It’s the FXU Presidential Elections this week, and so we caught up with Susie Phillips, who is campaigning to be our new President of Student Experience, to learn a bit about her policies, and what she gets up to around campus!
Hi Susie! First question: what course are you studying?
I’m in my third and final year studying Conservation Biology and Ecology.
What made you choose to study at the Cornwall campus?
For what I’m doing, there really is no better place to be! The range of field trips and access to some brilliant local wildlife spots in unbeatable!!!
In your spare time, what do you like to do?
Whenever I have spare time (which is not really that often, unfortunately!) I love to just get outdoors! So surfing, walking, and just generally trying to explore Cornwall a bit.
Why did you decide to run for FXU President of Student Experience?
I feel like I’ve benefitted enormously from the clubs and societies offered by FXU, and I genuinely believe I can make sure these opportunities are available to all students, across all the campuses. I would say my involvement with the Expedition Society (and Fxpeditions) from day one has been monumental in developing skills such as leadership, communication and organisation; something that I just haven’t got with my course. Of course, these skills are key to the role of President of Student Experience! I can honestly say that without this society, I would not have enjoyed my university experience as much as I have, and there is no way I would have found the confidence to run for this position!
Can you tell us a bit about your main policies?
Essentially, I am looking to increase connectivity; between campuses, societies, and the wider community, helping to give us a louder voice at a national level. I want sustainability to be brought to the forefront of policy, encouraging green initiatives and working towards a carbon offsetting scheme for activities and operations. I want to make house hunting a more transparent process, and come up with a mapping tool to show where the free study spaces are on campus. Sounds ambitious, but not unrealistic!
What would you most like to achieve in this role?
So many things! But, being a conservation student, I really think increasing sustainability initiatives and building links between the local community is really important. Being a girl and also a cash strapped student, I’m really keen to replicate the campaign at Sussex University, which aims to give out free sanitary products in protest of the ‘Tampon Tax’.
And finally, if you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
I guess I’d have to go for determined, loyal and realistic
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We wish all the best of luck to Susie and all the other candidates! You can read more about all the candidates in the election here, and don’t forget to vote on the FXU website before the end of the week!