Honi Soit: We’re going to start off with some general questions. Please introduce yourself – your name, your degree year, your campaign colour and your slogan.
Vikki Qin: Hi everyone, my name is Vikki and my campaign slogan is “Vi got you”. I’m currently a second year student studying financial economics and international business.
HS: And who is your campaign manager?
VQ: I have one campaign manager. Her name is Phoebe. She is a domestic student.
HS: So are you in a political party? If not, can you describe your politics to us?
VQ: I’m not in any political party. I’m just an international student. I don’t have a political view here in Australia. I’m an independent.
HS: In terms of ideology though, can you
give us an idea of where you would sit on a political spectrum? Are you
progressive, conservative or a centrist?
VQ: These terms are a little bit confusing to me. I’m not sure. I think I’m in
the middle. Because I have friends from all these different types of groups. I
would say maybe I’m slightly more progressive because I have LGBTQIA friends
and I really support them. But in terms of personal politics views I don’t have
any specific views.
HS: Are you in a faction on campus or have you previously campaigned for any
student elections?
VQ: I’m not in any factions but I did help out with my friend Benny for his
election last year.
HS: Could I ask why you’re running for USU
board? What are your reasons?
VQ: I became a campus activity coordinator this year which has allowed me to
understand the USU on a deeper level. In the process of planning exams and
interacting with students during exams I realised there was a lot of room for
improvement with the USU. For me, I am joining the election because I want to
be the person that is able to push these improvements and back the student
experience on campus.
HS: What makes you think you’re perhaps better placed than some of the other
candidates running? Do you think you have relevant experience or qualities that
make you worthy or better than the competition?
VQ: I don’t think I’m better than anybody. I feel like everyone is really good.
For me, the difference is that I think some of them are running for their
political party and they may be pushing for certain ideas. For me, I am just
for everyone’s benefit. I have been planning events and working with general
life things in middle school and high school because I was a councillor. This
is the type of thing I do. I always plan events and look after students’ needs.
I think, in terms of this, I’m pretty experienced.
HS: What are some of the events you have planned at Sydney Uni, for example?
VQ: I haven’t been at campus for that long
but what I’ve planned so far is the Pride Festival. That’s the main thing I do
is the Pridate Festival. The main event for the Pride Festival is the Glitter
Gala. Other than that, I was a resident assistant at USyd accommodation so I
planned the monthly events and some annual events.
HS: Which candidates are your top two favourites and which is your least
favourite or, alternatively, which candidates do you think you’re most similar
to and which candidate do you think you’re least similar to?
VQ: That’s a very tough question. I don’t know all of them personally so I
can’t say favourite but in terms of similarity maybe Ada. I heard that she is a
post grad and she has been in Australia for a long time but she is also an
international student like me. I don’t represent a particular group. I have a
lot of international student friends and local friends. So Ada is quite similar
to me. In terms of controversy, I heard that maybe Nick and Ben are a bit
controversial but I don’t really know because I haven’t read up on what’s going
on. I don’t have a favourite or least favourite.
HS: If you had to cut one million dollars from the USU’s budget, where would you cut it from?
VQ: For now, in terms of the global
pandemic situation, I would cut it from the Make a Difference Foundation. Make
a Difference is for a good cause. It’s for charity. But at the moment the USU
is in a very tough financial situation. They can’t even ensure the wellbeing of
their employees so I don’t think they have the capacity to raise money or do
charity from other people.
HS: You mentioned the USU’s current precarious financial situation. We’re going
to ask you some questions about this situation. Would you support or stand
against a university takeover of the union? Why or why not?
VQ: No I would not because I feel like the USU is made by students for
students. A university takeover would mean that student voices are not heard as
much and it may go off in a different direction. I wouldn’t want to the uni to
take over the USU.
HS: What about the recent standing down of many of the USU’s employees, over half of which are students? Do you think this was a good decision?
VQ: I was one of those students. I was laid off due to this situation. Obviously to me because I was deeply affected by it I was a little sad that the USU wanted to let me go. But I understand that currently they do not have a place for me with their funds. At the same time, I wish the USU had thought of some ways to let me continue working. I plan events right? So maybe I could help them plan online events and then they wouldn’t need to fire me because I really need this income.
HS: Last year free ACCESS was introduced
with a new board coming in. Do you think that’s still a viable situation given
the current USU’s financial state or do you think we should go back to paid
access?
VQ: I think once you go free, you can’t go back. Once you already let everyone
know it is free and then start charging again they will probably not want to be
a USU member anymore. It is good in terms of charging for membership. But, at
the same time, certain groups of people can’t afford to pay to enjoy the USU. I
think, if we’re thinking of all students, even though it’s hard, we should keep
membership free and look for alternative revenue streams.
HS: What is your opinion on how successful the current board has been and, more
specifically, what is your opinion on Connor Wherret’s presidency?
