Surrey students hold balance of power in Guildford
Wednesday 14 April 2010
University of Surrey students are more involved in democracy than ever before. This year, with the General Election taking place during the student term time, Surrey students will have a significant part to play in the outcome for Guildford.
The University of Surrey Students’ Union, based on the Stag Hill campus in Guildford, represents the interests of all Surrey students. The Union is headed by five full time sabbatical officers, students voted for by their peers to be their face of students to the University and the Guildford community. The Union held its annual elections for full time student representatives in March, giving Surrey students the opportunity to select their representatives for the next academic year. During a hard fought campaign with 24 student candidates, a total of just under 3,500 Surrey students voted, increasing the turnout in campus elections by more than 60%.
Students’ Union Chairperson, Sam Bull, said: “This massive increase in voter turnout points towards a greater level of interest and activity in politics among the student body at Surrey. It’s an encouraging sign - students are a significant force in the Guildford community and the general election candidates will not be able to ignore the influence they hold.”
The Students’ Union also supports three student societies which back the three main political parties, each with an active membership. The University’s Politics department has spawned an active Politics Society whose members host regular events and welcome local councillors to debate on the issues that matter to students. Students have also recently voted for their delegates to attend the National Union of Students conference and represent them on the national stage (taking place from 13 – 16 April in Gateshead).
Elizabeth Simos, Students’ Union President, now completing her second term in office said: “The Higher Education funding review is high on the agenda for all parties this election. Students will be looking at party policy on university fees and voting accordingly. The Union’s recent successes in creating a political buzz around campus mean we’re expecting students to turnout in force to vote in the General Election. The decisions they take will make all the difference.”
All home, and some commonwealth students living and studying at Surrey are entitled to vote in the Guildford constituency, and the Students’ Union has also been running a campaign to encourage all students to register to vote in Guildford.
Current Vice President for Welfare and President elect, Malcolm Hunt, said: “We joined forces with Guildford Borough Council and members of the Politics Society to promote the General Election and to encourage students to register to vote. We had ballot boxes across campus where students could post their registration forms. Hopefully this has raised awareness of the General Election and more students will be voting locally than ever before.”
All students living in University accommodation in both Stag Hill and Manor Park are automatically registered by the Accommodation Office. This alone swells the electoral register by almost 4,000.
Media Enquiries
Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 689191, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk
