Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stand for Election?
In February we will be releasing nomination packs which will give you advice on standing for election. You need to be a member of the Union and get 2 other members of the union to sign your forms.
Will it cost me anything?
To make sure things are equal the Union limits how much a candidate can spend on an election. Last year that was £40.
I have children, how will I fit my family around being an officer of the Union?
The 5 full time positions of the Union are given an employment contract for a year. The Union has a flexible working policy and will support you in finding the right balance between family and work.
I am an overseas student, can I stand?
Yes, the Union will work with the University to make the necessary changes to your Visa.
When will it be?
We only have a provisional schedule at the moment as this will be decided at our January Council meeting. But at the moment Nominations will have to be in by the 5th March, with voting between the 12th and the 21st March. Win, lose or draw it will all be over by the 21st March.
If elected when do I start?
Your year of office will begin on 1st July and run to the 30th June next year. However we usually pay for you to come in for a couple of weeks in June to shadow this year’s officers and meet the staff you will be working with.
What happens after the election?
SAC
All elected officers will start their year of office on 1st July 2012. However the new SAC will be employed from June 2012 to familiarise themselves with their new roles and to meet all the key people they will be working with. This is followed by a residential in July, dates TBC. It is vital that you are able to work during this period.
Between mid July and early August a series of national training events take place and we strongly encourage you to attend the ones relevant to your position.
And of course the academic year usually begins in late August when the new intake of International students arrive. Holidays between late August and October seriously impact on your ability to get the results you want to achieve. You can never get that time back again.
Council Reps
We appreciate that many if not all of you will need to find work and somewhere cheaper to live for the summer. But if we do not meet with you until September you will not be able to get the max out of your year. For this reason we will ask you to attend an event over the summer to get to work encouraging and developing your ideas.
NUS Delegates
NUS Conference is in mid April (dates TBC). If you can’t go please don’t stand as we will not be able to send a substitute. We will pay reasonable expenses for delegates but this will be based on travel from Preston so you will need to liaise with us about your travel arrangements.
Official Compaints
Complaints about campaigning and candidate behaviour must be made in writing to the Returning Officer through suelections@uclan.ac.uk no later that one hour after the close of voting.hallenges to the results must be made in writing to the Returning Officer through suelections@uclan.ac.uk no later than one hour after the results are announced.
If you need any further info contact suelections@uclan.ac.uk.
