DSU President’s Column

This week is a column of reflection. I apologise, as in part this means that it is slightly self-serving, but with elections around the corner, and my potential successor out there, waiting to stand, I think it’s an ideal time to look back over the past six months and think about everything which we have achieved.
All four of the sabbatical officers in DSU started in the summer, eager and full of ideas. The building was only open until six pm out of term time, and we were asked to leave every day by the porters so they could lock up.
In an attempt to better interact with students we introduced new methods of communication; all the DSU sabbs now have Twitter and I have my own Purple Radio show. We’ve been reactive to student opinion and following the closure of the shop we brought back discounted newspapers on your suggestion.
We’ve facilitated the student voice better than ever before, had two record breaking referenda, actually got into colleges and spoke with students directly in unprecedented ways. Our relationships with the JCRs and MCRs has improved tenfold and we are even in the process of codifying the relationship between the JCRs and DSU, thus entrenching lines of representation. I’m proud of what we have achieved so far.
This job has presented me with opportunities I never imagined. We’ve hosted an event which Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne attended, sat on the governing body of a multi-million pound organisation and worked with colleagues who are as passionate as I am about representation, and giving students the opportunity to speak out on the issues they care about.
In short, I do believe that this is the best job in the world. I’m not going to pretend it is always easy. Sometimes people can confuse the role with you as a person, and I think my poor friends have to put up with an awful lot of conversations about the DSU, but I couldn’t imagine doing anything else this year. It’s a fantastic opportunity and I would encourage you all to stand.
Nominations are currently open for all four of the DSU sabbatical officers. If you are interested in standing then you can pick up a nomination pack from the DSU advice centre, or download one from the DSU website. Nominations close Friday 12th at 5pm and the husts will be on Tuesday 16th Feb in Queens at 7:30pm and on Wednesday 17th Feb at 7:30pm in Durham in Elvet Riverside 140. Voting opens Monday 22nd Feb at 9am.
Finally NUS President Wes Streeting has decided to visit Durham on Tuesday 9th February in light of  the controversy surrounding an email sent by his organisation regading the Union Society’s now cancelled multiculture debate.  The location is still to be confrimed however I will notify you via email as soon as I know where it will be held.