Students’ Union Elections 2010 The spring term has seen a record turnout in SUARTS elections, with over 2000 students voting, a record number of candidates, and a well attended Results Night. This successful election has been the culmination of an active process to recruit candidates, promote campaigning and improved student communication. We are delighted with how the Elections have gone. This year has been a bonanza of democracy including introduction of an Education Officer, ten motions voted on in two quorate referendums, and elections for the Sabbatical Officers , the Vice Presidents of the Colleges, Democracy Scrutiny Committee members, and Student Trustees. Student Executive Election Results President Activities & Volunteering Officer Culture & Diversity Officer Education Officer
Louis Hartnoll Richard Willsher Peter Johnson Robyn Minogue
LCC LCF CCW - Chelsea CCW - Camberwell
Vice President CCW Vice President CSM Vice President LCC Vice President LCF
Benedict Butterworth Jolyon Wardle Richard Schembri Luca Beckerson
CCW - Chelsea CSM LCC LCF
Following complaints about the conduct of one of the candidates post the Results being announced, we consulted with Steve Marshall (the Returning Officer), and annulled the result of the election for Culture & Diversity Officer, and proceeded with a re-run involving other candidates in that election. Peter was elected in this re-run. Year on Year Comparison 2008 Voter Turnout Circa 1500 (7.7%) Sabbatical Candidates 17
2009 373 (1.9%) 6
2010 2114 (10.6%) 21
For comparison the Students’ Union Elections Voter Turnout National Average 2008-9 was 13.83% Issues that students highlighted Prominent issues that students elected want to see improved are timetabling, the cost of their education, cuts to courses, the availability of student space, significant improvement in co-curricular activities, and a 24/7 library and IT facilities. Candidates actively went around every site of the UAL, and students responded very positively to those talking about the improvements needed in the student community.
Lessons Learnt National research shows that increasing the number of candidates has a direct impact on the number of voters so more effort and resources has been targeted here; and as part of this we are actively monitoring where candidates come from to target underrepresented groups of students. Continued increased staff support during the pre-voting and voting period appears to have had a positive impact so we will be continuing to use this resource. We made the voting system easier to use this year which has had a positive impact on the conversion rate of visitors to voters. There is still lots of room for improvement in this area and work continues in this area – there is still an issue with students knowing their log in details. The ‘Roadshows’ were greatly helped by a particularly positive working relationship with estates and technical staff at college sites, and by staff in halls of residence. Support from staff enables us to reach students face to face at UAL sites. Fantastic cooperation from Executive Board. Support from the top is extremely helpful in elections and referendum, however there is room for improvement in how that support is cascaded through staff in other departments and colleges. Referendum This term has seen our second University-wide referendum on policy issues, with students putting forward motions on course cuts and what character our mascot should be. Both motions were successfully passed with 425 votes and 395 votes respectively. The first motion resolves for the Students’ Union to increase its activity in opposing cuts to front-line services within UAL, and resolve to work more closely with staff trade unions. The second motion resolved for a paintbrush to become the mascot of the Sports & Society Federation.
Helen Gimber Students’ Union President president@su.arts.ac.uk