What are SOAS SU Elections?
SOAS SU is an independent, democratic organisation (charity) led by students who are elected by our members (SOAS students). In our elections, students can stand to be, and vote for, elected student leaders, some voluntary, and some paid. These representatives are your voice and act on your behalf in the Union, University and wider community fighting for you on an institutional, local and national level. It is so important for students to take part and vote in these elections so that individuals are elected who represent YOUR views.
No elections are currently running
Co-Presidents
At SOAS SU students can elect their Co-Presidents, which are full-time, paid roles, elected in the Spring Term to serve a one year term commencing in the Summer. The Co-Presidents are the lead student representatives and lead the Executive Committee.
You can find out more about the current Co-President's here.
Co-President Democracy & Education
The Co-President Democracy and Education is responsible for ensuring that students voices are heard in the University and the SU, by being a member of the Universities Board of Trustees, championing students educational experience, working with Student Reps and leading on democracy within the SU. As Chair of the Board of Trustees they are also ultimately responsible for the leadership and direction of the SU.
Dates: 1st July – 31st July
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Representative and Campaigner
- Work alongside students, finding out their views and experiences and advocating on their behalf.
- Acting in students interests by supporting student led campaigns and projects to improve their experience.
- Represent SOAS students on School Committees and attend regular meetings with the Director of the School in order to make change in students' lives.
- Represent the Union externally, working with other students' unions, the NUS and other organisations.
- Work closely with other Union Officers and Union Staff members.
- Engage in collective decision making and accountability with the Executive Committee by being accountable to them, consulting them before taking actions where practical, reporting activities as well as facilitating other members work.
- Support democracy and promote active citizenship within the SU by attending and participating in democratic meetings such as General Meetings and Union Forums.
- Create positive change in the SU by carrying out Union Policy set by members and your manifesto points.
Trustee
- All Sabbatical Officers are Trustees of the SU. This means that they are responsible for the finances, reputation and legal compliance of the Union.
- Be responsible for ensuring the SU pursues its charitable objectives.
- Oversee the governance, finance and strategy of the SU.
- Ensure that the SU complies with its governing documents, charity law and other relevant legislation or regulations.
Benefits
- Training and induction programme, including Trustee training and a handover between the outgoing and incoming officer team.
- 30 days holiday, plus bank holidays and agreed closure days.
Personal Profile
- Committed to students and SOAS SU
- Ability to network, influence and communicate effectively
- Willingness to represent students' opinions, even where they divert from your own
- Ability to critically evaluate
- Attention to detail in the context of strategic decision making
- Ability to make rational and objective decisions
- Act reasonably and responsibly when undertaking your responsibilities
Responsibilities
- The Co-President Democracy and Education shall be a member of the School’s Academic Board and Learning and Teaching Quality Committee as well as a member of other School committees as approved by the Board of Trustees.
- The Co-President Democracy and Education shall identify areas for attention relating to the education of students and provide information to Co-President Welfare and Campaigns to aid in running campaigns where relevant.
- The Co-President Democracy and Education shall sit on the School’s Board of Trustees.
- The Co-President Democracy and Education shall be responsible for organising and publicising the three SU Forums working with Union staff. They shall also be responsible for maintaining the Policy File and publishing records of meetings, supported by the Communications and Governance Co-Ordinator.
- The Co-President Democracy and Education shall be the lead delegate and liaison with NUS, and shall be the first point of contact within the Union.
- The Co-President Democracy and Education shall liaise with the appropriate members of School staff in the Library, Faculties and elsewhere to ensure that Union policy and campaigns are progressed.
- The Co-President Democracy and Education shall be responsible for the running of the student representation system, in liaison with the Union’s Research and Representation Assistant, and for supporting the student representatives within the School.
- The Co-President Democracy and Education shall provide information on the appropriate channels through which to raise issues with the School via the student representative and School committee structures.
