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► Student Elections 2012
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RUN YOUR UNION?
COULD YOU REPRESENT STUDENT VIEWS TO THE UNIVERSITY AND IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY?
DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE DRIVE, ENTHUSIASM AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO CONNECT WITH THE 24,000 DIVERSE STUDENTS AT ULSTER?
If the answer to all of these is 'YES, THAT'S DEFINITELY ME' then why not run in our upcoming elections to be a sabbatical officer (which basically means a full time, paid position which you take up either after you have finished studying or you take a year off from studying). Nominations will open on 13th February.
The salary is £16,639.
The University of Ulster Students’ Union is an organisation which exists to represent all students at Ulster. So, if you’re a student here, then you are a member of this Union. We are a democratic organisation; our members chose who is in charge of running their Union. There are elections every twelve months to decide the seven people who will lead the organisation. The successful candidates are provided with full training and are supported by full time permanent members of staff to assist with the role.
DOWNLOAD A NOMINATION PACK NOW!
PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS TO BE NO ACTIVITY THAT CAN BE CONSTRUED AS CAMPAIGNING BEFORE 4PM ON 16TH MARCH. FOR EXAMPLE, POSTING YOUR INTENTION TO RUN ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR TELLING LARGE GROUPS OF STUDENTS. IF IN DOUBT PLEASE GET IN TOUCH.
You can also pick up a pack from your Campus General Office from Monday 13th Feb
All students will be able to vote for their preferred candidate from the comfort of their own computer or their closest LRC.
Click on the links below to find out more about the positions available and details of how and why you should vote.
WHY RUN?
Elected Officers have the key responsibility to represent your views to the University and they play an important role in ensuring the quality of your teaching, learning and educational experience you get from The University of Ulster. They also seek to improve the quality, level and range of services your Students’ Union provides.
• You want to make improvements to the SU
• You want to gain skills in management, leadership, communication and team work.
• You want to improve your employability
• You want to be a trustee of an organisation with a £2.2 million turnover
• You want to campaign for student rights
• You want to help students
• You want to give something back
• You want a full-time job next year!
INFORMATION ON JOB ROLES (POSITIONS)
There are 7 full time positions available. You must be a current student at Ulster. You can be just about to graduate, or you can take a year off between your studies to take up the role.
The salary for the positions is £16,639 with 22 days holidays.
THESE ARE THE JOB ROLES FOR 2011-12, PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BEFORE THE FINAL PACKS ARE MADE AVAILABLE ON FEBRUARY 13TH: THEY ARE FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY AT THIS STAGE.
They are:
Overall President (open to everyone)
The Overall President is the figure head for the Union. S/he will attend the most Senior University Committees to represent the interests of both the organization and of all students.
S/he also has ultimate responsibility for the management of the Unions commercial operations, although they work closely with Senior Managers of the Union in regards to this aspect. As chair of the Overall Executive this position also has a managerial role in respect to the seven campus-based Officers and the Sports President (in respect to their leave, time keeping and their workloads).
A typical day would see the Overall President meet with Senior University Officers, review Union accounts and liaise with the media on current issues affecting students.
The Overall President is also the external spokesperson for the Union.
Strategic Priorities:
• Ensure the implementation of the current governance review
• Be responsible for the professionalization of the Executive
Due to the nature of this position a substantial amount of travel over the four campuses is required. A company vehicle is provided for those who have held a driving license for a period longer than 12 months.
To stand for this post you must be nominated by 30 Students.
Download the full job description here
Sports Union President
The Sports Union President has responsibility for ensuring the democratic functions of the Sports Union are working effectively, as well as planning and overseeing the finances of all affiliated Sports Clubs.
Due to the nature of this position a substantial amount of travel over the four campuses is required. A company vehicle is provided for those who have held a driving license for a period longer than 12 months.
Strategic Priorities:
• To continue efforts to secure increased funding for the Sports Union, from the University and alternative sources (eg Sponsorship)
To stand for this post you must be nominated by 30 Students who are all members of the Sports Union. Only members of the Sports Union can stand and vote for this position.
Download the full Job Description here.
Vice President Campaigns and Communications
This is a new post that has been created as a result of the recent governance review within UUSU.
