► What's it all about?
The University of Plymouth Students’ Union is a charity with over 30,000 members (as every Plymouth Student is automatically a member) and it is an organisation which is democratically led.
So what does this mean?
Well, UPSU is a Students’ Union run for students led by students, so every year students elect the students who will run UPSU. There are 5 fulltime positions, known as Sabbatical Officers who are trustees of the charity, but also have representative responsibilities, and run the Union on a day-to-day basis. Sabbatical positions are paid as they are full-time, and require you to take a year out of study or take office as soon as you graduate. Your period of work runs from July of the year you were elected, until the following July.
There are also a number of Part-time positions, in which students can be elected to represent different demographics of students and sit on UPSU Student Parliament to make the democratic decisions that affect UPSU. The Chair of Student Parliament, now sits of the University’s Board of Governors (the highest committee in the University!) as a student governor alongside the President.
Taking part in UPSU democracy is so important, because let’s face it, if you don’t stand in the elections, or don’t vote to ensure you have your say on who should run your union, you could quite easily end up with a very undesirable candidate winning the elections-one who won’t put your rights, interests or needs first- and that can only be a bad thing. These people can give students a bad reputation, close your sports club or society, close the bar and shop, or even lead to you getting kicked out of Uni if you find yourself represented by them at a student disciplinary or academic appeal! Believe me, you need to get the best people for the job elected, so nominate, stand and vote... your voice, your choice, your union!
Why these elections are so important!
1. This university recognises the UPSU officers as the official voice of the students.
2. The more students that vote in the elections, the stronger our voice within the university. High voter turnout = big mandate = strong voice for students.
3. These elections will determine who represents you to the university next year.
4. The officers feed into the policy, practice, performance and perception of this university.
5. How others perceive you and your degree matters. You do want a good job at the end of your university life don’t you?
6. We are entering a recession which looks like being one of the worst ever. When you graduate, there are likely to be far fewer graduate jobs available than there are graduates.
7. Do you really want to risk the development of your student experience to just anyone?
8. Do you really want to risk the value that your degree will have by not thinking carefully enough about who will help this university develop?
9. Do you really want to leave your future to chance for the sake of spending 5 minutes voting online at www.upsu.com?
10. Will it really make a difference? Who knows? Three years ago the vote for Deputy President was won by one vote with over 2,000 voting. However if you don’t vote, it is guaranteed that you will not make a difference.
