Tuesday

21 February 2006

Published by the USSU

Communications Office.

Free with Issue number 1098

Read & Vote!
Read & Vote!
The University of Surrey Students’ Newspaper’s Election Pull-out Extraganza!
Elections Special: Behold, the barefacts election special. President | Page II
Contained within these 8 humble pages is all the candidates VP Sports |Page IV
manifestos, personal statements & all the other vial information
you need to vote. So when the 28th of Feb comes around -
VP Education & Welfare| Page V
Make sure you vote! It’s very cathartic you know...| All Pages VP Societies & Culture| Page VI

barefacts tells you ‘How To Vote’!

Alternative Transferable Vote
The Union uses the Alternative Transferable Vote (ATV)
System in their elections. It can be quite a confusing
system if you have not come across it before and even if
you have you may find the following guide useful.
Why do we use it?
Parliamentary Elections use the first past the post system,
which gives you one vote. The ATV System allows each
voter the fullest freedom of choice between candidates
and the maximum use of their vote. In a first past the post
election a candidate is elected simply by coming top of
the poll. Let us look at a typical result in a Parliamentary
Election.
to elect the successful candidate(s) who should, therefore,
be more likely to represent the views of the majority of At this stage once the entire ballot papers have been
the electorate. sorted into their piles the Returning Officer has to work
out a quota. This is simply the minimum number of voters
Alternative Transferable Vote a candidate must gain to be sure of election. For single
The ballot paper shown below gives the Returning Officer posts the quota is quite easy, the successful candidate
a message; must gain a minimum of 50 per cent plus one. So to use
Homer Simpson 1 the example given above then 37,499 votes were cast,
Ned Flanders 4 so the quota is 18,749 + 1 = 18750. As can be seen Ned
Krusty the Klown Flanders has not achieved that amount of support - so the
Mr Burns 2 candidate will the least amount of votes is eliminated and
RON (ReOpen Noms) 3 their votes are allocated to the next expressed preference.
Mr Burns 8,000 votes are distributed between the
If you were to meet that voter in the bar she might say; remaining candidates. So back to our example;

Homer Simpson 9,999
Ned Flanders 10,000
Krusty the Klown 9,500
Mr. Burns 8,000
Flanders is first past the post and will represent that
constituency despite the fact that 27,499 did not want him
to be their representative and chose other people. In effect
their votes are wasted.
In the Transferable Vote System each
voter is asked to give an order of personal
preference. Using this method a candidate
either has just enough to be elected or has
too few votes and has to be eliminated. If
this occurs their votes do not go to waste
but are redistributed to their next choice
of candidate and so on. In this way a
greater proportion of the total vote is used
“…I would like to see Homer Simpson elected to this Homer Simpson 9,999 + 3000 = 12,999
position, however if he is out of the running then I Ned Flanders 10,000 + 500 = 10,500
would prefer Mr Burns be elected. If he too is no longer Krusty the Klown 9,500 + 4,500 = 14,000
available as a candidate then none of the others really Mr Burns 8,000 Eliminated.
impress me and I would prefer that Nominations were
opened up again... if that is not going to be possible then I This gives us a new leader in Krusty the Klown. No-
can live with Ned Flanders but under no circumstances do one has yet got the quota that is required so again the
I want Krusty the Klown running things…” candidate with the least number of votes is eliminated and
that is Ned Flanders, who you will remember won under
Once all the completed ballot forms have been collected the first past the post system.
in, all the papers are sorted out into first
preferences. During this sorting process Homer Simpson 12,999 + 5,000 = 17,999
any incorrectly marked papers will come Ned Flanders Eliminated
to light and will be set aside as invalid. Krusty the Klown 14,000 + 5,500 = 19,500
Such “invalid” votes usually occur because
the voter has not made their intentions So Krusty wins because he has exceeded the quota of
clear, for example, they may have put two 18,750. By using this system the supporters of Ned
number ones, and of course some people Flanders and Mr Burns have still been able to influence
deliberately spoil their ballot papers.. the final outcome.

WHERE TO VOTE: The polling stations are open on...

Tuesday 28th February, Wednesday 1st March & Thursday 2nd March
a barefacts guide in these great locations, at these great times...

