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University of the West of England Students’ Union Union President
Contents 1. Welcome 2. What does a Students’ Union do? 3. Role Description 4. Person Specification 5. Key Election Dates
Available to download UWESU Constitution: www.uwesu.org/constitution UWESU Annual Accounts: www.uwesu.org/student_voice/financial_reports Nomination Form: www.uwesu.org/vote Candidate Information: www.uwesu.org/vote Organisation structure: www.uwesu.org/structure Additional Information: www.uwesu.org and www.uwe.ac.uk Both these websites will give you up to date information on the activities and services at the Union and University If you require any other specific information, please contact Nerys Neath on nerys.neath@uwe.ac.uk
1. WELCOME
Thank you for showing an interest in being a full-time President of UWE Students’ Union. Being a President is a unique opportunity to represent the diverse views of our 30,000 students and work on projects to improve the experience of students who study here at UWE. If elected you will be responsible, as part of the Board of Trustees of the Union, for making decisions around the finances and structure of UWE Students’ Union, an organisation which has around 90 staff and a turnover of £4 million. The new constitution means that the new roles are more focused, with clearer remits and a more transparent reporting structure. We now need people who can take the new constitution forward into reality and bring new ideas into the Students’ Union. This pack will give you more information about the Students’ Union, the specifics of the role and details of how the election process works.
UWE
UWE has approximately 30,000 students based around the south west region mainly studying at 5 campuses in and around Bristol. The largest campus is based at Frenchay, there are two campuses in Fishponds, Glenside and St Matthias; Bower Ashton in south Bristol and Hartpury College in Gloucestershire. In addition, UWE also has students studying as distance learners in Federation colleges across the South West and abroad as placement students.
Who runs the Students’ Union?
Each year UWESU democratically elects 5 full time Presidents and 9 part time volunteer Officers who make up the Executive Committee of the Union who lead the organisation and act as representatives of the student body. The full time Presidents also act as part of the Trustee Board. The trustees are responsible for ensuring the organisation is well governed and setting the strategic vision. The elected executive are supported by a dedicated and professional staff team. The senior management team, led by the General Manager, is responsible for managing the organisation.
WHAT DOES A STUDENTS’ UNION DO?
Representation UWESU has over 900 Student Reps who sit on a wide range of University committees to ensure that the student voice and views are expressed at all levels. The University positively engages with the representation department to gain student feedback and support the student rep system. Training and support is offered to all student representatives from course reps to union officers.
Campaigns UWESU students campaign on important issues that have an effect of the student experience such as government funding, teaching and learning experience through to social facilities. All campaigns are student led and funding can be received through the campaigns budget.
Advice & JobShop The Union run a free independent advice service for students across all campuses, offering confidential professional, specialist support in a variety of issues such as academic, housing and employment. The JobShop seeks out suitable part time employment opportunities for students whilst studying at UWE.
Student Activities Being active in one of nearly 90 sports and societies or involved in volunteering and fundraising is a major part of the students’ experience. Basically, student activities are all about the cool stuff! We provide access to a wide range of student led activities & the opportunity to develop interests, skills and abilities along the way. We are here to facilitate the optimum sporting and non-sporting experience, irrespective of ability, whether that is performing at the highest level in international and national teams, developing coaching and leadership skills, participating in sports and activities purely for recreational enjoyment, fundraising for a chosen charity or volunteering within UWE and\or the wider community.
Trading Services UWESU operates 5 bars, 4 retail shops, print shop and an online shop across the various campuses. Revenue generated by the commercial activities are used to help fund the other student services that UWESU provides.
Student Letting UWE Students’ Union’s lettings is a free service for students, which deals with private landlord accommodation and is designed to ease the process and steer students around the potential pitfalls of what is often their second largest expense. Working with Bristol and South Gloucester City Councils, we ensure a high standard of student accommodation through the use of their accreditation schemes.
Media and Communications UWESU Communications and Student Media encompasses the student newspaper; Western Eye, the Hub Radio station, the UWESU website (www.uwesu.org), the SU’s use of social media (Facebook,Twitter etc) as well as traditional publicity methods such as poster sites on campus. The Societies and Communications Vice President will work closely with the SU staff and students involved in marketing & communications to help make sure that UWESU is increasingly successful in engaging with our members and other stakeholders.
