Why Should I Stand?

According to the NUS, elections are an important facet of any Students' Union. They are the visible sign to our membership and our University that our procedures are democratic and fair.

Being a student officer is a great opportunity. It will enable you to take a leading role in directing the work of an organisation. Most people do not get the chance to exercise this degree of influence and responsibility until years into their working lives. Being on the Executive also means speaking up for your fellow students within our University and beyond, and having the chance to make the SU what you have always thought it should be.

Who Can Stand?

Any UEL full time or part time student can stand for election, providing you are fully enrolled and will have completed at least two semesters of study at this University. As proof of your student status we will need to see your valid enrolment card when your materials are returned. We also contact the University to validate your student status so please ensure you are fully enrolled before nominating yourself as a candidate.

The only restrictions are:

• For any post on the Executive Committee you must have successfully completed at least two semesters of your course before you take up office.* (see Standing Order Two & Article 7)

• Students who have already completed two years as a Sabbatical Officer at UELSU are not eligible for re-election as a Sabbatical Officer. (see Article 7)

• Any Officer who is dismissed for Gross misconduct shall not be permitted to stand for re-election (see Article 7).

• Only women members of the Union may stand for election as Women's' Welfare Officer. (see Article 5)

• Officers can only hold one position on the Executive so you can only nominate yourself for one officer post.

As the Executive are technically trustees candidates also have to legally meet certain criteria. Candidates would not be allowed onto the Executive who:

• have been convicted at any time of any offence involving deception or dishonesty, unless the conviction is legally regarded as spent; or
• are undischarged bankrupts; or
• have made compositions or arrangements with their creditors from which they have not been discharged; or
• have at any time been removed by the Commissioners or by the court in England, Wales (or by the Court of Sessions in Scotland) from being a trustee because of misconduct; or
• are disqualified from being company directors; or
• are subject to an order made under s. 429(2) (b) of the Insolvency Act 1986.

Please note: These regulations only effect people standing for trusteeship i.e. the Executive Committee and are not applicable to anyone standing for NUS Conference.

IMPORTANT! In regards to eligibility for the part time Executive posts, if elected you would still need to enrol as normal for the next academic session (we do check this). Failure to do so would result in your dismissal from the Executive. If you were to have problems enrolling please inform us at the earliest opportunity for advice.

•  
• Please Note: If you are a first year student who began in Semester A 2007 you can still stand for election to the Executive, providing you will have successfully completed year one of your studies by the 1st July 2008. If you are a semester B start student this year you are not eligible.