The Vice President Campaigns and Communications will have responsibility for the four campuses across UUSU. The Office holder will work closely with their other Officers and members of staff to ensure the voices of all students are heard and relevant campaigns are organised and delivered to improve the student experience.
The main responsibilities of the post are as follows:
• Represent students and student interests internally and externally to improve the student experience
• Ensure UUSU is a campaigning Union which produces positive outcomes for its’ members
• Ensure all members of UUSU are well informed about their Union
• Regularly consult the UUSU membership
• Ensure students are providing feedback to the University on their student experience
As this is an overall post a substantial amount of travel will be expected. Attempts will be made to provide a Union vehicle, if you have a license for more than 12 months. If this is not available you will be reimbursed for your travel expenses.
Download the full Job Description here.
Vice President Academic and Student Affairs
This is a new position that has been created as part of the governance reform that has been ongoing within UUSU. There will be one of these Officers representing the interests of her/his campus within the Students’ Union, the University and the local community. They will be elected from the campus at which they have most recently undertaken a programme of study.
The Officer will be responsible for a wide range of issues affecting the student experience and will be assisted by their fellow elected Officers, as well as the relevant staff positions within the Union.
Strategic Priorities:
• Represent students and student interests internally and externally to improve the student experience
• Provide advice to students and promote awareness of welfare issues
• Provide academic Representation
• Promote participation in the Union and ensure the democratic principles of the Union are upheld
• Ensure the Union and the University have an excellent reputation within the local community
• Be the liaison between the students and the management of the Club Bars to advise on campus entertainments
To stand for this post you must be a registered student at the relevant campus, and nominated by 15 students who are also registered at this campus.
Download the full Job Description here.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact the current officer or Union staff directly. Email Avril Honan to find out how: a.honan@ulster.ac.uk
WHY VOTE
Here are ten things to think about when deciding if you should take the time to vote:
1. This university recognises the UUSU officers as the official voice of the students.
2. The more students that vote in the elections, the stronger our voice within the University. High voter turnout = big mandate = strong voice for students.
3. These elections will determine who represents you to the university next year.
4. The officers feed into the policy, practice, performance and perception of this university.
5. How others perceive you and your degree matters. You do want a good job at the end of your university life don’t you?
6. We are in a recession which looks like being one of the worst ever. When you graduate, there are likely to be far fewer graduate jobs available than there are graduates.
7. Do you really want to risk the development of your student experience to just anyone?
8. Do you really want to risk the value that your degree will have by not thinking carefully enough about who will help this university develop?
9. Do you really want to leave your future to chance for the sake of spending 5 minutes voting online at www.ulster.ac.uk/portal?
10. Will it really make a difference? Who knows? However if you don’t vote, it is guaranteed that you will not make a difference.
Don’t leave your future to chance. Vote now!
HOW TO VOTE
Our Full Time Officer elections are not run online: you can vote from any laptop or PC. So even if you are out on placement, or studying abroad you can vote for your reps. All you need to do is log on to the University portal between 7am on Monday 28th March and 7pm on Wednesday 30th March, follow the elections link and choose who you want to vote for. Once you are in the elections site you can have another look at the candidates manifesto’s to make sure you make the right choice for you. What if I you don’t like any of the candidates? You can vote for RON.
RON stands for Re-Open Nominations. UUSU believes that you, the voter, should always have the choice to make a positive vote, even if you don’t agree with the policies of any of the candidates standing. This means that even those candidates who appear to be standing alone for a post still need to convince you that they are the best person for the job.
UUSU would urge you to consider this carefully. Don’t be prepared to vote for someone to represent you if you genuinely don’t think they are the best person for the job. Equally, don’t think that not voting will help either. The winners of these elections are the voice of the students on how this university develops and delivers its service to you. If you really don’t care whether your university is any good or not and decide not to vote, then the university will take that as a very positive message that they don’t need to listen to students. You will then find it much harder to be heard if you have a problem.
Stand up and be counted and make a positive vote. Vote for every post and, if you don’t agree that the candidate is good enough to represent you, then vote for RON. But most importantly of all, VOTE! Your future depends on it.
Contact Us
More information on elections please
