The newly elected full-time officers for 2014-15 (left to right): Daniel Greenberg, Rianna Gargiulo, Abe Baldry, Bethan Hunt, Michael Segalov and Lyndsay Burtonshaw.

Nearly 4,500 Sussex students have elected Students’ Union officers to represent them in 2014-15, setting a new turnout record.

Around one in three students at the University – 4,411 – voted last week to elect six full-time officers, as well as to a number of part-time and other representative positions.

The new officers will take up their year-long positions in June.

President – Abe Baldry (History undergraduate)

Abe was elected as President after a campaign focused on day-to-day improvements for students, issues beyond campus that affect students, and the future of Sussex. Specifically, Abe will lobby for improvements to: bus prices, campus wi-fi and computers, queues at the Co-op, late-night food on campus and library fines. More widely, he pledges to expand the Students’ Union’s work on lettings and tenancy agreements, campaign against the Government’s proposed sell-off of student loans, protect the right to peaceful protest, and ensure that campus facilities grow alongside the University’s planned growth in student numbers.

Operations Officer – Daniel Greenberg (Biology undergraduate)

Daniel was elected on a manifesto focusing on sustainability, financial transparency and improving student life. He plans to open a Union Cafe in the back room of Falmer Bar, campaign to “save East Slope bar” and host more events at Union venues. Expanding services for students – such as Union Computers, a new online marketplace and more bike sheds – will, Daniel says, help to ensure a sustainable Students’ Union.

Activities Officer – Lyndsay Burtonshaw (International Relations and Development undergraduate)

Lyndsay made three key pledges in her successful election campaign. She aims to increase support for sports clubs and societies by, for example, reforming processes so that University sports teams can realise their full potential in national contests. She also wants to increase flexible access to volunteering opportunities and, as founder of the RE:CYCLE bike-hire co-operative, increase free cycling and mechanics workshops.

Education Officer – Bethan Hunt (Politics undergraduate)

Bethan’s successful campaign focused on protecting the quality of the educational experience at Sussex at a time when the University is growing. Specifically, Bethan plans to use her year in office to help the University as it moves towards e-submissions, and lobby for: further wi-fi improvements in the Library; careers guidance within Schools; academic advisors for both subjects for joint-honours students; study packs; a review of mitigating evidence procedures; and earlier publication of exam timetables.

Communications Officer – Michael Segalov (Law with International Relations undergraduate)

As Communications Officer, Michael will develop student media by investing in training and skills for media teams, undertaking investigative journalism and organising a series of live debates, to be broadcast live. He plans to create a public dialogue with the University and to campaign for a democratic university, continuing plans to create a student charter. A public audit of the Students’ Union to ensure greater transparency and media workshops for local schoolchildren are also priorities for Michael.

Welfare Officer – Rianna Gargiulo (Politics undergraduate)

Rianna aims to make student life more affordable by expanding Sussex Student Lettings’ fee-free service and by lobbying for kitchen facilities and continuing affordable accommodation on campus. She will campaign for travel subsidies for First-Generation Scholars, more sustainable transport provisions, and more and better signposting of well-being services for students. Diversity and mental health issues will be the focus of her other campaigning work.

A number of other students were also celebrating when the results were announced in Falmer Bar on Friday evening (21 February).

Four part-time officers were elected:

• Liam Letheren will serve as Ethical and Environmental Officer
• Paul Millar will spend 12 months as Media Development Officer
• The Community Engagement Officer post has been filled by Shikhar Shrivastava
• Lisa William Robogo is the new Equality and Diversity Officer

The students representing Sussex at the forthcoming National Union of Students (NUS) conferences will be:

• Adriano Mérola Marotta, Michael Segalov, Gavan Harrison and Miriam Steiner at the NUS annual conference
• Vicki Cook, Sophie van der Ham, Lisa William Robogo and Olivia Gandy at the NUS Women's Campaign conference
• Kelly McBride, Olivia Gandy and Sophie van der Ham at the NUS LGBT Students' Campaign conference
• Jaja Jasper Chinedum at the NUS Black Students' Campaign conference
• Mary Prescott at the NUS Disabled Students' Campaign conference

For more information about the elections and the candidates, visit the Students’ Union’s website.