DoSDA Candidate: Meg Platt

The Stand has interviewed every sabbatical candidate. If you have any other questions that you’d like us to ask them just email us.

Why do you feel that DoSDA is important to St Andrews?

Societies are what make the St Andrews experience so memorable. As head of all the societies, DoSDA not only acts as liaison for roughly 160 different committees but also has a fantastic scope for developing new initiatives. Recent examples of these include the Professional Skills Curriculum and the On the Rocks Student Arts Festival.

What do you believe makes you especially qualified for the job?

I have served as the former SSC Volunteering Officer and head of SVS (St Andrews Voluntary Services) and am currently the On the Rocks Festival Director. Both of these union positions have made me aware of the responsibilities that DoSDA entails and where things can be improved. My role as Vice Principal ambassador has given me great insight into the workings of the university. I have also sat for two years on the Community Council, which has given me a great variety of local contacts such as the staff at the Byre Theatre. I can use these connections to help societies.

What are three main principles do you plan to follow during your year as a Sabb?

· Improve the union’s efficiency (particularly online!)

· Strengthen societies’ engagement with the community

· Increase employability opportunities by extending links between the university and the Careers’ Centre

I could give you my whole schpeal here…. or you could go to www.megplatt.com (shameless, I know)!

If you could make a major change in St Andrews today what would it be?

If I could snap my fingers and bring you the union you deserve today, I would do it in a heartbeat. It feels that this redevelopment has been discussed for ages. Although we are finally getting somewhere, it’s still unclear what timetable we are working with. If elected, I would strive to give you clearer answers.

Any additional comment or message you’d like us to pass on?

My campaign team is the shit. Enough said.

(Oh, and I will be having lunch every weekday in the Vic from 1-2pm and I would really love people to come along and chat with me about their ideas, my ideas; anything and everything!)

 (To see all the candidates, click here)

Condiment: Ketchup — It goes with everything and disguises my burnt mac and cheese (which happens more often than it should…)

Pokemon: I preferred Sonic the Hedgehog.