Teesside University students set to be gripped by elections fever

Students at Teesside University will be part of democracy in action through February and early March as they fight it out to be the next leaders of their Students’ Union or choose the people who do take the positions.

Any current student can stand for the role of an Executive Officer of the Students’ Union and the four winners take the posts of President, Education Officer, Student Activities Officer and Campaigns and Welfare Officer. In a separate election, five students will be chosen to represent Teesside at the National Union of Students (NUS) Annual Conference.

Executive Officers lead the Students’ Union full-time for a period of at least 12 months overseeing how it’s run on behalf of students - running campaigns, organising student events, providing support to students and speaking up for them to the most senior figures at the University including the Board of Governors and Vice-Chancellor. NUS conference reps vote on behalf of Teesside at the single biggest annual gathering of students, a three-day event where decisions about who leads the national student movement and key policy votes affecting all students are taken.

Hannah Parratt, Student Activities Officer at the Students’ Union who will be leaving her role this year said: ‘All the elected positions are an amazing opportunity to gain the kind of experience and skills other graduates can only dream of.

‘I've had an amazing year in my role and I know it’s going to leave me fantastically well equipped for the future, I’d urge as many students as possible to get involved both as candidates and voters.’

She added: ‘Students often don’t realise what an impact they could have and a difference they could make as an Executive Officer in particular.’

Natalie Davison, Campaigns and Welfare Officer at the Students’ Union who will also be departing, said: ‘It’s an unrivalled chance to work with the decision makers at the University to really change and improve things for students. Just standing in the elections as a candidate, however, is an amazing experience and a vital contribution to the democratic process.’

Current students from any background, age group and mode of study can stand in the elections and must submit their nomination papers and manifesto to the Students’ Union by 5.00pm on Friday 15 February 2013.

Campaigning begins week commencing 25 February and voters can find out more about the candidates at a fun, informal question and answer session on Friday 1 March in the Terrace Bar. They’ll then be able to cast their vote online 24 hours a day from any computer from Monday 4 - Thursday 7 March.

Results are announced in an always thrilling and fun packed evening in the Terrace Bar on Friday 8 March hosted by Click Teesside, the University radio station.

Full information about the Students’ Union elections is available at www.tees-su.org.uk/elections and students who are interested in standing can also visit the Students’ Union building between 9.00am – 5.00pm with queries.

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