Did Enough Students Care about the Rectorial Elections?

I’m willing to bet most of you can’t explain what a rector is and what they do.

Before I begin, I should congratulate Srdja Popovic. The Serbian activist took the election by over 1,000 votes: an indisputable victory. I’m sure he will do a great job, but I’m here to play devil’s advocate and question the whole rectorial election and how it reached the students of St Andrews.

Week 4 is seen as infamous for its incessant deadlines, perpetual tiredness and overall terrible vibes. However, Week 4 of this semester added another thing into the mix: the rectorial elections. These have been dominating all things “St Andrews,” from the streets to the St Andrews Crushes Facebook page, but how much did we all really pay attention to the formalities?

Photo: University of St Andrews Twitter

In a world obsessed with social media and online presence, Popovic definitely knew how to work his audience. My timeline was full of selfies with and memes about the Serbian activist, making him a household name (in the loosest term possible) in no time. But where was his opponent, Willie Rennie, in all of this? There were no pictures posed with him, no crushes posted about him, and, as someone not overly involved in politics, I only knew very vague facts about his campaign. Now, before anyone calls me out on being ignorant for not reading up on the election and talking out of turn (which is not entirely wrong), I would like to make it clear that I am talking on behalf of many who honestly just didn’t have the time nor the desire to really get involved in this election. One week ago, I didn’t even know what a rector was, never mind what each individual nominee wanted to provide to the role. Yes, this may be of my own fault, but I’m sure I’m not alone in this: my flatmate flipped a coin to decide on who to vote for, because she just had no idea.

From what I can see, Srdja’s “political campaign” consisted mainly of portraying himself as being extremely likeable – which he succeeded in. Of course, he has an impressive background in student activism and his manifesto contained some very appealing promises involving Brexit and EU student rights, but I, for one, thought all of this to be very overshadowed by the online, almost cult following he seemed to harbour. His “Popovic Propaganda” was spread via the streets, with people standing outside of the library almost every day trying to recruit other students onto their side. For those who are just trying to get to the printers on deadline day, this could potentially be alienating, but it also appears to have been sufficiently successful.

Photo: Jamie Rodney

I did a very, very informal case study among friends to find out who they voted for and why: needless to say I received extremely varied responses. Those who voted for Willie Rennie did so because they thought that, realistically, he would achieve more due to his local power and track record. Srdja’s supporters liked his stance and passion for change, as well as a rumoured idea that he will bring a railway line back to St Andrews (this must have been what won it for him). One of them didn’t vote, because the link “took too long to load” – an exact quote.

Don’t get me wrong, both candidates were very qualified, and to be honest I don’t think there would have been any big problems irrespective of who won, but I do think that the elections could have been much more clear and widely advertised. My friend still doesn’t know what a rector is, even now.

Obviously, it isn’t hard to go on Google and figure out what rectors do, and go on the candidates’ manifestos to read about their plans, but we are students, and students are lazy. If it takes longer than a walk to the town centre, we simply won’t bother. So, in three years’ time, when these elections come round again, it could be beneficial to really shove them in people’s faces, and maybe then people will be willing to wait for the link to load.

Comments

comments

62 thoughts on “Did Enough Students Care about the Rectorial Elections?

  1. I have really noticed that fixing credit activity really needs to be conducted with tactics. If not, you will probably find yourself destroying your rating. In order to succeed in fixing to your credit rating you have to see to it that from this instant you pay any monthly costs promptly before their booked date. Really it is significant because by never accomplishing this, all other activities that you will take to improve your credit rank will not be powerful. Thanks for revealing your tips.

  2. I learned more a new challenge on this weight reduction issue. One issue is that good nutrition is especially vital when dieting. A big reduction in fast foods, sugary foodstuff, fried foods, sweet foods, beef, and bright flour products may perhaps be necessary. Holding wastes parasites, and wastes may prevent goals for losing fat. While specific drugs for the short term solve the issue, the awful side effects will not be worth it, and they also never present more than a temporary solution. It can be a known indisputable fact that 95 of fad diet plans fail. Thank you for sharing your thinking on this weblog.

  3. Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you really recognize what you are speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Please additionally visit my site =). We can have a hyperlink exchange contract between us!

  4. You can definitely see your expertise in the paintings you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. All the time follow your heart.

  5. obviously like your web-site however you have to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very troublesome to inform the truth on the other hand I will definitely come again again.

  6. I do enjoy the way you have presented this situation plus it does give us some fodder for thought. Nevertheless, through just what I have experienced, I simply just hope when the actual feed-back pile on that folks remain on issue and in no way embark upon a soap box involving the news du jour. Anyway, thank you for this outstanding piece and although I do not agree with the idea in totality, I value the point of view.

