No, not that Council, OUR council.
The University Council is the peak governance board of our University that oversees the whole institution. In its own words, University Council “monitors the overall performance and accountability of the organisation and is subject to standards of corporate governance”. This board and its various committees are made up of senior academics, the Vice-Chancellor, and the Chancellor herself. There is a lone student on this board, and his name is Jacob Carson. Mr Carson’s position on the University Council is up for election, and with voting closing tomorrow, we here at Yak feel it is important that you know a little more about who is running continue the representation of undergraduate students at the highest level.
Jacob Carson: Incumbent
Jacob Carson. Photo: UON
Jacob Carson is the sitting student representative on the University Council, after winning the seat last year. He has a history of leadership and representation at UON, having served as a PASS leader, and as treasurer at UNLSA. In his time on Council, Jacob has fought for clarity on spending of university revenue and maintaining academic standards. He succeeded in advocating for the Council to expand its student representation from one student to two. Jacob is running for re-election on a platform focused on opposition to the University’s proposed reforms to the academic calendar (trimester / quarter term model), spearheading a major increase in parking availability at Callaghan, NUspace and the new Gosford campus, and increases to affordable food on campus and financial support for students on placement.
Jacob says his policies seek to tackle the rising cost-of-living for students. He says parking also remains a headache for many at city campus, as blueprints for a new 450-person student accommodation project progress, without plans for extra car spaces.
Ella Feeney: Candidate
Ella Feeney. Photo from LinkedIn
Ella is a third-year Bachelor of Arts / Science student, with an interest in politics and microbiology. Outside of university, Ella dedicates herself to youth leadership as the Chair of the Lake Macquarie Youth City Council. She aims to be a voice for students, making “university life more impactful”. Ms Feeney is also running for a position on the Academic Senate, and the Board of the College of Human and Social Futures.
Jennifer Lowe: Candidate
Jennifer Lowe. Photo from LinkedIn
Jennifer sets herself apart as an experienced leader among students, citing her time the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee, the 2024 pride working group, and her work on the National Students with Disabilities Leadership Collective. She has also represented Australian students at the Humanitarian Affairs Global Peace Summit, at Camp2030 in New York and the Girl Impact program operating in Zambia to support education on teen pregnancy, STI and HIV prevention and gender stereotypes. Ms Lowe is also seeking election to the Academic Senate.
Jennifer is running on a platform for greater inclusion of equity policies in the University’s future plans, and to close the communication gap between University executives and students.
Jennifer is also a writer for Yak Media.
Jesse Wills: Candidate
Jesse Wills. Photo from LinkedIn
Jesse is studying a Bachelor of Business (Marketing), but started at the University studying a Bachelor of Education. He proves to be an active member of the student community participating in several clubs, including NUFlares as events coordinator, UON Business and Commerce Club as VP Marketing and VP Social Events, and UON Snow Sports as its current President. He has also served on the NUsport board for 2 years as the Student Director of Sport and Chairman of the SSAC committee representing all NUsport affiliated clubs. Jesse says his ongoing commitment to the student experience is a key motivator to pursue election on the University Council.
As students face ongoing pressures around cost of living, and changing academic courses and questions over the University’s timetable, it’s important that we exercise our right to elect those that will do the best for us, representing our true needs beyond politics or division. I’m pleased with the crop of candidates we have this year, and I have the fullest confidence that each of them wish to serve us with true intentions. I’ve cast my vote already, and now it’s up to you.
Voting for the Undergraduate and Postgraduate student representatives to University Council closes at 5pm AEDT on the 22nd of October.
To vote, visit http://www.blue-uon.com and sign in with your student account, or access the link in Canvas.
