In this election there are 20 exciting roles up for grabs. Some involve you representing thousands of students in your Faculty, whilst others see you become the leader of a Student Network tasked with organising campaigns and building a community. The Sabbatical roles will let you take a fully paid year off from Uni! Depending on your interests or what matters most to you, one of these roles may be perfect for you. Have a look to see what excites you!
The Full-Time Officers are elected to work at YUSU for a year to deliver on their manifestos and represent students at York at the University and nationally. They serve as trustees of the organisation and ensure the issues that matter to you most are represented in meetings with the leaders of the University.
Click on the roles to find out more
Acts as the main spokesperson for YUSU, chairs the Union’s Board of Trustees and is responsible for the reputation, leadership and direction of YUSU as a democratic organisation. As President you will work closely with the University’s Vice Chancellor and staff team, as well as key contacts in the city of York and most importantly, students.
Achievements of YUSU Presidents:
Learn more about the role here
The York Sport President is the main point of contact for all University and college sport clubs. They coordinate and develop sport within YUSU and work to increase opportunities and participation.They help to shape the direction of sports and physical activity at York, as well as running massive events such as Roses, College Varsity and Colours Ball.
Achievements of York Sport Presidents:
Learn more about the role here.
Represents students on issues relating to their course, teaching and learning facilities. The Academic Officer also works with over 400 Course Reps, Department Reps and Faculty Reps to ensure that every student has the opportunity to shape how their course is taught.
Achievements of Academic Officers:
Learn more about the role here.
Supports and develops engagement and inclusivity in extra-curricular activities; including Societies, Media, RAG,Volunteering and events. The Student Activities Officer represents 200+ student groups to the University, lobbying for their interests and makes sure that they receive the recognition they deserve.
Achievements for Student Activities Officers:
Learn more about the role here.
Represents students on issues affecting their wellbeing; such as health, finance, accommodation and security, as well as wider community issues. The Community and Wellbeing Officer is key to ensuring that students from a range of backgrounds and minority groups are represented within the University. They also ensure that students are represented fairly within the local community, liaising with both town and parish council officials.
Achievements of Community and Wellbeing Officers:
Learn more about the role here.
Part-time Officers are student volunteers who are currently studying at York University. They represent students on a range of issues including liberation, volunteering, raising and giving and environment and ethics. Alongside delivering their manifestos, they also become the leaders of the student Network for their position and are supported by a committee. Two Students can run as a pair and ‘job-share’ the role if they win!
To find out more about our current Part Time Officers, head to our Part Time Officer page.
Click on the roles to find out more
The BAME Students' Officers represent the views of students at York who self define as BAME, which is including but not limited to students of African, Asian, Arab and Latin American heritages. They campaign within the Union, University and in wider society; promoting equality for BAME students and celebrating the diversity of culture within the student body at York. They also lead the BAME Students’ Network and host regular social and campaigning events. Read the objectives of the current Officers here.
Achievements of past BAME Students’ Officers:
Candidates for this position must identify as BAME. Two students can run for this role as a pair and ‘job-share’ if they win!
Learn more about the role here.
The Disabled Students’ Officer is responsible for representing disabled students; they promote awareness of accessibility and welfare issues for disabled students on campus and campaign to make University an accessible and inclusive environment. They also lead the Disabled Students’ Network (DSN), which is a peer support and social network for disabled students. Read the objectives of the current Officer here.
Achievements of past Disabled Students’ Officers:
Candidates for this position must self-define as having a disability, or be considered to have one by the University or law. Two Students can run for this role as a pair and ‘job-share’ if they win!
Learn more about the role here.
The Environment + Ethics Officer exists to promote sustainable and fair practices at the University of York. They consult with University management and influence policy. They raise awareness through student-led campaigns and make saving the planet enjoyable and accessible. They lead the Environment + Ethics Collective, a student-led group which campaigns for the University to follow environmentally and ethically sound policies and influences student habits to be more sustainable. Read the objectives of the current Officer here.
Achievements of past Environment and Ethics Officers:
Two students can run for this role as a pair and ‘job-share’ if they win!
Learn more about the role here.
The International Students’ Officers represent 20% of the student population. They hold drop ins, support international events and ensure that international students get the fairest deal while studying at York. They lead the International Students’ Association (ISA), a student network which enables cultural exchange, addresses welfare issues and fosters a welcoming community for international students at York. Read the objectives of the current Officers here.
Achievements of past International Students’ Officers:
Candidates must be a current international student. Two Students can run for this role as a pair and ‘job-share’ if they win!
Learn more about the role here.
The LGBTQ Officer is responsible for representing the views and needs of LGBTQ students and making sure they are taken into account by the Students’ Union and the University. They run campaigns to make York a more inclusive and diverse place for LGBTQ people and see that awareness of LGBTQ issues is increased. They also lead the LGBTQ Network which is a student group which exists to help LGBTQ students get to know each other, runs discussions, relaxed meetings, and gets involved with events like York Pride. Read the objectives of the current Officer here.
