Leadership Elections 2023
Do you want to be a lead spokesperson for your students' union? Put your name forward to become one of our next Sabbatical Officers at SUSU! Nominations are open from Tuesday 03 January - Wednesday 08 February 2023. Now more than ever, you can make a change.
If you've never got involved with student representation before, don't worry, you'll receive training and guidance throughout your year in office from our core team.
You can read the Rules for Leadership Elections here: Leadership Election Rules 2022-23.
Suggest a Friend
If you know someone who would be perfect for a role in these elections, you can Suggest a Friend and we'll get in touch to let them know which role they should consider.
The Roles
Union President
Full-time, paid position. As Union President you'll be the figurehead of SUSU; the public spokesperson of the Union, and provide leadership to the Sabbatical Officer team. You'll be the key liaison with the University and the Vice Chancellor on overarching and general matters, and you'll lead on sustainability and ensure SUSU has a presence at all University sites.
VP Education and Democracy
Full-time, paid position. As VP Education and Democracy you'll lead and support the academic representation structure at SUSU and ensure students have a voice in the University. You'll oversee the Union’s 3 main elections, and lead on our democratic processes, including All Student Votes, Petitions, You Make Change and the Union AGM.
VP Welfare and Community
Full-time, paid position. As VP Welfare and Community you'll lead on student welfare, ensuring that student welfare is a consideration in all Union activities and promoting the support services available. You'll also lead on equality and diversity within the Union and the University, and lead on Welfare and Community campaigns such as LGBTQ+ History Month and Black History Month.
VP Sports
Full-time, paid position. As VP Sports you'll lead Team Southampton, representing all affiliated sports clubs and overseeing the grant allocation process. You'll also work to improve sporting performance and elite sport at Southampton, and encourage participation in sport.
VP Activities
Full-time, paid position. As VP Activities you'll support and advocate on behalf of our societies, both within the Union and to the University. You'll lobby the University to recognise the importance of societies as a key part of the student experience, and ensure that society involvement and activity is as accessible as possible to all students.
Faculty Officer
Part-time, volunteer position. Faculty Officers are the senior reps in their faculty, taking overall responsibility for academic representation. You'll lead all the School and Department Presidents within your Faculty and be their main point of contact, and also obtain student feedback on a range of issues relating to academic experience.
Chair of Senate
Part-time, volunteer position. Our Union Senate is the committee that holds the Sabbatical Officers and their student officers accountable to their plans for the year. As Chair of Senate your focus is primarily on accountability, transparency and ensuring the smooth running of Senate. You'll scrutinise the work of Sabbatical Officers and make decisions on high–level or wide-reaching issues.
Senator
Part-time, volunteer position. Our Union Senate is the committee that holds the Sabbatical Officers and their student officers accountable to their plans for the year. As a Senator your focus is primarily on accountability and transparency: scrutinising the work of Sabbs and helping to make decisions on wide-reaching or high-level issues.
Trustee
Part-time, volunteer position. The Trustee Board is responsible for the overseeing the work and governance of SUSU, and is made up of 4 Sabbatical Officers, 4 elected student trustees, and 4 external trustees with particular areas of expertise. As Trustee you'll work in partnership with the other trustees, the Chief Executive, senior staff and students to ensure that the Union has a clear strategic direction, vision and mission that meets the needs of its members.
Elections FAQs
What is a manifesto, and what should I include?
What is a manifesto?
A manifesto is the first impression your voters get when they look at the candidates' page. It provides a general picture of you, your experiences, and the aims you will have if you are voted for the position you nominated yourself for.
What do you recommend I include in my manifesto?
You can include anything about yourself, your journey and your aims but always ensure it is positive, fair and respectful! Here are some tips:
- Be creative and think about issues you care about as a student and member of SUSU.
- Talk to students to learn more about what they care about too.
- Set out your aims for your time in office.
- Showcase your skills, experiences and interests.
- Consider if there is a balance between feasible and appealing aims in your manifesto.
- Let your personality shine through!
