Students’ Union President Christian Chambers-Gray has raised concerns of the increasing militarisation of campus, as a result of UCL joining the Defense Universities Alliance.
Chambers, a second year politics student, did not shy away from criticising the university’s decision, saying “it is sending the wrong message” to students.
The Defence Universities Alliance is a new Ministry of Defence initiative which encourages universities to collaborate and invest in the defence sector, and has come under significant backlash (see page 7).
The Union President expressed doubt in the university’s ability to action student feedback, remarking “UCL claims they listen to student voices”.
“For me, the definition of listening is taking that away and doing something with it, and that remains to be seen in regards to the DUA”.
Change in Direction
This critical tone certainly reflects a change in direction for the Union President, with predecessors having been more hesitant to speak out on major issues, particularly if they do not sit in line with the Union’s objectives as a charity.
On this change in direction - Chambers’ cited the Union’s recent statement on the death of Professor Jason Arday, saying “I think we would like to be more political.”
Chambers was particularly critical of the UCL academics who signed a letter calling for Arday’s accuser Nathan Cofnas’ to be reinstated to Ghent University - “I feel for any students that would feel unsafe… and concerned about the potential of being in the same room, and in some cases being taught by people who would sign something like that”.
Sending a message to any concerned incoming students, he said “We do not stand for racism, we do not stand for discrimination in any form, and we are in your corner fighting against it.”
When asked about how the Union’s charitable obligations may impact Chambers’ ability to speak out on pressing issues, he said “I attend protests, marches… because that is what my personal values are and I will continue to do that. I'm not going to stop doing that because of my role and they can't stop me.”
Money Talks
One of Chambers’ landmark policies is to establish a student foodbank, pledging to donate £2,500 of his own wages to the initiative.
“The fact that we're in a position where we are having to set up food banks for students should signal to the government and to universities that we are in a really, really bad place”
Chambers had previously said that the foodbank was an initiative he wanted established within his first hundred days - he has now said that the scope has been broadened to “providing basic essentials” for students.
When asked if it was just a ‘rehash’ of the essentials cupboard - the only tangible legacy of former president and now postgraduate officer Anam Choudhary, Chambers said “So they've sort of been combined… so I think it's unfair for me to take all the credit.”
Nevertheless, the Union President has insisted that while ‘there might be cupboards involved’, he wants it to be a long lasting project that will “provide for as many students that need it for as long as we can”.
Tackling Sexual Violence
It is clear that Chambers’ is determined to deliver his ‘Campaign against Sexual Violence at UCL’, stating that he is working around the clock speaking to stakeholders around campus to identify where the university isn’t doing enough.
One of the key components of the campaign is developing a new workshop, alongside the Active Bystander programme, which is dedicated solely to the prevention of sexual violence.
When asked if this new workshop would be a compulsory module like Active Bystander he said “I think we're going to struggle to get the same thing… UCL has more power to mandate things, but even they're limited by regulations on what they can sort of force students to do.”
Speaking on Active Bystander, Chambers praised the scheme but recognised it doesn’t go far enough saying “it needs to be a multifaceted approach… the priorities are prevention and then support.”
Another key policy of the Union President was to launch an ‘Emergency Uber Fund’ to support vulnerable students getting home from late night venues.
He recognised the impracticalities of the Union providing such a scheme but stressed his determination to provide safeguards for vulnerable students ensuring there is “some way of getting them home safe”.
In the meantime, Chambers wanted to assure incoming students that new safety measures are being put in place for the Freshers club nights such as ensuring only UCL students are attending and having a welfare presence from the Union.
Wheels off the Bus (Again)
When speaking about the prospects of the Union providing transport for students, it was revealed that the infamous UCL East Bus is being shut down.
The bus, which provided transport for students between Stratford Station and Marshgate, has been discontinued following poor usage and UCL needing “to make cuts because of their financial situation”.
Chambers said “It would have been cheaper to get every single student that used the bus an Uber to UCL East than for us to continue to fund the shuttle bus.”
Despite the bus’ discontinuation, the Union President insisted that they are still committed to fostering the relationship between Bloomsbury Campus, UCL East and the School of Management in Canary Wharf.
One term wonder
Wrapping up the interview, Chambers revealed his intention to not run for a second term, intending to return to his studies and complete his degree.
“I'm very aware of the fact that a year is not a super long amount of time and I want to be able to do as much as I possibly can within this year.”
The Union President appears determined to deliver on his ambitious policies within the year, to the extent that he has said he would consider rerunning if he knew his goals were close to being achieved.
While previous presidents have left office without achieving tangible results for students - Chambers wants a legacy.
“I will do everything I possibly can to set up systems and processes that hopefully long outlast my time here.”
Only time will tell if Christian Chambers-Gray will live up to the high expectations he has set for himself.
This article was featured in CG99.