Gusrc Autumn Elections | Election Pack

SRC AUTUMN ELECTIONS 2009 ELECTION PACK www.glasgowstudent.net

CHECKLIST Nomination Form, SRC Autumn Elections 2009 Please check you have: • filled out all sections of the nomination form • checked that your sponsors are all matriculated students of the University of Glasgow • attached 2 passport photographs of yourself (with name on the back) • written and attached a manifesto (not more than 300 words in the Sabbatical Constituency and not more than 150 words in other Constituencies). You should also send an electronic copy to the email address below. • read the job description • read the election rules and regulations

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the PA to the Permanent Secretary - [email protected]

www.glasgowstudent.net/about/elections

STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL AUTUMN ELECTIONS ELIGIBILITY RULES 2009

Your attention is drawn to the following:

Eligibility for election 1.

Only members, as defined in paragraph 2 of the Constitution, may stand for election to the Council, i.e. a student of the University of Glasgow who has not opted out of representation by, or membership of, the SRC under the terms of the Education Act 1994

2.

No member can stand for more than one position on the Council at the same election.

3.

No member is eligible for election to a Sabbatical seat which they have already occupied or where they have been a Sabbatical Officer at the University for two years or more.

4.

All members are eligible to stand for a post in the Welfare and Equal Opportunities or General Student constituencies.

5.

No member is eligible for a seat in the Academic Convenors constituency unless they are a student in the faculty to which the seat relates.

6.

Any member who has occupied the position of President may not stand for any other position on the Council.

Nominations & publicity 1.

The procedure for nominations will be made by Executive Standing Order subject to the following basic requirements.

2.

Nominations will be made on a prescribed form by candidates who must show their matriculation card to the Returning Officer, or authorised depute. The prescribed form must be signed by the candidate and the Returning Officer, or authorised depute, before it can be accepted.

3.

Nomination forms must be submitted by 4 p.m. on FRIDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2009 at the latest. The candidate will then be issued with a receipt. The Returning Officer will declare any nominations received after this time invalid.

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4.

Nominations for the following seats will be signed by the following members who will append their matriculation numbers to the nomination form: •

Sabbatical Officers: thirty members;

•

Academic Convenors and Welfare and Equal Opportunity Officers: fifteen members; and

•

5.

All other seats: six members.

Each member must be eligible to vote for the seat for which he or she is making a nomination. The decision of the Returning Officer regarding the validity of a nomination is final.

6.

The procedure for election publicity will be made by Executive Standing Order subject to the following basic requirements.

7.

Candidates may, before close of nominations, submit a manifesto of not more than 300 words in the Sabbatical Constituency and not more than 150 words in other constituencies. Candidates must also submit two passport size photographs. It shall be the duty of each candidate to ensure that the submitted manifesto does not contain any offensive or factually inaccurate material and does not exceed the prescribed length. Should this occur the Executive Committee will report the matter to the Returning Officer who may, at his or her discretion, request the candidate to amend the manifesto accordingly or direct that it be displayed subject to the deletion of any infringing material.

Candidates should, where possible, also submit an electronic copy of their manifesto to [email protected]

MANIFESTOS AND PHOTOS WILL BE ACCEPTED NO LATER THAN 4 P.M. FRIDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2009.

Canvassing 1.

It is illegal to chalk, paint or affix notices on walls or pavements or otherwise display them except on noticeboards provided for student use. Offenders are liable to prosecution and the SRC is in no way responsible for them.

2.

Candidates are not allowed to be canvassed for or financed by persons other than matriculated students of Glasgow University, who have not opted out of SRC representation for this academic year under Schedule 1. 2

3.

Canvassing is not permitted inside the Fraser Building, University Library, the Round Reading Room, Unions, Stevenson Building, John McIntyre Building and other University computer clusters, on the day(s) of the election.

4.

With the exception of bought photocopying services, candidates are not permitted to use SRC property for the furtherance of their campaign.

5.

The use of loudhailers on Gilmorehill campus is prohibited by order of the University Court.

6.

Whilst reasonable use of private electronic mail, over and above the official election message sent out by Computing Service on behalf of the SRC is acceptable, any additional use of electronic mail for the furtherance of a candidate’s campaign must be referred to, and approved by, the Returning Officer, University Postmaster and Permanent Secretary. Any unsolicited mass electronic mail shot/s (i.e. addressed to 500 people or more), sent with the specific intention of canvassing is not permitted.

