Cole Scott-Curwood: candidate profile and interview

Pulp sits down with the USU Board hopefuls.

Faction: Independent

Slogan: Cole for USU

Colour: Blue

Manager: Self-managed

Degree: Engineering and Science IV

Quiz score: 91%, 2nd out of 10

Scott-Curwood draws on his unrivalled USyd leadership experience to articulate a credible platform centring societies and mental health. He’s been on the executive of ten societies, is an SRC Councillor, and has held several representative positions. This wealth of experience shone through in his stellar quiz result and interview, in which he showcased considered policies and a uniquely perceptive understanding of university life.

Scott-Curwood is running for Board to ensure “that we can all have a robust and fantastic student experience”. He delineated three clear policies. His first, to upskill society executives with student leader training - an initiative he’s been pushing for since 2019.

Scott-Curwood’s second policy is to “directly increase funding to clubs and societies”. Often, candidates will make such claims without specifying where this money would come from - not Scott-Curwood. He referenced the reduction in funding to large societies from $8000 to $2600 in the last few years and cited 2019 revenue and the overperformance of USU outlets as evidence of capacity for greater funding. He calls for society funding to be a “financial priority” and speculated that funds could be drawn from Debating to support the thousands of students in other societies.

Scott-Curwood’s third policy is to prioritise mental health through the USU’s operation and advocacy. He said the USU should be pushing the university to expand CAPS to international students and increase the maximum number of sessions from 6 to 8 per student, in accordance with psychological research. Scott-Curwood also said the USU could improve mental health indirectly by generally improving university life.

Notably, Scott-Curwood is ostensibly apolitical. He believes the the USU should take “very active stances” on things which he considers “apolitical” like climate change, 12-week semesters, and last year’s education bill. He doesn’t, however, want factional politics to influence the decisions of board members and claims that binding ties to a particular faction “inhibit” and make directors “less capable of representing the needs of all students”. 

When asked how the USU should deal with the Catholic Society, Scott-Curwood was emphatic in criticising their “fundamentally problematic a-frame”. He is critical of the USU for engaging in the semantics of whether or not society branding was used appropriately, instead calling for the USU to directly engage with the more significant issue of platforming “ableist debate”. Scott-Curwood said the USU should conduct an investigation and interact with Catholic Society executives to ensure it doesn’t happen again. He called for a more transparent USU response and more transparency surrounding USU functioning in general.  

Scott-Curwood said he would most like to work with Mowbray because he “likes the ideas and perspectives she has”. When asked who he wants to be President, he said he would “back them for the person that they are”, rather than any political affiliation.

Scott-Curwood exudes competency and an impressive familiarity with the USU and university. His campaign is characterised by unparalleled leadership experience and a clear, actionable, and informed vision. If elected, one would expect Scott-Curwood to apply these attributes for the betterment of the USU.

Voting opens 9:00am May 17 and closes 5:00pm May 21. Voting is exclusive to USU members, who will be sent an email to submit their vote. Sign up here.

Watch the full interview below. 

Article by Fabian Robertson. Video by Kristin Miao.