Union Chair Gives Up Position in Surprise Move

THE INCUMBENT CHAIR OF UCL UNION, GABRIEL GAVIN, HAS ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL BE LEAVING HIS POST BEFORE IT EVEN COMMENCES IN THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR.

This move, made due to Gavin ending his studies prematurely, is set to trigger an unanticipated by-election in order to replace him; although the Union Chair normally acts as returning officer for by-elections.

In a statement to Pi yesterday, he said:

I am disappointed to announce that I will be unable to take up the position of Union Chair in September. As a part-time position, it can only be filled by a student currently at UCL. Due to changes in circumstance that were not anticipated during the election, I will not be returning to UCL next year and will therefore not be able to take up the post.

He continued:

UCLU faces a number of challenges over the coming year and will require the committed work of whoever is elected to the post. I wish them well in that and am eager to support the Union in any way I can. I would like to thank everybody who voted for me and supported the campaign. It was an immense privilege to study at UCL alongside so many brilliant people with such a diverse range of backgrounds and interests. I wish you all the very best.

UCLU have not yet announced any details of the expected by-election, or when it will be likely held. According to his public LinkedIn page, the former MSci student has now taken up a post at Dods Parliamentary Communications, a London political affairs firm.

This is not the first time that Gabriel Gavin has ended Union proceedings earlier than expected. Those who attended the UCLU General Assembly last year will remember him for putting forward a successful motion to adjourn the meeting, before all of the motions had been discussed.