I know you’re probably bored of all this elections nonsense with the Spring Elections out of the way and the impending General Election, but just hear me out, as there may be something that interests you in this blog.
If you missed out on a position in the Autumn and Spring elections you have one more shot at becoming an elected volunteer here at the Union, and it could be the best decision you make in your university careers.
I’m going to take you through the roles that are on offer in this election, and I’m warning you, there is quite a few to get through.
Academic Presidents
There’s one Academic President for every department (and in Social Sciences, there’s a Vice-President for each subject). You’ll co-ordinate the Course Reps in your area, and sit on Faculty-level committees to help make a difference for students. For a full list of all the Academic President positions available, head here.
Course Reps
Join our team of over 300 elected course reps each year– you’ll represent your course mates and will be trained to co-chair Staff Student Liaison Committees. For more information on what a Course Rep is and what they do within their role, head to the Course Rep opportunity profile, here.
Campaign Committees
There are over 20 positions available on our Campaign Committees, which fight for Equality and Diversity, make sure Ethical and Environmental issues are at the heart of everything we do, and work to improve your Wellbeing. These positions are part-time, and are responsible for looking after areas such as Ethics & Environment, Equality & Diversity and Wellbeing. For the list of all the roles available, from Healthy Living Coordinator to Gender Identity Coordinator, head here.
Student Leaders
Our Student Leaders are senior part-time officers who lead on various areas of the Union’s work. We’ve got everything from International Students’ Officer to Charities & Communities Officer. These positions are responsible for looking after and making change in specific parts of SUSU.
Charities and Community Officer
- Support and develop student-led community volunteering projects, reward systems and support for volunteers, and promote the benefits of community volunteering
- Represent the interests of the charity and community Student Groups (including RAG) on the External Engagement Zone Committee.
- Responsible for implementing an effective Valuing Diversity Policy within the Union
- Monitor and take steps to ensure the Union’s activities and services are accessible to all members
- Co-ordinate awareness campaigns and events around equality issues
International Students’ Officer
- Chair of the International Committee
- Represent the interests of international students at Southampton
- Organise and coordinate events and activities that will support and entertain international students
- To promote the Intra-Mural league system.
- To represent students in the organisation of Intra-Mural events throughout the year.
- Chair the Intra-Mural Committee.
- Represent the views and interests of medical students across the University of Southampton
- Work with the relevant officers and staff to ensure SUSU activity and services are accessible to students at Southampton General Hospital and other sites
- Ensure that the Medical Society’s subgroups such as sports, welfare and charities work with similar groups across SUSU when appropriate
National Oceanography Centre Officer
- Work with the relevant officers and staff to ensure SUSU activity and services are accessible to students at this site
- Represent the interests of students locally and within the University and Union
- Monitor and take steps to ensure that activities and services are accessible and welcoming for NOC students
Natural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Officer
- Most senior type of course representative, leading a team of Academic Presidents and representing their faculty at the highest level
- Chair faculty-level Staff Student Liaison Committee regularly throughout the year
- Sit on SUSU’s Education Zone Committee
Postgraduate (Research) Students Officer
- Represent the views and interests of research students across the University of Southampton
- Work closely with other student leaders and staff to ensure that PGR students have accessibility into support services and activities SUSU has to offer
- Work closely with the University ensuring that PGR students are involved and engaged with developments within their relevant departments
- Chair of the Sports Participation Committee
- Support to clubs not within the Athletic Union
- Development of participation in sport across University of Southampton
- Support and develop the enterprise activities of our students
- Develop reward systems and social support for the entrepreneurs
- Promote the benefits of Student Enterprise
- Develop programs to enhance the wellbeing of members.
- Promote physical and mental health improvements affecting students’ lives
- Chair the Wellbeing Committee
- Monitor and take steps to ensure that activities and services are accessible and welcoming for WSA students
- Work with the relevant officers and staff to ensure SUSU activity and services are accessible to students at this site
- Represent the interests of students locally and within the University and Union
Student Trustees
Student Trustees sit on the Union’s Trustee Board, a body which oversees our work and makes sure we’re spending our money sensibly and staying within the law. For the full opportunity profile of a Student Trustee head here.
Union Councillors
There’s 17 places available for Union Councillors, who sit as voting members of Union Council. This is the body which meets six times a year and decides what we get up to and holds us to account. If you’re interested in what the Union does but aren’t sure how to get more involved, this is the best place to start. And just like all the others, this role has a swanky opportunity profile right here.
To run for any of these positions head to www.susu.org/change. If you have any questions about any of the roles and would like to chat to someone about it, please email me on vpdci@susu.org.