Lecture Theatre Concourse Library Court Receptions

Tuesday 28th February 10am - 8pm Tuesday 28th February 12noon - 5pm Tuesday 28th February 6pm - 8pm
Wednesday 1st March 10am - 6pm Wednesday 1st March 10am - 4pm Wednesday 1st March 6pm - 8pm
Thursday 2nd March 10am - 8pm Thursday 2nd March 10am - 8pm Thursday 2nd March 6pm - 8pm

Rubix
Wednesday 1st March 9pm – 12midnight

BE SURE TO MAKE YOUR CHOICE FOR

THE FUTURE OF YOUR UNION!
Need more info? - ussu.co.uk/elections - Need more info? - ussu.co.uk/elections - Need more info? - ussu.co.uk/elections
II PRESIDENT Election Pull-Out!

V
Looking In – The Candidate
Hello! I’m Greg Scott, a student in SEPS studying Robotics and I am standing for Students’ Union President.
Academics Representation Sport
I have been a student at Over the past 2 academic years, I have been a Beyond the intriguing world of
Surrey for 2 years. I have member of the Students’ Union Executive, President of Union politics, I have also been

O
attended 4 universities in two
countries. I understand how
universities work… or at least
how they could (and should)
work. At each of these
universities, the Students’
Union was at the core of the
student experience.
the Postgraduate Association and the only student who
sits on University Senate (the highest level controlling
body of the University). In these roles, I helped create
the Postgraduate Board, a representative body
comprised of students, which supports the academic
and welfare needs of students. This board is the basis for
the newly proposed Undergraduate Board, due to be
implemented next year for the first time ever.
actively involved in a number of
sports across the University from the
Surrey Ski & Snowboard Club trips
to the French Alps to bi-weekly
Taekwondo and Trampolining
training sessions in UniSport. I was
one of the founding member of the
KiteSports club last year.

T Looking Back – Continuity

Continuity in leadership is essential to ensure that the
achievements of previous sabbatical teams are not
lost. The Five Year Strategic Plan was developed
while Hash’s team was in office in ‘04-’05. Flo’s team
Looking Forward – Manifesto
Improve communication between the Student Body and the Union
with the aim of encouraging participation and heightening
transparency; ultimately improving the student experience
Improve resource use within the University through better recycling

E
is currently overhauling the Union Constitution and practices and more effective use of surplus commodities
the way academic representation works for all Fully utilise and integrate the cosmopolitan community to improve
students. I have been on both of their Executive the student experience
Teams. This is a make-or-break time for the Union and I am looking forward to the future, looking forward to new ideas,
its students. Strong leadership is required to looking forward to working with you; leaving the Union as
implement and carry forward these significant something we can all be proud of
improvements to the Union. Although I cannot promise to change the world, I can promise
to do my best to give back to this University what it has given to me.

12,000+ STUDENTS… 130+ COUNTRIES… [1] UNION!

