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University of the West of England Students’ Union Vice President Community and Welfare
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 standing for the postition of Vice-President Community and Welfare. 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 runs 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
Vice President Community and Welfare Term of Office: Full Time for 1 year and 1 week commencing last week in June. Team: Sabbatical Team and Students’ Union Executive Committee Accountable to: Student Members through: Student Council, General Meetings, Community and Welfare Committee and Referendum, also accountable to the Board of Trustees
Purpose of the Role: • • • • •
To ensure that students are regularly engaged with and that their views are represented to the university To act as the main point of contact for the University for matters relating to the collective welfare experiences of students To develop union policy in the areas of equality and welfare To lead and support community and welfare campaigns To champion Equality and Diversity throughout the Students’ Union
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, respective committee 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 experience is heard with regard to University developments in welfare and community provision To develop, support and promote student communities and networks within the university To develop, support and promote the Halls Reps system To support and develop student community volunteering activities To work closely with the Equality and Diversity Unit to ensure the views of the equality strand students are considered
Further Responsibilities: •
Member of the UWESU Board of Trustees
Finance: •
Budget holder: To ensure expenditure is within budget in area of responsibility
Main Relationship and Contacts: • • • • • • • • • • • •
Vice Chancellor Deputy Vice Chancellor Resources, Planning and Infrastructure Assistant Vice-Chancellor : Partnerships, Diversity & Civic Engagement UWESU Senior Management Team UWESU Representation Department UWESU Advice Centre UWE Equality and Diversity Unit UWE Student Services UWE Community Liaison UWE Global Student Support UWE Volunteering Team Student Accommodation Providers (internal and external)
Internal Committee Membership: • • • • • • • • • • •
UWESU Board of Trustees Union Executive Committee Student Council Community and Welfare Committee (chair) Halls Rep Committee Finance and General Purposes Staffing Committee Appointments Committee Nursery Board (Joint Committee) Volunteering (Joint Committee) Local Residents’ Meetings
University Committee Membership: • • •
Equality and Diversity Steering Group Equality and Diversity Forum Access to Learning Fund Appeals
4. PERSON SPECIFICATION
Vice President Community and Welfare 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