7.

No candidate or person campaigning for him or her will deface, cover or remove any opponents’ publicity material from display.

Any breach of this rule will lead to

disqualification from the election.

8.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that his or her publicity material is removed and disposed of sensibly after the election.

Infringement of election rules 1.

Any malpractice leading to an infringement of these or other rules governing an election should be reported to the Permanent Secretary, who will immediately inform the Returning Officer who has the power to invalidate the nomination of the offending candidate.

Poll 1.

All elections will be held by secret ballot which will normally be online and will be decided by the following single transferable voting system: •

Online ballot papers will be marked in order of preference

•

Voters will have the option to spoil their ballot paper by clicking on the appropriate box

•

The number of votes required to secure election shall be: Total No. of Votes Cast - (Total No. NTS) +1 Number of Vacancies +1 This figure will be referred to as the quota. 3

NTS = Non-Transferable and spoilt votes. •

If a candidate receives more than the quota all that candidate's votes will be split according to the next available preference.

•

If no candidate in any count fulfils the quota the votes cast for the bottom candidate in the count will be divided according to the next available candidate. If more than one candidate ties for bottom place in the count, the candidate with fewest first preferences will be eliminated.

•

2.

The count will proceed until all Council positions are filled.

No candidate seeking election will allow himself or herself to be canvassed for or financed by persons other than matriculated students of the University.

In the event of an

infringement of this rule coming to the notice of the Permanent Secretary, he or she will draw the matter to the attention of the Returning Officer who will then investigate the complaint and may declare the election or candidate's nomination invalid.

Results 1.

The results of the election will be supervised by the Returning Officer.

2.

The declaration of results shall take place in the Williams Room after the election ends at around 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 21 October 2009.

3.

Candidates who are present at the declaration shall be informed of the result of the election by the Returning Officer beforehand.

4.

In the event of a tie, a by-election will be held for the seat in question. All questions relative to the validity of an election will be decided by the Returning Officer, if submitted within 48 hours, who may consult with the Secretary of the University Court.

If any election is

declared invalid, a by-election will be held.

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Guide to producing a Manifesto

Your manifesto gives you an important opportunity to tell the electorate why they should vote for you. There are no set rules as to what should be contained in a manifesto, but the following is a guide to the sort of things that often appear in them. •

Personal information. You may want to give some personal information such as your course or year of study. This part is usually kept fairly short.

•

Relevant experience. Many candidates state experience they have which may be relevant to the position they are standing for. This may include membership of any university groups and activities outwith the University. It is common to state a few specific things you have done within that group / activity or in any role you held, and link them to the functions of the position you are standing for.

•

Views on current / recent events. You may wish to state your opinions on events relevant to the functions of the SRC or to the remit of the specific position you are standing for. This gives voters the chance to see whether or not your views are similar to theirs.

•

What you will do if elected. This is arguably the most important part of the manifesto, as it gives students an idea of how you would carry out the role and of the direction in which you would want to take the services and activities within the remit. Most candidates make at least a few specific pledges, giving an indication of their priorities for the coming year.

It is important to remember that the points above are just a guide to things which are often included in manifestos. You do not have to include all of these elements, or indeed any of them. In your manifesto, you can write what you like, so long as: • •

It does not exceed the word limit (300 words for Sabbatical positions, 150 for all other positions), It does not contain any offensive or factually inaccurate material (The Returning Officer may judge whether something is offensive or factually inaccurate).

This rule is in the SRC election regulations, and so must be adhered to. To speed the processing of your nomination, please send an electronic copy of your manifesto to [email protected] as well as submitting a hard copy with your nomination form.

September 2009

Undergraduate/Postgraduate (delete as appropriate)

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______________________________ Telephone: ____________________________E-mail address: _____________________________________________________

Address (Home): ______________________________________________________

______________________________ Telephone: ____________________________

Address (Term): _______________________________________________________

Matriculation No.: _______________________

Surname: ____________________________________________________________

*If entered, this name will be used on the ballot papers.

Preferred first name* (optional): ___________________________________________

First name(s) (in full): ___________________________________________________

Details of candidate

Faculty: _______________________

PLEASE READ THE ELECTION REGULATIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE

Position: _____________________________________________________________

COMPLETING THIS FORM.

NOMINATIONS AT 4 P.M. ON FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER 2009.

THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL, IN BLOCK CAPITALS, AND RETURNED TO THE SRC OFFICES BY CLOSE OF

OFFICIAL NOMINATION FORM

WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER 2009

SRC AUTUMN ELECTIONS

SPONSOR 15

SPONSOR 14

SPONSOR 13

SPONSOR 12

SPONSOR 11

SPONSOR 10

SPONSOR 9

SPONSOR 8

SPONSOR 7

SPONSOR 6

SPONSOR 5

SPONSOR 4

SPONSOR 3

SPONSOR 2

SPONSOR 1

SURNAME (BLOCK CAPITALS)

MATRICULATION NO.

FACULTY UG/PG (BLOCK CAPITALS) SIGNATURE

2

STOP HERE IF YOU ARE ONLY STANDING FOR A GENERAL STUDENT CONSTITUENCY POSITION COMPLETE BOXES BELOW IF YOU ARE STANDING FOR A CONVENOR OR OFFICER POSITION

FIRST NAME(S) (in full) (BLOCK CAPITALS)

We, the undersigned, nominate the above named student for the aforementioned position. We each individually agree to allow Glasgow University Students’ Representative Council to make all necessary enquiries to check that the personal information we have each given is true, in order to confirm the validity of this nomination.

Name of Candidate: __________________________________________________ Position: __________________________________________________

SURNAME (BLOCK CAPITALS)

MATRICULATION NO.

I, ____________________________________________________ (full name), hereby accept Rec.

I agree to allow Glasgow University Students’

Date:

______________________

Signed: ______________________________________________

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provided about me is true, in order to confirm the validity of my nomination.

Representative Council to make all necessary enquiries to check that the personal information Valid

in accordance with the Constitution.

by the rules governing the election. If I am elected, I promise to carry out the duties of the office

my nomination and confirm that I have read the Constitution of the Council and agree to abide

SIGNATURE

Date

Date

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FACULTY UG/PG (BLOCK CAPITALS)

This section must be completed in the presence of the Returning Officer or his/her Deputy.

SPONSOR 16 (OPTIONAL) SPONSOR 17 (OPTIONAL) SPONSOR 18 (OPTIONAL) SPONSOR 19 (OPTIONAL) SPONSOR 20 (OPTIONAL)

FIRST NAME(S) (in full) (BLOCK CAPITALS)

You may use the spare boxes below to be sure you have enough valid signatures.

We, the undersigned, nominate the above named student for the aforementioned position. We each individually agree to allow Glasgow University Students’ Representative Council to make all necessary enquiries to check that the personal information we have each given is true, in order to confirm the validity of this nomination.

Name of Candidate: __________________________________________________ Position: __________________________________________________

Faculty Convenors: Summary of Role What are they? Faculty Convenors are the senior student representatives at faculty level. There is one Convenor for each faculty in the University. They are elected by and from all the students in each faculty. Faculty Convenors are expected to represent the views of the students in their faculty on all matters, whether at faculty, university, local or national level. Faculty Convenors hold a seat on Faculty and the University Senate. They are responsible for all matters relating to academic affairs in their faculty and should liaise with the Vice-President (Learning and Development), and the Student Reps in their Faculty to ensure good communication on all levels. They should also participate in relevant sub committees or working groups established by the SRC. Although the academic affairs of their faculty should take absolute priority, there is also the option for Faculty Convenors to get involved in other areas of the SRC’s work, through the SRC’s committee structure. The Faculty Convenors are also required to elect 2 representatives on to the SRC Executive.

What are the key requirements? Faculty Convenors should attend: All meetings of the Students’ Representative Council (minimum 6 meetings per year, usually on Thursday evenings, dates can be obtained from the PA to the Permanent Secretary), All meetings of their Faculty and Senate (dates can be obtained from the PA to the Permanent Secretary), All meetings of Faculty-related committees, All sub committees and working groups which consider matters relevant to the remit of the post. Faculty Convenors should also: Liaise regularly with the VP (Learning and Development) and University members of staff and departments in their Faculty. Convene at least two meetings a year with the Student Reps in their Faculty, Liaise regularly with the Student Reps. In addition to this, all members of the Council are expected to assist in the carrying out of the business of the Council, e.g. distributing publicity or helping to organise and implement events and campaigns, when requested to do so by the President.

