Issue 149

Third NUS Wales President in three years to resign

20th November 2006

The NUS was shaken last week with the revelation that its President, Jamie McIndo, has resigned. He handed in his notice on 6 November.

The letter of resignation came just one month into the new academic semester stating that the president's resignation was due to "personal reasons". Jamie McIndo is not the first NUS Wales President to resign unexpectedly. In the last two years, two other national and regional Presidents of the NUS have stepped down due to personal or ill health reasons.

Last year saw James Knight, the 2005 NUS Wales president, stepped down quoting personal reasons for his resignation. Knight was an avid SWD (Students With Disabilities) and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transsexual) rights campaigner and was "bullied and harassed...to the point where he felt he needed to resign" says Wes Streeting VP Education Officer at the NUS. His heart wrenching and deeply emotional resignation letter told of his "stress and depression", Knight also cited "I want no part of an organisation that so readily puts petty politics before mental and emotional wellbeing."

The NUS' statement for McIndo's resignation was brief. Tim Parmer, press officer at the NUS, said "it is not likely" that McIndo will publicise his resignation letter as Knight did. 'It was a private letter with personal information," said Parmer referring to McIndo's resignation letter.

McIndo's untimely resignation has caused problem in terms of filling his position. Sabbatical officers in Welsh Student Unions are not permitted to apply for the post unless they resign from their existing position. Students who have just begun their degrees may also find it difficult to take a year off after already commiting two months to their courses.

Tim Parmer further commented on the unfortunate events of the last two resignations, "What can I say? They are both very different circumstances." The NUS will continue to represent students until by-elections can be organized for a new president, which Parmer hopes will be in the spring. Parmer said, "At the moment we are working with Welsh National Executives, NUS UK Executives and NUS Wales Steering Committee to fill the position". Until then, the office will be filled by other officers of the NUS.

Natalie Kow