It’s that time of year again when the Student Union and Sports Union elect their student leadership for the coming academic year. As staff of the university, you can play an important role in encouraging students to engage in the election process.
What are the student elections?
The Student Union and Sports Union are both led by students who are elected each year and serve a one year term. We hold a cross campus ballot in February each year to elect students who take up office in the summer for the coming academic year.
The Positions we are holding elections for are:
Student Union positions
Student Union positions
President Vice President SBC President
Executive Committee
Charities Officer Disabled Student Officer Halls Officer
International Officer LGBT Officer Minority Ethnic Officer
Postgraduate Officer Societies Convenor Women’s Officer
Sports Union positions
Sports Union positions
President Vice President
Executive Committee
Why is it important for students to participate?
At Heriot-Watt we enjoy a close working relationship between the University and Unions. Student representatives often contribute to a broad range of issues from university strategy, learning and teaching and student welfare. It is therefore important that those elected to be the student representatives are chosen in an open and accessible way.
Students who get actively involved in the elections will also gain new skills such as campaigning, budget management, leadership and organisation. Those elected receive extensive training and development including management, communication, finances and presentation skills.
What can university staff do?
You are in regular contact with students and so you are well placed to encourage students to get involved.It would be helpful for staff to tell their students about the elections and direct them to the online resources at www.hwunion.com/elections for more information.
Top five things to tell students
1. The Student Union elections are taking place right now and students are encouraged to join in by standing for election, helping to campaign or voting. For information (and a nomination form if they want to stand) visit www.hwunion.com.
2. Nominations close at 5pm on Tuesday 5 February and voting is from 9am 20th February to 5pm 22nd February.
3. Voting is online and all students need to vote is some personal details like student ID number. There is no need to wait to receive an email with a special login and voting will take place via the Student Union website www.hwunion.com
4. Being an officer of the Student Union is an excellent way to develop new skills and is a great way to improve your CV
5. If you want more information about any aspect of the election process, drop by the Union or email the Returning Officer at d.mmccaig@hw.ac.uk