VP of Academic Affairs: Daryl Hurst

tHurst For Change

Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? What are you studying?

I study English Literature and Classics but I also do a third year module in Drama as well. I'm originally from a little town near(ish) Reading called Thatcham that is famous for atomic weapons believe it or not.

What are you hoping to do after university?

My aim is to work in the charity sector. After with working with the RAG organisation on campus I fell in love with charity work and now I want to be the person creating campaigns that make the charities their money. Ultimately, I'd love to work for Comic Relief!

Why did you decide to run for VP of Academic Affairs? Why do you think it’s an important role?

I decided to run for VP Academic as I saw gaps in the University's academic structures that I realised I had solutions to. Having experienced having 7 personal tutors in my time here, I realised that there was nothing personal about my relationship with these staff members. It was this that initially brought me to apply as I wanted to improve the current standard of personal tutor / student relationships. From this I began to think more and more about the academic reputation of the uni and through talking to students about their academic issues I built up a picture of how I could really make a difference here. 

We have been given so many huge accolades recently, I believe that because of this we now need to make sure that we are constantly improving to show that we really do deserve the title of University of the Year. Student experience here at Exeter is thought of highly by everyone, but I want to ensure that every student here not only enjoys their university life but also loves the academic side of Exeter too. Every student needs to feel like they have great academic support during their time at university I  want to make sure that they are not only satisfied with their degree programmes but actually ENJOY what they are studying!

Are you looking forward to campaigning? Can students expect to see you around campus during voting week?

I am ridiculously excited about campaigning. I have my props and my costumes all sorted and can't wait to get out there and start chatting to the student body! I just hope the weather is a bit nicer than it was last year - I end up looking like a mal-formed troll doll when I get wet!

Vote Fest is obviously all about combining music and voting. What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?

Nothing will ever come close to going to the big music festival in Belgium - Tomorrowland. We only managed to get day tickets but I saw some of the worlds best DJ's in some of the most incredibly artistic stages ever. For example, the main stage was in the shape of a bookcase filled with huge books. One of which  - The Book of Wisdom - actually opened up to reveal the headline DJ. Such a surreal experience but an insane atmosphere with just simply incredible music!

Will you be coming to Vote Fest to meet some potential voters? What do you think of the events?

I think Vote Fest is such a great idea. This university has always been good at encouraging student democracy and any event which grows this number is a fantastic concept in my eyes. Combining this with live music - something that students love - is such a simple yet effective idea. Hopefully it'll increase voter turn out and even encourage a few more second years next year to apply for a Sabb position themselves!

I and my team will be at the event in all our red-cupness. Look out for the Red Cup! 

AU President: David Rogal

#YouWantTheD

Tell us about yourself. Where are you from? What are you studying?

My name’s David Rogal, I’m a third year Biological Sciences student (just), and Londoner born and bred.

You’re running for A.U President so I assume sports are already a big part of your life. What do you play?

I’m part of the rowing club (EUBC). It does mean I spend a silly amount of my time training, but there are some brilliant guys and girls who I train with, and to do at all well in this sport it’s what you have to do! I’ve also treated myself to a Snowsports trip every Christmas since first year which have been a welcome change!

What are you plans if you win the election?

If I win the election, I’m hoping to push Alumni engagement in all clubs as one of their priorities. It’s worked excellently within the boat club this year, bringing in over £4,000 of much needed funding. But it’s also provided all the members with fantastic networking opportunities, as well as giving alumni the chance to get back involved with socials and a bit of student life.

I also am a very competitive person, and I think it’s been incredible how quickly we’re pushing ourselves up the BUCS league table. We should never be satisfied, and constantly be echoing the slogan of our 2012 team “better never stops,” so the most competitive sports also need the support and backing to get us there.
As well as the competitive high performance side of the university, I’m looking to give more publicity, and support to “off the pitch” clubs, whatever way I can. These make up a vast amount of AU memberships, and having been in a few myself, many of these sports show incredible levels of skill and determination and I don’t think they should be in the shadows of the more popular clubs.

Can students expect to see you campaigning on campus? 

Students will see me on campus as much as I physically can be! I think talking on a personal level is actually a great way of getting students to realise who they want for the job and can be a very successful way of getting people to vote, even if it’s not for me! I learnt last year that the most engaging and genuine students are actually the ones that stick in your head.

