HWUSA by-election hit by low turnout

The Heriot Watt University Student Association (HWUSA) by-election drew to a close this week with the election of Mike Ross as the new president of the union.

Mr Ross, who had been interim president since July following the resignation of Michael Bottom earlier this year, faced little opposition in securing the position. He won the elections with 438 votes to the 125 gained by Re-Open Nominations (RON).

A lack of competition from opponents and support from HWUSA insiders meant that Ross, who had previously acted as senior vice-president was favourite for the job.

Mr Ross told The Journal that his election will help the union to move forward and help create new initiatives for Heriot-Watt University and its students. “As president I will continue to lead and drive forward all areas of work within our union," he said.

He added: “My election as president will help to solidify our strengths as a union and ensure that we develop as a strong campaigning organisation that is fighting and winning for its students.”

Initial tasks for the newly elected president and the association will be the continuation of priority campaigns on the environment and the controversial issue of Rest-of-UK fees for non-Scots students. Both are major issues that HWUSA will now attempt to address on behalf of the student body.

Another task will be to fill the position of senior vice-president, which is still unoccupied. This will be discussed at the next executive committee meeting.

However, there are concerns with regard to the lack of student involvement, and this most recent round of elections will do little to allay fears of student apathy towards their unions and representatives.

For more on Edinburgh's student unions, read The Journal's series State of the Union, where next week we will take a look at HWUSA.