By Sophie Felice
Three candidates have begun their campaign for the role of ANUSA Clubs Officer this year. These candidates are Max Marland (he/him), Seungbin Kang (he/they) and Ai Nuojin (she/her), an independent candidate.
The Job
The Clubs Officer is responsible for organising and overseeing ANUSA’s social or non-academic events. This includes the management of the O-week and Bush Week ANUSA calendar as well providing support and advocating for ANU clubs and their interests.
The Candidates
Max Marland (he/him)
Max Marland is a current gen rep for ANUSA, and the Vice-President of the Dining Society which currently boasts 2.2K followers on its Facebook page. Marland is running with the Stand Up! ticket.
Seungbin Kang (he/they)
Seungbin Kang is the president of ANU Anime and Gaming Society (ANUAGS), a Wamburun Hall senior resident and was a 2023 Bush-Week coordinator. Kang believes that clubs are central to the ANU social scene beyond academics and that there is extensive room for improvement in supporting the ANU club culture. Kang is running with the Together For ANUSA ticket.
Ai Nuojin (she/her)
Ai Nuojin is an international student seeking to build a more culturally interconnected ANU community. Nuoijin experienced a warm welcome from ANU and hopes to build greater unity within the community. Nuojin is running as an independent candidate.
The Policies
Max Marland
Marland’s policy places strong emphasis on economic accessibility and advocacy, stating that “giving people a good time while at university, regardless of socioeconomic circumstances, is worth protecting and expanding”. Marland is seeking to cultivate a higher level of interconnection between ANU students, clubs, and ANUSA in order to expand and support the clubs community.
Marland’s policy aims to reform current ANUSA clubs policy to increase grant opportunities and financial accessibility. Marland intends to create a weekly clubs email and grow channels of communication between club executives and ANUSA. Marland’s policy emphasises the need for increased post-graduate representation, and increased accessibility for on and off campus students.
The Stand Up! ticket is seeking to advocate for free education and de-corporatising of the university sector, and cultivate a more activist union through coordination with the National Union of Students and increased accessibility to protests.
More information about Marland and his policy can be found here.
Seungbin Kang
Kang’s policy aims to significantly increase club culture and participation, “winning the hearts and minds of naysayers who reject the communities we’re passionate about”. Kang’s implementation includes on-going grassroots dialogue and gaining insight through the experiences of club leaders and members, beyond what is offered through the SRC forum.
Kang’s policy focuses on five key matters: supporting clubs financially and logistically, evolving larger social events, such as Multicultural and Bush week, to be more clubs focused, lowering financial barriers to club creation and membership, and increased meetings and training opportunities.
Kang’s goal is to increase the club SSAF budget in a sustainable manner and create tangible bridges between ANUSA departments, academic colleges, and clubs. Kang’s policy places a strong emphasis on collaboration, communication and effective management of specific events throughout the year such as the ANUSA Night Markets, Rad Ed Week and Multicultural week.
More information about Kang and their policy can be found here.
Ai Nuojin
Nuojin is seeking to create an inclusive and exciting clubs environment with an open-door policy. Her priorities include ensuring all voices are heard and increasing engagement through unity and creativity.
Nuojin’s policy involves a collaborative approach to elevating clubs’ presence and ensuring that all students have a space in which they feel at home.
Voting for the ANUSA election has begun, and you can vote here. The results will be published on Friday the 29th of September.
Graphics by Annisa Zatalini
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