What kind of music do you like? What are your top 5 favourite bands?

I’m going to be boring and say I like quite a lot of stuff. I haven’t really updated my music collection properly since I was a 15 year old wannabe indie kid, when I also used to like Jazz apparently?? But the main time I get to listen to music now is when I’m training so anything housey or funky that can get me through a session I enjoy.

Can students expect to meet you at the Vote Fest events?

I’ll be at the Vote Fest events and happy to chat and answer any questions. I realise people won’t want to get bombarded with promotion so I’ll try and keep it minimal!

AU President: Brendan Gilson

Team BG- Vote Better, Vote Brendan

Where are you from? What are you studying?

 I'm from Oxford, and I am studying Exercise and Sport Sciences.

What sports are you involved in here at Exeter?

Here at Exeter I'm heavily involved in Tennis. Not only have I held a committee position for the past 2 years, but at this present moment I am the Mens Club Captain. Alongside my duties as Captain I also represent the University at BUCS level for the Tennis Club. During my time I've also played intramural hockey and football which I have enjoyed greatly!

What made you decide to run for A.U. President? What are your plans if you win?

I decided to run for AU President because I feel great pride being a part of Exeter's sporting scene, and wish to play a role in its continuing improvement. As Club Captain of the second largest sports club on campus and the largest University Tennis Club in the country, I feel that my experience has equipped me well to be the next AU President. If I win, I will implement all the ideas in my manifesto. This ranges from increasing participation on a broad scale, catering for every individual AU club at Exeter and securing the BEST possible deal for students at the new Sports Park and gym facilities.

What kind of music do you like? Any favourite gig experiences you can tell us about?

I like to think that my music taste is very current and modern, but I'm sure many would disagree. I'm a big fan of acoustic-style music in my relaxing time and some more upbeat music when I'm out and about. My favourite gig experience was probably seeing Kanye West perform in the Camden Roundhouse, don't think I'll ever get a chance to see anything like that again!

Will you be coming to the Vote Fest events?

Of course I will be coming to the Vote Fest events! I'm looking forward to checking out the acts and chatting to everyone there, maybe I'll discover a new artist for my library.

Any final thoughts for our readers?

Whether you want to see more Intramural sports, a multi-sport Varsity event come to Exeter or whether you just want the best price possible from your new Sports Park facilities, then you should VOTE BRENDAN GILSON FOR YOUR AU PRESIDENT!

AU President: Alex Powell

How have you enjoyed your time at Exeter? What are you studying?

It’s been so good I don’t want to leave…I’m studying Sports science so have been based on St Lukes Campus and have loved every minute of it. St Lukes really is like a big family, everyone knows everyone and it has a special charm about it. I was also lucky enough to have good friends on Streatham, which enabled me to experience both campuses to the full. I knew university was going to be amazing but Exeter has exceeded all my expectations. I genuinely can’t imagine being anywhere else in the world. Exeter has it all.

What’s the plan for life after university?

Ideally, I’m hoping to get into the events management Industry. Conveniently my family has just moved to Australia so probably going to follow them out there, windsurf for a while and work on my tan, and then get cracking on with working life. (Can’t say I’m going to miss the British rain much!).

Is there anything you’re hoping to change if you win the election?

I’m really passionate about developing all the clubs in the AU, especially the smaller ones. I have been on the Windsurf club committee 2 years running and during that time the club has doubled in size. I’m hoping with the experience gained I can pass my knowledge on to the other smaller clubs and help them grow. With the brand new sports park development and gym prices always on the up, I also want to make sure it remains affordable for all students.

Will students be seeing you campaigning on campus? Any campaign strategies you can tell us about?

Afraid so! You’ll be seeing a lot of me…Look out for a bright blue wetsuit! Sorry campaign strategies are top secret…

Have you been able to catch any live music here in Exeter? Any highlights?

The student night at Mama Stones is always good, with some great unsigned live acts, watching your friends perform is always great. The Phoenix and Cavern can have some good bands play as well. In a few weeks 1975 are playing at cavern which I’m looking forward to going to and the Our House and Beats & Bass nights are always sick. I reckon the music scene in Exeter has definitely improved over the last couple years so hopefully it will continue to get bigger.