VQ: I feel like the current board is pretty successful. I think of the promises they made when they were running and they have come true. Like, say, Cady – I remember her policy was renovating Wentworth. She made this happen. The campus looks much better now. Benny said in a policy that he wanted to bring some Chinese food to campus and that’s happening. They are successful because they pushed what they advocated. In terms of Connor, I don’t really know him and I don’t read up specifically on what the president would do. So I don’t have any opinion.
HS: The Wentworth renovations were already
planned before the election last year. International food on campus was kind of
already happening as well, which I think speaks to the fact that many board
members make promises and many of them don’t happen. Do you have an idea of why
that is and how do you plan on navigating your time on the board to make sure
your campaign promises come true?
VQ: I feel like the most important thing is that the promises we make are
realistic. If I made some really big promises, they won’t happen. I think maybe
some of their promises are a little bit too big or will take a long time to
come true. Me, I will make realistic promises. If I think it’s best for
students, I will try my best to make it happen and convince everyone on the
board. Everyone has different ideologies too and what they think is best. What
seems good to you may not seem good to somebody else. This is a very important
factor.
HS: Do you have an overall policy
priority? Which singular policy of yours do you think is most important?
VQ: My favourite one is my policy of promoting free, reusable cups. You can
borrow reusable cups with your ACCESS membership and return it at any USU cafe.
When I was planning events this year, the USU often uses paper cups and this is
very shocking. You can enjoy coffee and be good to the environment at the same
time.
HS: Do you think reusable cups is the best
idea in a global pandemic? Some cafes have actually banned reusable cups.
VQ: Maybe not. I didn’t plan for a pandemic. Another policy now there is a
pandemic and art students are joining us on the main campus, and I know a lot
of people really love USyd merchandise and want to have their own input, I have
a policy where there will be an annual competition for students to design their
own hoodie. The winner will become the official USyd hoodie. Everyone can join
and it will be online.
HS: Let’s dive more into policy then.
Let’s talk a little bit about the USyd hoodie. You’ve put that front and
centre. Why do you think that’s an important initiative to be running in this
kind of a time?
VQ: It doesn’t feel like hoodie or merchandise is a good price. When I wear a
school hoodie, I want to be proud of it. And also students are bored at home
right now right? If you let people have the chance to design this thing, it
will encourage them to occupy themselves and do something meaningful.
HS: We also noticed that in your policy
statement many of the policies have been promised in the past – things like
more multicultural food and events, upgrading the ISL, the reusable cup system,
cheaper sanitary products. These are things we’ve seen in the past in previous
elections or they are already in the works in the USU or in place. What are the
unique things that make students want to vote for you?
VQ: I feel like if it hasn’t been delivered in the past it’s fine for someone else
to make the same promise. Just because a previous person wasn’t able to deliver
it doesn’t mean I can’t. Some of the policies like the multicultural one I
mentioned again because I feel like there are still people being left out, even
though the USU is already trying to be as multicultural as possible. On campus,
we don’t see, for example, Thai food, Korean food or halal food. I guess
because my background is so multicultural – I grew up in Singapore – I have
really been immersed in all kinds of cultures and groups. Maybe I therefore
have a unique perspective.
HS: Ok. To build on that, what makes you a new and exciting candidate? You haven’t really run in a past election before and you don’t have a track record in student politics.
VQ: They should vote for me because I come to the election solely to push for student life and not for any political reasons and also because of my multicultural background. I am able to consider a more diverse group of people. I can understand a bit better how they might feel. I’m a bit more well-rounded in terms of my understanding of what different groups need.
HS: In terms of recycling older policies,
I notice your policy of review systems was a policy Benny introduced last year
and it didn’t come to fruition. How would this operate in a different way to
reviews on Google and Yelp? Further, a lot of USU staff at cafes and
restaurants have been laid off recently. Do you think that introducing a review
system that will likely result in a punitive measure for staff will really help
build morale after the crisis? Do you think this is an appropriate way to
interact with USU staff?
VQ: I think it’s appropriate. For me, I could write feedback on the USU website
or app. Last time when I opened the app, there was nowhere to write a review. I
think it’s good because uni is a channel for people to say what they want to
say. I think the USU may not be sharing enough feedback as of now. There is no
very good way for students or staff to know what is really happening or what
people really think. We need a better channel for that. To be fair, the USU is
not relevant or cool. That’s why I feel like, if you let students truly give
their feedback, the USU can improve and it might make a better name for itself
among students.
HS: Do you think the restaurants and coffee should be the priority for this
thought or should it be other activities and services that the USU provides? To
me, the standard of the coffee at Courtyard seems trivial compared to the
experience students are getting through C&S or through Surg. Do you think
this is an appropriate thing to focus on?
VQ: For me, I am a little bit more concerned with food and whether students are
enjoying themselves on campus. Food can be one focal point. But if I start a
review system on the website or app, there can be different categories – food,
events, or something else. Students can provide feedback for literally anything
the USU is controlling.
HS: In terms of your proposed increase in job opportunities for students, this is something already kind of in place within the USU, as you know being a former USU staff member. They quite frequently hire students for roles in the USU across all levels. How will this differ from the system already in place?
