PRESIDENT

Our Q and A with the candidates for 2018 LSS President 

As President, what would be your key policy focus? In practical terms, how would you bring this about?

​Millie Doyle

I will focus on two key areas of policy: accessibility and communication.

Accessibility:

The JD was established as a degree relying on a learning community in the classroom.  Whilst I understand and appreciate this, our student body is diverse with varied learning needs. This is why we need increased accessibility to learning resources.

A key focus for me is access to lecture recordings. The current policy states that only students who have missed more than 10 consecutive days of university can access recordings.
The policy overlooks the commitments of many students, such as parents and carers. This is not fair given the investment of students in this degree.

The LSS has already made considerable progress when it comes to lecture recordings. Previously, no lectures were recorded.

However, I will ensure that we push further to ensure policies remain equitable and fair for all. At a minimum, there should not exist a time threshold as a condition for access.

Communication:

Communication between the student body and the LSS is essential. However, currently there is no formal opportunity for dialogue between the two.

The LSS needs to create genuine and effective feedback channels. We should ensure a platform to enable all students to offer constructive feedback and air grievances so that every voice is heard.  
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This information should be addressed by both the Leadership Team and Directors to ensure that, where possible, students’ ideas and feedback can be incorporated into future LSS initiatives.

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​Tilly Houghton

Advocacy.  And not in the "wellbeing and inclusivity" sense of the buzzwords that are dominating this election,but understanding that people are stressed because they have to miss lectures and skip readings sometimes so they can pay rent and eat.  Or because they're carers, or parents, or have long-term health issues.  Or because they're human and being human is fucking hard. That, realistically, changing university policies involves more than raising awareness, but taking tangible steps, which will make a huge difference to those passing through 185 Pelham Street.  

Ayu and I have been putting in the work all year.  It's why we've trialled a new version of Book Fairy to reimburse more students. Or why we’re holding a forum for students to discuss wellbeing with Faculty (19th September, be there). Or why we've asked for more books to be put in the high use section (thank you for the suggestion Clare van Balen!).  Ask either of us for a more detailed list.

Some of it worked, some of it didn't. We tried, unsuccessfully, to push for subsidising law ball tickets (just fyi, unless the next one is held in an abandoned warehouse, it ain't getting cheaper).  We tried to have support groups for people who failed subjects, but found Faculty was more suitably placed to help.

I'm not promising the moon and the stars: I’m asking you to think about what it is you want the LSS to do for you.  I know that I want a student society that takes an active position on pushing for changes that are often in the hands of main campus (see: special consideration), and works in solidarity--not as the sole voice.  

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​Gus Viola

The chief focus of my presidency would be to improve the way the LSS engages with student concerns.

I’ve found that the LSS (which is very programme-oriented) has a procedural gap in addressing specific issues that come up for students through the year. The President is uniquely placed to address this: the role is both representative of the entire student body, and coordinator of the various portfolios and directors.

I’ll approach this reform across three main areas:
Firstly, I’ll address how the LSS listens to student concerns. I’ll work with every portfolio to develop publicised mechanisms for students to formally engage with the LSS. More broadly, “listening” also depends on improving the atmosphere of the LSS. I want to continue the Presidency’s advocacy for an “Open-Door” LSS (both in the office and at events), to build a welcoming organisation.
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Secondly, I’ll better collate student concerns. I’ll work to record student concerns across portfolios. Collating similar concerns will give a better sense of the scope and recurrence of the various causes.
Thirdly, I want to improve how the LSS acts on those concerns. Foremost, I would like to turn collated concerns into petition-like documents with which the LSS can approach faculty and other parties with a clear, single voice and manifest student support.
These reforms to hearing, recording, and acting on student concerns will build a more robust support structure.

​What do you see as being the special value of the LSS, as distinct from the role of other student groups?

​Millie Doyle

The LSS is the official student representative body of Melbourne Law School; every JD student automatically is included. As such it represents a broad and unique group of students. They are mature, post-graduate students with varied career pathways and prospects. They all come from different backgrounds and different socioeconomic status’.

LSS initiatives ensure that all students are supported in every aspect of their development. There are 3 key pillars around which the LSS operates: to provide a social experience, professional development opportunities and support (both academic and wellbeing).
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As an individual who is committed to living a holistic life it is important to me that all students can manage a balanced experience of university.

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​Tilly Houghton

The LSS is distinct because it has more money than other student groups.  There was a time in its history where it was a political body that held Faculty accountable, including main campus.  It’s a double-edged sword: we have incredible workshops (thanks Women’s), tutorials (thanks Education), panels (thanks Queer) and events, but corporate ‘stakeholders’ have sway in shaping the cultural life of MLS. But the tradeoff is that the days of ruffling feathers, fearlessly and unabashedly, are gone.  Much as I’d like to, I’m not purporting to rip the LSS apart--but I do want to use the presence it has within MLS by virtue of its history, and let it be the voice for all students: unfazed by attacking the systemic issues, and not maintaining the status quo.

​Gus Viola

The LSS’s unique role is evident from its membership criteria: you’re in simply by being a JD Student. Unlike other groups, the LSS belong to every single one of us, regardless of status or interests.

The LSS’s special value comes from that unifying role: it engages (through events and programmes) and supports the entire, diverse student body. As a postgraduate society, there’s enormous value in LSS-created opportunities to engage together socially and professionally, fostering valuable skills, and a collegiate attitude for life beyond MLS.
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There’s also special value in the LSS’s duty to represent and work on behalf of all students. Rather than operating as siloed groups, the LSS must advance a communal discussion: issues facing all students are shared, but also, importantly, issues facing specific groups and individuals are communally highlighted.

What should the student body expect of the LSS? Are you able to deliver on those expectations, and if so, why?

​Millie Doyle

​The student body should expect the LSS to be representative, supportive and act at all times with integrity. I am committed to delivering on these expectations and will do so in 2 ways:  

The initiatives surrounding accessibility and communication will ensure a representative LSS with greater support mechanisms.

My approach of being interested, involved and inclusive reflects the style of leadership I respect. Personally   I aim to be honest and genuine in these attributes. I wish to provide every student an experience of university that makes them feel a valued member of the Law School community. The student body however large and diverse it might seem, should be one integrated community.

​Tilly Houghton

Transparency and communication as election promises are a sign of the times.  If these are goals to be achieved, and not a bare minimum, then the LSS is obviously doing it wrong.  If we aren’t approachable, that’s our own cross to bear, and not a reason that students should vote for us.  I’m happy to agitate.  I don’t promise what I can’t do, or know realistically can’t happen. If you want a President who refuses to maintain the farce that All Is Well, you know what to do. ​

​Gus Viola

Students rightly expect the LSS to operate efficiently and inclusively of all students. Nonetheless, a concern repeatedly raised with me is that the LSS seems exclusive, unapproachable and self-serving.

It’s a shame that this is the impression given: I’ve known the LSS to be a team of dedicated volunteers working hard for students and delivering their programmes.

I know the LSS can dispel that culture and meet expectations with key improvements. I’ll work to this by concentrating on improving fundamental LSS activities: support, communication and advocacy.

However, meeting those expectations depends on communication with the LSS.  This is your LSS: scrutinise it; engage with its services; approach its members. As outlined above, I’ll focus on bridging the gap between concerns and LSS performance precisely to meet students’ expectations of the LSS.

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Don't forget to Vote! Unlike Malc's stupid postal survey your vote will actually impact the result! The voting form is live now HERE

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