Know Your 21 Plus Officer

Stephen Kenny is running for the role of 21 Plus Officer.

• What experience can you call upon that will benefit you as a potential 21+ Officer?

Stephen Kenny: I've been a member of the 21+ Committee for a year now and have been heavily involved in the expansion of the group. I've also worked closely alongside the current officer, Charlene Cranny, and have a good understanding of what the role entails.

• Why do you think students should vote for you?

SK: Apart from the fact no one else has put themselves up for the position, I think I'll do a good job. I know what it was like to come to uni as a mature student, what the particular worries and stresses were and I'll do my best to make the transition as seamless as possible for next years intake and to improve the life of the students we have currently.

• What are your key policies?

SK: I'd like to have a mature student website in place by the end of next term. This will act as a central hub for students, a place they can look for house mates, arrange to meet up, get information about social events, and just help us to keep in touch with everyone.

I'd also like to promote Vanbrugh as the mature student college of choice from next year. This will hopefully give mature student's a real base on campus and might encourage them to live on campus in their first year.

• How important do you think the role of a 21+ Officer is?

SK: I'd say the role is criminally undervalued, I believe in an average intake that mature students make up 15-20 percent. The fact that the 21+ Committee has only been running for two years and we've only just got a seat on the YUSU Council shows how much work there is to be done.

• Are you concerned about the threat of RON?

SK: I have to say it'd be pretty awful to lose out to RON. The worst thing would be seeing the position go unfilled and our hard work this year going to waste.

• To date, what is the best thing you've done at university?

SK: To be honest, I'm enjoying the whole thing. Getting to know, and becoming friends with, such a wide range of people has to be the highlight though.

• Who is your favourite character from Sesame Street and why?

SK: I'm not too sure about favourite characters, but this is the coolest footage I have ever seen!

Voting is now open for this year's YUSU elections. To vote, click here.

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