By Stella Phipps, News Reporter
Your vote determines who will champion your academic and personal interests at the university level. Who best represents you? Make sure your voice is heard.
You can vote here until 9 pm Thursday 12 March. Find candidate manifestos here.
Cara Hene
The Student Living Officer represents students on issues such as the cost of living and access and affordability of housing. Campaigns involve a range of issues from cheaper transport to campus, to lobbying the government for rent caps and providing free food to students.
Epigram hosted candidate interviews, with three of the four candidates appearing to discuss their campaigns, issues around student living, and why students should vote for them in the SU elections.
This year’s candidates are: Oindri Chakdraborty, Elliot Green, Max Baldock and Sagar Bantupalli
*If a candidate did not attend our interview panel, nor respond to our questions over email, they have not been profiled in this article.*
Oindri Chakdraborty
Oindri Chakdraborty is MSc innovation student and a course and school representative at the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, as well as an international scholarship ambassador.
She said her campaign is focused around ‘transparency, action, and affordability’. In the role she said she would advocate for emergency financial support and expand affordable food and sustainability initiatives at the university.
When asked what she will do to address the recent removal of free university bus passes to first year students, Chakdraborty said she would urge the local transport system to reinstate the free passes and establish a transport fund separate from the student hardship fund.
She emphasised ‘travel is just not a luxury, it’s a necessity.’
Chakdraborty said she stays informed on student issues in a variety of ways, from talking to students in the global lounge to reading newspapers and policy documents pertaining to student living.
She also referenced her primary research on accommodation barriers for University of Bristol students, which is now influencing housing discussions and accountability.
Elliot Green
Elliot Green is a 2nd year Sociology student and former course representative, who currently works at the Bristol Institute For Learning and Teaching.
They emphasised the importance of tackling the cost of living and housing crisis when summarising their campaign.
As someone who is neurodivergent and grew up in foster care in a low income area, Green said:
‘I have first hand experiences of… all the nuances that get completely lost in the system,’ maintaining this will be a driving force in their campaign.
Green said their other priorities include everything from increasing free food offerings in the SU to pushing for more plant-based options and lobbying the government for rent caps.
In regards to the increasing costs of travel, Green said they were keen to bring back the free bus passes. If this is unsuccessful, they would propose a non-means tested cost of living fund, which could contribute to travel costs.
Green also highlighted the importance of direct communication with students in staying informed on student issues.
Max Baldock
Max Baldock is an MSc Policy Research student and Community Liaison Ambassador.
His campaign focuses on making Bristol more affordable and he proposes a cost of living hardship fund to contribute to costs of food, rent, bills and travel.
He told Epigram that ‘maintenance loans just haven’t gone up in the same way that prices have, and something’s got to be done about it.’
He also highlighted the importance of making students aware of renters’ rights before signing housing contracts.
In terms of reducing travel costs, Baldock said he would negotiate a better student discount than the 10% one currently available with First Bus. He would also introduce free buses to exams, sports events and other events off campus, including safe travel home after a night out.
When asked about how he stays informed on student issues, Baldock referenced his job as Community Liaison Ambassador, which involves doorknocking, in allowing him to gain an insight into people’s living conditions and their relationships with their landlords.
He also mentioned his role as treasurer of Korfball Society, which involves talking to students when determining affordable event pricing.
Sagar Bantupalli
Sagar Bantupalli’s told Epigram his campaign focuses on access to affordable transport, better room allocation and holding the university accountable when facilities fall short of what was promised.
He stressed that students already pay significant amounts to attend university:
‘They deserve to get what they were told they would receive, and when things go wrong, they deserve a system that actually resolves it.’
In response to the removal of free first year bus passes, Bantupalli said he would engage with First Bus to explore options to reinstate the passes or to provide student discounts.
He also outlined plans involving more sustainable alternatives such as direct engagement with e-bike and e-scooter providers, a university cycle loan scheme, and a lift-sharing scheme as a low-cost and community driven option for those living in areas further from campus.
He has been meeting with students, keeping up with SU communications and attending SU open meetings in order to stay informed on student issues.
Featured image: Epigram / Tom Foley
Who will you be voting for as Student Living Officer?
