Four Expressions of Interest for SULS Presidency

Ellie Stephenson reports.

Four law students, all undergraduates, have expressed interest in running to be the Presidency of the Sydney University Law Society (SULS) in 2021. While Wendy Hu, Casper Lu, Danielle Stephenson and Max Vishney have all submitted EOIs, it is unlikely all four stand for election. Typically potential candidates attempt to deal executive positions to create an uncontested election. All the same, four prospective candidates could foreshadow a contested election for the SULS Executive, much like last year’s tussle between Pop and Zest. 

The SULS President’s role, as outlined in the Society’s Constitution, largely involves directing the Society as well as representing students’ interests to the Faculty of Law. Although largely a representative position, the President plays a role in shaping the politics of the organisation. 2020 President Amer Nasr, a Liberal who ran with Pop, has conservatively interpreted the role of SULS even as progressive members of the Pop Executive have argued for the Society to take more activist positions. At a recent meeting, Nasr resisted a move to encourage law students to be legal observers at last week’s education protests. 

Wendy Hu, who unsuccessfully ran for Vice President (Education) on Zest, is an experienced candidate, having been a Competitions Director for SULS and a delegate to the July Australian Law Students Association (ALSA) Conference in 2019. Her vision statement focuses on SULS’ adaptations to the COVID-19 crisis, claiming to be “committed to ensuring no student feels left behind by this disruption”.

Casper Lu, a fourth year student who was the Electoral Officer in last year’s SRC Elections, identifies his priorities for 2021 as “working to create an inclusive atmosphere and streamlining the way SULS operates to offer well-considered events, support services, and opportunities.” While Lu has not previously been on a SULS Executive, he is currently one of the SULS representatives on the Staff Student Consultative Forum and has been involved in activities like mooting and publications. 

Danielle Stephenson, who sits on the current Executive as Campus Director, unsurprisingly praised the 2020 Executive’s adaptation to COVID-19, arguing that “Our large focus on wellbeing initiatives has been much needed in this time of adversity”. However, she identifies the Law School’s “sense of community” as needing improvement.

Max Vishney, the current SULS Equity Officer, is offering students an unusually political election platform. His statement emphasises the need for SULS to be a “socially responsible organisation” and promises to “support and platform campaigns against the proposed tertiary fee restructure legislation”. Vishney’s social justice focus is reflected in his work this year as Equity Officer to expand the Textbook Loan Scheme and his position on the 2019 Social Justice and Equity Committee.

At this stage, the final SULS Election is difficult to predict, however it seems likely the Presidency will be contested and that the race will provide a platform to discuss current political issues. Nominations open on Wednesday 14 October and close on Wednesday 28 October, with voting being held on 9 and 10 November.