Deputy President (Education & Welfare) - Candidate Ben Harris
Manifesto Imperial is one of the world's best research universities. I believe the tuition you receive and the welfare services you can access should reflect this. With experience as the Education Representative for Physical Sciences and on the Union executive I understand the problems that we face, and how to address them: Top-up fees never again! An open campaign forum, to plan and win our campaigns. No more faceless pen-pushers. Surgeries on every campus, to bring the union to the people it represents. Not just reacting to college decrees. Securing high level representation, to influence the decisions that matter. Don't suffer with cowboy landlords. A comprehensive list of tested and approved landlords. A library you want to work in. Cool, clean and well stocked with books for all your needs. A vote for Ben is a vote for experience, and policies that are right for Imperial students. Full manifesto at: www.voteben2006.co.uk
Do you feel students are spending too much time in lab sessions?
I'm doing a project at the moment and I'm definitely spending more then the ten hours a week I'm meant to working on it. In chemistry it's a real issue when students regularly work over lunch, which is meant to be spent doing humanities or union activities. Officially it's voluntary to stay over lunch, but it's usually necessary. It's a real issue.
Do you think courses are too hectic? Should there be more reading weeks?
I'm not sure reading weeks are a good idea; I'm not convinced taking a week off is helpful. You need the time for lectures and coursework. You should have a week off before exams to prepare properly though.
Do you think hall rents are fair?
I think there is a real issue, with more expensive halls attracting richer students and creating a social divide.
The creation of the new Southside will not improve things with all rooms en-suite. College should offer a wide range of accommodation, not just all en-suite.
I am not in favour, however, of subsidising hall rents, with more expensive halls subsiding the cheaper halls. Also some of the outlying halls need better facilities.
You asked for better campaigns isn't that the job of the campaigns officer?
The campaigns officer is usually irrelevant. I would abolish the position if council let me.
Instead I would start a "Campaigns Forum" where anyone can come forward and start a campaign. It's more of a democratic process and will allow campaigns to run better.
Can you elaborate on how your surgeries would work? How does it differ from current sabbatical surgeries?
I believe a sabbatical officer should get out there.
I envisage going to all departments where students go to lunch, along with members of the faculty unions, and working together as they know the issues in their department.
You call for a better library - can you elaborate?
It's too hot to work; there's not enough ventilation.
The group study areas are also too noisy; there needs to be better isolation between group study areas and quiet areas.
We do need more core textbooks, especially for humanities subjects. I ended up going to LSE to write my humanities essay.
You were Physical Sciences Union (PSU) education officer in your second year. Do you still have the experience to do a job like this?
Yes. I have kept up to date with issues, including the Bologna European-wide degree framework, which most students haven't heard about.
