“You Don’t Need to be an Aspiring Politician”: Ollie Martin on Being Activities Officer
“I remember sitting at the sabb speeches in my first year being like ‘what’s the deal here?’"
Read MoreStudent Activities Officer
The Student Activities Officer supports and develops engagement and inclusivity in extra-curricular activities at the University of York including Societies, Media, Raising And Giving, Volunteering, and other events. The Student Activities Officer represents more than 200 student groups to the University, lobbying for their interests and makes sure that they receive the recognition they deserve.
The Results
The Candidates
- Rebuild and improve York’s nightlife. Campus clubs, more permanent events spaces, extend the lease on The Forest, marquees for societies to hire.
- Online platform for York students to collaborate, upload portfolios, and hire one another for paid or unpaid work.
- Mental health awareness and inclusivity training for society committees.
- The development of a virtual Activities Hub to better promote events.
- The formation of Events Committee and Activities Forums, strengthening a dialogue with students.
- Ensuring no one is left behind by widening access grants, helping repair society skill gaps and implementing the “adopt an activity” scheme.
- Training for committees, Doorsafe, and bar staff on recognizing hidden disabilities ensuring events and activities are inclusive to all! Working with the Disabled Students Network to ensure nobody is discriminated against at university events and activities.
- Post-Rona night out to Leeds anyone? Nights out to other university cities working with other SU’s! Establishing a good relationship with bars and venues in town to create the best nightlife buzz despite the loss of Fibbers and Kuda! To achieve this, I’ll look at the York Parties contract, and get those platinum card refunds! I plan to work with other groups like OffBeat Events and YPN!
- Space for socialising and helping societies! Allow societies and student groups to book out YUSU bars, get additional licensed space on Campus East and keep the Forest and Piazza tipi! Improve YUSU social media and that awful website for societies to advertise themselves, helping and allowing people to get involved!
- Enable and encourage easier inter-society engagements
- More official events both on and off campus
- Simplify behind-the-scenes society management
- EXCITING EVENTS – Reinvent York nightlife by developing new larger venues in the city, whilst also supporting York’s independent bars and on campus venues to run the best events.
- A STUDENT-LED STRATEGY – Listen to the voices of students to inform how best to improve engagement with activities at York and to revive nightlife in the city.
- INCLUSIVE ACTIVITIES – Ensure that everyone feels welcome to get involved with activities at York by providing support for societies and other groups to grow participation.
- Creation of a Student Group and Employer network to empower student groups to gain sponsorship, work experience, and employment opportunities.
- Development of an online training platform to be opened to all student group members including courses in mental health, events management, finance, and outreach.
- Giving students a say in how YUSU operates with a 24/7 feedback service and regular times to meet with sabbs and staff to voice concerns.