[1] GREGORY ‘GREG’ SCOTT

WWW.GREGFORPRESIDENT.CO.UK
Election Pull-Out!
Vote CHRIS WARD [1] for President
The students at UniS deserve a leader who will take them into the future. Somebody who will ensure
that fairness, equal opportunities, student safety, and enjoyment at university are always at the top
of the agenda. With just under four years’ involvement with USSU, Chris Ward has the knowledge
and experience to maximise the fulfillment and service you get out of your Union.
Money
I will work to ensure that students are not lumped with the
accommodation price hike planned by the university. I will
also continue my three-year-long fight against tuition fees
- entry to higher education should be granted on academic
capability, not financial capability.
Safety
Over the past year I have worked with various local figures,
including Tamsy Baker, the Mayor of Guildford to ensure
that the safety of our students is treated with paramount
priority. The newly installed campus camera system will
help ensure that your safety is preserved. However, I will
continue campaigning with Guildford Borough Council,
the university and other relevant authorities to tackle the
problems of insufficient lighting, particularly around the
Southway underpass - which many of our students use to
get to and from campus.
Enjoyment
We already have an excellent array of nights out at Rubix.
Our flagship Friday Night event, Flirt, has become a
national brand at student unions around the country.
Socialising is one of the most important parts of student
life, and I want to make sure that you get the nights and
acts that you want.
www.cjward.co.uk - USSU going forward
Personal Statements: President
Mark ‘Jolly’ Rodgers
Jolly by name, Jolly by nature. I am a final year law
student, who throughout the course of my time at surrey
has always been found partying hardest in the union. I
came to university to do the best I could with my degree
and to have the most fun possible whilst doing it. I got
involved with the Law Society and in my second year
my reputation of partying enabled me to be elected as
the social events organiser and despite lacking society
funds I used my own initiative and enthusiasm to put on
events and we had a great year. At the start of my final
year I got elected to the position of Law Society president
and I have since been striving for opportunities to make
students more employable by providing extra curricular
activities. Since first month of first year I have been
acting in an ambassadorial capacity for the university
by leading campus tours and helping out at open days,
I can tell these were successful because walking around
campus I recognise many faces from those tours.
Friendly, approachable and easy to talk to, I believe these
qualities make me the perfect candidate to represent
you as Union president. If elected I can continue to
organise the partying, continue to strive for CV boosting
experiences and can continue to show I am proud to be
a Surrey student and make the rest of the world stand up
and take notice of all Surrey students.
PRESIDENT
Diversity and Equality
With a vast variety of different cultures and students
with different circumstances at UniS, we need to reflect
this diversity better in the services we supply students.
We should ensure that we are not predominantly an
undergraduate Union. I will work with the Postgraduate
Association (PGA) to ensure that the best system of
representation is in place, and that postgraduates feel
the Union is offering them every level of accessibility.
Similarly, we are proud to boast the biggest mixture of
international students in the country - we need to do our
utmost to ensure their integration into UniS and Guildford
itself is as smooth and as welcoming as possible. I have
also done a lot of work setting up a society for Students
With Disabilities (SWD) to have a voice on campus, and
I’m working to ensure that we provide sufficient services
and levels of representation for these students.
Your Union - wherever you are
We cannot ignore the fact that the vast majority of our
students take placements, more than most universities
around the county. We need to continue to make sure our
field of representation extends beyond campus, and that
our members (i.e. you) can always feel that the Union is
serving them.
Gregory ‘Greg’ Scott
My name is Greg Scott and I am a postgraduate student
in SEPS with aspirations of becoming an astronaut
(having successfully failed to outgrow my childhood
dream). At each of the three universities where I
previously studied, the Students’ Union formed the core
of the student experience… an ideal I hold true.
As an engineer, I have learnt to create effective and
efficient solutions to problems. Along with my political
enthusiasm, I know that my background will enable me
to succeed as Union president.
When I arrived at this University, I found the
Postgraduate Association and immediately filled the role
of International Officer. I was responsible for defending
international student needs and promoting events for
a cosmopolitan population. When I was elected PGA
president, I took responsibility for advocating the
academic and welfare needs of all postgraduate students.
In order to effectively achieve this, I got involved with
the Students’ Union, Postgraduate Board and University
Senate.
I actively contribute to the University. Academically,
these contributions range from developing training
programmes at the Space Centre and also mentoring
aspiring engineering students. In sport, as a black belt in
Taekwondo, I have taken the responsibility to teach this
art to a variety of students.
Through all that, I have not lost sight of the student
experience. University life is not just about academic
learning… it is also about also about meeting new people
and learning about life. But most importantly, it is about
having a good time whilst doing all this.
III
My experience
Literature Editor, barefacts, 2002-2003; Editor, barefacts, 2003-2004; NUS Regional
Conference Delegate, 2003; President LGBT Society & LGBT Union Officer, 2004-
2005; President, Liberal Democrat Society, 2004-2006; Editor, barefacts, 2005-2006;
Ethics & Equal Opportunities Officer, USSU Executive, 2005-2006; Member, Club
Committee, 2005-2006.
My Nominators
Joshua Bates, Deputy Editor of barefacts and CIT Level 1 Course Representative;
Simon Pickles, CIT Level 3 Course Representative; Perry Higgs, LGBT Union
Officer; Segun Oshin, member of the Afro-Caribbean Society; Fiona Poole,
Accommodation Officer, USSU Executive.
Christopher ‘Chris’ Ward
With over three and a half years experience at USSU, I
certainly have the knowledge and experience necessary to
continue our move forward into the future. Throughout
my work in the Union I have constantly stressed the
importance of surveying student opinion – in me, the
President you elect will be a President that prioritises
communication with students, so you are aware of all the