What else can they get involved in? SRC Committees and Working Groups The SRC may establish sub committees or working parties to consider certain areas of its work and sometimes consider policy motions. Faculty Convenors may participate in the work of such committees and groups (and can suggest the establishment of new groups or committees). University Committees The Students’ Representative Council also has representation on many University committees, including the governing bodies (the Court and Senate). Faculty Convenors automatically hold seats on Senate and Faculty and can stand for election to many of the other committees. University committees deal with issues such as: library and computer provision, student welfare support, halls of residence, catering, and much more. A full list of University committees on which the SRC has representation can be obtained from the PA to the Permanent Secretary. SRC Events The SRC runs a variety of events throughout the year, in which any member of council can get involved in the organisation of. This includes Welfare Weeks and the Clubs & Societies Fair. There are also campaigns run by the SRC, often tying in to national campaigns. Social Events Council members will be invited to a wealth of social events, ranging from socials at Christmas and the end of the academic year and the Annual Council Dinner in the Spring.

September 2009

General Representatives: Summary of Role What are they? There are nine General Representatives on the SRC, including two First Year and two Postgraduate representatives. They are elected by all students at the University of Glasgow. General Representatives are expected to represent the views of students on all matters, whether at faculty, university, local or national level. More than any other position, they are fairly free to choose which areas of the SRC’s work they wish to be involved in, through the SRC’s committee structure. General Representatives should liaise directly with the President to ensure effective representation of students at all levels in both the SRC and University.

What must they do? General Representatives must attend: • All meetings of the Students’ Representative Council (minimum 6 meetings per year, usually on Thursday evenings, dates can be obtained from the PA to the Permanent Secretary). • All meetings of any other committees to which they are elected (see below). General Representatives will be expected to assist the Executive Committee and Faculty Convenors in liaising with and supporting Course Reps. They will be expected to assist Executive Officers, Academic Convenors and Welfare & Equal Opportunities Officers in their duties where appropriate. In addition to this, all members of the Council are expected to assist in the carrying out of the business of the Council, e.g. distributing publicity or helping to organise and implement events and campaigns, when requested to do so by the President.

What else can they get involved in? SRC Committees The SRC is run through a committee structure, which means that different areas of its work are directed by different committees. These committees run campaigns relevant to their remits and sometimes consider policy motions. General Representatives may stand for election to any committee in whose work they are interested. These committees have remits covering areas including: academic affairs, equal opportunities, clubs & societies, publicity, and much more. A full list of SRC committees can be obtained from the PA to the Permanent Secretary. University Committees The Students’ Representative Council also has representation on many University committees, including the governing bodies (the Court and Senate). General Representatives can stand for election to many of these committees. University committees deal with issues such as: library and computer provision, student welfare support, halls of residence, catering, and much more. A full list of University committees on which the SRC has representation can be obtained from the PA to the Permanent Secretary. SRC Events The SRC runs a variety of events throughout the year, in which any member of council can get involved in the organisation of. This includes Student Festival Week and Clubs & Societies Fair. There are also campaigns run by the SRC, often tying in to national campaigns. Social Events Council members will be invited to a wealth of social events, ranging from socials at Christmas and the end of the academic year to the Annual Council Dinner in the Spring. September 2009

Postgraduate Taught Convenor: Summary of Role What is the role? The Postgraduate Taught Convenor is the senior student representative for postgraduate taught students. The Postgraduate Taught Convenor is elected by and from all postgraduate students at the University. The Postgraduate Taught Convenor is expected to represent the views of postgraduate taught students on all matters, whether at university, local or national level. He/she is in charge of all academic affairs relating to postgraduate taught students and should liaise with the Vice-President (Learning & Development), the Postgraduates’ Club and postgraduate Student Reps to ensure good communication on all levels. Although the academic affairs of postgraduate taught students should take priority, there is also the option for the Postgraduate Taught Convenor to get involved in other areas of the SRC’s work, through the SRC’s committee structure. NOTE: THIS YEAR (2009-10), THE POSITION WILL BE THAT OF OBSERVER ONLY (However you will still have the same speaking rights at council meetings as all other members). WE AIM TO HAVE THIS POSITION FULLY RATIFIED IN THE NEW SRC CONSTITUTION SOON, BUT WISH TO GET WHOEVER WINS THE AUTUMN ELECTION A CHANCE TO CONTRIBUTE FULLY, AND ENJOY THE ROLE FROM OCTOBER.

