Nominations open in

 

Every year we ask you to vote for the students that you think should be elected as our full-time officers. These elected students then work on the issues that are affecting you, responding to your feedback and requests and bringing about positive changes at the University of Oxford and your college. Voting for your student representatives is incredibly important and we couldn’t be prouder of the Officers past and present and can’t wait for the future. 

We also want you to nominate yourself for election to become one of our new Officers! It’s an incredibly rewarding experience and a great opportunity to develop your leadership and communication skills. We offer a full range of support along the way including Candidate briefings and a full break down of what is expected and how to run. The main SU elections take place in February.

 

 

President

Wage: £20,836

Term in office: 30/06/19 - 27/06/20 (Please see FAQs regarding having coursework to complete after this start date)

Contact current officer: president@oxfordsu.ox.ac.uk

What's the role?: The President represents Student Members to the University and external audiences at all levels. They uphold the democratic principles and obligations of Oxford SU and ensure that these are implemented across the activities of the Organisation; provide leadership for Oxford SU in policy-making, campaigning, representation; and are a public-facing spokesperson for Oxford SU and all its activities. They play a key role in the relationship between Student Council and the Trustee Board.

Full Job Decription

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Vice President Access & Academic Affairs

Wage: £20,836

Term in office: 30/06/19 - 27/06/20  (Please see FAQs regarding having coursework to complete after this start date)

Contact current officer: vpaccaff@oxfordsu.ox.ac.uk

What's the role?: The Vice-President Access and Academic Affairs represents students to the University, and external audiences. They lead on work including policy-making, campaigning and lobbying work, in conjunction with other Officers, by using such vehicles as are appropriate to improve the educational experience of all Student Members at the University of Oxford. They work to ensure that, regardless of background, the best and brightest students apply to study at the University of Oxford. They are a Sabbatical Trustee and play a key role in the relationship between Student Council and the Trustee Board.

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Vice President Charities & Community

Wage: £20,836

Term in office: 30/06/19 - 27/06/20   (Please see FAQs regarding having coursework to complete after this start date)

Contact current officer: vpcandc@oxfordsu.ox.ac.uk

What's the role?: The Vice-President Charities & Community represents Student Members to the University, and external audiences. They lead in policy making and campaigning work, in conjunction with other Officers, by addressing the needs of students as members of the community. They promote a holistic approach to student life beyond educational and representational functions; and work to facilitate this aspect of student life, to encourage students to make a wider contribution to their community and to encourage opportunities for students in this area. They facilitate charitable fundraising activity undertaken by the student body and represent the student body in local community structures. They are a Sabbatical Trustee and play a key role in relationship between Student Council and the Trustee Board.

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Vice President Graduates

Wage: £20,836

Term in office: 30/06/19 - 27/06/20  (Please see FAQs regarding having coursework to complete after this start date)

Contact current officer: vpgraduates@oxfordsu.ox.ac.uk

What's the role?: The VP Graduates represents Graduate students, to the University, and external audiences as appropriate. They lead in policy-making, campaigning and lobbying work, in conjunction with other Officers,on graduate issues at the University of Oxford, and act as focal point for organising Oxford SU's work for Graduates. They are a Sabbatical Trustee and play a key role in relationship between Student Council and the Trustee Board.

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Vice President Welfare & Equal Opportunities

Wage: £20,836

Term in office: 30/06/19 - 27/06/20  (Please see FAQs regarding having coursework to complete after this start date)

Contact current officer: vpweo@oxfordsu.ox.ac.uk

What's the role?: The Vice-President Welfare & Equal Opportunities represents Student Members to the University, and external audiences. They lead in policy making, campaigning and lobbying work in conjunction with other Officers, on student Welfare and Equal Opportunities issues at the University of Oxford. They provide support to key student welfare providers including Common Rooms Representatives. They are a Sabbatical Trustee and play a key role in the relationship between Student Council and the Trustee Board.

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Vice President Women

Wage: £20,836

Term in office: 30/06/19 - 27/06/20  (Please see FAQs regarding having coursework to complete after this start date)

Contact current officer: vpwomen@oxfordsu.ox.ac.uk

What's the role?: Candidates must be a person who, wholly or partly, self identifies as a woman or as transfeminine. The Vice-President Women represents cis and trans women students, as well as those with complex gender identities who identify in any way with the term woman, to the University, and external audiences. They lead in policy making, campaigning and lobbying work in conjunction with other Officers, on gender inequality issues at the University of Oxford. They take responsibility for driving forward action on gender inequality in University of Oxford at a student level; and promote the importance and value of work on gender inequality across the whole work of Oxford SU. They also support student parents and liaise with the University on behalf of students. They are an Officer Trustee and play a key role in the relationship between Student Council and the Trustee Board.