Any final words you’d like to leave our readers with?

I have loved my time at Exeter and want to give something back and ensure everyone has their best possible university experience. So…. Grab your gym towel and vote for POWELL!

AU President: James Gibson

"TEAM": Together Everyone Achieves More


Can you start with telling us a bit about yourself? What are you studying?

I am a third year International Relations student and I have loved every moment of being a student at Exeter, having been involved with sport since the day I arrived.


You’re running for A.U President, what sports have you been involved with at Exeter?

I was appointed as the Treasurer for the University of Exeter Clay Shooting Club (EUCSC) in my first Freshers' Week and have not looked back. This year is my third year on the Club's Committee and I am now President.

What can students expect if you win the election?

If I win the election, students can expect to see an integration and more equality between big and small AU clubs. They will also see the expansion and an increased rigidity in Intramural sport - more sports offered to cater for as many sporting interests of students outside of "organised" sport and thereby offering Guild Societies more sporting opportunities for their members. INTO students will have the opportunity to put themselves forwards as "INTO Sports Reps" in an attempt to break down communication barriers and to encourage, promote and support sporting interests amongst the foreign student body. The promotion of awareness of the importance of health and fitness will also be demonstrated in the offer of support to those students who want to achieve higher levels of fitness and health, for example the creation of support groups for students who want to quit smoking, thereby aiding and improving their sporting potential.

 Can students expect to meet you at the Vote Fest events?

 Yes of course! I will be at all events, willing to answer any questions that students may have for me!

Have you voted in all the past Sabb elections? 

I believe that having your say in these elections is very important, and as a result I have always voted in past elections.

Vote Fest is all about combining politics and music. What are your top three favourite songs?

That's a difficult choice! But I guess I should probably go with the top three "most played" songs on my phone - "Pumped up kicks" - Foster The People, "Kemosabe" - Everything Everything and "Harder than you think" - Public Enemy.

AU President: Laurie Potter

Make the magic happen: Vote Potter

Tell us about yourself. What are you studying? What sports do you play?

Hi...my name is Laurie Potter, I am from Cheltenham (Gloucestershire) currently in my 3rd year studying Exercise and Sports Science. My main sport is golf for which I am a Sports Scholar, I have been Exeter's 1st Team Captain for the last 2 years which has been a great experience! My golfing highlights during my time at Exeter are winning 3 BUCS Individual titles and being selected to play for 'British Universities' in 2011. Alongside golf I am a massive rugby fan having previously been part of Gloucester Rugby Club's training academy and also enjoy tennis for which I used to play for Gloucestershire.

Why did you decide to run for A.U. President?

Since a young age I have had a passion for sport, whether it be golf, tennis, rugby, football, hockey or netball (usually, but not always games that involve balls!). During my final two years of Sixth Form I was elected into a similar role as a Sports Ambassador for my home county where I worked with both primary and secondary school students increasing participation in sports through organsising and administrating events/activity days in the lead up to the London Olympics. During my time as a Sports Ambassador I learnt a lot about myself and what I enjoy doing cementing my ambitions to be involved in sport some way or another during my career...what better graduate job could I ask for than AU President!!!

What’s the plan if you win the election?

If I'm lucky enough to win the election I want to act upon the views and opinions of YOU the voters. I want to actively listen and adapt the way the AU is run to meet the criteria of its members. During the lead up to elections I've gone round and spoken to as many AU Clubs and general students as possible to try and get a flavour of what ticks the boxes and what needs changing. I few examples of things I want to change are: Revamp the freshers squash to support smaller clubs, increase participation with more intra-mural sports and strengthen links with International Societies, improve the condition of the heavily worn out sports hall floor and make reductions in gym memberships/fitness classes to help students continue to exercise in what is hard times on the old bank account for any student!

What are you hoping to do after university?

In the future I strive for a career in sport, perhaps in event management/teaching, to put something back and see others enjoy the many joys in which sport can offer and that I have been lucky enough to experience myself. It would be the greatest honour if you my fellow Exeter students could be the first beneficiaries of my future efforts by electing me as your next AU President!

Vote Fest is obviously all about combining music and voting. What kind of bands do you like?

