So here we go, before going into all the ins and outs of who is running for what, let’s have a brief look at what exactly are the roles of each of the SU positions. It’s surprising how little people know about their Student Union, and what it does, and with voting starting tomorrow time is running out to work out who should get your vote. This year there are some slight changes to the makeup of the SU. There will be 7 Sabbatical Officers and 3 Union Executive Officers, these 10 will form the Union Executive Committee (UEC). Here I’ll give you a basic outline of what all of this actually means.

Sabbatical Officer - someone who works full time and either will take a year out of their studies or have graduated already.

Union Executive Officer - Someone who works part time whilst they continue their degree.

Union Executive Committee (UEC) - the main governing body of the union, made up of the 10 positions listed below.

Union President - The figurehead of not just the Union but the University as a whole, acting as ambassador and representative to the outside world. Current SU President Ciaran Norris says ‘you have to be jacks of all trades…know a little about a lot’ They preside over all the other positions and lead the Union as a whole. However this certainly does not mean the other positions are pointless. A strong leader needs a strong team, and a President must rely on others for specialisation on each area of the Unions agenda.

Union Secretary and Treasurer (UST) - Formerly known as VP for finance and democracy, the UST is the one who holds the purse strings of the union. It’s up to them to make sure the finances add up, and at the end of the day, it’s up to them which plans come to fruition and which don’t due to monetary obligations. The person who is elected to this position must be organised, have a good head for figures, and above all else be able to work with the rest of the Union Committee to provide the best results for our university.

Vice President for Academic Representation - This is the person who liaisons with university staff, who co-ordinates and helps student-staff committees in all departments, who looks out for the degree side of your time at university.

Vice President for Welfare and Equality - This position is far more focussed on the well being of students, ensuring discrimination is not present towards any student of specific group of students. They also are responsible for your personal financial, mental, spiritual, and physical well being, whether this be through helping with housing, or advising you on financial aid such as hardship loans.

Vice President for Media and Volunteering - Basically does exactly what it says on the tin! Whoever is elected to this role must maintain and actively seek to improve the unions use of media through publications such as ‘hullfire’ and our student radio station ‘Jam’. They are also in charge of organising volunteering opportunities for students, whether they be within the union, or in the outside community.

Vice President for Sport and Leisure - Is chosen through the AU elections a few weeks prior to the SU elections. They are in charge of the Student Athletic Union, and subsequently all the teams and sports facilities included therein.

Vice President for Scarborough Campus - Responsible for the representation of the Hull University students on our Scarborough Campus.

Chair of HUSSO Student Community Action - HUSSO stands for Hull University Social Services, and the chair of this organisation should seek to promote volunteering in the local community and further involvement between the university and the community it is situated in.

Chair of Campaigns - The co-ordinator and facilitator of all campaigns waged by the union. The person who helps to get these campaigns off the ground.

Chair of International Student Association (ISA) - Ensures fair representation of all International Students at the University within the Union.