What are the key requirements? The Postgraduate Taught Convenor should attend: All meetings of the Students’ Representative Council (minimum 6 meetings per year, usually on Thursday evenings, dates can be obtained from the PA to the Permanent Secretary), All meetings of postgraduate-related committees, All meetings of Faculty-related committees, All sub committees and working groups which consider matters relevant to the remit of the post. The Postgraduate Taught Convenor should also: Liaise regularly with the VP (Learning & Development) and relevant University members of staff and departments. Convene at least two meetings a year with the Student Reps (Postgraduate Forum). Liaise regularly with the Student Reps. In addition to this, all members of the Council are expected to assist in the carrying out of the business of the Council, e.g. distributing publicity or helping to organise and implement events and campaigns, when requested to do so by the President.

What else can they get involved in? SRC Committees and Working Groups The SRC may establish sub committees or working parties to consider certain areas of its work and sometimes consider policy motions. The Postgraduate Convenor may participate in the work of such committees and groups (and can suggest the establishment of new groups or committees). University Committees The Students’ Representative Council also has representation on many University committees, including the governing bodies (the Court and Senate). The Postgraduate Convenor automatically hold seats on Senate and can stand for election to many of the other committees. University committees deal with issues such as: library and computer provision, student welfare support, halls of residence, catering, and much more. A full list of University committees on which the SRC has representation can be obtained from the PA to the Permanent Secretary SRC Events The SRC runs a variety of events throughout the year, in which any member of council can get involved in the organisation of. This includes Welfare Weeks and the Clubs & Societies Fair. There are also campaigns run by the SRC, often tying in to national campaigns. Social Events Council members will be invited to a wealth of social events, ranging from socials at Christmas and the end of the academic year and the Annual Council Dinner in the Spring.

September 2009

Welfare & Equal Opportunities Officers: Summary of Role What are they? Welfare & Equal Opportunities Officers are the student representatives of their particular constituency. There is one officer for each constituency. They are elected by and from all the students at Glasgow University. Welfare & Equal Opportunities Officers are expected to represent the views and interests of students on all matters relating to their remit, whether at university, local or national level. They are responsible for all matters regarding their constituency and should liaise with the Vice-President (Student Support) and work with him/her on campaigns and events. Welfare & Equal Opportunities Officers are expected to participate in the organisation of campaigns and events relevant to their remit. They should also participate in relevant sub committees or working groups established by the SRC. Although the interests of their constituency should take priority, there is also the option for Welfare & Equal Opportunities Officers to get involved in other areas of the SRC’s work, through the SRC’s committee structure. The Welfare & Equal Ops Officers are also required to elect 2 representatives on to the SRC Executive.

What are the key requirements? Welfare & Equal Opportunities Officers should attend: All meetings of the Students’ Representative Council (minimum 6 meetings per year, usually on Thursday evenings, dates can be obtained from the PA to the Permanent Secretary), All sub committees and working groups which consider matters relevant to the remit of the post. Welfare & Equal Opportunities Officers should also: Liaise regularly with the VP (Student Support) and University members of staff and departments relevant to their remit. Organise campaigns and events relating to their remit. In addition to this, all members of the Council are expected to assist in the carrying out of the business of the Council, e.g. distributing publicity or helping to organise and implement events and campaigns, when requested to do so by the President.

What else can they get involved in? SRC Committees and Working Groups The SRC may establish sub committees or working parties to consider certain areas of its work and sometimes consider policy motions. Welfare & Equal Opportunities Officers may participate in the work of such committees and groups (and can suggest the establishment of new groups or committees). University Committees The Students’ Representative Council also has representation on many University committees, including the governing bodies (the Court and Senate). Welfare & Equal Opportunities Officers can stand for election to many of these committees. University committees deal with issues such as: library and computer provision, student welfare support, halls of residence, catering, and much more. A full list of University committees on which the SRC has representation can be obtained from the PA to the Permanent Secretary. SRC Events The SRC runs a variety of events throughout the year, in which any member of council can get involved in the organisation of. This might include Student Festival Week and Clubs & Societies Fair. There are also campaigns run by the SRC, often tying in to national campaigns. Social Events Council members will be invited to a wealth of social events, ranging from socials at Christmas and at the end of the academic year and the Annual Council Dinner in the Spring.

September 2009

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