Leaving legacies

The current general election discussions are abound with promises. Electorates of all elections will be accustomed to the unrestrained policies and pledges made by candidates no matter the setting. It is invitingly easy for a politician to offer the masses more and better services than it is to sell them cuts of any kind. The proof, the cynics always say, is in the pudding.

For student politicians realising your promises and delivering on your word can be equally difficult. It is not only fair but imperative that the sabbatical team at Edinburgh University's Students' Association get the credit they deserve.

President Thomas Graham and Vice-Presidents Camilla Pierry, Evan Beswick and James Wallace should be applauded for their successful endeavours this year. Elected at a time of perilous financial instability with threats to services always a possibility they've managed to not only invent new ideas but to sustain and build on those of last year's sabbatical team.

At a time when the library could feasibly be targeted for cost saving the sabbatical team have not only preserved the quality of its services but have extended the hours of access. After exerting prolonged pressure and organising a well received nocturnal study party at the library, bosses caved to the demand. This issue of The Journal reports that Edinburgh's grand George Square library will be open for all but five hours each day. Postgraduates will also welcome extended hours of access to the normally dormant library over the summer months.

After the summer all students, regardless of their schedules, will have the ability to influence the union's running. This is because after a year of trying and on its fourth attempt the online referenda motion was finally passed at an emergency meeting last month. As with the elections, students will have around 48-hours to vote on motions and, crucially, any amendments to the constitution. Online referenda has been a contentious issue, with its opponents claiming that it will reduce student issues to the cyber world and restrict deliberative debate. But any shift in policy that enables and eases greater involvement and representation of Edinburgh's rich tapestry of students is ultimately forward thinking and more inclusive.

Other less publicised but equally frustrating issues for students have been feedback and the quality of teaching at Edinburgh. After an embarrassing performance in last National Students' Survey in 2008, EUSA began generating ideas on how to repair the damage and restore their reputation. In response The EUSA teaching awards were launched to unrelenting praise. In this, the teaching award's second year the momentum was sustained and the list of nominations and nominees were greater than in their first. Rewarding those who provide better feedback and do more to engage students is a fine way to encourage those who don't to start doing so.

The aforementioned three causes—and a great deal more from extra transport links between Bristo Square and Kings Buildings to wider representation of postgraduates—are the footprint of these four sabbaticals. Some are short term while others, such as the online referenda, will leave an indelible mark on the way the student body operates. Politicians invariably leave legacies. The four sabbaticals who have held the reins of EUSA for the past year should be proud that they will leave such a positive one.