Dear Fellow UCSA Members,
My name is Benjamin van Arendonk, and I would like to be your
Committee Affair Officer (CAO) for the academic year of 2014-2015.
Some of you may know me from some of the DramaCo sketches,
bartending or volunteering at events, but for those who do not know me;
I am a second year studying law, politics and philosophy, and started my
UCU career in February 2013.
Giving back to campus
From the very first day of my stay here at UCU, I have loved the great events, atmosphere and
people that this beautiful campus has to offer. This campus has given me a lot, and I would like to
have the opportunity to give something back. I think that as CAO I will have this opportunity, and
should I get the position, I will give it my all.
This pretty bubble we live in is filled with committees that allow us to express ourselves, develop
skills that are useful, and provide us with entertainment and relaxation. Committees are the tools
the UCSA uses to provide its members with whatever they need. As a CAO one is the connection
between the committees and the board, and as such represents their committees, and thus part of
the students, in the board meetings.
Plans
The current UCSA board has done a fantastic job at running this campus, and I wish to uphold this
standard of quality. However, this does not mean that nothing can be changed or added to the
current UCSA board policies. I have asked around campus to find what issues are present and what
ideas people would like to see implemented.
BarCo Card?
As you may remember, Florian Verhaak, one of the current CAOs made plans for a special ‘BarCo
card’ that would allow people to put money on a card electronically to then use in the bar. This
would thus help solve the problem some people experienced with not having enough cash.
Implementing this card turned out to be quite expensive, and moreover, required much preparation
and a well-timed roll-out for it to work. As such, it has yet to be done. I would like to continue
Florian’s idea, or at the very least, attempt to find a different solution to the problem. I think that
perhaps a second-hand pin-machine might prove adequate. During the most recent Inter-UC
championship a pin-machine was rented to provide easy payment for the mobile bar. However, it
was also used to provide cash to people during the party that night, which resulted in an incredible
turnover for the bar. I think a more permanent version of this would work very well.
Let’s talk?
In the aftermath of an article about UCU’s academic and social atmosphere in the Groene
Amsterdammer (a weekly magazine), a ‘let’s talk’ session was organized to discuss the issues of
social and academic pressure on campus. The first session was a success, but the second let’s talk
session had a much lower turnout. I think the issues of social/academic pressure still need more
attention. I’ve met students who are surprised that, on a campus like this where social interaction is
high and anonymity is barely possible, there is no trained professional (such as a psychologist) that
they can discuss their problems with in private. Mark Baldwin, our student life officer, tries to handle
most of these problems, but he can be overwhelmed by both the amount as well as the severity of
problems. I would like to gauge just how much pressure the students experience, and see if there is
a possibility to resolve this.
Weekend activities
With the majority of campus being Dutch students, the campus often turns desolate over the
weekend as they go home. This means that not many activities are organized during the weekends. I
would like to explore the possibility of encouraging committees to provide more activities during the
weekend. One of the possible solutions is a special ‘weekend budget’ to compensate committees
who go out of their way to organize an activity during the weekend. Another possibility is to attempt
to create a special weekend-committee.
Why me?
A CAO needs to be dedicated, responsible, and able to keep in mind both the UCSA board’s interests,
and the interests of their respective committees. This requires the ability to compromise and to
defend the interest of your committee or board, skills I have picked up during my debating in high
school. Most importantly a CAO must listen and observe, so as to find any issues that might be
present on campus. This is a skill I have been developing recently, gauging what kinds of issues are
present on campus through conversations with the students and the UCSA board.
I hope that I will be elected as CAO so that I can resolve these issues in the best way possible. I have
spoken to some of the current board members and am convinced I have what it takes to be your
CAO. Should you choose me I will be a dedicated CAO, one who will be open to comments, queries
and any needs you might have, whenever I am needed.
Should you wish to ask me anything concerning my ideas, plans or anything else, don’t hesitate to
come up to me, message me on Facebook, call me or email me. You can also come by the candidate
market on April 16th in dining hall at 12:45 or the election Q&A on April 22 in the bar at 20:00. If you
think I am right for the role of CAO then please don’t forget to go to the election GA on April 24 at
19:30. This is the only time you can vote!
Yours truly,
Benjamin van Arendonk
0648541194
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/BenjaminForCAO