Slogan: Don’t say no to Naomi!
Colour: Dark Navy
Faction: Independent
Degree: M. IT/IT Management I
Quiz Score: 23%
Naomi Viegas is running for USU Board as an independent candidate, possessing no past or current political or factional affiliations. While this means that Viegas is not bound by any factional directives, her institutional knowledge of the USU, as well as the USU’s political leanings and vision, were notably lacking.
Viegas provided enthusiastic responses to the quiz and interview questions, but told Honi that her lack of broader experience with the USU was on account of having been at the University for only two months.
Despite having been at USyd for such a short period, Viegas demonstrated knowledge of USU financing, VSU, previous leadership, and procedures required from USU societies in order to remain in compliance with USU policy. However, there was a lack of knowledge in areas of extreme importance to students, such as the recommendations in the Universities Accords Report, as well as the current placement poverty campaign.
The presentation of her policies was energetic, with a focus on the “practical” elements of her ideas. Policies which seemed most congruent with USU procedure included expanding existing USU Eats promotions to ensure more free and affordable food stations and heightening USU sustainability initiatives by further reducing single-use waste. However, the deliverable outcomes of some policies like “partnerships with ride-sharing apps” and “offering free nutrition counselling to students” are far-fetched.
Some important knowledge of USU procedure was absent, with some misunderstanding of what was in the domain of responsibility between the SRC, the University and the USU. Many of her policies — such as rent assistance, expanding mentoring support programs, and hosting workshops with new students — are not within the USU’s remit. Honi would also like to note that as of April 21, 2024, Viegas’ policy document was unauthorised.
Furthermore, despite mentioning in the interview that she would like to see more inclusion of students with disabilities in society events, Viegas was not aware of the autonomous Disabilities space that opened recently in Manning House.
Notably, Viegas has no current criticisms of the current USU Board or a personal vision as to how it should be run, as well as no clear response to whether it should occupy a political position on campus.
Overall, Viegas’ candidacy can be characterised by a positive attitude toward the Board role, although as a very new student to the University, she perhaps does not possess enough current experience with the USU to adequately meet its extensive requirements and responsibilities.
