Catherine Renwick wants to encourage students to evaluate their own academic progress and to utilise their personal tutors, claiming that such skills are invaluable in applying for jobs after graduation. Furthermore, she wants to introduce a mentoring scheme across all university departments. She wants to encourage postgraduate students to play a greater role within the Union, and to review the induction and supervision of postgraduate students. Concerning tuition fees, Catherine plans to “campaign to ensure choice and not a market place”.

Huw Groucutt believes that it’s time to take action against tuition fees and wants to encourage a radical student movement to revolutionise the way in which our education is funded. As an active member of the Communist Students, Huw feels that “students and staff must stand together and democratically decide on the nature of education, which should be geared towards making university enjoyable and fulfilling - teaching the skills required to change the world.”

Matimba Swana wants to change our libraries, especially St Georges, which she claims needs longer opening hours for those who need access to the books it exclusively holds. Additionally, she advocates lengthening the loan times on books and clear explanations of due dates and fines. As your Education Officer she would promote the careers service, and provide careers fairs that represent jobs from all disciplines, rather than just those from law or finance. She advocates subsidies towards external examinations, such as the NCTJ’s, which Journalism students currently have to fund themselves.

Rebecca Watson feels that her previous experience and understanding of how the union works makes her the perfect candidate for Education Officer. She believes that this role provides the chance for students in trouble to have an important representative voice, with the confidence and knowledge to solve any problem encountered. Rebecca plans to strengthen academic representation, especially for postgraduate students. She proposes a consistent review of resources so that they can be used and accessed to their full potential and wants to take a stance against the proposed lifting of the cap on top up fees.

Sam Durk plans to dedicate himself to fighting towards the abolition of top-up fees, because he claims rising University tuition fees are only being met by a decrease in teaching time and money spent on students. He plans to actively seek a resolution and “will work for a system where anyone can get a free higher education without having to first worry about the cost”. He also feels that all unions should be allowed a democratic input at national level through annual conference, and therefore will challenge and oppose the NUS governance review.