Winning for the second year in a ‘landslide victory’ with 3014 votes, Kallum Taylor has maintained his role as YUSU President. His ‘Keep Kallum and Carry On’ campaign really seems to have gone down a treat. So, with £9k fees, a new vice chancellor and 15,000 students to represent, Kallum surely has his work cut out for him this year to make sure that our voice is heard and that YUSU makes our time at York the best it could be.
In his acceptance speech, along with claiming that YUSU ‘is close to becoming one of the best student unions in the country,’ he emphasised that ‘I am so so touched by this, it is amazing. 2013/14 is the one, let’s roll guys, Keep Kallum and Carry On.’
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Here at Her Campus York, we managed to get in touch with Kallum to ask him a few questions on his background:
What subject did you study?
I studied politics with international relations.
What has been your most memorable university moment?
Tough one…There’s been some absolute highs and real lows. University is a strange pace…you end up experiencing things that you wouldn’t normally have done in 3 or 4 years. Life accelerated itself here ….In terms of my most memorable moment though, it would be hard not to say becoming SU president. The job’s not easy and it’s hard to know who your real friends are, but it’s rewarding for so many reasons and on so many levels. Oh and when I won, Kellogg’s sent me 26 boxes of Special K following the campaign – all very surreal!
What are your hopes for this year?
Well, getting the things I campaigned for during the election would be good on a personal level. On a wider level though, we are really looking forward to working with and alongside the new vice chancellor. Students are demanding so much more now; from the quality of teaching, feedback and campus facilities to the support and the running of the Students’ Union.Once he arrives, the university needs to treat students here as co-drivers of the university as opposed to being more like passengers. We’ve also made big waves in campaigning and have not been afraid to voice students’ concerns and ideas – but there’s more to do though! This has to be done on an official, written-in level too – it’s not right that in order for us to have influence, we need to rely on good personal relationships with staff members – though that does help!
Finally, who is your celebrity crush?
Mila Kunis
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What has Kallum achieved so far?
As York University is growing, it is sometimes difficult to see the changes that Kallum and his team have managed to achieve. Here are a few of their major accomplishments…which girls, are likely to affect you!
You know that feeling when you find that perfect top in Topshop, queue for the check out and get out your money anticipating the 10% discount, only to be told that your student card doesn’t have an expiry date? Well, that’s set to change, and that change is thanks to YUSU. University student cards are now to be printed with an expiry date…finally!
Another issue that Kallum has tackled is that of the new YUSU outlet which will operate in place of Barista. Although plans are still being finalised for this new coffee shop – girls, get excited for a new venue to grab your morning cappuccino.
Additionally, the successful Langwith Compensation campaign is a fantastic example of the achievements that can occur when the JCRC and YUSU work in unison. After problems with their hot water and heating during the chilly winter months, Kallum and his team managed to receive £30k in compensation. Not only did this win a commendation in the YUSU awards for the ‘campaign of the year’ but it has prompted the university to re-evaluate their view on tenants…really a win win!
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As Kallum said ‘the year gone by has been pretty intense, there have been some ups and some downs, but we have always bounced back.’ And indeed they have. The summer ball was the biggest York has seen and we were triumphant once again in the ‘Roses’ tournament. He has also taken in all kinds of feedback and secured 4 YUSU club nights again for this coming year (please take part in our poll to establish which night all you girlies prefer):
Tuesday – KUDA
Thursday – TOKYO
Sunday – VODKA REVS
Wednesday is returning to SALVATION.
Follow Kallum’s blog on the YUSU website to keep informed of his movements. We have no doubts that Kallum’s changes this year will be just as successful as the last. We surely have ‘Kept Kallum and Carried On’ (sorry I couldn’t resist).