Caitlyn Taft from SCAN interviewed Bowland JCR Presidential Candidate, Kinga Kupi, on why she is running for Bowland JCR President.
Over the past few days, I have interviewed various JCR Presidential candidates across campus. I asked them all nine questions, two tailored towards their personal lives and previous work on the JCR.
- What are your reasons for running for Bowland president?
Kinga has been the President of Bowland’s JCR since January and loves doing JCR work.
“I was apprehensive to re-run because I wanted others to have the opportunity to fill it. But everyone wanted me to run because they’ve enjoyed my work as President of Bowland’s JCR. So, I’m very happy to run again as that feedback shows I’m doing a good job. I want to continue being there for the college and Bowland students.”
2. What are the main points of your manifesto that you would like to emphasise?
As this isn’t her first manifesto, Kinga decided to take a different approach to her manifesto.
“My manifesto is more of a lover letter to Bowland. Being President is not about getting the big things out, it’s about the small things. I stand up for my college and I’m promising to represent Bowland. They [the students and JCR] deserve the best treatment.”
3. What sets you apart from the other candidates?
Kinga is running against RON (Reopen Nominations), so she told me more about why she is re-running.
“I care a lot about Bowland. I’m really passionate about my college, I’ll be up at night doing JCR work because I love it. I was on placement last year, so I did Presidency next to doing my full-time job.”
4. What would your priorities be if you won the election? Alternatively, what would be your first priority?
Before I could give her time to think, Kinga responded immediately:
“Focusing on the students. I’m leading the JCR and it would be stupid for me not to prioritise the people who have put their trust in me and who have voted for me. As long as the community is happy, it doesn’t matter about numbers for events, it matters if people feel safe and included in the college.”
5. What do you want to change about your current JCR?
She continued to highlight the importance of support for newer students, and newer JCR members, to understand how the college runs and how their voices influence the JCR’s actions.
“It’s important to support them as all the procedures and tasks can be confusing at first. I want to review by-laws and JCR positions to ensure that people are running together as a team if their roles are similar.”
6. Can you tell me a bit about your college and are there any parts of it (social events, welfare talks, group/JCR activities, etc) you are wanting to continue with/ develop on?
Kinga gave me an insight into Bowland life and how the JCR represents the college.
“Bowland management cares so much about people. I want to project that into the JCR exec. The [other] colleges can have the sold-out events and the parties, but as long as we have the care of the Bowland students, and that’s all that matters. The JCR works very well because we are volunteers, so there’s genuine passion from us.”
7. As you’re currently Bowland JCR’s President, what are you most excited to continue or develop on, if you win the election?
Having already begun work as the JCR’s President, she was excited to tell me more about her work.
“I definitely want to empower my new exec. I want to find a good balance and that everyone knows their boundaries and to have each other to support each other.”
8. You’ve said that joining the JCR Exec was “not something you planned”, how did you come about joining the JCR and why did it catch your eye?
When I was interviewing Kinga, she told me that she didn’t intend to join the JCR.
“I was at the gym, and I decided to join because why not, I thought, this will be something fun. I tell people I joined for the hoodie but now I’m passionate and I love it. I also have three [hoodies] now. I’ve always liked organising things and I remember seeing things not being inclusive, as someone who’s an international student. I’m very glad I joined the JCR.”
9. What’s your college slogan/saying/song and what does it mean to you?
The Bowland saying is ‘Bowland ‘till I Die’.
“We sing it at Founders. It’s mainly from the sports teams. But it’s a special moment, you sit there and think yes we’re together and it’ll last forever.”
Voting for JCR Presidents opens today. Check out the SU website to vote for your college JCR members this year.