  7. Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  8. It’s the best time to make a few plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few attention-grabbing issues or advice. Maybe you can write subsequent articles relating to this article. I wish to learn even more things approximately it!

  9. obviously like your web site but you need to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to tell the truth nevertheless I?ll surely come back again.

  10. Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought I would like to put in writing like this additionally ? taking time and precise effort to make a very good article? however what can I say? I procrastinate alot and under no circumstances appear to get one thing done.

  11. I?¦ll immediately clutch your rss as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly permit me understand so that I could subscribe. Thanks.

  12. With every little thing which appears to be building inside this particular subject matter, a significant percentage of points of view are generally rather refreshing. However, I appologize, but I do not subscribe to your entire suggestion, all be it radical none the less. It seems to us that your opinions are not completely rationalized and in fact you are your self not even wholly certain of your argument. In any case I did enjoy reading it.

  13. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You definitely know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something informative to read?

  14. I believe that avoiding prepared foods could be the first step for you to lose weight. They could taste very good, but highly processed foods contain very little nutritional value, making you take more to have enough vitality to get with the day. If you are constantly ingesting these foods, converting to grain and other complex carbohydrates will help you have more power while having less. Great blog post.

  15. Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

  16. I mastered more something totally new on this fat loss issue. One issue is a good nutrition is vital if dieting. A tremendous reduction in bad foods, sugary foods, fried foods, sweet foods, pork, and white-colored flour products can be necessary. Possessing wastes harmful bacteria, and toxic compounds may prevent targets for fat loss. While selected drugs for the short term solve the situation, the horrible side effects are not worth it, and they also never offer you more than a short lived solution. It is just a known indisputable fact that 95 of dietary fads fail. Many thanks for sharing your ideas on this site.

  17. This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!

  18. We’re a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with helpful information to work on. You’ve done an impressive task and our whole community will be thankful to you.

  19. Once I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now every time a remark is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Is there any manner you may remove me from that service? Thanks!

  20. hey there and thank you for your information ? I?ve definitely picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical issues using this website, since I experienced to reload the web site many times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I?m adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for a lot more of your respective interesting content. Ensure that you update this again very soon..

  21. Normally I do not read post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite nice post.

  22. This design is steller! You certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

  23. Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your post is simply excellent and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.

  24. One thing I’d really like to say is always that car insurance canceling is a terrifying experience and if you are doing the proper things being a driver you’ll not get one. Many people do obtain notice that they’ve been officially dumped by their particular insurance company they then have to fight to get supplemental insurance after the cancellation. Low-cost auto insurance rates are frequently hard to get after the cancellation. Having the main reasons with regard to auto insurance cancelling can help owners prevent losing one of the most crucial privileges offered. Thanks for the strategies shared through your blog.

  25. I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I thought this post was once good. I do not recognize who you are but definitely you are going to a well-known blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!

  26. I will also like to state that most individuals who find themselves with out health insurance are normally students, self-employed and those that are unemployed. More than half with the uninsured are really under the age of 35. They do not come to feel they are in need of health insurance since they’re young and also healthy. Its income is typically spent on property, food, in addition to entertainment. Lots of people that do go to work either 100 or part-time are not presented insurance by their jobs so they proceed without with the rising tariff of health insurance in the states. Thanks for the strategies you share through this blog.

  27. Today, with the fast life style that everyone leads, credit cards get this amazing demand throughout the economy. Persons throughout every arena are using credit card and people who are not using the card have prepared to apply for one. Thanks for expressing your ideas about credit cards.

  28. Thanks for the strategies you are sharing on this weblog. Another thing I’d prefer to say is the fact getting hold of duplicates of your credit history in order to look at accuracy of each detail is the first action you have to accomplish in credit restoration. You are looking to clean your credit file from harmful details faults that mess up your credit score.

  29. I think this is among the such a lot significant information for me. And i’m glad studying your article. However want to commentary on some general issues, The site taste is great, the articles is in reality excellent : D. Good process, cheers

  30. Hello, i believe that i saw you visited my weblog so i came to ?go back the desire?.I am attempting to in finding issues to improve my site!I suppose its adequate to use some of your ideas!!

  31. Generally I don’t read article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice post.

  32. What?s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It positively helpful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & assist other users like its aided me. Good job.

  33. whoah this blog is fantastic i love reading your articles. Keep up the great work! You know, many people are searching around for this information, you could help them greatly.

  34. After examine a few of the blog posts in your website now, and I actually like your means of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website listing and shall be checking back soon. Pls check out my website online as well and let me know what you think.

  35. Unquestionably imagine that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the net the simplest thing to have in mind of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while other folks think about issues that they just do not realize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as smartly as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably be again to get more. Thanks

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

THE STAND