ECA president wins without election

As the only nominee for the position, Jake Rusby has been appointed Edinburgh College of Art's student president without an election.

The college cancelled the election, which was scheduled for Friday 6 March, due to lack of opposition. The unopposed fifth-year MA fine arts student will take on the single sabbatical post on the students' representative council.

Mr Rusby told The Journal: "I wouldn't say I was disappointed exactly to return unopposed as President. Originally there was another candidate but she eventually decided the role wasn't for her.

"It is a big responsibility. I'm in my fith year now and graduate this June so I'm ready for the challenge."

The lack of competition is extremely disappointing, especially as candidates for positions at Edinburgh University Students' Association, Queen Margaret University Students Association and Napier Students Association have contested fiercely for the sabbatical roles available. Even at Heriot-Watt, where only one presidential candidate stood, elections were still held as scheduled. Simon Eltringhan went on to beat 'RON' – the re-opening of nominations.

The unfortuante lack of interest in this post at ECA is thought to be a result of student apathy and not through the failings of the present sabbatical officer Jessie Buchanan.

Seeking to downplay criticisms, current sabbatical officer, Jessie Buchanan argued that student apathy was largely to blame for the lack of interest in the post. She said: "It was very well advertised and, despite the lack of an election, I have every faith in Jake."

Mr Rusby told The Journal of his plans for the college next year: "My priority is the 'green' agenda. A lot of measures have already been implemented this year and I am determined to further these with better recycling facilities and introducing generally greener products to the college as a whole.

"I am also very keen to strenthen our links with Edinburgh University. We already have access to a lot of their facilities it is just a case of making our students aware of the excellent resources that are on offer."

A spokesperson for the Student Representative Council (SRC) at ECA confirmed that there were currently no plans to change the election process in future.

Jake Rusby will officially take office and begin his responsibilities in eary August.