The Students Union at Bournemouth University represents the student voice here at BU. Every BU student is automatically a member. As a student led organisation, you set the direction an make the big decisions about what we do, whether this be by running or voting in an election or participating in one of our other democratic forums such as the Big Student Meeting, or evening talking to your Student Rep.

Every year you elect current students who are then responsible for representing 16,000 students views to the university. The Full-Time Officers lead this network of student volunteers and work full- time to ensure that your student life is the best it can possibly be- from campaigning on issues that you are facing on your course, locally and nationally. Whether you are passionate about welfare and student rights, creating positive change, holding the University to account or just voting for the students who you want to represent you, this election is an opporunity to get your voice heard and make an impact on what matters to you at University.

There are four officer positions, click here to find out more about them!

• President
• Vice-President Education
• Vice-President Student Opportunities
• Vice-President Welfare and Community

You cannot nominate yourself for more than one full-time officer role

Any current BU student, so it doesn’t matter whether you are an undergraduate, postgraduate or part time of full time student.

Yes, full-time officers are remunerated. Their annual salary is £20,815. They also receive 24 days holiday, bank holidays and an additional 3.5 days over Christmas.

SUBU is there to represent all students, and HSS students are no different!
Breaks in all courses can be managed, although regulatory body practice requirements may need to be revisited on certain courses. You also have up to two years to register with the NMC and HCPC after finishing your course.
If you are interested contact subudemocracy@bournemouth.ac.uk to discuss further.

International Students are able to be a Full Time Officer and you are able to get a visa extension while you are in office. You can find out more information here.
You can find out more on the UKCISA website
If you are an international student who is interested in running please contact subudemocracy@bournemouth.ac.uk as soon as possible.

Nominations are now open! Just email your manifesto to SUBUdemocracy@bournemouth.ac.uk by Monday 24^th February by 12pm.

Yes, there are training opportunities during the elections period which will provide you with insights into SUBU and what it is like to be a full-time officer.
If you are interested in becoming a Full-Time Officer come along to our information evening on at 5pm on Tuesday the 11th of February in Create Lecture Theatre to find out everything you need to know.
There are a range of other training opportunities throughout the election period, so head to the candidate hub to find out more
If you are elected you will be provided with full training and induction programme organised by SUBU including a handover and external training. There will also be opportunities for further training throughout your year in post.

Your manifesto is how you sell yourself to students; it sets out your aims and priorities. Your manifesto becomes your promises to students about what you want to achieve if you are elected.
You’ll be asked to submit a 300 word manifesto and a 50 word condensed manifesto which will be printed in the candidate guide book. You don’t need to submit your manifesto when you submit your nomination but it must be submitted by the close of nominations at 12pm on Monday the 24th of February.

In the context of elections, campaigning is what candidates do to get votes - it's not just handing out
leaflets though! Successful candidates take time to listen and speak to students, find out about the
current issues relevant to the role they're standing for and persuade voters with ideas and
enthusiasm, not just trendy slogans or avalanches of tweets. Check out the candidate hub to find out
more information about campaigning.

You will spend one year in office beginning on the 15th of June, you will then be entitled to run in the election for the following year. You are unable to be a full-time officer for more than 2 years.

Nominations are open until 12pm on Monday 24^th February
Come along to our info session where you can find out more about being a full-time officer at 5pm on the 11th of February in the Create Lecture Theatre
Manifestos must be submitted by 12pm on Monday the 24th of February
The Candidate Briefing will be taking place at 2:30pm on the 26th of February in F104
The Candidate Q&A (hustings) will be taking place at 5pm on the First Floor of the Student Centre
Campaigning will begin after the candidate Q&A
Voting will open at 10am on Friday the 6th of March and close at 4pm on Thursday the 12th of March
The results party will be taking place at 6pm on the 13th of March on the 5th Floor of the Student Centre

SUBU uses the Single Transferable Vote (STV system which provides voters with much more choice and influence. STV means that candidates do not need to win a majority, but instead must reach a quota/proportion of the vote. The quota is determined by the number of votes cast and the number of positions to be filled.
In the context of elections, campaigning is what candidates do to get votes - it's not just handing out leaflets though! Successful candidates take time to listen and speak to students, find out about the current issues relevant to the role they're standing for and persuade voters with ideas and enthusiasm, not just trendy slogans or avalanches of tweets. Check out the candidate hub to find out more information about campaigning. When voting students select their candidates in order of preference and are able to vote for as many or as few as they like. When the voting has closed, Candidates are excluded if it is impossible for them to reach the quota, their votes are then transferred in order of preference, this ensures that fewer votes are wasted.
In addition to the candidates in the election students are also able to select ‘no suitable candidate’

The Returning Officers and Deputy returning Officers have the responsibility to uphold the Elections Regulations. The Returning Officer will be a representative from the NUS, and the Deputy Returning Officers are Irfan Zaman, Charlotte Morris-Davis and Neil Gallivan.
The Deputy Returning Officers will be the people you deal with on a day to day basis and they will be in contact with the Returning Officers as required.
If you need to get in touch contact subudemocracy@bournemouth.ac.uk.

A complaint can be made about the action of a candidate, supporter or election official. Complaints must be submitted to subudemocracy@bournemouth.ac.uk as soon as possible, and before the close of voting. More information about the complaints process can be viewed in the Rules and Complaints section.

If you are unsure about your eligibility for any reason please contact subudemocracy@bournemouth.ac.uk

During the election you’ll be put out of your comfort zone and be expected to talk to lots of students to convey your message about why you are the best person for the job in range of situations, from quick chats to the candidates Q&A. Come along to this work shop to find out some tips and tricks to making you an effective communicator.

Want to run for a full-time officer position but not really sure where to start? Lucky for you we’ve got an expert who can give you the inside scoop on how to plan the perfect campaign and how to make your campaign really stand, giving you the upper hand in the election.

You have to attend a candidate briefing in the elections. This is where you’ll find out the rules that govern the election, but you’ll also meet the other candidates you’ll be running with.

During the election you’ll be put out of your comfort zone and be expected to talk to lots of students to convey your message about why you are the best person for the job in range of situations, from quick chats to the candidates Q&A. Come along to this work shop to find out some tips and tricks to making you an effective communicator.

Do you want to find out what it’s like to be a full-time Officer from an existing FTO? Well drop us an email to subudemocracy@bournemouth.ac.uk and we’ll set up a drop in session for a time that suits you.