Dipen 4 Reform: SU Presidential Candidate
Her Campus Nottingham spoke to President candidate Dipen –or, Dipen Patel 4 reform as he wants to be called- a 3rd year BioChem student. Dipen claims he is from the ‘humble origins of Hounslow, West London’, but his ‘destination is true democracy for the students’. Dipen spoke to us, amongst other things, about why he may resign after 50 days if he is elected.
Can you tell us a bit about what the role of SU President actually entails?
Nothing. The SU president is actually powerless. The only things the President does is attend meetings, focus groups, give opinions, they are basically the token student for the University to parade around. This is the problem, this is what we need to change, and this is what I will change.
We need reform and we need it now, no president can implement any manifesto without fighting for the powers they rightfully deserve, there are lots of good manifesto ideas on display, but without any decision making powers, they will remain ideas. Decision making and policy formation is not made by accountable students, the officers don’t have the say, it is made by a group of unelected bureaucrats who are unaccountable. Our democracy is a shambles, and it needs reform.
Why would you be good at it?
I am the only person to acknowledge the problem our Union faces. All the SU officers are loaded with bureaucracy and paper work. They are being pressured by the University executive and the SU trustee board to act a certain way, whilst students are hoping for policies that affect their lives. We need to demand power away from the unelected bureaucrats deciding on student policy whilst being paid £20p/h, once the power lies in the hands of the elected representatives, we can get real change.
I am also realistic, it’s time to ask other candidates how they will implement their manifesto. Let’s talk about the huge infrastructure project that we call the ‘Lenton Hub’, it will cost upwards of a £1m from the first year and millions more in subsequent years, I’d rather invest that money directly into students. The Lenton Hub won’t happen because the current council are against that hub, it’s time we give up on these pointless charades and focus on policies that impact all the students directly.
Let’s talk about extending the hopper buses, a scheme which will cost upwards of £300,000. The university will not invest into it unless you show them pages upon pages of evidence showing students want to change this, this policy has been on every manifesto for the last umpteen years, with the powers I get, I will change it myself, with or without the University, the SU has a £400k surplus we can dip into to improve students’ lives.
What are some of the main aspects of your manifesto?
My manifesto has one main promise, and that is to resign within 50 days of taking up my post if my reforms are not implemented. We need to politically reform the SU, give it the powers it needs to act on behalf of students, then we can address the critical issues of housing, mental health and welfare, and improving the lives of students in University.
You’ve been quite mysterious with some aspects of your campaign, saying that you can’t talk about your plan as it’s a secret. Can you give us any more of an insight into why this is so secretive?
This is a plan for the first 50 days, it involves a series of intense negotiations to devolve more powers away from the unelected bureaucrats and towards the elected officers. I am unable to divulge critical aspects of how I get these powers as that creates a bad negotiating position. The SU president is powerless. When elected I will be the most impactful president ever, and students will feel all the positives from the reforms.
Are you expecting any parts of the job to be particularly difficult? Why?
This first 50 days are critical. They will involve an intense series of negotiations with the University and unelected representatives, when the students give me the mandate to reform, I will stick to that mandate. The SU needs to be transparent, it must be able to make decisions that can better the lives of students, and it must be held to account.
There will also be a very sudden realisation from day one by the other newly elected officers, that they will be stopped at every stride to fulfil their manifesto. This will be a sad moment because these officers have very good ideas. However, my job is to empower them to make the changes necessary, to fight for students.
Do you have a particular campaign strategy?
To get the message of Reform out there, we are changing the terms of the election. The establishment are getting scared as some of my banners are being removed. I will challenge every candidate to acknowledge how they will implement their manifesto if they have no power, I will force them to admit the huge obstructionism that every officer faces when they are elected. Only our campaign has a plan to create real change.
QUICKFIRE ROUND
Who is your favourite President of all time? In terms of the SU, none as they are all powerless.
If you were a DJ, what would your DJ name be? DJ Reform.
Ocean- yay or nay? Surely it’s both, you’d hate to love it, and you love to hate it.
Hallward or George Green? Queens Medical Centre 80% of the time, or George green.
What category are you best at in a pub quiz? Every category.
Any strange/ unusual hobbies? No, unless you consider reforming the SU unusual.
Anything you’d like to add for our readers? There is a lack of democracy and powers within our SU. I’m here to change that, we need Reform. It’s time to join the Revolution. Vote Dipen Patel 4 Reform for SU President.