- The Co-President Democracy and Education shall be Chair of the Union’s Board of Trustees
- The Co-President Democracy and Education shall be Chair of the Influencing SOAS Forum
- The Co-President Democracy and Education shall be Vice-Chair of the Governance Sub-Committee.
- The Co-President Democracy and Education shall be Chair of the Reps General Assembly.
Co-President Activities & Events s
The Co-President Activities and Events
The Co-President Activities and Events is responsible for ensuring that Clubs and Societies are supported and developed as well as leading on major SU events and a wider events programme.
Dates: 1st July – 31st July
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Representative and Campaigner
- Work alongside students, finding out their views and experiences and advocating on their behalf.
- Acting in students interests by supporting student led campaigns and projects to improve their experience.
- Represent SOAS students on School Committees and attend regular meetings with the Director of the School in order to make change in students' lives.
- Represent the Union externally, working with other students' unions, the NUS and other organisations.
- Work closely with other Union Officers and Union Staff members.
- Engage in collective decision making and accountability with the Executive Committee by being accountable to them, consulting them before taking actions where practical, reporting activities as well as facilitating other members work.
- Support democracy and promote active citizenship within the SU by attending and participating in democratic meetings such as General Meetings and Union Forums.
- Create positive change in the SU by carrying out Union Policy set by members and your manifesto points.
Trustee
- All Sabbatical Officers are Trustees of the SU. This means that they are responsible for the finances, reputation and legal compliance of the Union.
- Be responsible for ensuring the SU pursues its charitable objectives.
- Oversee the governance, finance and strategy of the SU.
- Ensure that the SU complies with its governing documents, charity law and other relevant legislation or regulations.
Benefits
- Training and induction programme, including Trustee training and a handover between the outgoing and incoming officer team.
- 30 days holiday, plus bank holidays and agreed closure days.
Personal Profile
- Committed to students and SOAS SU
- Ability to network, influence and communicate effectively
- Willingness to represent students' opinions, even where they divert from your own
- Ability to critically evaluate
- Attention to detail in the context of strategic decision making
- Ability to make rational and objective decisions
- Act reasonably and responsibly when undertaking your responsibilities
Responsibilities
- The Co-President Activities and Events shall be responsible for encouraging the formation, and success of societies and sports teams within the Union.
- The Co-President Activities and Events shall be responsible for organising the Societies Fayre in the first and second term and other events relating to societies.
- The Co-President Activities and Events shall also be the main point of contact with the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) and seek Sport Development opportunities from regional and national Bodies.
- The Co-President Activities and Events shall be responsible for preparing an up-to-date list of active societies and publicising this. They shall also be responsible for the Sports and Societies area of the website and promoting its use, with support from the Communications and Governance Co-Ordinator.
- The Co-President Activities and Events shall oversee the Union’s publicity policy and they ensure Union events are appropriately publicised on the Union website and via printed publications.
- The Co-President Activities and Events shall be responsible for ensuring that societies’ budgets are set in line with SU procedures. The Co-President Activities and Events shall ensure that clubs and societies are spending their funds according to the stated aims of the Union and in the interests of each society’s members.
- The Co-President Activities and Events shall be responsible for ensuring that societies are aware of regulations pertaining to the running of societies and that they abide by them. The Co-President Activities and Events shall be responsible for ensuring that all sports and societies have adequate training and information about health and safety issues and abide by policies set.
- The Co-President Activities and Events, with the Co-President Equality and Liberation, shall be responsible for promoting and monitoring equality and diversity within sports, societies and extracurricular student activities.
- Working with the Commercial Services Manager, the Co-President Activities and Events shall be responsible for organising a programme of Union entertainments. Reports on each event’s finances should be reported to the Union. They must ensure that all Union events are appropriately publicised.
- The Co-President Activities and Events shall be responsible for funds raised for charity and must ensure that any fundraising on campus by societies and by the Students’ Union is followed through with an appropriate receipt and report. This is to be included in a report to the Board of Trustees.
