Candidate Handbook 2020

E T A D I D CAN K O O B HAND YOU CAN

AZING!

HING AM DO SOMET

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CONTENTS About your Students’ Union

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Why should you stand?

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Elections Jargon Buster

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What do the Full-Time positions involve?

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Key dates

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How to vote

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Mythbusters

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Rules and Regulations

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Campaigning

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Writing your Campaign Promises 16 What do students care about

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Printing

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ABOUT YOUR STUDENTS’ UNION Hertfordshire Students’ Union is a non-profit organisation led by students for students!

We put students first and we’re proud to be led by your Elected Officers and student leaders.

Our annual elections are fundamental in making sure students’ voices are heard.

So this is your opportunity to represent, act, and speak up for students! It is your chance to do something amazing.

You could be the next leader, innovator or pioneer!

We also provide an impartial, confidential and free Advice and Support Service including academic, housing and money advice.

Our aim is to make your student life incredible and that is why we run Hertfordshire’s top nightclub, The Forum Hertfordshire, to bring you the best in live music and events.

Plus, we give you access to societies, volunteering, RAG and events!

In this handbook you will find everything you need to guide you through standing in the elections. If you have any questions about being a candidate, feel free to drop in to the SU office to talk to us!

As a Students’ Union, we represent you academically by listening to your opinions and ensuring that your voice is heard by decision makers in the University, community and government.

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WHY SHOULD

STAND?

DO YOU WANT TO… • Lead the Students’ Union?

• Represent students within the Union, University, and wider community • Campaign for positive change?

All students running in the election will be subject to an eligibility check to be sure you are in good academic and financial standing with the University.

• Deliver services for students?

• Be responsible for the strategic direction of the Union?

WHAT ROLES CAN YOU STAND FOR?

• Gain fantastic employability skills?

FULL-TIME POSITIONS

• Work with Senior University Staff across the University of Hertfordshire Then a Full-Time Officer role could be for you!

President VP Education VP Activities

VP Community All Full-Time Elected Officers are directors (VP = Vice President) of the Students’ Union.

You willrepresent students on various committees and boards within the University and we guarantee that each day will be different!

Full-Time Elected Officers will be held accountable by fellow students at Student Council – the most important gathering of students at the University of Hertfordshire.

Elected Officers can serve a maximum of two terms and if serving between levels – you are only able to pause your studies for one year.

ELECTION CANDIDATE QUESTION TIME (HUSTINGS)

CAMPAIGNING

An event where candidates in an election address potential voters (debates, speeches, rap battle etc).

A series of activities used to gain votes and raise the candidate’s profile with potential voters.

CAMPAIGN PROMISES

CAMPAIGN TEAM

A public declaration of intentions, motives and actions.

A team of people helping the candidate with campaign activities (5 people in this case).

NOMINATION

BALLOT

Formally entering as a candidate for election.

A system of voting anonymously.

RESULTS

BY-ELECTION

The outcome of an election.

SINGLE TRANSFERABLE VOTING

An election that is held when vacancies become available during the lifetime of an already elected office.

A voting process which lets you rank candidates in order of preference, allowing for voters to say who they would like to win if their first choice (or second, third...) is eliminated from the count.

Going out to the doors of potential voters and engaging with them in an attempt to gain their support and vote.

CANDIDATE BRIEFING

LANDSLIDE

A meeting where candidates are given information and instructions about the election.

A victory in which one candidate receives an overwhelming amount of votes (supermajority).

CANVASSING

CANDIDATE A person running in the election.

POLLING STATION Where voting can take place during the election.

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WHAT ARE THE BIG ISSUES STUDENTS TALK TO US ABOUT? PRESIDENT -BAME Awarding Gap -Commuting students and their overall needs -Equality and inclusivity for all students, for example BAME, LGBT+, Trans de Havilland representation -Loneliness -Student rights in terms of academic and non-academic support -Student wellbeing/mental health/anxiety -Students who are the first in their families to attend university -Union for all students – ensuring we are a representative Union -Value for money of UH degree -Extra Course costs 18

VICE PRESIDENT EDUCATION -Assessment and feedback -BAME Awarding Gap -Commuting students and their academic needs -Course organisation and communication -Online Students, Part-Time & -Placement students -Postgraduate Students including Research students -Student carers/parents -Student academic support and student retention -Students less prepared for university (first in family, -BTEC etc.)