Achievements of past LGBTQ Officers:
Candidates must identify as LGBTQ. Two students can run for this role as a pair and ‘job-share’ if they win!
Learn more about the role here.
The Mature Students’ Officer is responsible for representing the views and interests of mature students at the University of York and campaigning to make sure that mature students feel included and supported. They also lead the Mature Students’ Association (MSA), a student group which exists to represent mature students' interests, run social events and offer an atmosphere of support for mature students. They work with organisations such as the Student Hub and also the Family Network on a range of campaigns and issues.
Achievements of past Mature Students’ Officers:
Candidates must class as a mature student according to the University. Two students can run for this role as a pair and ‘job-share’ if they win!
Learn more about the role here.
Develops fundraising opportunities for students. The RAG Officers cover some of YUSU’s biggest events. From raising money in Freshers’ to hosting and organising RAG week, they are dedicated to ensuring our RAG charities receive funds that keep their services alive. Read the objectives of the current Officer here.
Achievements of past RAG Officers:
Two students can run for this role as a pair and ‘job-share’ if they win!
Learn more about the role here.
Develops opportunities for students to become involved in volunteering; something over 750 students took up through YUSU last year contributing 11,716 hours of their time! YUSU Volunteering Officers facilitate a wide range of opportunities to volunteer and support a whole range of projects. From one off events to longer term opportunities, the Volunteering Officers are at the heart of developing an inclusive and strong campus community. Read the objectives of the current Officer here.
Achievements of past Volunteering Officers:
Two Students can run for this role as a pair and ‘job-share’ if they win!
Learn more about the role here.
Women and Non-Binary Students’ Officers have driven campus events and created change to benefit the lives of women and non-binary students. Through events, campaigns and lobbying, the Women’s Officers represent self-defining women and non-binary people on campus. They also lead the Women and Non-Binary Students’ Network which is supported by a committee. Read the objectives of the current Officers here.
Achievements of past Women and Non-Binary Students’ Officers:
Candidates must identify as Women or non-binary. Two Students can run for this role as a pair and ‘job-share’ if they win!
Learn more about the role here.
The Officer[s] advocate for and represent the interests of students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds on campus, run the Working Class and Social Mobility Network, creating opportunities for working-class students. Read the objectives of the current Officers here.
Achievements of past Working Class and Social Mobility Officers:
Candidates must identify as working-class. Two Students can run for this role as a pair and ‘job-share’ if they win!
Learn more about the role here.
Like Part-Time Officers, students holding the following non-officer positions carry out their roles alongside their studies.
Click on the roles to find out more
This is our newest position, which was created as a result of reviewing our Accountability and Policy structures in 2019/20. This position is designed to enhance the accountability and transparency of the Union, chairing a committee of randomly selected students. The position is responsible for:
Please note this is a non-political role that centres around objectivity and following process rather than political change, as you would expect in a normal Union elections. Therefore your nomination is an opportunity to set out what you would bring to the role and why students should vote for you, rather than a traditional manifesto.
Please see the full role description here.
Student Trustees are part of the Board of Trustees which oversees the University of York’s Student Union. The Board is the highest decision making body in the organisation, which oversees the work of the Students’ Union, with particular responsibility for its financial sustainability and practice, charity and legal compliance and strategic direction. Serving as a Student Trustee will offer you a great opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives of students while gaining experience of strategic decision-making and other employability skills that will enhance your CV.
This is a non-political role that centres around good governance rather than political change, as you would expect in a normal Union elections. Therefore your nomination is an opportunity to set out what you would bring to the role and why students should vote for you, rather than a traditional manifesto.
We will be electing 3 Student Trustees in this election.
See the full information pack here.
Each Faculty has an elected undergraduate student rep. Faculty Reps work behind the scenes, sitting on University-level committees such as Faculty Boards and Senate, representing all students within their Faculty. They champion student feedback and create large scale positive changes. They deliver projects based on their manifesto.
Click on the roles to find out more
As part of the Academic Representation Network you are supported by over 450 Reps and the Student Engagement Team at YUSU. Faculty Reps can have a huge impact and the experience gained in the role is great for both personal and professional development. Find out more about academic representation here.
Achievements of past Arts and Humanities Faculty Reps:
Learn more about the role here.
As part of the Academic Representation Network you are supported by over 450 Reps and the Student Engagement Team at YUSU. Faculty Reps can have a huge impact and the experience gained in the role is great for both personal and professional development. Find out more about academic representation here.
Achievements of past Sciences Faculty Reps:
Learn more about the role here.
As part of the Academic Representation Network you are supported by over 450 Reps and the Student Engagement Team at YUSU. Faculty Reps can have a huge impact and the experience gained in the role is great for both personal and professional development. Find out more about academic representation here.
Achievements of the past Social Science Faculty Reps:
Learn more about the role here.
Please note the role descriptions reflect current practise and Officer Group and the Board of Trustees are currently reviewing the by-laws to bring them up to date.
For a plain text version of the role descriptions please contact [email protected]