Nursery The Students’ Union operates a nursery on Frenchay Campus providing high quality childcare and education for the children of students, university employees and the local community. Children can attend the nursery on a full or part time basis. Our aim is to provide a warm, caring environment that will offer a variety of learning opportunities for babies and young children. Priority is given to students and staff of UWE.
3. ROLE DESCRIPTION
Union President Salary: £18,168, 27 days holiday plus public holidays and University shut down days Hours: As required by would not normally be less than 37 hours per week Term of Office: Full time for 1 year and 1 week commencing last week in June. Location: Usually located at the Frenchay Campus but will be expected to visit other campuses Team: Sabbatical Team and Students’ Union Executive Committee Accountable to: Student members through: Student Council, General Meetings and Referendum, also accountable to the Board of Trustees
Purpose of the Role:
• • • • • •
Figurehead of the Students’ Union. To ensure that students are regularly engaged with and that their views are represented to the University. Co-ordinates the work of the sabbatical team and the Executive team. To lead the strategic development of the Union Lead President on national campaigning issues Acts as the primary contact for the University, the NUS and the Media.
General President Responsibility: • • • • • • • • • • •
Ensures that UWE students are represented at every level to the University, locally and nationally. To regularly obtain feedback from students to ensure that the Students’ Union meets the need of the main stakeholder, the students. To work collectively as part of the Executive team Up hold the Students’ Union Constitution and Policies Up hold the core values of the Students’ Union To actively encourage students to be involved with the democratic and election processes of the Students’ Union To support the AGM, Open Days, Freshers’ and official Union events Provide a written report to each Student Council and AGM Keep up to date with current national student issues To attend the summer training programme To work towards an effective handover period and to produce a handover pack.
Main Responsibilities/activities of the Role:
• • • • • • • • • •
Ensuring the student voice is heard with regard to University developments Together with the General Manager implement the strategic plan for the Students’ Union Ensure continued review and implementation of UWESU three year plan and Strategy Co-ordinate support and ensure that the elected officers and the Executive team fulfil their job responsibilities Oversees communication between the Union and its membership Oversees and co-ordinates the Union’s activities within the National Union of Students and to attend Annual Conference as Delegate Leader To attend external events as an ambassador of UWESU On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Line Manage the General Manager To attend various Union and University Meetings Chairs the Board of Trustees
Further Responsibilities: • •
Trustee of UWESU Student Governor of UWE
Finance:
•
Student Officer Budget holder: To ensure expenditure remains within budget for the specific area of responsibility
Main Relationship and Contacts: • • • • • •
Vice Chancellor Deputy Vice Chancellor Resources, Planning and Infrastructure UWESU Senior Management Team Academic Registrar and Clerk to the Board of Governors Governors of UWE NUS
Internal Committee Membership: • • • • • •
UWESU Board of Trustees Union Executive Committee Student Council and sub committees Finance and General Purposes Committee Staffing Committee Appointments Committee
University Committee Membership: • •
University Board of Governors and sub committees University project groups
4. PERSON SPECIFICATION
Union President Abilities, Skills and Knowledge: • • • • •
Ability to communicate with a wide range of people Ability to work in a team Ability to motivate self and others Knowledge of the needs and expectations of students in Higher Education Computer literate- Microsoft Office, Word, Excel
Experience: • •
Experience of managing own workload Experience of liaising/networking with a range of people
Personal Characteristics and Behaviours • • • • • •
A persuasive and credible ambassador for the organisation Enjoys working with a diverse range of people Self motivated, enthusiastic and well organised A commitment to an organisation that promotes equality and diversity Willingness to learn and a commitment to self development Flexible approach to working
5. KEY ELECTION DATES
Nominations Open: Monday 31st January
Nominations Close: Thursday 24th February at 1pm
Candidates Briefing: Thursday 24th February 5:30pm, 3D06
Voting Week: Monday 7th March at 10am until Friday 11th March at 3pm
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IT COULD BE
IT COULD BE YOU! YOU!
Results will be announced on the evening of Friday 11th March. Further details will be available at candidates briefing. If you require any other specific information, please contact Nerys Neath on nerys.neath@uwe.ac.uk