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APPLICATIONS OPEN IN…

LEAD

like a

student*

*We do things differently at Essex.

Are you ready to take control, ignite change, and LEAD LIKE A STUDENT?

REPRESENT YOUR COMMUNITY AT ESSEX su

Applications to be a voluntary Student Community Officer or Council Rep open 10:00 Tuesday 7 May 2024.

Still deciding if it’s for you? Scroll on down and find out more about the roles and the SU Communities Election process 👇.

No bullsh*t, these roles are unpaid, but they’re also rewarding as hell.

1

Essex SU is run by elected Student Leaders and voluntary SCOs & Council Reps

2

They all sit on SU Council to make big decisions on behalf of Essex students

3

Get involved! Represent your community as an SCO or Council Rep

THE PERKS

Lead Essex SU

Really! You’ll work alongside the elected Student Leaders and SU Staff to contribute to the course of action of the SU.

Variety of Positions

With 40+ positions available, there’s one to suit every interest.

Represent Students

You'll be a voice for your community at Essex, making sure that their needs are understood and represented.

Upgrade your CV

You’ll gain loads of transferrable skills like negotiation, listening, overcoming challenges, event organising and public speaking.

Work with amazing people

You'll work with students, elected Student Leaders, SU Staff and University staff.

RATED 5 STARS*

  • "Taking on a role in SU Council allowed me to develop so many skills whilst also making lots of new friends. The skills I learnt including: negotiation skills, diplomacy and listening to all views, have been essential for me and have helped me to be the best SU President I could be."

    - Kieran Phillips, SU President 2023-24, Union Chair 2021-23, Colchester Campus Chair 2020-21

  • "Being the Women's Officer has not only allowed me to blossom as a person but has given me the opportunity to support a community that has done so much for me. my favourite thing about my role is that you can make the role your own, whether this is through campaigns, events, or the Instagram account. It has been incredible to on events and use my voice to raise the concerns/issues of my community"

    - Mariah Atsev, Women's SCO 2023-24

*BY THE PEOPLE WHO’VE BEEN THERE, DONE THAT AND GOT THE T-SHIRT.

INTRODUCING THE STUDENT COMMUNITY OFFICER Roles

Student Community Officers (SCOs) lead communities

There are 9 voluntary SCO roles available for you to apply for, plus Union Chair or Campus Chair.

The SCOs are the figure head for their community, they ensure that the views and ideas of their community are heard by both the SU and the university.

They’re responsible for ensuring there are specific events for their community and that the correct celebration of key dates happens, like Black History Month or Lunar New Year.

Skills needed to be a successful SCO:

  • Initiative

  • Communication skills and a willingness to embrace new ways to communicate

  • Organised

  • Approachable

  • Diplomatic

  • Women's Officer

  • LGBTQ+ Officer

  • Trans Officer

  • Asian Officer

  • International Officer

  • Black Officer

  • Mature Officer

  • Student Parent & Carers Officer

  • Students with Disabilities Officer

  • Union Chair

  • Campus Chair

INTRODUCING THE COUNCIL REP Roles

Council Reps speak on behalf of students’

There are a variety of voluntary Council Rep roles available for you to apply for.

Council Reps are the voice of their communities at SU Council, They make sure issues that are discussed take their communities views and thoughts into consideration.

They also ensure that the SU and the other elected officers are doing their jobs correctly and that their community feels represented.

Skills needed to be a successful Council Rep:

