Becky Player: SU Activities Officer Candidate
Her Campus caught up with 3rd year English student Becky, running for the role of Activities Officer in the upcoming SU elections. Becky is from Romford and is looking to create better links with volunteering in the University, have a look at why she thinks you should #JoinIn.
Can you tell us a bit about what the role of Activities Officer entails (and how it differs from Sports Officer)?
Activities Officer is the elected person who helps societies and SRSs to achieve what their goals, make it easier for other people to set up societies that would contribute positively to the Union. They are also the political representative that oversees the societies council, managing an executive team to deal with the admin and also being held accountable to society presidents at the council. They work with committees to put on events such as the Societies Ball and the Grad Ball. Most importantly, they are the drive behind continually making it more accessible for students to get involved in a wide range of activities while they are at University.
Why do you think you’d be good at it?
I’d be good at the role because I’ve taken the time to make sure that my manifesto reflects the needs to different students. I wanted something that appealed to a wide range of students, whether you’re a Post Grad, on Sutton Bonnington or Derby or you’re not in catered halls in first year. By taking all of these needs into account, I think I would have an inclusive a view as possible going into the role. Personally, I’m always enthusiastic about getting involved in things the SU has to offer, and working as part of the Welcome Committee as the Early evening coordinator meant I’ve got the experience of working with societies, and of putting on events in the Uni. I also care so much about the role, and I believe that I have the drive and the enthusiasm to make the points in my manifesto a reality.
What part of your manifesto do you think will appeal to most people?
I think that the publicity aspect of my manifesto is going to appeal to a lot of people. From talking to societies, they’re great at putting on events, but the SU could be doing more to support them. That’s why I want to bring in an SU Activities calendar to go out at the start of every month, letting people know what is going on so it’s easier to get involved. Sutton Bonington currently do this so we should be doing it on all campuses! The points about employability by having SU certificates of involvement and also moving the Welcome Festival back into one location were also popular when meeting people.
Are you expecting any parts of the job to be particularly difficult? Why?
I think that with any of the SU officer roles there are going to be challenges. I think the most difficult thing will be getting the room booking system online as other people have tried to do that before. But it is requested every year by students, and the technology is there so it’s really important that it happens if I’m elected, because it would make the lives of people trying to organise committee meetings so much easier!
One of the points of your manifesto was to creating better links to volunteering in the university, can you tell us a bit more about this?
I’ve worked with the Student Volunteer Centre on a number of occasions through University, firstly through Karnival, then through Student Volunteer Week and then finally through Welcome, where the staff supported all mentors and committee members volunteering for the SU throughout Welcome. They’re amazing staff, and some of the opportunities are fantastic, and when I met with them I suggested that the activities officer could use their network of societies to engage more students with the projects they have available.
Why do you think this is so important?
When I was meeting student groups, one volunteer group said that the Student Volunteer Centre had been really supportive and instrumental in getting them up and running, so to work create better links will only enhance this kind of great work. I genuinely believe that students want to do more volunteering for both employability and because they care about the causes they are working for, and so it would be useful to raise the awareness of the opportunities.
QUICKFIRE ROUND
Funniest memory of Uni? I dressed up as pixelated Sims characters with my friends for Seven Legged, then when I woke up someone had posted the photo online and we were on the front page of Reddit! Really funny but really strange experience too.
Do you have any strange hobbies? Not really, unless binge watching Netflix counts but I don’t think I’m the only student that does that!
Which category are you best at in a pub quiz? Anything to do with TV: especially Friends.
Anything you’d like to add for our readers? Just that I hope that if they take the time to read my manifesto there is something in there that they believe is needed in the University. I really hope that they’ll engage with the campaigns going on and use their vote, because the votes between candidates before has been incredibly close so someone’s vote really can make all the difference!
Thanks Becky- we wish you the best of luck with your campaign!