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Full Time Officer Elections at SUBU

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Regulations, Complaints

Have you got what it takes to make a difference for BU students?

SUBU exists to make student life better and our full-time officers are fundamental to this. They lead on all aspects of how we are run and have a real impact on all students, so what are you waiting for?

 

Applications Now Open!

 

 

Full-Time Officer Elections

SUBU is a student-led democratic organisation, which means that students and our elected officers shape the direction of our work and are involved in decision-making at all levels. This election is to elect our four full-time officers who will take office on the 14th July 2025.

4 posts are up for election.

Nominations close at 12:00 on Friday 14 February 2025 (in 2 weeks and 6 days)

The polls open at 10:00 on Monday 17 March 2025 (in 7 weeks and 2 days)

Post List
Read more about the positions up for election and what each role entails.

Why run to be an Officer?

Unique Experience

You’ll be the leader of the organisation, something very few students will be able to say upon leaving university! You’ll be a trustee and will have direct decision making powers when it comes to SUBU strategy.

Great Workplace

You’ll get to work at SUBU! You’ll also get paid £25,000, get 28 days holiday plus bank holidays, extra days off in summer and around Christmas AND you’ll get free entry to The Old Fire Station.

Active Role in the Student Community

You’ll be able to meet people from all parts of BU, and have a real impact that could last a life time.

Skills Development

You’ll develop key skills such as influencing, multi-tasking, organising, communication and negotiation skills, all of which looks great to future employers.

Flexibility

You’ll have a remit but your role is what you make of it. You get to set out what you want to develop in your pledges and when you are elected you get to make it happen!

Elections Information

Eligibility

 

To be eligible for these roles, you must be a current student at Bournemouth University and will continue to be a student up to the start of this role in July 2025. Additionally, you must be an opted in member of the Student Union.

International students are able to be a Full Time Officer and you can get a visa extension while you are in office. You can find out more on the UKCISA website.

Please contact subudemocracy@bournemouth.ac.uk if you are unsure if you are opted in or wish to opt in.

How it all works?

 

1. Apply

To stand in the elections, you must apply for the role you want. You can apply online at www.subu.org.uk/elections.

To apply you will need:

  • Your name as you would like it to appear on the form and ballot.
  • Your student number.
  • Your BU student email address
  • A photo
  • Your pledge – which describe what you want to do to develop the Union’s goals if you’re elected (maximum 300-words)

For your application to be confirmed, you will need to submit your application on the website by the deadline, 14th February at 12pm midday.

Once you have submitted your application, you will be emailed by a member of the team. If you do not receive an email or if you experience any difficulties applying, please contact us on subudemocracy@bournemouth.ac.uk.

2. Attend the Candidate Briefings

There are two candidate briefings for you to attend during this process and each will give you an oversight on the election rules and give you an opportunity to meet the other candidates.

The first briefing will focus on preparing you to submit your pledges, during which we will provide examples and guidance and an overview of the election rules. The second briefing will focus on campaigning and how to run a successful and engaging campaign. Both briefings will be in person. The dates of these are at the top of this document under ‘key dates’, these will also be sent to you once you’ve submitted your application. Candidate briefings are compulsory – you must attend at least one of the sessions. If you are unable to attend the briefings you must let us know.

 

3. Start Campaigning

Once you’ve attended both candidate briefings you will be prepared to begin campaigning which will start shortly after the second briefing.

Please make sure you read the campaigning tips and FAQs on the next pages of this document. The FAQ covers the rules you and anyone supporting your campaign must follow during this period, so please read it carefully!

The Roles

In this election, you’ll be electing your Full-Time Officers.

The Full-Time Officers are four elected students who represent all students at BU. Each role has a specific area they are responsible for. This is a Full-Time paid position, where if elected you'll be in post for one year from July 2025 . The roles available are SU President, Vice-President Education, Vice-President Student Opportunities and Vice-President Welfare and Community. Information on each role can be found by clicking the relevant button below.

 


SU President Role Description
VP Education Role Description
VP Student Opportunities Role Description
VP Welfare & Community Role Description

Key Dates

 

Applications Open

Monday 20th January - 10am

Applications Close

Friday 14th February - 12 midday

Candidate Briefing

Monday 17th February - 5-7pm

Candidate List Published

Monday 17th February - 7pm

Candidate Briefing

Monday 10th March - 5-7pm

Start of Campaigning and Pledges Published

Wednesday 12th March - 10am

Candidate Q&A

Friday 14th March - 3-6pm

Voting Open

Monday 17th March - 10am

Voting Closes

Thursday 20th March - 2pm

Results Announced Online

Friday 21st March - 6pm

Voter Count

 

At SUBU we use a preferential voting system called Single Transferable Vote (STV) system which provides voters with much more choice and influence. When voting students select their candidates in order of preference and are able to vote for as many or as few as they like. During the count candidates are excluded if it is impossible for them to reach the quota, their votes are then transferred in order of preference. STV means that candidates must reach a quota/proportion of the vote. The quota is determined by the number of votes cast and the number of positions to be filled. For roles where there is only one position available the quota is half the total number of votes cast. If in the final round there are two candidates remaining the candidate with the highest number of votes is elected.

