Dusty the moose, the Edinburgh University Student’s Association’s new mascot, appeared across campus last week in an attempt to drive engagement in the October elections.
As part of their “Antlers Tour”, Dusty appeared at pop-up voting stations during the election period which ran from 14-17 October.
According to EUSA, 1,685 people voted in the elections.
Speaking to The Student, the student’s expressed bemusement and apathy at the moose’s sudden appearance this semester.
“Since when do they have a mascot?” asked one fourth-year.
Others questioned the choice of animal, with one student saying “Moose aren’t even in this country!”
They suggested that instead EUSA “should embrace the house mouse, I’ve seen enough of them in Teviot”.
Another student said it was “just typical of the university” that a Scottish animal wasn’t chosen.
In an Instagram story, the student’s association explained that Teviot Row House has been home to a “beloved” moose since 1925.
The Teviot moose, which has twice been stolen by students from other universities, is currently being restored as part of the building’s renovation works.
Would the “Antlers Tour” raise voting interest? Many voiced scepticism.
“It does not get me more interested in EUSA because it’s just an anthropomorphic moose at the end of the day”, said one student.
Another labelled Dusty “an over-commercial PR stunt”, commenting that EUSA should instead prioritise “listening to student demands and campaigning for divestment”.
Speaking to The Student, EUSA’s President Dora Herndon said they always try to raise awareness across campus during the election period but this time Dusty “wanted to get in on the action”, adding:
“We hope Dusty helped raise both smiles and awareness of the important role student representation plays at Edinburgh last week.“
“We are looking forward to seeing all that our newly elected student representatives will achieve for their peers in their time in office.”
Image via Emma Lacey