-Study needs agreements -Timetabling

VICE PRESIDENT ACTIVITIES -Activities on the de Havilland campus -Diversity of activities for all students -Facilities for student groups and sports teams -Go Herts Award -Prayer space -Society activity -Sport on and off campus -Extracurricular activities anḋ employability -Loneliness and social integration

VICE PRESIDENT COMMUNITY -Student wellbeing/mental health/anxiety -Inclusivity for commuting students -Equality and inclusivity for all students, for example BAME, LGBT+, Trans -Student safety -On & Off campus housing affordably, availability and safety -Sustainability -Students with disabilities -Internationals embedding -Buses -Parking on campus de Havilland representation -Social learning spaces

These are issues we know students care about. Depending on which role you apply for, you must choose three student priorities for your campaign promises.

You may only choose from the corresponding list for the role you are applying for.

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WHAT DO THE FULL-TIME POSITIONS INVOLVE? PRESIDENT COULD YOU LEAD THE ELECTED OFFICER TEAM AND BE THE VOICE OF STUDENTS? The President leads the work of the Officer team and represents students in the University and wider community.

In this role you will meet regularly with senior University management and community leaders, being the lead officer for democratic and governance structures as well as for campaigns and change.

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VICE PRESIDENT EDUCATION COULD YOU REPRESENT STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC VIEWS AND ENHANCE THEIR LEARNING EXPERIENCE? The Vice President Education lobbies for a great academic experience at the University.

In this role, you will work to improve and continually develop the academic life of the University through working with Student Reps and others to ensure that students are partners in their education.

You will support employability throughout the University to ensure students leave with a great degree and are employable.

Additionally, you will champion a culture where students’ feedback is engaged with and used to continually develop the University.

VICE PRESIDENT ACTIVITIES LOVE SOCIETIES, SPORTS OR VOLUNTEERING? HELP STUDENTS ORGANISE EXCITING EVENTS!

VICE PRESIDENT COMMUNITY PASSIONATE ABOUT STUDENT WELFARE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY?

The Vice President Activities oversees student opportunities for fun and development, making sure you get the most out of your time at University.

The Vice President Community works with on and off-campus partners with the goal of developing a community of students at the University.

In this role you will lead our recreational and development activities such as societies, volunteering, RAG and media. You will be the lead officer in development of sport and social activity on campus and the champion of student groups and extra-curricular activity.

In this role, you will be the lead officer for welfare, working with organisations on and off campus to ensure that students are able to access the support and guidance that they need. You will be a champion for citizenship and social responsibly amongst our students, and ensure students’ interests are represented off-campus as well as on.

Full-Time Elected Officers will officially take up office on 6th July 2020 and finish their term in office on 11th June 2021. There will be a week of handover between 2020/21 and 2021/2022 Elected Officers between 6th July – 11th July 2020.

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Key Dates 17th

Feb

NOTES

Applications Open

1st

Mar Applications Close 9th

Mar 12th

Mar

Voting Opens

Monday-Wednesday – 8AM-6PM (8AM-10AM Online voting only)

Voting Closes Thursday – 8AM-12PM (8AM-10AM Online voting only)

13th

Mar Results 8

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HOW 1. We use the transferable voting system, which allows students to list candidates in order of preference. This means that they not only vote for their favourite candidate, but also for their second and third favourites. Students place a ‘1’ by their preferred candidate, a ‘2’ by their second, and so on.

2. For every position we always include ‘Re-open Nominations’, or ‘RON’. This gives students the chance to vote to re-open the nominations should they believe that no candidate on the ballot sheet fits the role.

3. Therefore when voting online, your ballot may look like this:

Mythbusters

Candidate A

2

Candidate B Candidate C

1

RON

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MYTH

MYTH

I’ve never been involved in the SU so I shouldn’t stand.

Elections are a popularity contest and students won’t vote for me.

TRUTH

TRUTH

Any student can stand. Being an Officer is your chance to have an impact not just on the SU but on the University and wider community too.

Students vote for who they think they can trust. If you don’t know everybody (and nobody does!) then you can convince them through your campaigning and policies.

MYTH

MYTH

I want a real job, so I can’t stand.

I’m graduating next year, so I can’t stand.

TRUTH

TRUTH

Full-Time Elected Officer positions are paid for the year. Your responsibilities include being a Director of the Union, managing a portfolio, and a number of career-related experiences that will look incredible on your CV.

All students currently registered at the University of Hertfordshire can stand. You will either take a year out of your studies, or take on the role after graduation if you are in your final year.

Complaints Sometimes Elections don’t always run smoothly. If you believe that rules have been broken and you wish to make a complaint, please fill out this form hertfordshire.su/elections/complaintform or visit the office to speak to a staff member.

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8. Campaigning must only begin and end within the dates provided on Hertfordshire Students’ Union website.

Regulations To make sure the Elections are fair, we have several rules in place.

Please make sure that you and your team are well aware of these before campaigning starts. The full list and advice on rules can be found at hertfordshire.su/elections BEHAVIOUR AND SOCIAL MEDIA 1. Candidates must respect voters and their choice. This means that candidates must ensure they are respecting the students’ personal space and areas (which includes NOT forcing entry into ANY student accommodation).