Events

Candidate Briefing One
17th February 5pm - 7pm
F201
Candidates Only: An essential part of a candidates journey, this is where you'll find out all the rules of the elections, meet the other cadidates and find out more about SUBU. This session is compulsory.
SUBU | Talbot Campus | On Campus | Democracy | In Person | Elections
Election Craftivism
6th March noon - 2pm
5th Floor Student Centre
Bring along your campaign team and create your campaign material. We'll provide you with cardboard, sheets, paints and all the craft material you should need to promote yourself during the campaign period
SUBU | Talbot Campus | Arts & Crafts | On Campus | Democracy | In Person | Elections
Candidate Briefing Two
10th March 5pm - 7pm
F201
Candidates Only: Before voting begins all candidates are expected to attend this session.
SUBU | Talbot Campus | On Campus | Democracy | In Person | Elections
Election Craftivism
11th March noon - 2pm
5th Floor Student Centre
Bring along your campaign team and create your campaign material. We'll provide you with cardboard, sheets, paints and all the craft material you should need to promote yourself during the campaign period
SUBU | Talbot Campus | Arts & Crafts | On Campus | Democracy | In Person | Elections
Candidate Q&A
14th March 3pm - 6pm
TBC
Hear directly from the candidates to be your next Full-Time Officers, and find out why you should vote for them!
SUBU | Talbot Campus | On Campus | Democracy | In Person | Elections
Full-Time Officer Election - Voting Week
17th March 10am - 20th March 2pm
Student Centre/Talbot Campus Concourse & BGB Lobby
Talbot Campus | Lansdowne Campus | On Campus | Online | Democracy | In Person | Elections
Full-Time Officer Election Results Night!
21st March 6pm - 8pm
Dylan's Bar
Find out who your next Full-Time Officers will be at the Full-Time Officer Elections Results Celebration
SUBU | Talbot Campus | Representation | Democracy | In Person | Elections

FAQ's

Every year you elect current students who are then responsible for representing 17,000 students views to the university. The Full-Time Officers lead this network of student volunteers and work full-time to ensure that your student life is the best it can possibly be- from campaigning on issues that you are facing on your course, locally and nationally. Whether you’re passionate about welfare and student rights, creating positive change, holding the University to account or just voting for the students who you want to represent you, this election is an opportunity to get your voice heard and make an impact on what matters to you at University.

There are four officer positions, click here to find out more about them!

  • President
  • Vice-President Education
  • Vice-President Student Opportunities
  • Vice-President Welfare and Community

You cannot nominate yourself for more than one full-time officer role

Any current BU student, so it doesn’t matter whether you are an undergraduate, postgraduate or part time of full time student.

Yes, full-time officers are remunerated. Their annual salary is over £25,000. They also receive 28 days holiday, bank holidays and an additional 3.5 days over Christmas.

SUBU is there to represent all students, and HSS students are no different!

Breaks in all courses can be managed, although regulatory body practice requirements may need to be revisited on certain courses. You also have up to two years to register with the NMC and HCPC after finishing your course.

If you are interested contact subudemocracy@bournemouth.ac.uk to discuss further.

International Students are able to be a Full Time Officer and you are able to get a visa extension while you are in office. You can find out more information here.

You can find out more on the UKCISA website
If you are an international student who is interested in running please contact subudemocracy@bournemouth.ac.uk as soon as possible.

Yes, there are training opportunities during the elections period which will provide you with insights into SUBU and what it is like to be a full-time officer.

There are a range of other training opportunities throughout the election period, so head to the candidate handbook to find out more.

If you are elected you will be provided with full training and induction programme organised by SUBU including a handover and external training. There will also be opportunities for further training throughout your year in post.

In the context of elections, campaigning is what candidates do to get votes - it's not just handing out leaflets though! Successful candidates take time to listen and speak to students, find out about the current issues relevant to the role they're standing for and persuade voters with ideas and enthusiasm, not just trendy slogans or avalanches of tweets.

Check out the Candidate Handbook to find out more information about campaigning.

You will spend one year in office beginning early July, you will then be entitled to run in the election for the following year. You are unable to be a full-time officer for more than 2 years.

Regulations and Complaints

All SUBU elections should be free and fair, which is why we have rules which govern our elections. You can find out more about election regulations as well as viewing the complaints process here.

These Elections are overseen by:

NUS - Returning Officer who is an external, independent advisor, appointed to ensure that the election is run with third party scrutiny and expertise.

Kayleigh Heckford (SUBU) - Deputy Returning Officer who is the first point of contact, responsible for candidate engagement, day to day supervision and management of the election. The RO will be consulted by the DRO whenever they see necessary throughout the process.

Laura Greenwood-Pearsons (Brighton SU) - Independent Elections Adjudicator who is an external appeals body that is responsible for ruling on appeals.

 

Regulations

The guiding principles of all SUBU elections are:

1. Candidates shall conduct themselves in accordance with the Election Regulations, Union and Univeristy Policy, and the Law.

2. Students must be free to cast their vote without undue pressure or influence

3. Candidates must treat other candidates, students, staff and members of the public with respect

4. Candidates must not undermine the fair and democratic running of elections

5. Candidates must not do anything to gain an unfair advantage

6. Candidates must respect the campus environment and the community

You must submit an elections complaint via this form. 

Contact info

 If you have any questions about the election process get in touch with the Elections Team at subudemocracy@bournemouth.ac.uk