Union Structure

Union Structure / Sabbatical Officers / Non Sabbatical Officers / Executive

Sabbatical Officers

Sabbatical officers are full-time, democratically elected students who represent you to the University and the general public, as well as overseeing the policy and running of the Students` Union for the year of their term. In order to be a sabbatical officer you must be a member of the Students` Union (ie a registered UL student) and get elected. That`s it. You don`t need to have been a Class Rep, a member of a Club or Society, an An Focal writer, or have a 1.1 degree. All you need is the drive and personality to run for election and the urge to make a difference.

President

The President`s role is to represent students both within the University and on a local and national level. By way of doing this, they have to sit on (many) University committees and rant in favour of students. They also have responsibility for coordinating all the activities of the Union and supervising finances, along with the General Manager.

Deputy President/Welfare Officer

The role of DP Welfare is to help with all the non-academic problems you may face throughout college - mental health, sexual awareness, crisis pregnancy, financial and accommodation issues. They are also available for a chat if you`re just feeling a bit overwhelmed by college life. The Welfare Officer allocates financial aid to students who find money is tight and deputises for the President when they are incapacitated. If the Welfare Officer can`t help you, they`ll know someone who can.

Vice President/Education Officer

The VP Education is here to handle any issues students have with their course – that means problems with lecturers or tutors, issues with changing course or changing modules, extensions and exams, you name it, it’s the Education Officer’s responsibility. As well as dealing with problems the Education Officer is here in an advisory capacity, giving ongoing support to students during the academic term and examination period. During the exams they are contactable virtually 24 hours a day, to deal with exam queries/problems such as I-grades and repeats. They also act as the voice of the students in academic matters and sits on several committees where they table and supports motions, which impact positively on students. The VP Education oversees the Class Reps system and acts as the co-ordinator of Class Reps Council. The Class Reps system is the vital link between the Officers of the Union and students. It’s the place where students can representing their views, act as decision makers and question or even criticise the officers in the Union. So if you don’t think this officer is doing her job, become a Class Rep.

Vice President/Campaigns and Services Officer

Overseeing the operation of campaigns on campus, VP Campaigns & Services is vital in ensuring that your issues are made known to the University and to the wider community. The CSO also looks after the many, many services that ULSU provides for students including the shop, the Nitelink, graphics and the second hand book shop but perhaps most importantly they also look after entertainments on campus.

Vice President/Communications Officer

Charged with running the Union`s propaganda outlets, the VP Communications controls the media of ULSU. Editing the fortnightly student newspaper, An Focal, and the magazine, Pulse is one of the main responsibilities of the VP Communications. As well as this, they looksafter this website, information screeens and PR for the Union. The CO is also responsible for making sure that the Union is visible on campus and for publicising Union activities.

Postgraduate Students` Association President
The Postgraduate Students’ Association (PSA) is a representative organisation which is a part of, but separate to, the Union. Its role is to represent the specific interests of both taught and research Postgraduates, while the Union primarily represent the interest of Undergraduate Students. However the Union and PSA work closely together on common issues that affect all students.The PSA has a President who is elected in May, who represents the PSA within the Union and the University.