The Students’ Union elections are a vital time for student’s voices to be heard, however, a substantial number of roles remain unfilled.
This was despite the Union extending nominations for roles that no one was standing for.
Seven volunteer positions, including Arts Officer and Mature Students Officer, remain vacant, following the elections last week.
In regards to Mature Students Officer and the Parents & Carers Officer, due to the cost of living crisis, many students – especially those having to provide for their children – have to work full-time jobs and simply would not have the time to run for or be a Students’ Union volunteer.
Additionally the Union itself does not provide significant support or events for mature students – with the majority of their programming in Venue and Underground catering mostly to a young freshers audience.
As for Arts Officer, the Union already has the Film Appreciation Society, Photography and Art Societies who foster student engagement with the arts effectively, hosting weekly workshops and events.
Therefore many students may feel like the role is nullified or unnecessary as the committees
of these societies already craft an arts culture for the university.
With roles such as Alternative Pathways, Care Experienced Students and Engagement Officer also remaining vacant, the question whether the Union has advertised these roles significantly enough remains.
There were Instagram advertisements, but little more, meaning many potentially interested students very well could’ve missed the memo.
The Students’ Union is lacking significant voices with these unfilled positions and members of the student body may feel unheard because of this.
The Union needs to do their best to try to fill these roles as urgently as possible.
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