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Student Trustee(x3)

Voluntary

Term in office: 10/03/19 - 08/03/20

What's the role?: Oxford SU has 3 Student Trustees who are elected as members of the Trustee Board. The Trustee Board is ultimately responsible for the strategic success, financial sustainability and legal compliance of Oxford SU as a charitable organisaiton. The Student Trustees will normally be given a specific area of responsibility, either; complaints, finance, media or vice-chair. They work with others including the University and Student Council.

Full Job Decription

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NUS Delegate(x6)

Voluntary

Conference dates: 08/04/19 - 11/04/19

What's the role?: Elected NUS Delegates, together with Oxford SU's President, represent the Student Members at the Univeristy of Oxford at the annual NUS Conference. This is the main democratic body of the the National Union of Students and sets its policy, amends its governance and elects the next set of leaders of the Student Movement. At the NUS National Conference 2014, delegates passed a policy to ensure that delegations would be made up of 'at least 50% self-defining women, rounded down'. We will therefore ensure that a minimum of three delegates are self-defining women.

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RAG Charity Ballot

Local Charity x2

National/International Charity x2

Each year, Oxford SU RAG fundraises for four charities that are selected by the student body. Any student can nominate a charity for the ballot. The nominations received are then shortlisted by the RAG committee to six local charities, and six national or international charities.

RAG Ballot Guidance

SU Annual Elections

RAG Charity Ballot

 

Nominations Open

Mon 14th JAN | 00:00

Nominations Open

Mon 14th JAN | 00:00

 
 

Nominations Close

Mon 28th JAN | 00:00

Nominations Close

Mon 28th JAN | 00:00

 
 

Candidate Briefing

Mon 28th JAN | 17:30

 

Manifesto Deadline

Thur 31st JAN | 12:00

 

Campaigning Begins

Fri 1st FEB | 12:00

Shortlist Announcement

Fri 1st FEB | 17:00

 
 

Hustings

Mon 4th FEB | 00:00

 

Voting Opens

Tue 5th FEB | 08:00

Voting Opens

Tue 5th FEB | 08:00

 
 

Voting Closes

Thur 7th FEB | 18:00

Voting Closes

Thur 7th FEB | 18:00

 
 

Results Announcement

Thur 7th FEB | 21:00

Results Announcement

Thur 7th FEB | 21:00

 
 

Annual Elections 2018 Directions

If you are unsure about any of the following directions please feel free to contact the Returning Officer and SU Elections Team at elections@oxfordsu.ox.ac.uk.

 

Regarding Nominations

Any person wishing to be a candidate must nominate via the SU Website

 

Regarding Becoming a Candidate

To become a candidate a nominee must attend the essential candidate briefing on Monday 3th Week Hilary bringing with them;

  • a signed tutor permission slip,
  • any right to work documents (for trustee roles), and
  • their University card (‘BOD card’),

the nominee will then become an official candidate.

 

Regarding Manifestos

Manifestos should be a one-sided A4 size PDF emailed to elections@oxfordsu.ox.ac.uk, by midday Thursday 3rd Week Hilary Term. A plain text manifesto must accompany any designed manifesto. You must include the name of anyone who is involved in the design process clearly on the manifesto. The Returning Officer can send back any manifesto that fails to meet this direction, contain unlawful, false, misleading, or offensive material.

 

Regarding Slates

The combining of candidates into slates is allowed. Slates are groups of candidates who endorse each other and share campaign materials. Candidates cannot endorse other slates they are not a part of or be endorsed by slates they are not a part of. Slates cannot directly assist another slate’s campaign in any way or have similar campaign materials as other slates.

The membership and name of a slate must be emailed to elections@oxfordsu.ox.ac.uk, by midday Thursday 3rd Week Hilary Term.

 

Regarding Expenses

Sabbatical Trustee candidates, not on a slate, have an expense limit of £40

Student Trustee candidates, not on a slate, have an expense limit of £25

NUS Delegate candidates, not on a slate, have an expense limit of £25

Slates including a Sabbatical Trustee candidate have an expense limit of £40 plus £10 per additional Sabbatical Trustee candidate and £5 per additional Non-Sabbatical Trustee candidate.

Slates not including a Sabbatical Trustee candidate have an expense limit of £25 plus £5 per additional Non-Sabbatical Trustee candidate.

Candidates must declare all items used for campaigning and must not spend more than their expenses limit. Candidates cannot financially support another candidate outside their slate.

Already owned equipment, which it is reasonable to assume all other candidates will have access to an equivalent of, are permitted without deduction from expenses. A Mac with Photoshop installed and a camera will be available to use at Oxford SU on request and subject to availability.

Expense forms must be handed in to the Returning Officer at 4 Worcester Street by midday Thursday 4th Week Hilary.