  • Punctual

  • Excellent communication skills

  • Approachable

  • Asian Rep

    x2 positions available

  • Blades Rep

    x2 positions available

  • Care Experienced Rep

    x1 positions available

  • Estranged Rep

    x1 positions available

  • Hidden Disabilities Rep

    x1 positions available

  • International Rep

    x4 positions available

  • LGBTQ+ Rep

    x1 positions available

  • Living Off Campus Rep

    x1 positions available

  • Mature Rep

    x1 positions available

  • Minority Ethnic Rep

    x2 positions available

  • PG Arts & Humanities Rep

    x1 positions available

  • PG Science & Health Rep

    x1 positions available

  • PG Social Sciences Rep

    x1 positions available

  • PGR Rep

    x1 positions available

  • PGT Rep

    x1 positions available

  • Rebel Rep

    x1 positions available

  • Refugee Rep

    x1 positions available

  • Safety Rep

    x1 positions available

  • Services Rep

    x1 positions available

  • Societies Rep

    x2 positions available

  • Students with Disabilities

    x2 positions available

  • Students Parents and Carers Rep

    x1 positions available

  • Student Staff Rep

    x1 positions available

  • Sustainability Rep

    x1 positions available

  • Trans+ Rep

    x1 positions available

  • UG Arts & Humanities Rep

    x1 positions available

  • UG Science & Health Rep

    x1 positions available

  • UG Social Sciences Rep

    x1 positions available

  • Women's Rep

    x3 positions available

  • VTeam Rep

    x2 positions available

REGISTER TO VOTE

Not everyone is eligible to vote for all roles.

Like most (if not all) Students’ Unions across the country, when it comes to gender, race, sexuality, and disability we operate a self-definition system.

We do this because some of us might not self-define with the same gender or sexuality as when they first started university.

As well as being able to choose the way we define ourselves, we want to limit the voting of who should lead communities to those that belong to that community only. For example, someone who not LGBTQ+, shouldn’t be included in the voting process for the person that will represent the LGBTQ+ community.

Each year in May, students put themselves forward to run for a part-time, voluntary position to represent their community. They campaign for votes and every Essex student will have an equal chance to 'vote like a student' and choose who they want to be elected into each of the roles.

This is the SU Communities Election.

Essex SU is run by students, for students

so HOW DOES IT ALL WORK?

  • BY 15:00 FRIDAY 3 MAY

    Interested in running? Let us know by expressing your interest by 15:00 Friday 3 May.

    It’s the first step towards becoming a 2024-25 Student Community Officer or Council Rep.

  • 10:00 TUESDAY 7 MAY - 23:59 MONDAY 13 MAY

    This is the phase where you can apply (put yourself forward) for 1 of the many roles.

    You can only nominate yourself for one role.

  • WEDNESDAY 15 MAY & FRIDAY 17 MAY

    Now that you’re a candidate, it is time to find out all of the details and ensure you understand the rules and procedure of the SU Leadership Election. It is also an opportunity to find out anything you want to know before campaigning starts.

    You will have to attend one of the two sessions available to receive the full candidate briefing.

  • 10:00 MONDAY 20 MAY

    All candidates will be announced by Essex SU online, on social media @essexsu and on campus print and digital material as an official candidate in the SU Communities Election 2024.

  • 10:00 MONDAY 20 MAY - 16:00 FRIDAY 24 MAY

    You can start promoting that you are running for a position in the SU Communities Election!

    It is your chance to do everything that you can to get the most votes in your category.

    Use this period to convince the student body that you are the best person for the role and that they should vote for you.

    Use posters, social media posts, leafleting and campaigning on campus.

    The Advice Centre will be running drop in sessions throughout the campaigning period.

    The Campaign Hub will be available for all candidates in Colchester to use.

  • 10:00 THURSDAY 23 MAY- 16:00 FRIDAY 24 MAY

    And voting is open! Now’s the time to make sure your audience are voting!!!

    All eligible students can vote for who they want to lead Essex SU. Voting is available online and in voting booths on the Squares. This is when campaigning gets to its most intense and you’re pushing to get as many people to vote for you as possible.

    Students vote in order of preference.

  • TUESDAY 28 MAY - TIME TBC

    The results of the SU Leadership Election 2024 are announced and you will find out who will be leading your SU. If you’re a candidate, you cross your fingers that it’s you. Good luck!

The SU Communities Election is broken down into these stages…

We’re on a mission to be the worlds most student-centered organisation.

And we cannot wait for you to join us.

Until then, you can find us on socials @essexsu