- The Co-President Activities and Events shall be the Chair of the SU Operations Forum.
- The Co-President Activities and Events shall be the Vice-Chair of the Commercial Services Sub-Committee.
- The Co-President Activities and Events shall be the Chair of the Societies Presidents Forum
- The Co-President Activities and Events shall be the Chair of the Sports Forum
Co-President Welfare & Campaigns
Co-President Welfare and Campaigns
The Co-President Welfare and Campaigns is responsible for ensuring that the welfare of students is prioritised within the union and university, developing campaigns and initiatives that seek to improve student experience.
Dates: 1st July – 31st July
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Representative and Campaigner
- Work alongside students, finding out their views and experiences and advocating on their behalf.
- Acting in students interests by supporting student led campaigns and projects to improve their experience.
- Represent SOAS students on School Committees and attend regular meetings with the Director of the School in order to make change in students' lives.
- Represent the Union externally, working with other students' unions, the NUS and other organisations.
- Work closely with other Union Officers and Union Staff members.
- Engage in collective decision making and accountability with the Executive Committee by being accountable to them, consulting them before taking actions where practical, reporting activities as well as facilitating other members work.
- Support democracy and promote active citizenship within the SU by attending and participating in democratic meetings such as General Meetings and Union Forums.
- Create positive change in the SU by carrying out Union Policy set by members and your manifesto points.
Trustee
- All Sabbatical Officers are Trustees of the SU. This means that they are responsible for the finances, reputation and legal compliance of the Union.
- Be responsible for ensuring the SU pursues its charitable objectives.
- Oversee the governance, finance and strategy of the SU.
- Ensure that the SU complies with its governing documents, charity law and other relevant legislation or regulations.
Benefits
- Training and induction programme, including Trustee training and a handover between the outgoing and incoming officer team.
- 30 days holiday, plus bank holidays and agreed closure days.
Personal Profile
- Committed to students and SOAS SU
- Ability to network, influence and communicate effectively
- Willingness to represent students' opinions, even where they divert from your own
- Ability to critically evaluate
- Attention to detail in the context of strategic decision making
- Ability to make rational and objective decisions
- Act reasonably and responsibly when undertaking your responsibilities
Responsibilities
- The Co-President Welfare and Campaigns shall represent the Union on the School’s Student Experience Committee, Resources and Planning Committee and on other committees as agreed by the Board of Trustees.
- The Co-President Welfare and Campaigns shall be responsible for maintaining a confidential and safe environment within their office in which sensitive issues can be discussed. They shall ensure that all issues raised shall remain confidential unless otherwise authorised by the individual or required by law.
- The Co-President Welfare and Campaigns shall refer students to appropriate internal or external bodies to help resolve a member’s issues. They shall not take on casework.
- The Co-President Welfare and Campaigns shall identify areas for attention relating to general welfare of students and run campaigns where relevant.
- The Co-President Welfare and Campaigns shall liaise with the School’s Student Advice and Wellbeing on welfare issues and encourage the use of the services within the School.
- The Co-President Welfare and Campaigns shall liaise with the appropriate members of School staff in the Library, Faculties and elsewhere to ensure that Union policy and campaigns are progressed.
- The Co-President Welfare and Campaigns shall liaise with the other Co-Presidents to campaign and raise awareness amongst students on education, equality and welfare issues and on education and welfare services available to members.
- The Co-President Welfare and Campaigns shall liaise and meet with Sanctuary Students and other accommodation providers.
- The Co-President Welfare and Campaigns shall work with the Welfare and Advice Caseworker to review casework relating to the student experience at SOAS in order to develop initiatives which might improve that experience.
- The Co-President Welfare and Campaigns shall be the Chair of the SU Campaigns Forum.
- The Co-President Welfare and Campaigns shall be the Chair of the Ethical and Environmental Forum.
