With this year’s leadership race just around the corner, HC Leeds met up with Thierry Ngutegure – one of the candidates running for Union Affairs Officer – to chat about his campaign and why you should vote for him when voting opens on March 4th.
What made you first want to run for Union Affairs?
Mainly because I’ve done this before. I’ve been in Leeds for the past seven years now as I went to college here, I was the President of my senate for my college and sat on the board of governors there, so I was a trustee of £4.5million. I think being Union Affairs Officer for Leeds University Union is now the next step up for me and I’d love to lead.
So this makes you the best candidate for the job?
I think I have the best experience. I know everybody will say they really want it, but for me it’s more I need it – it’s just the next step for me. I haven’t even applied for a masters or anything yet because I want it so much!
Could you tell us a bit about your manifesto and what you’re hoping to change?
Basically, I have three points: more space, more money and more opportunities. The whole point of more space is that people generally feel, including a lot of societies, that there is not enough space in the Union, regardless of how many chairs the Union buys. The biggest problem is that we have no money. My solution to this is to open up the spaces we already have, like Stage@Leeds and the Edge. It’s about finding spaces that we don’t have to pay for and already have.
The second point is more money. Currently, we’re in the middle of getting a new vice-chancellor, so I think this is a time where we can influence the university to help ourselves. I’ve been discussing how we can build relationships with the university, as I think it is really important for our financial future. I want to help societies with sponsorship, either through sponsoring our own societies, or educating committee members in order to self-sustain themselves. I also want to help graduate students. It can feel like there’s no help available when you graduate, so I would love to produce a support package that you could receive from the Union.
Finally, in terms of opportunities, it’s about increasing employability. I want more awareness for Joblink and to hopefully employ more students in higher-up positions in the Union.
Could you explain your campaign name?
I was using the name Thierry Unchained, as I’m not afraid to ruffle the feathers of those on top and am more than happy to sort out issues whatever it takes. However, I got a moment of inspiration and changed it to 100%. When we do surveys or forums, it’s never 100%. I want to visualise what it takes for everybody to give us 100% for everything.
Finally, why should Her Campus readers vote for you?
I’m a microphone for a lot of people. In a sense, people come to me, say what needs to be done and I’m more than happy to do the laps necessary to get things done. I’m not a nodding dog! The current Exec have done an amazing job, but I’m in the Union every single day from 7.30 until 5 in the morning. There’s nobody running that knows this building more than me and I interact with hundreds of people every day! I’d 100% do it if it wasn’t paid.
Thanks so much for speaking with HC Leeds Thierry and we wish you the best of luck with your campaign!
Keep up to date by following @Thierry4Affairs
Image Sources:
All Thierry’s own.