VQ: I know with the system in place you
can have Pulp editors and student leadership opportunities. But these
opportunities are very rare. What am I trying to propose is positions for
students, say, in cafes. I was a barista right? I tried to apply for a USU cafe
but because there are other people, not students, who can work full-time, they
might have preferred them. I have a lot of friends who want to work at USU food
outlets but don’t have experience. The USU only hires experienced people. I
think what I am trying to promise is hiring students only. Maybe one or two
full-timers from outside but the casual staff should only be students. Students
with zero experience therefore have somewhere to start and then they can move
on and go somewhere else.
HS: You are proposing restricting hiring so it’s almost only available to
students?
VQ: Yes, ideally. A lot of students need a job at uni. If the USU can provide
them with training and their first job, it would make things much easier. A lot
of them want a job but they just can’t get one because they haven’t worked
before. The USU should be the platform to give them a chance and training.
HS: I notice in your policy statement,
there are a couple of things that are a little vague, particularly on the
improved C&S funding. You talk about a more transparent funding system and
equity. I’m not really sure exactly what material policies those involve. What
specific change would you make to C&S funding to improve transparency and
equity?
VQ: I am in a lot of clubs and societies and I feel like the funding system is
not well informed. Say if you are a smaller club. It’s harder for you to get
funds from the USU compared to the big clubs. When they changed the funding
system – was it last year? – they did not consult all the clubs. It was very
confusing for everyone. If I were to make changes, I would consult all the
clubs and societies first and get everyone’s opinions to make sure everyone is
happy.
HS: So you would increase consultation?
VQ: I would increase consultation. Maybe monthly or every two months I would check in with the needs of clubs and societies. Maybe last time the funding was enough, but in a different time they may need more or less money. I would make sure everyone has enough funding for equity’s sake.
HS: Apart from the change in funding not
being communicated clearly, do you think that the current board or recent
boards have had issues with transparency?
VQ: I can’t really think of a specific one now.
HS: Still on policy: you’ve indicated that you want to pressure the university
to increase multilingual mental health services. I’m wondering exactly how
you’re planning on doing that?
VQ: I think this is a little more difficult. Maybe with the hiring process: I could have some meetings with the uni and emphasise to them why we’re having those kinds of meetings. For CAPS, if we’re hiring professionals, we should ask what kind of professionals we’re hiring or what languages they speak. It could be translators even. This is a real need. I have some Chinese friends who are trying to get consultations but they are so afraid to go because they can’t really speak English and they can’t describe how they feel and they won’t understand what the professionals say. I will probably try to work on the translators first. Obviously it would be the best if we can hire professionals who are bilingual.
HS: The hiring process for CAPS is not
something the USU generally has much of an overview of. It’s more of a
university concern. How are you proposing that you as a board director will
increase or introduce some kind of multilingual, mental health service? What
kind of plan do you have?
VQ: We do have in Wentworth a wellness centre on the second floor. I feel like
for me I will push the USU to hire a professional therapist themselves.
HS: Right. So you would push for the USU hiring a therapist? That’s introducing
a service that the USU doesn’t really provide in any other capacity. The USU
doesn’t run any health clinics. Are you suggesting the USU should introduce a
separate service to CAPS?
VQ: Yeah. I feel like why not? Mental health is a part of student life. There
are only six times you can go to CAPS. What if I need more than six sessions?
It doesn’t hurt to have two separate channels for students to go to. If they
want to go to CAPS, they can. But if they need multilingual services for mental
health, they can come to the USU as well. We can have a therapist too. A small
team maybe? It is about time for the USU to look more into this. The USU always
does events for R U OK? Day. Why not make sure that throughout the year
students can really be ok by introducing our own service and making it
multilingual, so that the minority students who don’t speak English that well
can access this service. I know as of right not many international students who
don’t speak English go to CAPS because they don’t dare to go.
HS: Given that the USU has recently had to lay off quite a lot of its staff. It
seems to be in dire financial straits. It’s resorting to selling grocery boxes
to stay afloat. Do you think introducing a whole new service, which hasn’t been
tested before and will cost quite a bit of money to set up and maintain, is a
good idea?
VQ: I would say it’s not possible right
now due to the financial situation. When I thought up these policies, I was
thinking more for times when the USU is doing ok. If I became a board director,
I will focus more on how the USU can recover their revenue and go back to their
prior financial state. After we solve these problems, then we can move forward
and push all these policies that can benefit the uni.
HS: Adding on top of that, do you think the USU has a role in pressuring the
university and taking a firm stance on things or even criticising the
university at times? There has obviously been a lot of discourse on COVID 19,
the pass/fail system and Proctoru. Do you think the USU has a role in taking a
firm stance for or against that?
VQ: I think even the management will think
this is something that the SRC should do. The USU represents students and is
for students. If it benefits the students, the SRC should lead the actions but
the USU should help out also and play a support role so we can make sure that
students are protected.
HS: That’s it from us. Anything you would like to add?
VQ: Not really.