USU Candidate Profile: Vikki Kailin Qin

Pulp interviewed all 10 candidates in the running to become USU Board Directors. Over the next week we’ll be posting a profile on each of them in the randomised order drawn by the Returning Officer. Here’s Vikki. 

Name: Vikki Kailin Qin

Studies: Bachelor of Economics (II)

Faction: Independent

Colour, slogan, manager: Navy blue, Vi Got You, Phoebe Fitzpatrick 

Vikki Kailin Qin, an independent candidate who has held the USU position of Campus Activity Coordinator, has a good knowledge of the USU. Scoring 72% on the Pulp quiz and receiving the 4th highest score out of all the candidates, Vikki was able to accurately list the process of setting up a club and knew the names of key USU representatives. Vikki incorrectly listed the revenue of the USU in 2018 and the SSAF funding allocation. 

When asked about her reasons for running for Board Vikki said that “she was not running to push for a particular political idea” but instead wanted to “push to improve student experience on campus.”

Vikki’s three favourite policies include introducing a USU branded reusable cup that students can borrow, creating a student-designed official USyd hoodie and renovating the International Student Lounge. Considering the USU’s current financial challenges, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing some of these reforms may be difficult, especially regarding a costly project such as renovating the International Student Lounge. These policies do not represent anything innovative or uniquely transformative, with USU outlets such as Courtyard already offering mug exchange programs. 

When asked how she would economise the USU’s operations to assist in managing financial losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Vikki focused on reducing funds to the USU’s “Make a Difference” (MAD) charity fundraising program. MAD currently has two charity partners: The Gender Centre and the Indigenous Literacy foundation. 

Vikki listed one of the biggest achievements of the USU as “really promoting diversity and also including minorities in a lot of the events and operations.” She said that the USU’s affirmative action policies for the inclusion of female Board directors was a positive step as “even though people always say that there is gender equality now I feel like there are still a lot of glass ceilings in a lot of places.” She also listed the USU’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion of international students and members of the LGBTQI+ community as a positive achievement. 

But she also said some of the USU events “kind of lacked purpose”, noting that events like USU’s Pride Festival should have more of an educational function. 

“I think that for that event [Pride Festival], there should be a deeper level to it than just decorations”. 

Vikki was unclear about the role of political ideology in the running of the USU board. When asked how political the USU should be, she said “50 per cent” would provide a good balance and that Board Directors should be free to express their political views.  

“I feel like this is one of the best platforms in uni that you can get, you know, to become a Board Director to push for your beliefs. So if somebody wants to do that, wants to represent their faction, I'm totally fine with that.”

Vikki has a good knowledge of the USU and its operations and has gained experience through her role as Campus Activities Coordinator, but could work to more clearly articulate her values and goals in becoming a USU Board Director. 

View Vikki’s full interview here.

Note: Pulp Editor Ellie Stephenson is a former member of Grassroots.