Hmmm tricky one, I have a very open taste in music from Nicki Minaj to Red Hot Chilli Peppers to Emily Sande.... basically anything that's in the charts at the time, I'm not too fussy! My campaign video song is also one of my favourite songs ('Sometimes' by Sound of Guns) they're not that well known but I encourage you to all take a listen...you won't regret it! 

Can students expect to see you at Vote Fest?

They certainly can.... I will be there sporting the lime green t-shirts and hope to get round and speak to as many people as possible!

Guild President: Hugh Blackstaffe

First of all, tell us about yourself. Where are you from? What are you studying?

Hi, I’m Hugh Blackstaffe . I’m a 3rd Year Film Student from South East London.

What made you decide to run for Guild President?

I decided to run because I want to use my experience of working extensively with the Guild to give our students the best possible experience at University and in doing so make them as employable as possible when they graduate. I’m a proud member of Welcome Team and currently leading the organisation of the 40th National Student Television Association Conference and Awards (NaSTA 40) which is being held in Exeter this April. Through my work with both these fantastic opportunities, I’ve learnt so much about what our Student Guild offers our student community, how it works and how I can improve it to give our students the best possible experience during their time at Exeter and to make them as employable as possible. Through their experiences and involvement in our Students Guild, I want to give students the transferable skills and opportunities for personal development they need so that within six months of graduating university, they will be in employment, putting their time and experiences at University to the best possible use.

What could voters expect from you if you win?

That work begins from the instant I take office and that whenever I am on campus, they can feel they can come and talk to me about anything they like, regardless of what stage of their university career they are at. As President, I will be approachable and I will listen to every single student who wants to voice their ideas and opinions. I was honoured to be awarded the ‘Most Professional’ team member during Welcome Week by my fellow Welcome Team Members, so students can rest assured that I will be a fantastic representative for them. Be it a small problem for one student, or a larger issue bothering hundreds of students, I will be sure to represent them to a professional and confident level to ensure they get the best responses.  While building up to the official launch of my Presidential Campaign, I did a lot of research. As well as talking to students, I spoke to numerous Guild Staff, including the Chief Executive, and learnt about the new schemes and ideas that the Guild is launching this Academic year as well as in the 2013/14. This means that I am already well positioned to start my term in office with an understanding about what the Guild is doing with their own schemes, how my ideas can be integrated into them and start turning my own manifesto points into reality. As soon as I am in office, me and my team of Vice Presidents will start work instantly to give our students the most exciting and beneficial experience at our University.

Be honest here, have you voted in all the past Sabb Elections?

I first voted in my second year at University. I didn’t really know what was going on when I was in my first year, and once being asked to get involved with a friends campaign in my second year, I realised just how big a deal Sabbatical Elections are for all our students at every stage of their University career. I made friends for life, and they helped me make the decision to run for President. I got to know President Davies very well during the course of the year, and he was instrumental to me running this year. He has been very supportive and even gave me some very encouraging words when I decided to run, from Barack Obama: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change we seek”. I have every intention of living up to those words.

Have you been able to catch much live music while you’ve been here in Exeter? Any highlights?

I haven’t been to many gigs, but I have been to lots of open mike nights, particularly at The Firehouse. I have friends who have performed there on numerous occasions and it was brilliant to see just how many of our students who make the effort to perform, developing their music and making something of themselves. I actually presented an evening of live music for Children in Need, which was great because there were several student acts from various genres, meaning I got to see lots of different stuff. It was also great as it raised money for charity. Whilst volunteering on the Welcome Team’s for the Fresher’s Ball and SSB, I was able to see a little of the stage acts during the evenings as and when I was required in those areas. I always try and go to nights in clubs when student music societies are performing, because it’s always a little bit more special than just the usual DJ’s. Beats and Bass Soc, for example have done amazing things despite being relatively new. I’ve seen them a few times, and occasionally caught a few other groups like EUJO and Big Band, though, with my workload (as I’m sure all students, especially third years, will appreciate), and with the things I am involved with, I sadly miss out on many opportunities to see our students, some of them my friends, perform.

Can students expect to meet you at the Vote Fest events?

They certainly can! It’s going to be a brilliant opportunity for students to directly engage with candidates, as well as a fantastic chance for us as candidates to engage with the students, just as campaigns week starts.