- The Co-President Welfare and Campaigns shall be the Chair of the Welfare Reps Forum.
- The Co-President Welfare and Campaigns shall be the Vice-Chair of the Finance and Risk Sub-Committee.
Co-President Equality & Liberation
The Co-President Equality and Liberation
The Co-President Equality and Liberation is responsible for championing equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the SU and university, ensuring students from a marginalised background are represented and their needs met.
Dates: 1st July - 31st July
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Representative and Campaigner
- Work alongside students, finding out their views and experiences and advocating on their behalf.
- Acting in students interests by supporting student led campaigns and projects to improve their experience.
- Represent SOAS students on School Committees and attend regular meetings with the Director of the School in order to make change in students' lives.
- Represent the Union externally, working with other students' unions, the NUS and other organisations.
- Work closely with other Union Officers and Union Staff members.
- Engage in collective decision making and accountability with the Executive Committee by being accountable to them, consulting them before taking actions where practical, reporting activities as well as facilitating other members work.
- Support democracy and promote active citizenship within the SU by attending and participating in democratic meetings such as General Meetings and Union Forums.
- Create positive change in the SU by carrying out Union Policy set by members and your manifesto points.
Trustee
- All Sabbatical Officers are Trustees of the SU. This means that they are responsible for the finances, reputation and legal compliance of the Union.
- Be responsible for ensuring the SU pursues its charitable objectives.
- Oversee the governance, finance and strategy of the SU.
- Ensure that the SU complies with its governing documents, charity law and other relevant legislation or regulations.
Benefits
- Training and induction programme, including Trustee training and a handover between the outgoing and incoming officer team.
- 30 days holiday, plus bank holidays and agreed closure days.
Personal Profile
- Committed to students and SOAS SU
- Ability to network, influence and communicate effectively
- Willingness to represent students' opinions, even where they divert from your own
- Ability to critically evaluate
- Attention to detail in the context of strategic decision making
- Ability to make rational and objective decisions
- Act reasonably and responsibly when undertaking your responsibilities
Responsibilities
- The Co-President Equality and Liberation shall be responsible for promoting equality and diversity in all of the Union’s work, and ensuring that women students, black and minority ethnicity students, LGBTQ students, trans and non-binary students, disabled and carer students, working class students, mature students, international students, students of faith and any other marginalised groups of students are represented within the Union and that their needs met by the School.
- The Co-President Equality and Liberation shall be responsible for monitoring and promoting the Union’s Equality and Diversity Policy.
- The Co-President Equality and Liberation shall sit on the School’s Equality and Diversity Committee, and any other committees deemed appropriate.
- The Co-President Equality and Liberation shall work closely with the Union’s liberation officers and support their work whilst respect the autonomy of each liberation group, as well as the Mature Students Officer and International Students Officer.
- The Co-President Equality and Liberation shall work with the Co-President Activities and Events in promoting and monitoring equality and diversity within sports, societies and extracurricular student activities.
- The Co-President Equality and Liberation shall identify areas for attention relating to equality and liberation and, working with the Co-President Welfare and Campaigns, run campaigns where relevant.
- The Co-President Equality and Liberation shall be responsible for working to prevent and responding to incidents of harassment, abuse and discrimination on campus, with the support of the Union’s Advice and Welfare Caseworker and the relevant School staff.
- The Co-President Equality and Liberation shall refer students to appropriate internal or external bodies to help resolve a member’s issues. They shall not take on casework for which they are not qualified.
- The Co-President Equality and Liberation shall liaise with the appropriate members of School staff in the Library, Faculties and elsewhere to ensure that Union policy and campaigns are progressed.
- The Co-President Liberation and Equality shall convene and become the link for the six liberation caucuses.
- The Co-President Liberation and Equality shall convene and facilitate other networks and communities of students who wish to come together based on their identity or circumstances.
- The Co-President Liberation and Equality shall be the Vice-Chair of the People and talent Sub-Committee.
