Today is the turn of Callum Morris, 2nd year History and Politics student from Hemel Hempstead. After changing his course after first year, Callum has been at Nottingham for three years and is ready to make some big changes to the SU! Ā He spoke to us about his determination to see the much-discussed Lenton Hub actually happen, the reason for those minions, and a true dedication to Ocean Friday…
Ā
Ā
Tell us what you think the role of President is.
Fundamentally, youāre there to represent and be the voice of 34,000 students. You need to listen to what they want and work out if their suggestions are viable. It involves coming to compromises ā getting what students want whilst also complying with University regulations. Youāre very much the middle man!
Ā
Talk us through the ābest bitsā of your manifesto!
Increasing printer credits is of big importance to me. Iāve spoken to a lot of students about this and the current system isnāt working. Maths students donāt tend to use all of their credits whereas Arts and Humanities are constantly topping up their cards. They need to be distributed proportionally to where they are needed.
I also want to see the Lenton Hub happen. I know some candidates are opposed to it and others are a bit indifferent, but I think itāll make a big difference. I donāt want it to be just another Mooch ā there are enough places to drink here, and theyāre probably cheaper! And I donāt see it as an Internet CafĆ© ā most people have internet access at home so that isnāt necessary.
It needs to be a practical place where students can use university computers, return library books, print using their printer credits and access administrative facilities. Iām also aware that a lot of students struggle to settle in to 2nd year life when moving to Lenton. So I think the Hub should have a counselling service where students can go to talk to someone about their problems.
Ā
Quite a few of your policies are to do with decreasing the financial strain on students (e.g. more printer credits, hidden course costs being made known earlier, subsidised gym membership for students in halls). Do you think the SU still has a long way to go to make university an experience that all students can make the most of regardless of their income?
I think that because of the fee rise, students need to be getting more value for their money. I pay the Ā£3,000 fees, but there is literally no difference between my lectures in first year where everyone was paying the same as me, and my lectures this year where most people pay Ā£9,000. When youāre paying Ā£6,000 more, you should be experiencing something different.
The money issue is more of a problem for Postgrads, however, because they donāt get a student loan. When theyāre paying for their course and living costs straight up, something as simple as more printer credits or revealing hidden course costs early on can make a big difference.
Ā
I like the idea of the Officerās drop-in sessions. How will these work?
SU officers need to be more visible ā it can be quite intimidating to go to the SU office where there are a load of full-time Officers sat around working. The office hours will work like tutorsā office hours, taking place in the Lenton Hub once that is established and acting as an informal way for students to talk to the Execs. It means more people will come to us to voice their concerns and tell us what they want changed.
Ā
Which of your policies do you think will be the hardest to implement and why?
Not necessarily the most difficult, but the one that will take longest is the Lenton Hub. It realistically wonāt be in place for a couple of years just because of the logistics of it. Itās hard to ask students to vote for something that they wonāt see the benefit of first hand, simply because third-year and most second-year students will have left Uni by then. However it is viable and can be done!
The gym membership subsidies will be difficult. Again, it can be done. I know Leeds offer free membership to their first year students ā which tempted me to go there! First year students donāt have the same access to cheaper gyms that second- and third- years do. Itās also unfair that in order to join a sports team you need the Bronze membership at least. I was speaking to a member of the lacrosse team who said she needed to pay for a Bronze membership which she probably used about 7 or 8 times! There are a lot of hidden costs involved with sports at Nottingham and itās not right that you need to pay these in order to play sport.
Ā
Who do you think is your biggest competition?
Iād have to say Harry Copson ā he seems to have orange T Shirts everywhere! Most of the people Iāve spoken to have already been approached by Harry, who has made a massive effort to talk to lots of people. I couldnāt really do this until later because I only decided to go for President two or three days before the deadline. It had always been something I wanted to do, but doing work experience in London in the weeks before the deadline confirmed to me that I was ready for a job and Iād be good at this role!
Ā
What makes you the right person for the job above the other candidates?
I think the fact that Iām very approachable, which you need to be good at with this job. Students need to feel like they can have an open conversation with their President. Iām also determined and ambitious. At the end of the day, I donāt want to go in to the job and act on my personal opinions ā Iām here to represent the studentsā opinions and I feel like I can do that well!
Ā
How do you feel about having to take a year out of your studies for the job?
Iām looking forward to it! Itāll be a nice change having done three years at Uni already. Iām also in a better position to be campaigning this year rather than next, because Iām in my second year so the workload is less than it will be. I spoke to Amos, last yearās President, and he was saying that taking a year out gave him a much better work ethic for his final year. Obviously, going in to a 9 to 5 job is a big change from having a couple of hours in uni every day!
Ā
Tell us about the minionsā¦
Thereās not really a message behind it ā itās just a bit of fun! When I was coming up with branding ideas a few of my friends suggested a slogan like āMorrisā Minionsā or āDespicable Morrisā, and then someone offered me a little Minion toy to take out on campaigns. So it sort of just came from that ā I nearly went with pink!
Ā
QUICKFIRE ROUND:
Ocean ā yay or nay? 100% yay. I only missed one last term ā the last one with the Hoff! Iād gone to Prague with friends – we didnāt have any internet access so didnāt hear anything about it until we came back the next week and it was all over Facebook.
What did you want to be when you were a kid? A dustbin man! I had a little Playmobile dustbin truck which I loved. My Mum still brings it up to this dayā¦
Marmite ā love it or hate it? Hate it.
Personal miracle hangover cure? I wish there was oneā¦if anyone has the answer, let me know! Oh actually, I do have one. I work at a bar back home and went to work one day hanging ā my manager made me this drink with the juice of 2 lemons and 2 oranges, honey, salt and sugar. And it worked!
Ew. Was it nice? It tasted a bit like Lucozade sport.
Who/what was your last text from/about? You, telling me where you are!
Thatās not very interesting! Callum checks his phone. Ah, it was from a girl in one of my latest minion pictures. My best mate from home left a bit of a cheeky comment on the photo and she was just enquiring who he is!
Snog/marry/avoidā¦Adele, Jessie J, Joanna Lumley OR Kanye West, Ed Sheeran, Hugh Heffner?
Whoās Joanna Lumley?
That old woman with the posh voice who acts.
Oh yeah, I know who you mean. OK, Iād snog Jessie J, marry Joanna Lumley and avoid Adele. Do you want me to do the guys too?
If you want!
Iād marry Ed Sheeran. Probably have to avoid Kanye, I think heās a bit of a psycho. So I guess snog Hugh Hefner ā itās got to be done! Ā
Claim to fame/special talent/fun fact about yourself?
My housemateās uncle is the guy from Dexys Midnight Runners who sings Come On Eileen!
Ā
Anything youād like to add?
Vote for Callum and youāll get more of the Morris. Heās one in a Minion!Ā
Ā
Take a look atĀ Calllum’s manifesto and campaign page.
Ā
Edited by Harriet Dunlea