as hard a thing to follow as a Colonel Gaddafi speech, but we think we're their natural successors. We take to irony like a magnet, we take to spoonerisms like a sloth to a flame, we take to sarcasm really, really, really well. We take to quality journalism like 100 THINGS THAT CURE CANCER! We take to current affairs like a Ruskin undergrad and we take to water like      well, we don't want to go overboard.

Wrapped tighter round the Clare Body Politique than a Tom Breeze t-shirt from H&M Kids, we promise to deliver the editorship to END ALL EDITORSHIPS

(But only if we really screw up).

Regards,

Clare Ents Team

--NO CANDIDATES—Please email me your manifesto.

Here are the manifestos for this year's candidates:

Tom Breeze: nominated by Euphemia Stoodley, seconded by Magnus Maharg

Clare prides itself on its reputation as the "friendly college", and quite
rightly so. I believe the maintenance and improvement of this atmosphere -
an atmosphere valuable to an institution of Clare's intellectual heritage
not only as a relief from work, but as a means of sharing knowledge and
ideas - is the chief priority of the UCS President. I recognise, however,
that the preservation of this "atmosphere" does not rest exclusively on the
organisation and encouragement of social events. It seems obvious to state
that as President I would wish to represent Clare College to the utmost,
but I mean this in a way that few candidates for any election do. I have no
political axe to grind, and as such stand in the relatively unique position
of being able to offer my services to the college as a simple mouthpiece.
My lack of extra-curricular responsibilities and "fluid" timetable mean
that I have the time to canvass and progress the wishes of the Clareite
student body, and my natural inclination suggests that I can do this in as
forceful and persuasive a manner as the situation demands. -----

Mark Chonofsky: nominated by Alistair Cannon, seconded by Kit Preston-Bell

Salutations!

I'm running because I want to make your college life trouble-free. My
strategy as president will be strong, effective, and threepronged, much
like Dr. Octopus' claws in Spiderman 2:

0. Efficiency -- I'll run the UCS in an organised, responsible manner and
ensure that tasks are done quickly. I led similar large organisations in
school and I'll use that experience to accomplish as much as possible.

1. Communication -- I'll make sure you're informed by building on the
current email system, reducing spam from the administration, and improving
UCS and college web sites.

2. Responsiveness -- I'm friendly and patient, and I will always be there
to listen and offer support. My committee and I will actively seek student
thoughts and new ideas.

I'll visit the LCR and the Castle End common room next Monday and Thursday,
respectively, from 3 to 4 or so, and I'll bring biscuits. Please come
round, meet me, and ask any questions you have.

Having spoken to multiple members of this year's UCS committee, I think I
can make a real contribution. I'm certain that we'll have a fantastic year,
and I hope you'll consider voting for me. -----

Peter Haysom: nominated by Jess Denman, seconded by Mikey Cole

Dear Clare peeps,

You would do well to place your trust in me, IMHO. I am an experienced
leader, having taken on the role of house captain at my school, an able and
engaging communicator and a passionate, genuine and caring individual that
would like to see our college consolidate and expand its social and
pastoral network. I believe that a great UCS President is one that tries
his darndest to involve every Clare student in the democratic process that
constitutes the running of the College. If elected I will strive to create
greater contact between the committee members and the student body, through
the use of weekly bulletins and regular feedback from each rep. I also want
to turn the UCS open meetings into a comprehensive event that allows
students to have a real input into future decisions and to hear from every
representative about how they are carrying out their role. Finally, I would
say that my priority is our pastoral care system. We do so well because we
have a great infrastructure that allows anyone with a problem to seek help,
and as President I will ensure that Clare continuously develops this
solidarity that makes us great. -----

Rosie Olliver: nominated by Susie Hill, seconded by Katie Beere

I am running for UCS president because I love Clare and want to do the best
for it that I can, to help keep it such a wonderful place to live and
study. I think I would be good at this job because of my previous
experiences organising things independently and as part of a group, from
demonstrations to camping trips. My cross disciplinary friends help me to
understand the strains that different subjects put upon different people.
I'm always prepared to make the time to listen to anybody who needs
anything or even just needs to talk. I don't want to come to this role with
too many desires for the direction UCS should take, as I truly believe this
is a process that should be driven by the students of Clare as a whole.
Thus, my main aim would be to get a greater contribution from everyone into
what the UCS can do for you. One personal priority is to create
opportunities for all students from Clare to get to socialise with other
colleges. -----

Sebastian Sadr-Salek: nominated by Sarah Ling, seconded by Oliver Pashley

As a first year, I turned up at Clare last October not really knowing what
to expect. As it turns out, Clare is the most welcoming and open-minded
community I've ever been a part of and I want to represent it on a wider
level. I think I would be well suited to the role of JCR President because
of my tenacious attitude towards work: my commitment to the welfare of my
peers means that I won't leave a job half done. I work well within a team
(through extra-curricular activities such as orchestras, the rowing club
and a committee at the Union) even if they're not necessarily people I
already know; this would be particularly useful for all of the external
meetings that the President attends. Clare is great, but if elected I'd
like to hear what you want to change. If elected as JCR President, here are
some of the motions I'd like to put forward:

£ Some sort of cash withdrawal service in Memorial Court

£ A more substantial bike shed with a university card-operated lock

£ A continental breakfast in addition to Saturday brunch
-----

William Wynell-Mayow: nominated by Tim Beeson-Jones, seconded by Tom
Lindsell

Firstly for those of you who don't know me my name is Will and I'm a second
year medic. I want to be your UCS president as I believe that I have the
qualities required and the experience, to best represent you and your
views. I have strong leadership skills, having been awarded a military
scholarship to Sandhurst aged 16, and was my school's deputy head boy. I am
disciplined, managing to maintain a good balance of work, college sports
and the more social aspects of university. But most importantly, I am
dedicated to the college, and having had 2 years experience here and been
churned through exam term, I both know what makes Clare such a great
college, and what you need from your college to allow you to succeed in all
fields at uni. I want to improve formal hall and the buttery, building
college pride with it. The LCR needs a microwave, a toaster and a
functioning TV. And I want to make freshers week a priority, maximising
inter-year integration and the community atmosphere that defines Clare from
the offset. So come to hustings if you want to here more about me and what
I want for your college!