RON stands for Re-Open nominations and is a ballot option for students to select if they do not believe any of the candidates are suitable for the role. If RON is elected, nominations will be reopened for more candidates to put themselves forward in aims to find more suitable applicants for the role.
The campaign was launched via Instagram, after several candidates made offensive comments towards members of the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities during Candidate Spotlights.
When asked how they would support disabled students studying at Newcastle, one candidate responded with ‘disability is just a word, you shouldn’t make them feel they need any additional support’, and another candidate referring to non-disabled students as ‘normal’.
If you're getting deja-vu, that's because a similar upset occurred last year within the presidential debates.
If you’re getting deja-vu, that’s because a similar upset occurred last year within the presidential debates. When the all-male candidates did not mention combatting sexual violence on campus (which had been a priority of previous president, Mady Baugh), a subsequent RON campaign was launched. However, both campaigns have been unsuccessful.
One student, who wishes to remain anonymous, pointed out that because RON is unlikely to win, ‘choosing RON just means that if there is a winner, they will have been chosen by a much smaller number of students – so it’s actually less democratic this way’.
Others disagreed, with the RON campaign organisers insisting that the trend ‘shows students are actively engaging in their unions and caring about who represents them. While it’s a concern that students feel RON is their only option, it’s really the bare minimum that candidates understand the experiences of the marginalised students they hope to represent’.
‘It seems like students are becoming more aware of RON as an option.’
Engagement is an everlasting concern for the Students’ Union, with only about 15% of students voting this year. Nevertheless, in a year which has seen regular protest on campus, busy student councils, and disrupted city councils, it seems like student politics is back in fashion.
