Every year, you (the students!) elect four Sabbatical Officers who are paid to work full-time leading the Student Union to represent you to the University and beyond. You also elect a group of Part-Time Officers who work on a voluntary basis on campaigns and projects.
If you've ever considered standing for a position, it's easy to put yourself forward. It's not only a great way to get experience and boost your CV, but you’ll work on projects and campaigns you are passionate about to create positive change at the University and Student Union.
Any current student – Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught or Postgraduate Research – can run in the Union By-Elections. You can run mid-studies, if you are due to graduate this year, or if you are an international or UK student. We want our diverse student population to be represented and strongly encourage students from underrepresented and minority groups to consider standing for election.
The core Sabbatical Officer team consists of four positions – Union President, Sports Union President, Vice President Education and Vice President Communities. They work together and independently on campaigns, projects and representing the student voice.
part-time voluntary roles
We have nine Part-Time Officers positions available for this By-Election. Click below to read the individual role descriptions for each role. If you are elected as Part-Time Officer, you will hold this role from November 2022 to the 31st of May 2023.
If you are scheduled to graduate prior to the 31st of May 2023, you will have to step down from the role when your course finishes, but you can hold the elected role up until your degree end date.
part-time officers
Sports Zone
Education Zone
Communities Zone
nus delegates
NUS delegates represent the University of Stirling at annual NUS Conferences. If you are planning to stand as an NUS Delegate, you need to ensure you can attend the conferences. The NUS Scotland Conference will be held between the 20th and 23rd of March 2023, and the NUS National Conference will be held between the 13th and 16th of March 2023. The final dates of the conferences have not yet been confirmed. Expenses to attend the conferences are paid for the delegates.
You can find out more about NUS Deleagtes, and NUS, here.
equalities officers
There are four voluntary Equalities Officers who also sit alongside the Part-Time Officers, but who are elected in a separate process. The two vacant Equalities Officer roles will be elected in the next Equalities Zone of the academic year. Dates of the Equalities Zone can be found here.
Candidates wishing to be elected must present their candidacy at the meeting, and the election of the new Equalities Officers is undertaken at the meeting. You do not require seconders to stand for an Equalities Officer position, all you need to do is come to the meeting, put yourself forward, say why you wish to run and what you hope to achieve, and the election takes place there and then.
Click below to read the individual role descriptions for each available role.
why should I stand?
- Sabbatical Officers receive a full-time employment contract, salary, holiday entitlement and automatically become Trustees of the Union.
- Part-Time Officers are voluntary, part time, but are incredibly useful for building your CV, experience and are a great way to build up to running for Sabbatical Officer.
- Training and personal development opportunities tailored to the individual role.
- Gain experience of leading, developing and supporting campaigns for change.
- A fun and supportive team environment with professional staff to support you in your role.
- Develop leadership skills and gain experience of leading an organisation.
- Documented on your academic transcript.
- A reference for future employers.
As well as gaining invaluable experience in chairing meetings, managing budgets, communicating, leading people, projects & campaigns.
how do I stand?
Once nominations open, you must be logged in to run. Once you are logged in to the page, you will see a button which says “Stand”. Click this, fill in all the appropriate information and forms, and you are good to go!
The sections and forms you need to fill in to run for a role appear once you “Stand” via the online portal and they are the following:
- Seconders Form: When running for a Sabbatical Officer position, you will need 50 seconders. Part-time Officer position you will need 15 seconders. These are students who back you to run for the position. You will gain access to the Seconders form when you register via the election portal. You cannot ask people to second you for the position prior to nominations being open, and students cannot second an opposition candidate (someone running for the same position).
- Code of Conduct form: You just need to complete it by typing your name and sending it back to Natalie the Deputy Returning Officer.
- Manifesto: You upload this online. Your manifesto should be 300-500 words.
- A slogan: Something catchy that sums up your campaign.
- A picture of yourself: Make sure we can see you!
- Publicity: This is uploaded onto the election portal when you nominate yourself. Never made election publicity before? Ask for any help and guidance!
Our Communications team have come up with a Digital Resources Pack which offers helpful information and links to really boost your online campaign!
Is this all a little confusing? Look at our Jargon Buster which explains in more detail many of the terms used above!
important dates
- Nominations Open: Friday, September 30th at 9AM
- Nominations Close: Friday, October 7th at 12PM (midday)
- Manifesto Deadline: Friday, October 7th at 12PM (midday)
- Candidates Briefing: Tuesday, October 11th at 1PM via Microsoft Teams
- Union Hustings: Friday, October 14th at 12PM via Microsoft Teams
- Voting Opens: Monday, October 17th at 9 AM
- Voting Closes: Tuesday, October 18th at 6:15PM
- Results: Tuesday, October 18th at 7:30PM in Ian King Room (in Stirling Students' Union)
All times stated above at GMT.
other info & contact
Access Problems:
If you are having any issues accessing the nomination portal or voting, please contact Natalie Hay at natalie.hay@stir.ac.uk and she will assist you as soon as possible.
Complaints:
If you wish to raise a complaint in relation to an election, this form is to be completed in support of complaints made in accordance with the Elections Rules.
Any complaints should be directed, in writing, to Deputy Returning Officer Natalie Hay, at natalie.hay@stir.ac.uk.