Forge Press spoke to Tom Farrar who is running for the role of President in this year’s Student Union Elections. We asked him about his motivations behind applying, his plans for campaigning, overall manifesto and more!
We asked Tom about his motivation to run for the role. He said “ Throughout my four years of being at this university, the SU has been the place for me. It’s the place where I found all my friends. It’s the place where I’ve done everything, and I was so daunted to originally come to university that I wanted to keep that friendly welcoming experience that I got for all students.”
Tom believes the biggest issue affecting students at the moment is that “certain departments have the threat of more industrial action. I feel it is completely justified and it is not paying for the department, budget cuts, and the future of certain departments not lasting anymore. It is the biggest threat that so many people face at the moment.”
The main points in Tom’s manifesto are “insure student safety: there are students that are victims of harassment and assault across the university, there isn’t enough support for them. And I really want to enhance that. I also want to fight for support for stopping no new staff redundancies. It is so important that we can keep profit as less important than education and also increase funds for societies and students. We need to make students aware of the funds that are available, so the cost of living crisis can be mitigated.”
Tom’s campaign plans are “There’s going to be posters everywhere, I’m gonna be absolutely everywhere, probably popping into lectures. I’m using the spare time I have got, hopefully chalking out all of campus.”
We asked Tom about the first thing he’d change if he was successful. He said “ First thing I’ll change is the complete overhaul of the inclusion training. I just don’t think it’s nowhere near as thorough enough. There are some instances where people have gone to officers. There’s just not been the help that they need. And so really going for that from day one will be a big help next year.”
Tom’s favourite things at university have included “running film unit twice”. “I’ve learned so many skills working in a team. I’ve learned how to use a projector. Ive learned massive public speaking skills. It’s just been an absolute dream working with other students.”
Tom’s go to meal-deal is “co-op for chicken and bacon sandwich, a sausage roll and a Pepsi Max.”
When asked his favourite train station in the UK, Tom said “I’m a Euston defender, which I know is absolutely sacrilegious. But it’s the perfect one for me to get back home.”