2. Voters must cast their ballot freely without interruption or communication from the candidates and/or their supporters.

3. Candidates must also respect other candidates and their supporters.

4. There should be no attacks on other candidate’s campaign promises, or defacing another candidate’s campaign verbally, online or written. Discrimination or personal attacks on other candidates will be dealt with in accordance to the disciplinary procedures.

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9. Candidates can only print materials from the University’s Document Services Department and can only be displayed in designated spaces.

11. Candidates must NOT spend any more money than the budget that is set.

12. Candidates must NOT accept any sponsorship, donations and/or gifts which would increase their budget for their campaign.

10. Campaign posters and material cannot be altered, moved or removed by anybody except the candidates themselves.

CAMPAIGNING ACTIVITY 1. Candidates and their campaign team are NOT permitted to assist or physically handle the voter’s technological device, including a tablet, laptop or mobile phone.

2. Candidates are not allowed to use their own devices as a platform acquire votes.

Please note: this is only an outline of the full Student Union Elections Rules and Guidance please find the full document at Hertfordshire.su/elections/rules If you wish to report a breach to the Elections Rules or have any concerns please fill in the the form found on the website hertfordshire.su/your-say/elections2017/documents/electionscomplaints/

3. Candidates must act appropriately around all Polling Stations.

4. Harassment, bullying and intimidation will not be tolerated and will be dealt with in relation to the Students Union's Disciplinary Procedures.

5. Sub-committees of the Students’ Union e.g. societies, SU student groups or Athletic Union clubs are not permitted to endorse candidates using any official website, social media page, mailing list, or members meetings.

6. Candidates are responsible for the behaviour of their Campaign Team and must ensure they also comply with ALL the rules set (see SU Website).

7. Candidates must not campaign in the LRCs, Restaurants, The Key and/or trespass on private property.

BUDGETS As a candidate, you will be reimbursed for legitimate campaign expenses. Budgets for each role will be announced at the Candidate Briefing Session.

Be careful not to exceed your budget!

Please note that you will not receive additional budget if you choose to stand for multiple positions.

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CAMPAIGNING The key to a successful election is a strong campaign.

Here are our top tips for campaigning: 1. Think outside the box! Every candidate will have printed posters and leaflets, but what else could you create to stand out from the crowd? Go big and bold and voters won’t miss you.

2. Talk to students. Voters want to know who you are and what you stand for.

Don’t sound like a robot when you’re discussing your policies – take the time to have a proper chat.

1. Think about the issues that you’d like to change in the University, your School, or the wider community. Have a chat with your friends or course mates.

What are big issues on campus?

3. Plan your time well in advance.

Campaigning shouldn’t take over your life and definitely shouldn’t stop you attending lectures! Ask your team or friends to help if you can’t make an event.

4. Check that students know how to vote.

Don’t forget that you’re asking students to vote for you as their first preference, or if not, then their second preference.

2. Pick three or four issues that strike a chord with other students and are most achievable. What would you do to resolve these issues? These are your policies.

3. Who are you? Why should students trust you as their representative?

Tell voters about yourself!

Voting will take place online at www.hertfordshire.su/vote

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Still have questions? Come along to one of our Candidate Information Sessions for more information!

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WRITTING YOUR CAMPAIGN PROMISES

NOTES

Your campaign promises are your vision for the Union and your pledges.

No matter what position you are running for you should have three campaign promises. From this, students can see whether what you are promising will be right for them, and why they should vote for you.

Your campaign promises will be listed on our website for students to read before voting, so make sure it looks exciting! Keep your points clear and make students want to read it. For information come to Campaign promise writing sessions.

Campaign Promises deadline is Friday 6th March at 12PM (must have attended candidate bootcamp). Campaign Promises are submitted via a form to the Students' Union, and we will upload this on your behalf.

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NOTES

Printing All printing for this year’s elections must be done through the University’s Document Services team. They are able to print a full range of sizes and finishes giving candidates the opportunity to be creative with their printing choices.

To access this, you must visit Document Services with any items you want printed on a memory drive in pdf format. You can check out the candidate hub on hertfordshire.su/ elections for information on print sizes.

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The Document Services aim to provide a while you wait service, however at peak times this may not be possible and it’s important to factor this in when planning your time.

To make things easier for candidates, you will not have to pay up front for printing however you must still include this on your expenses form as it must be factored into your budget.

You must not use any other printing service for any elections materials – this includes personal printers, LRC, SU Print Services and PrintApp Free Printers.

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HAVE A QUESTION? Drop into our office in the Hutton Hub, email elections@hertfordshire.su or visit hertfordshire.su/elections

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