What advice do you have about the writing process?
Here are some tips to consider when writing your manifesto:
- Make sure to proofread your manifesto to avoid errors.
- Be clear and concise so that all students understand your manifesto.
- Make sure to read the role description so your manifesto is relevant to the position you have nominated for.
What is the word limit?
The word limit is 500 words.
Is there anything else I can have on the website other than my manifesto?
Yes, you can have a short bullet point summary of your main points as well!
What happens after I submit my manifesto?
All manifestos will be approved by the Deputy Returning Officer of this election, as stipulated in the Leadership Election Rules, to ensure they do not contain offensive or inappropriate content. All candidates will receive an email confirming the next steps and will be invited to a candidate briefing on Friday 10 February. Lastly, candidates will be officially announced by SUSU on Tuesday 14 February. After that official announcement you will be free to start campaigning.
Can I speak to someone about running in the elections?
Yes, you can speak to our Elections team anytime via email at representation@susu.org to discuss running for any role in our Leadership Elections.
You can also attend one of our drop-in sessions to find out more about running for a Sabbatical Officer role in the elections and ask any questions you might have. They are being held on:
Union President
- Friday 13 January, 12:00 - 13:00, Below Deck (Level 2, B42)
- Wednesday 25 January, 12:00 - 13:00, Below Deck (Level 2, B42)
- Friday 03 February, 13:00 - 14:00, Below Deck (Level 2, B42)
- Tuesday 07 February, 13:00 - 14:00, Online (link TBC)
VP Education and Democracy
- Tuesday 10 January, 13:00 - 14:00, Below Deck (Level 2, B42)
- Wednesday 25 January, 13:00 - 14:00, Below Deck (Level 2, B42)
- Tuesday 31 January, 15:00 - 16:00, Online (link TBC)
- Monday 06 February, 13:00 - 14:00, Below Deck (Level 2, B42)
VP Welfare and Community
- Wednesday 18 January, 13:00 - 14:00, Online (link TBC)
- Friday 27 January, 13:00 - 14:00, Below Deck (Level 2, B42)
- Thursday 02 February, 10:00 - 11:00, Below Deck (Level 2, B42)
- Tuesday 07 February, 10:00 - 11:00, Below Deck, (Level 2, B42)
VP Activities
- Friday 20 January, 13:00 - 14:00, Online (link TBC)
- Monday 30 January, 15:00 - 16:00, Below Deck (Level 2, B42)
- Wednesday 01 February, 13:00 - 14:00, Below Deck (Level 2, B42)
- Monday 06 February, 11:00 - 12:00, Below Deck (Level 2, B42)
VP Sports
- Tuesday 24 January, 13:00 - 14:00, Online (link TBC)
- Friday 27 January, 11:00 - 12:00, Below Deck (Level 2, B42)
- Tuesday 31 January, 13:00 - 14:00, Below Deck (Level 2, B42)
- Frida 03 February, 11:00 - 12:00, Below Deck (Level 2, B42)
Can international students run in these elections?
Yes! As an International student you can run for any volunteer role with SUSU. You are also able to run for a Sabbatical Officer role but you must check that there are no specific restrictions on your student visa. If you have a standard student visa, you can run as a Sabbatical Officer.
Can Postgraduate Research (PhD) students run in these elections?
If you'll be close to your thesis submission date when the Sabbatical Officer roles begin (01 July 2023) we can be flexible with requirements of the role. If you're midway through your thesis, talk to your supervisor before nominating yourself to see if they agree to a year of suspension while you are in office.
Please speak to our Elections team at representation@susu.org for more information.
Can Postgraduate Taught (Masters) students run in the elections?
Yes, we are happy to discuss any flexibility you may need if elected to a Sabbatical Officer role. Please speak to our Elections team at representation@susu.org for more information.
Can I run for a role if I'm not in my final year?
Yes! If elected to a Sabbatical Officer role you can pause your degree for a 'sabbatical' year in office, then restart your degree in September 2024.
All our volunteer roles can be carried out alongside your studies.
