HARVIE IN RACE TO BECOME UNIVERSITY RECTOR
Patrick has been setting out his case to students at Glasgow University, ahead of the election for the position of Rector. In interviews, at meetings and around the campus, Patrick has pledged that he will be
A Glasgow Rector - living and working in Glasgow, Patrick can commit to being available on campus to meet with students regularly
A Holyrood Rector - representing you both within the University and in the Scottish Parliament, Patrick will be able to take Glasgow students‘ concerns to the Ministers who decide the future of higher education, student finance, housing, debt, and a host of other issues in Scotland affecting students’ lives
A Working Rector - with a strong commitment to the role of Rector and a good working relationship with Rectors in Scotland’s other HE institutions
A Rector with a Purpose - working with groups like People & Planet, Patrick will push for the University to improve its record on sustainability, ethical investment and fair trade
“It’s great that Glasgow students have a strong field of candidates this year, as the post of Rector is an important one. It should be more than a political statement - you’re electing someone who will have the job of representing student interests in the University and beyond. A strong turnout at the election would ensure that the new Rector can do that job with the widest possible backing.
“As an MSP, I believe that I can offer more than the other candidates - my colleagues Robin Harper and Mark Ballard have both successfully combined the roles of MSP and Rector in recent years, and have shown that it’s a combination which really works.
“As Rector, I would take an active part in the life of the University, and would challenge the waste of resources which could be better used on teaching. At a time when facilities are being cut, or courses and departments merged, we should be asking at every stage what the benefits are for students.
Housing
“As an MSP, I would continue to work for a better deal on a whole range of services students depend on. I have actively campaigned for the introduction of the Landlord Standard - a simple minimum standard of service which tenants (either in private rented flats or in halls) can rely on, with complaints being resolved without the need to go to court. A landlord registration scheme is in place now but it is very clearly failing to weed out the dodgy landlords, and we all know they’re still out there and making healthy profits at the expense of students’ living conditions. Having experience of being harassed out of a flat in Glasgow, I feel strongly that the Scottish Parliament can and should put an end to this.
Transport
“Public transport too needs to improve to meet the needs of the student population. Extending the student discount to the mornings, providing better information about services, and keeping fares low are all priorities, and my role on Holyrood’s Transport Committee gives me the opportunity to push for progress. In this year’s budget, I helped secure an extra £4M to keep bus fares down in the coming year. Much of the campus could do with far better bike facilities too.
International students
“I’m also concerned that Glasgow’s international students find it difficult to access private sector services like banking. I would work with student leaders to find solutions which the banks or credit unions can put in place to resolve this.
Safety
“Many students have public safety concerns, and we all know that being the victim of crime can have a big impact on everyday life. I’m already helping to strengthen the law on hate crime, and if elected I would also work with Strathclyde Police to explore the idea of ‘third party reporting’, to make sure that students feel that there’s good reason to report offences.
A Greener University
“Perhaps the most important changes we need to see throughout society are around sustainability and moving toward a low-carbon lifestyle. Student leadership has always been ahead of the game, and the students in People & Planet have helped spur many UK Universities into action on green issues, but Glasgow University won’t make real progress to improve its own record until there is stronger commitment from management too. As Rector I would aim to provide that.
Universities have a huge opportunity to inspire commitment to change toward a greener society, so I’m very proud to have been nominated for the post of Rector by People & Planet.
Background
Patrick Harvie, 34, is the Green MSP for Glasgow, and has lived or worked in the west end of the city for over ten years. He is Convenor of the Parliament’s Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee, as well cross party groups on Asylum Seekers and Refugees, Sexual Health, Food, and International Development.
He previously worked on the Gay Men’s team at THT Scotland (formerly PHACE Scotland) and was an active campaigner on issues including repeal of Section 28, opposition to the Iraq War, and civil liberties.