services the Union offers you, and vice versa, so you can
feel that you can communicate back to us your thoughts
and feelings on how we represent you.
As Editor of barefacts over two separate years, I have
constantly worked with the university, the Union, and the
student community to ensure you are informed of campus
news, and that you have an opportunity to get your voice
across. As Ethics & Equal Opportunities Officer I have
worked to ensure that equality is always considered an
important issue on campus, as well as making sure that
we serve all our students in the same way, irrespective
of race, gender, sexuality, disability status, or the like.
This year I have nurtured a relationship between the
Union and figures in Guildford Borough Council – it is
important we work with local authorities to maximise the
level of support we give you whilst you live in Guildford.
The Union is definitely growing – and I take it as a
personal responsibility to ensure that we widen our level
of representation, and give you a Union to be proud of.
IV VP SPORTS & RECREATION Election Pull-Out!
Election Pull-Out!
Personal Statements: VP Sports & Recreation
James ‘Jimmy’ Ancell
Hi, I’m Jimmy, and I love sports. What I can’t play, I
love to watch. I play two sports competitively for Surrey,
but basically I love to swim, run, row, play water polo,
play football and play basketball. I believe that my
enthusiasm for all sports will help with my impartiality as
sports and recreation vice president.
At some universities, if you want to swim for fitness
and not for trophies, you might be discouraged from
swimming. Similarly at other Universities, if you would
like to hula-hoop at an international level (it’s a sport),
you might struggle to find the resources and the people
willing to help you. My approach is simple, let’s use what
we have and what we can get to allow people to take their
sport as far as they want. That is as fair as it can be.
C.V info;
In the summer I played basketball on a self-organised
volunteering trip to Bangladesh, I have taught rowing on
weekends for a year to children with learning difficulties
and I have run residential sports activities camp for
these children. I ran a society for a year, and am on the
committee of another, and play a whole bunch of sports.
This year I was lucky enough to be selected for the Elite
Sports Programme for one of these.
My strongest points are my impartiality and my
enthusiasm for all sports. And I mean ALL sports. I hope
that you will vote for me in the coming elections.
VP SPORTS & RECREATION V
Nick ‘Manakin’ Short Daniel ‘Dan’ Sidders
Nick Short has not submitted a personal statement and Equity, Equality & Enhancement
feels his manifesto is sufficient. My name’s Dan Sidders and I’m running for the VP
Sports and Recreation because I believe I can make a
difference at Surrey.
Since I started university I have been increasingly
involved in running the Ultimate Frisbee club, becoming
the Social Secretary in my first year and then moving
into the position of Club Chairman. I’m also Chairman
of two other clubs, the Guildford Open Team outside
of university and the Guildford Open Ladies Team in
conjunction with Roehampton University.
As the Chairman of what the Union terms a ‘specialist’
sports club I have been working to increase the sport’s
profile within the university and; in my position as
Chairman of the Guildford Open Geo Team, the local and
national community. Recently founding and coaching the
Ladies team in combination with Roehampton University,
I believe that sport should be available to everyone and
actively encourage involvement and participation in
sport.
A hospitality management student and winner of the
Savoy Scholarship ’05 I have management experience
prior to university within the hospitality industry. If
elected I believe I could use these skills to further sport
at Surrey, working with Senate House and UniSport to
ensure that the new Manor Park campus provides the
facilities that sportsmen and women need. This year’s
work with UniSport to maintain current expense levels
for students is an encouraging step forward and I would
ensure that this level of cooperation is continued and
expanded upon in the next year.
VI VP EDUCATION & WELFARE Election Pull-Out!
Hi my name is Kathryn Foley, but most people call me Kat. I am a final year Food Science and Nutrition
student and I am running for the position of VP Education and Welfare. I have enjoyed my time here at
the University of Surrey and now I want the chance to be able to help others enjoy their time here both
academically and socially.
Finances
We all know as students we Health
need to look after the The mental and physical health of the student community is
pennies. As VP Education important to me, I believe a healthy student is a happy
and welfare I want to student. The health centre helps ensure that the student
promote the services population at Surrey is healthy, I would like to be able to
available to help students with financial difficulties, make students aware of the services they offer, which
with the possibilities of setting up clinics to should be accessible to all. It is always an issue at the
help with money matters before major health centre that there are not enough
financial problems arise. appointments available on a short notice basis. I
hope to work with the health centre to try to find
Environment a resolution to this problem, such as a weekly
The appearance of campus can have an drop in to see a doctor
effect on our mood. Litter in the form or
wrappers and even food on a Saturday Course Representatives
morning after a Friday night out is a All courses have a representative, I want to be
particular problem. I aim to work with the able to make students aware of this and also
relevant university authorities to provide a insuring that all academic schools recognise
greater provision of bins and I also hope the importance of the students views.
to work with the fast food suppliers to
help cut down rubbish production. Accommodation
Dealing with landlords can be a tiring
Safety experience; I aim to work with the accommodation
Student safety is of utmost importance, office to ensure all students have access to houses
I will work to ensure routes onto campus which provide a good standard of living in a safe
are safe, especially with the new Manor environment. If problems with landlords do arise
Park development increasing pedestrian I will work with the relevant parties to ensure
traffic through the Tesco underpass. issues are resolved in a fair and just way.
It is essential all students are aware of
Their own personal safety, I aim to educate If I am elected to VP Education and Welfare I will
all students on ways in which they can be safe continue to support current union
on and off campus. campaigns whilst developing new
initiatives. I also hope to work with
the other sabbatical officers to
make the University a happy safe
place to live and study.