 

Regarding Hustings

The Hustings will be held on Monday 4th Week Hilary and will be moderated by the Returning Officer. The Returning Officer must choose a chair who cannot be themselves.

 

Regarding Campaigning

Campaigning can begin after manifestos are published on Friday 3rd Week Hilary Term. Any candidate publishing campaign materials before this time is in violation of this direction.

Candidates, and slates, can only campaign in digital spaces they don’t control if other candidates for the same position also have access to campaign there.

Campaigns must focus on why that candidate is the best for the role. Candidates are not allowed to run negative campaigns. This means criticising another candidate’s character. However, there will be the opportunity to respond and critique the other candidates’ policies, manifestos, and answers in the hustings.

 

Regarding Unofficial Campaigning

Any individual producing campaign material in favour of a candidate, or slate, will be considered as if they are the candidate, or slate, themselves, unless the candidate, or slate, specifies to the Returning Officer that they’ve not been involved with the campaigning of the individual, and can show evidence they’ve made reasonable efforts to discourage the individual’s campaigning. The Returning Officer will communicate with all parties involved as soon as a dispute arises.

 

Regarding Endorsements

Candidates may not seek or claim the endorsement of Oxford SU employees (including current Sabbatical Trustees, external trustees, or student trustees), Council or any of its committees, Oxford SU Schemes, or Projects.

Campaigns and Non-Oxford SU organisations can endorse candidates, or slates, provided no candidates;

  • take part in a vote which could lead to an endorsement
  • make an executive decision to make an endorsement
  • be involved in the communications of an endorsement

 

Regarding Media

Candidates, and slates, are encouraged to engage with the media, particularly the student press and radio. In the interests of fairness, you should make a reasonable effort to inform other candidates for the same position of any contact that you have with the media so that they can pursue the same opportunity.

 

Regarding Mailing Lists

Candidates, and slates, are not permitted to use pre-existing mailing lists. Any mailing lists must be opt-in and deleted immediately after the election.

 

Regarding Complaints

All complaints must be submitted within 24 hours of the complainant becoming aware of the incident and before midday Thursday 4th Week Hilary, except;

  1. those referring to incidents taking place after midday Thursday 4th Week Hilary but before the publication of the results, and
  2. those referring to the counting of votes,

which must be submitted within the 24 hours following the publication of the results.

Other Rules Documents

Annual Elections FAQs

Can I run in an election if I am an international student?

International students are able to be Sabbatical Trustees. However, there are immigration implications that you should be aware of.

You can find a lot of really useful information from The UK Council for International Student Affairs here: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Visas-and-Immigration/Students-union-sabbatical-officers#layer-3585

You should also contact Student Immigration for personalised guidance: student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk

 

When do elections happen?

Nominations are open from 00:00 Monday 1st Week Hilary (14th January) and close exactly two weeks later at 00:00 Monday 3rd Week Hilary (28th January).

At 17:00 that Monday 3rd week Hilary (28th January) we’ll have a candidate briefing where we’ll give you any additional information you might need.

You’ll then have until midday Thursday 3rd Week Hilary (31st January) to finish your manifestos, get all your campaign materials together and finalise slates. They will be released the next day and this will mark the beginning of campaigning.

The hustings will happen on Monday 4th Week Hilary (4th February).

Voting opens to all student members at 08:00 Tuesday 4th Week Hilary (5th February) and closes 18:00 Thursday 4th Week Hilary (7th February).

The results will be announced at our results party 21:00 on Thursday 4th week (7th February) night.

 

What is a manifesto?

A manifesto is a document stating why you should be elected, and should you be elected, what you’ll do. PDF is the best format to have your manifesto in. You must also note at the bottom of the document the names of anyone who assisted you making the design. You can make your manifesto look as simple or fancy as you like but remember, what you promise to do on your manifesto will be the standard the student body judges you against should you win! You can promise the impossible but be prepared to be expected to deliver it.

 

Who oversees the elections?

The Returning Officer oversees the running of the election and ensures it is fair and properly carried out. They are a student member elected by Student Council every 7th Week to serve for a single academic term.

 

I will still have educational commitments from my current course after the start of the Sabbatical position. Can I still run?

Yes, you can still run! Oxford SU commits to supporting you during this period of time, allowing you to prioritise and complete your studies within the set time frame. Oxford SU will work with you to ensure that along with this, you are able to fulfil the responsibilities that come with being an elected role but without them having an impact on your studies.

 

What if I can't stand or vote in an election?

There are a couple of possibilities:

  1. You aren’t considered a Student Member. We define Student Members as those fitting the description outline in Statute II of the University’s Statutes. Rule of thumb; if you matriculated you’re a Student Member, if you didn’t you probably aren’t.
  2. You Opted out. When you register for the university you have the option to opt out of Student Union membership. To opt back in go to the university Student Self Service at https://evision.ox.ac.uk/ click ‘My Student Record’ tab then ‘Additional Information’.
  3. If neither of the above apply to you please email elections@oxfordsu.ox.ac.uk for more information.
  4.  

