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Candidate for the position of Student Trustees

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Nick Lang

Lucy, Kush, and I are standing to be Student Trustees to ensure the SU truly serves students. As JCR President Elect and Chair of the Physics JCC, I have experience working with senior SU and University staff. I’ve helped shape the SU Transformation and written key amendments to protect Common Room sovereignty. I will safeguard democracy, refuse to override CCR decisions, and push for Board transparency. I believe in an SU that listens to, supports, and is accountable to students.

Student Trustee Candidate Statement Form
- JCR President Elect (Keble College)
As JCR President, I will be a voting member of Conference of Common Rooms (CCR), the new democratic decision-making body of the SU. Unlike most Student Trustees, I would therefore be accountable directly both to my Common Room and the other Common Room Presidents.
- Physics Joint Consultative Committee Chair
Chairing my JCC has given me experience representing students at a university level. I have worked closely with Officers of the SU, including our Divisional Rep, to push for change in discussions with senior academic and administrative staff members of the University.
- JCR Secretary (Keble College)
I have been Secretary of my JCR since the end of Michaelmas. This means I have lots of experience with governing documents and procedures, as well as elections, communications, and committee membership, all relevant to the job of a Trustee.
In the 2024 National Student Survey, only 40.7% of Oxford undergraduates responded positively to the question asking how well the SU represents them. This needs to improve. I want to see the SU return to the service of students, supporting and representing every undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing education student. For this to happen, we need significant change, and a Trustee Board who will support it.

In Hilary Term, I had the pleasure of working with the incumbent JCR Presidents and the SU Transformation Taskforce on the SU's Transformation. On behalf of the JCR Presidents, I wrote more than 15 amendments to the new Bye-Laws with the aim of improving democratic processes and safeguarding the sovereignty of Common Rooms. The Transformation has led to the creation of the Conference of Common Rooms (CCR), the new democratic decision-making body of the SU.

Change must be driven by CCR, but given the power the Board still holds, it is vital to have Trustees who will support this. I am running for Student Trustee to ensure the SU respects the student voice.
- Safeguard democracy
Unless illegal, I will refuse to overturn CCR decisions or referendums. I will ensure common rooms can choose whether or not to be affiliated to the SU and that the SU never imposes policies on common rooms. I will work with CCR to streamline the process of adopting policies and mandates, and ensure they are always implemented by the SU.
- Increase transparency
I will support true editorial independence for The Oxford Student, with no censorship by the SU. As both a voting member of CCR and a member of the Board of Trustees, I would be uniquely positioned to improve the relationship between students and the Board. I will report regularly to CCR on any decisions made by the Trustees, a request that has been refused by Trustees in the past.
- Ensure the SU serves students
Lucy, Kush, and I will work closely with Shermar and the other Trustees to ensure all decisions are made in the interest of students. I will support reducing spending on staffing costs in order to increase the money spent on student projects.