USU Board candidates announced

Fabian Robertson introduces the candidates running for USU Board.

The following candidates are contending for six board director positions, three of whom must be wom*n-identifying in accordance with the USU’s affirmative action policy.

The board candidates are Pablo Avaria-Jimenez, Sarea Bhar, Susan (Shan Shan) Chen, Nicholas Comino, Yining Du, Joe Fidler, Telita Goile, Ruiqi (Rachel) Jia, Yìmàn Jiâng, Isla Mowbray, David (ZiYan) Zhu, and Cole Scott-Curwood.

Pablo Avaria-Jimenez

Faction: Liberal

Slogan: Pablo’s HERE

Manager: Self-managed

Year: Third

Degree: Arts (Politics and International Relations)

Avaria-Jimenez is a member of the Sydney University Boarders and Skiers Club, the Young Australian Lebanese Association, Dog Soc, and the Liberal Club.

“I’m a man of the people and am here to represent our student community.”

Sarea Bhar

Faction: Independent

Slogan: Raise the Bhar

Manager: TBA

Year: Third

Degree: Science (Psychology) / Advanced Studies (Marketing)

Bhar has been President of the Indian Cultural Society and is the Well-Being and Advocacy Director for the Psychology Society.

“I’m here to celebrate diversity, create awareness about mental health and encourage a safer university environment!”

Susan (Shan Shan) Chen

Faction: Independent

Slogan: Choosin' Susan

Manager: Grace Hu

Year: Third

Degree: Commerce (Finance) / Law

Chen is the Events Director at the Financial Management Association of Australia and the Careers and Sponsorship Officer for the Australia-China Youth Association.

“I'm running because I felt a really seismic shift in USyd culture following COVID-19, and I genuinely believe that I have the vision and drive to help revitalise on-campus and remote student engagement.”

Nicholas Comino

Faction: Moderate Liberal

Slogan: Comeback! With Comino

Manager: Benjamin Jorgensen

Year: Third

Degree: Economics / Advanced Studies

Comino is a Junior Dean at St Paul’s College and has experience as a Media Officer of the Politics Society and on the Chocolate Society Media Subcommittee. Comino was an SRC Councillor in 2020 elected under the ticket ‘Colleges for SRC’.

“Campus life and student satisfaction was in dire straits well before Covid-19, its time for the USU to comeback stronger than ever.”

Du Du

Faction: Independent

Slogan: Let’s Du it

Manager: Fenghao Hu

Year: Second

Degree: Commerce

Du is the Vice President of the Mandarin Debating Society.

“I would like to running for board because I really want to make contribution to the student community, serving my fellow students and strive for more and better opportunities for them.”

Joe Fidler

Faction: Independent

Slogan. A Return to DECENCY

Manager: James Wily

Year: Fourth

Degree: “I Believe my Undergraduate degree at USYD is neither here nor there. In some ways I’d say I already have a Double Degree In Life from the University of The Street.”

Fidler is “an ecumenical man who moves in circles which include a multitude of student societies and politicians. If a tree falls in a forest he’ll know what year they graduated”.

“The beer gut of wasteful student expenditure is spilling over ever-tightening belt of fiscal austerity, so it is our vision of the future for the USU will include both World-Class leadership, Human experience, and ruthless privatisation.”

Telita Goile

Faction: Switch

Slogan: Trust in Telita

Managed by Switch

Year: Fifth

Degree: Arts (Gender Studies and Cultural Studies)

Goile is the President of POC (People of Colour) Revue and was the Women’s Officer for SASS in 2018.

“I’m running as a feminist, left-wing candidate who wants to revive campus life (more live music, looking at you @Flume), fight for workers rights, increase transparency from the board and create a more fun and inclusive union - it's time for a NEW USU!”

Ruiqi (Rachel) Jia

Faction: PENTA

Slogan: Reach your goal!

Manager: Maria Ge

Year: 2nd

Degree: Commerce

Ruiqi is an executive of the Activities Committee for the Boardgame Society and is a member of Meco Society and Sydney University Marketing Society.

“I would like to improve the welfare of international students, build more connections between USU and societies, and to increase the diversity and creativeness of the souvenirs in the USU store.”

Yìmàn Jiâng

Faction: Independent

Slogan: Yes to Yìmàn

Manager: Hanxiong Qiu

Year: Third

Degree: Commerce / Law

Jiâng is on the SULS International Committee, CLSS Publication Committee and served as an SRC Councillor in 2020.

“Let’s share love and true caring from stream to ocean.”

Isla Mowbray

Faction: Switch

Slogan: I’m with Isla

Managed by Switch

Year: Third

Degree: Visual Arts

Mowbray has been involved extensively in theatre productions and revues since her first year. She is currently the Vice-President of the Sydney University Dramatic Society, Assistant Dance Director of the Science Revue and also Co-Chair of the Refugee Languages Tutoring Program with SULS. In 2019, Mowbray was an SRC Councillor elected under Switch and a SULS tutor.

“I'm running because now more than ever we need an openly progressive and environmental union which prioritises student life, supports USU staff and empowers creative communities - in other words, a NEW USU!”

Cole Scott-Curwood

Faction: Engineers

Slogan: Cole for USU

Manager: Self-managed

Year: Fourth

Degree: Engineering / Science (Physics)

Scott-Curwood is an SRC Councillor, Undergraduate Member of the University Executive WHS Committee and Student Leader of USYD Outreach (WPO). Within the USU, Scott-Curwood is President of the Engineering Society and has experience as President of the Aerospace Engineering society, Treasurer of the Space Society, School Outreach Coordinator of Engineers Without Borders, and as a General Executive of the Science Society.

“I want to help improve campus life and get more support for student organisations.”

David (ZiYan) Zhu

Faction: Independent

Slogan: David Delivers

Manager: Zara Paleologos

Year: Third

Degree: Economics / Law

Zhu has been involved extensively in SULS - with experience as a Judging Coordinator, Campus Rep, Publications Editor and Podcast Producer. Zhu has been Debates Committee Development Officer, Vice President of Kiwi Students Society, Oration and Debating Secretary at St John’s College and a member of the Economics Society Subcommittee. Zhu has also been active in Chopsticks and the Sydney University Boarders and Skiers Club.

“I'm running because I love the USU; bringing back a vibrant campus culture after COVID won't be easy, but I think I've got the bold policies, skills, and experience to get it done.”

The process

The successful candidates will replace Nick Rigby, Cady Brown, Nick Forbutt, Benny Shen, and Eve Wang, with Connor Wherrett also departing the board this year. They will hold their position for 2 years and will join Ben Hines, Ruby Lotz, Vikki Qin, Belinda Thomas and Prudence Wilkins-Wheat as they complete their final year of directorship. Irene Ma will also remain on the board as the Immediate Past President.

Online and on-campus campaigning begins on May 10 with the candidates speaking at the Elections Soapbox on May 12. The campaign colours for each candidate will be announced in the near future. Voting is conducted online by preferential system and will take place on May 17-21. Only USU members can vote - the last day to register for membership to be eligible to vote is May 14. Register here.

Stay tuned for in-depth analysis, interviews, and further pieces explaining the election process.