Vote Kat [1] for VP Education and Welfare it’s the Purrrfect choice!
Election Pull-Out! VP SOCIETIES & CULTURE VII

This is the Year Of Unity for USSU

Vote Zeph #1 for VP Societies & Culture
Over my 3 years at Surrey I’ve been heavily involved in the Societies & Culture office. For the last year and a
half I have held the elected Societies Officer position on the Union Executive and during this time I’ve noticed
a lot of things going wrong. Well this year that changes. THIS IS THE YEAR OF UNITY IN OUR STUDENTS
UNION.

• One thing that is having a major effect on the Students’ Union is that of unity, therefore one of my manifesto
pledges is to improve communication between the Societies & Culture desk and the student populace,
and trying to improve the representation of students by providing up to date information on what is happening in
societies. This is especially true for reaching international students and post-grads.

• A lot of the post-grad Freshers arrive at the same time as the undergrad Freshers and yet post-grads have
their Freshers’ Fayre 3 weeks later…so my second manifesto pledge is to work closely with the PGA and the
University to come to an arrangement to have the Freshers’ week Wednesday off for post-grad Freshers
every year to allow them to attend Freshers’ Fayre with the aim that by providing more chances to participate
in societies from the outset, we might increase post-grad participation in all societies.

• My third pledge is to organise a 1 or 2 week long ‘International Societies Week/Fortnight’, with the aim to
try and move away from the idea that joining a society, with the exception of the international societies, is only
for home students. The way that week will run is by allowing members of the international societies to sample
other societies for free – similar to the initial taster sessions run at the beginning of the year. This is to try and
develop the involvement of international students in other societies.

• Finally, I will get out to the students. I will organise a ‘Talk to the Sabb’ time each week when I will be out
where students can easily approach me in such places as the lecture theatres or library.

