New leadership for Students’ Union announced

A record number of students at the University of Teesside have elected the four people they want to lead their Students’ Union in 2008 to 2009.

Students vote every year to decide which of their fellow students will oversee the running of the Union on their behalf, represent the student body to the University and follow duties linked to their own particular portfolio.

In a nailbiting climax Tom Cawkwell has been elected President, Julie Anne Pringle is named Education and Welfare Officer, Natalie Broom clinched Student Activities Officer and Mark Gillespie secured Communications Officer.

The turnout of over 1,130 is a new high for Officer Elections and a total of 16 candidates fought it out for the four positions including six students running for the role of President.

Students voted at ballot boxes around the University campus and partnership colleges. The newly elected officers won’t take office until July when the current post holders leave but will undergo a handover and training period between now and then.

Stephen Dowson, Outgoing President and Chair of the Officer Elections Committee said: ‘It was a fantastic week that will live long in all our memories. It is of course tinged with sadness for me and the three other current officers but we know we’re leaving the Union in very capable hands and we wish them them very best, I’m sure they’ll have a fantastic experience. On behalf of the Executive I’d also like to thank all the candidates for their unbelievable efforts not just to secure students vote but generally get them interested and involved in the Elections.’

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