By Elisabeth Ounsworth
Cardiff Students’ Union President candidates were questioned in Saturday’s SU Election debate, hosted by Gair Rhydd. Maria Pollard, Joshua Tandy, Callum Thompson and Alex Portman Ross discussed their manifesto aims and issues including support services.
Alice Nicholson was not present following controversial comments made in her interview with Gair Rhydd regarding victims of sexual violence.
Candidates were given two minutes to summarise their goals. Maria Pollard discussed her experience delivering manifesto points as President and aims to tackle timetabling issues, improve consent education, and introduce a karaoke night in the Taf.
Callum Thompson emphasised diversity, inclusion and mental health, claiming his experience as both student and staff over eight years gives him insight into where the university must improve. Alex Portman Ross said he is “not afraid to step
on toes”.
He aims to establish CCTV-monitored safe zones and introduce a ranking system for housing based on students’ experiences. Joshua Tandy, currently VP Heath Park, pledged a zero tolerance policy against sexual violence, a reduction in mental health waiting times, and a Student Protection Bill.
When asked about stopping “extreme costcutting”, candidates outlined different approaches. While Ross argued cuts should be fought and management called out when necessary, Tandy pledged to work with management – but asserted that students should be able to protest in support of academics affected by cuts.
Pollard described this issue as personal, as Swansea University cuts have affected her parents.
She has met with trade unions to express solidarity, and stated that students “should be able to study all the subjects we want to”.
Thompson agreed that the university should offer a wide range of subjects, and said he would focus on signing contracts efficiently to increase income.
Sexual violence was a major topic, with Time To Act committee members present. Attendees said support services often aren’t effective, and asked candidates to outline “material plans”. Pollard said student conduct procedures are “too harsh on protestors and not harsh enough on rapists”.
She aims to improve Freshers’ Week with consent stalls at fairs and a “safer nights out” guide, and create a peer-led network for survivors. Thompson pledged to bypass the system wherever possible, urging the university to “put victims’ needs before processes”.
Ross proposed a “walking bus” to escort students home during Freshers’ Week, and criticised Cardiff University’s review policy as being below the standard of the court’s judicial system.
He also condemned sports committees not attending mandatory consent training, stating “if something’s mandatory […] it’s f***ing mandatory”.
Tandy focused on improving current policies with a survivor-focused approach. He aims to deliver every
Time To Act commitment, and implement a working group that brings survivors and the University Executive Board “face-to-face”.
Candidates were also asked how they would reduce mental health support waiting times. Pollard agreed wait times are too long, and said new staff have recently been hired to relieve pressure, but that the issue is a “work in progress”.
Thompson said he “wouldn’t be running if it wasn’t for the services” and pledged to research which areas of service are struggling or underfunded.
Ross acknowledged the role of societies in supporting people, and said preventative work is important.
Tandy proposed a university-wide wellbeing campaign focused on prevention, and introducing a triage team to lower waiting times.
One attendee discussed the presence of Starbucks in the SU, referencing accusations of financial involvement with the conflict in Palestine, and asked whether candidates support ties with companies believed to be contributing to a genocide.
All candidates were open to removing the company if students felt uncomfortable, with Thompson stating he would explore replacing it with a system where profits could be reinvested into the university. Pollard also suggested replacing Coca-Cola with Gaza Cola in The Taf, whose profits go toward rebuilding hospitals in Gaza.