Experience
Vote from 10am on Tuesday 28th Feb until 8pm on Thursday 2nd March Stage Crew, 2003-2005; Treasurer, Paintball,
2005-2006; Hockey Club, 2003-2006;
2006 in the Lecture Theatres, Library and Rubix (on Wednesday night) Societies Officer, USSU Executive, 2004-
2006; NUS Conference Delegate 2004-2006
VIII PERSONAL STATMENTS
Personal Statements: VP Education & Welfare
Kathryn ‘Kat’ Foley
Hi, my name is Kathryn ‘Kat’ Foley. I’m 22 and a final year Food Science and Nutrition student
originally from Hampshire. I have gained so much from my time here at the University of Surrey
and I now want to help others enjoy their own ‘Surrey experience.’
I am a friendly, outgoing and approachable person who is open to the ideas and views of others. I
enjoy working as part of a team and I have good communication skills. I want to be able to voice
the concerns of the entire student body and address issues raised in my manifesto.
During my Professional Training Year with the pharmaceutical company Abbott, I dealt with
confidential issues on a daily basis. These could be anything from a business issue to customer
related enquiries. I learnt to handle these sensitive issues in an appropriate way; this is one of the
many skills I learnt on placement which I could bring to the position of Vice President – Education
and Welfare.
Over the past four years the University of Surrey has been a happy home to me. If you vote for me,
I will do my utmost to ensure that everybody has an enjoyable yet productive time at the University
of Surrey.
Personal Statements: VP Societies & Culture
Mark ‘Zeph’ Griffiths
To be a good sabbatical officer requires many things, not least of which is the foresight to see
possible conflicts arising in the Union. It also requires a good understanding and experience of the
role you are involved in.
I believe I have the necessary experience to be an effective sabbatical officer, having not only been
involved in societies at a grass roots level from the first week I was at Surrey, but through having
spent the last year and a half as Societies’ Officer as elected by the societies themselves at Societies
Standing.
The time I’ve spent as Societies’ Officer has given me a good knowledge base to work with. As part
of the Union Executive I am part of the ongoing process that is modernising the Students’ Union
and allowing us to move forward to bigger and better things.
I have also been an NUS conference delegate for the last 2 years, putting the interests of Surrey into
the national arena.
I am studying for an Electronics degree, and am here for at least another two years and I made sure I
connected with as many people as I could, not only in my own department.
I want to see our Students’ Union build on its self. Improve its self. I want to see other Unions
around the country saying “we want to be more like USSU”. I believe that leading from the changes
happening at the moment, I can continue to improve societies and culture at USSU.
DO NOT MISS - DO NOT MISS - DO NOT MISS - DO NOT MISS
Candidates Showdown 19:00 in Chancellors
Watch all the candidates go head-to-head answering all
manner of questions.
DO NOT MISS - DO NOT MISS - DO NOT MISS - DO NOT MISS
Election Pull-Out!
Gabriella ‘Gabby’ Sholk
Hey, my name is Gabby; I’m 20 years old and currently studying psychology.
During the two years I have spent at University I have tasted a lot of what it can offer. By spending
many a night in Rubix, pulling all-nighters in Austin Pearce and working at Chancellors Bar has
allowed me to intermingle with the student population across many different departments.
In the past I have been in positions that require me to delegate, organise and communicate ideas to
large groups and work within a short construct of time. I have also worked with many people from
different backgrounds, going to an international school has equipped me with the ability understand
others, work well in teams and interact with different individuals.
One of the reasons I would be appropriate for the role of VP Education and Welfare is the amount
of responsibility that I can manage, I have had experience as a student representative, fighting
for students rights and liaising with education officials. Whilst living abroad I have also created a
support group for parents with learning disabled children. I enjoy working hard, getting results and
the role of VP Education and Welfare requires just that.
What I really want to get across is that I will be available to you, and willing to listen and take
action on issues that are important to the student body. I would very much like to able to have a
constant connection with you the students, and always have my door open.
Outside the educational realm, I enjoy art history, painting, drawing and reading. I have a keen
interest in traveling and extreme sports. I am energetic, enthusiastic and prepared to take on the new
challenges that this position will bring.
Thayana ‘Thay’ De Paula
Name: Thayana ‘Thay’ De Paula
Department: Media Culture and Communications
Year of Study: Second Year
I am running for Vice President Societies and Culture for the sabbatical team 2006-7. I believe I am
suited for the position as I am an honest diligent and friendly individual. I was one of the founders
of the Brazilian society and am therefore aware of how the system works. I have worked with the
current VP Societies and Culture to learn about what the job entails. I am confident I will be able to
carry on with the progress he has made and improve the current system.
Just to let you know a little bit about me. I am originally from Brazil and regularly visit my home
country. I have been a member of the university for the pat two years and have enjoyed every
moment of it. I believe the union plays a large part in the students lives here at Surrey. I hope to use
the year in the sabbatical team to give back to the university and improve the student’s university
experience. My hobbies include dancing, socialising, travelling and shopping.
Thank you for reading my personal statement and hope that you will support me!
Thay.