Can I stand for more than one position?

You can nominate yourself for any position which you are eligible to run for but you cannot be a candidate for more than one Student Trustee or Sabbatical Trustee position. However, you can run to be a Delegate and a Trustee (student or sabbatical).

 

How does campaigning work?

Campaigning is anything you do to convince students to vote for you. This doesn’t just mean posting your manifesto online though! Often the most successful candidates take the time to speak and listen to the student body in order to understand the type of issues which they care about most. Novelty is the key to a good campaign, do something creative and unique to get attention for your campaign.

 

What support is available?

Oxford SU Student Advice are always on hand to provide non-directive advice around any issues you may face when running in the elections.

We will be running workshops on ‘writing a manifesto’, ‘what’s Sabb life like?’ and ‘Campaigning tips’.

Every morning during the campaign period there will be a free candidates’ lunch at Oxford SU HQ to help you get ready for the day. This is also a great time to speak with staff about any concerns you may have.

For more serious issues which may require professional support you can contact the University’s Student Welfare and Support Services.

 

How does voting work?

We use a voting system called Single Transferrable Vote (STV) which allows you to rank the candidates in order of preference. During the count, if there is no clear winner, we eliminate candidates, round by round, with the lowest number of votes and distribute their surplus to the remaining candidates until someone reaches the quota to win.

 

Who is R.O.N.?

R.O.N stands for Re-Open Nominations. This is the candidate you rank when you wish none of the remaining candidates on the ballot to win. This is different to if you simply stop voting after you’ve ranked the candidates you like.

 

Does my vote count and make a difference?

Yes! The great thing about the STV voting system is that even when you believe your preferred candidate is unlikely to win or gets eliminated the rest of your rankings still count. So, every single vote counts towards either electing, or attempting to prevent electing, the winning candidate(s).

 

Do I have to be a final year to run?

No, you can be any year of study and run for a position. If you are running for a Sabbatical position though you will need to suspend your studies for one academic year.

 

What is a husting?

A husting is where candidates give speeches explaining why they think they should win the election and answer questions from the room. This event will be livestreamed but you need to come along if you’d like to ask questions.

 

What is a Trustee?

The Trustee Board is the governing body of the Charity.

The Trustees are responsible for making sure that the Students' Union is run effectively, complies with the law, has a strong strategic plan based on members' needs and is financially secure.

Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive to manage the day to day operations and it is the role of the Chief Executive to enact the strategy determined by the Trustees. The SU is run on a day to day basis by its staff, officers and volunteers directed by its members' needs.

RAG Charity Ballot FAQs

Who can nominate a charity for the RAG ballot?

Any current student, except any member of the shortlisting panel or the returning officer for the election, can nominate a charity.

 

What kind of charities can be nominated for the RAG ballot?

RAG can accept nominations for any charity that is registered in England and Wales and has its own registered charity number. RAG does not accept nominations for charities that are overtly religious or party political in their aims and practice.

 

How do I nominate a charity for the RAG ballot?

Login to the Oxford SU website and go to www.oxfordsu.org/elections to fill out the nominations form. You must be a current student member of Oxford University, and you should contact the charity you wish to nominate in advance. You can nominate one charity in each category; any further nominations made by a single individual will be disregarded.

 

What happens after I nominate a charity?

The form is sent to the shortlisting committee. After nominations are closed, the committee delist any unsuitable charities and draw up a shortlist of 12 charities; 6 in each category. If the charity that you nominated is shortlisted, RAG will email you to let you know.

 

What shortlisting criteria does the RAG ballot use?

The criteria used by RAG is decided in advance by Oxford SU Student Council. This year, charities will recieve points based on the number of times they are nominated, their cost-effectiveness and their level of student involvement. Charities that have successfully won the ballot in previous years receive a points deduction.

 

Where can I access the shortlist of charities?

The shortlist will be published on Friday 3rd week (1st February) at 17:00. To view the shortlist, go to www.oxfordsu.org/elections.

 

How do I campaign for a charity in the RAG ballot?

To view the guidelines for campaigning for a charity in the ballot, go to www.oxfordsu.org/elections and select “rules”. Please note that negative campaigning (campaigning against a particular charity or charities) is explicitly discouraged.

 

How can I vote in the RAG ballot?

Go to www.oxfordsu.org/elections after voting opens on Tuesday 4th week (5th February) at 08:00. Selecting the RAG charities is the final item on the ballot, after the sabbatical, trustee and delegate positions. Voting closes at 18:00 Thursday 4th Week Hilary (7th February).