A by-election for the Finance and Strategy Officer role on the OUSA Student Exec has been called. Abby Clayton, who occupied the role last semester, bowed out of her Exec position last Monday, July 15th. Her formal resignation followed a month of radio silence, with repeated attempts to reach the Exec member failing – essentially ghosting the association.
At an emergency Exec meeting last Monday, OUSA President Keegan Wells told the Exec that Abby had left “due to personal circumstances.” She then put forward a motion for the Exec’s approval (they obliged) for a by-election for the position to be held from July 29 - 31. For those unfamiliar, a by-election is held to fill vacant elected positions outside of the normal annual election. Last year, there was one in May when the Clubs and Socs Rep announced he was heading back home to the States.
Queried on the timing of the by-election, Association Secretary & Corporate Support Manager Donna Jones said, “We need to get onto it quickly […] there has been no one in that role for a month now.” Since Abby stopped communicating with the wider Exec, Keegan had been filling the key duties of the job. But her capacity to do so on top of her usual hours has been relatively limited.
Now for the question on everyone’s mind: what’s a Finance and Strategy Officer? They’re a bit like that one flatmate that handles all the bills, but for the Exec. Donna told Critic that their core responsibility is “to look after the vision of the finances.” She emphasised that Abby’s replacement in the role will need to have the time to commit at least 20 hours a week in assisting with the University Union Ltd, and the Finance and Strategy Committee. While a background in financial know-how isn’t necessary, she did say “it certainly did help in the past.”
Donna assured Critic that “studies and OUSA can work together without being too committed.” Having worked at OUSA for 33 years now, rest assured that she knows what she’s talking about. Speaking to the past successes of great Finance and Strategy Officers, Donna said that they were “in the office wanting to do the work, they just have an eye for the finances and really enjoy the work.”
In a message to potential candidates, Donna said, “This is a wonderful student association, it's a great place […] you get such good experiences from being on the Exec.” As Postgrad Rep Hanna said in her second quarterly report, “Being on the OUSA Exec is like having a family away from home.”
Nominations for the role will be open this week from Monday to Wednesday (July 22 - 24th). Voting will only be available through electronic means. The gap between the 24th and the 29th gives candidates a five-day window to campaign. Note: the Finance and Strategy Officer role is a paid position, clocking 20 hours a week. Dollar dollar bills, y’all.