Preferenda Portfolio Officers
Each year students at SOAS get to decide the remits of 8 of the Part-Time Officers each year, these are called the preferenda Portfolio Officers.
This model was voted for by students in the Governance Review which took place last year. The Preferenda Portfolio Officers make up the Student Executive alongside the Sabbatical Officers, Liberation Caucus Delegates and the research Students Association Delegate. Together these students are responsible for the representative and campaigning functions of the Union. By being able to decide the remit of 8 of these Officers on a yearly basis we enable students to have representatives that can reflect the current issues that students are facing.
How The Preferenda Portfolio Part-Time Officer Process Works
Your Ideas
In the first term of each year, there will be an open call out to students to enable them to submit the roles that they would like to see. We want as many students as possible to submit ideas about what they think is important and needs changing at SOAS. These ideas could relate to any aspect of student life, ranging from securitisation on campus, to the cost-of-living, to mental health and anything in between!
Union Forums
These ideas are discussed and refined at a Union Forum where students are able to debate and discuss the ideas that have been submitted.
Preferenda
A preferendum allows all students to vote for which roles they would like to see be adopted. During a preferenda, students can vote in order of preference. There are three preferenda per year, with the first being used to decide the remits of the Preferenda Portfolio Officer roles. As there are 8 positions to be filled, we encourage students to vote for as many of the options as they like. By voting for multiple preferences their vote is worth more!
The remaining two referendums – one held in the spring term and one in the summer term – will decide the priorities that the SU will campaign on. You can find out more information about this here.
During a preferendum there is an opportunity for students to campaign for a particular idea/solution, they can do this by asking their friends to vote for a specific option. There will also be an opportunity for students to submit a manifesto, a document outlining why students should vote for one of the solutions. These manifestos will then be published for students to view when deciding which option to vote for.
Preferenda's are regulated by the Preferenda Rules, these are published prior to a Preferenda taking place and are overseen by the Governance Sub-Committee and Union Deputy Returning Officer.
Elections
After the preferenda has finished the 8 ideas with the highest number of votes will become the roles for that year. The next step is to elect students to these roles. Nominations will open and current students will be able to put themselves forward. After this, there will be a cross-campus ballot where students will be able to vote for the candidate that they want to see be elected. The candidate with the highest number of votes will be elected!
Elections are regulated by the Elections Rules, these are published prior to the election taking place and are overseen by the Union's Returning Officer and Deputy Returning Officer
Reps
Nominations for Reps are open NOW. Click here to nominate yourself or vote.
Every year students have the opportunity to get involved in the direction of their department, and to influence the educational experience. This year we are electing two roles: Programme Reps (across all year groups and programme levels) AND Department Reps (one from each degree level; for UG students nominees to come from those in their second or more year at SOAS).
You can find out more about Programme and Department Rep elections here.
Elections FAQ's
When do elections take place?
Elections for Reps and the Preferenda Portfolio roles normally take place in the Autumn Term. Elections for the Co-President roles takes place in the Spring Term. The timeline for elections will be published prior to the election taking place in the election notice.
How does voting work?
Voting in SOAS SU Elections uses Single Transferable Vote (STV). 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. The quota is: Total votes cast / (Number of ‘seats’ available +1) +1
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 Re-open Nominations.
Can International Student Stand and Vote?
Yes, international students can normally be a Sabbatical Officer, and Visa extensions can be granted for the purposes of undertaking a Sabbatical role. You will be liable for paying any additional fees. If you have any questions please contact the School’s Immigration Team.
Find out more on the UKCISA website.
International students can also run for Part-Time roles and NUS Conference Delegate roles as these are voluntary and do not have set or regular hours.
Can I undertake the roles alongside studying?
For Part-Time and NUS Delegate roles absolutely, you will need to be enrolled in a current programme of study.
For Sabbatical roles, you will be expected to work Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm, therefore continuing study is not possible.
Where can I find out more about election rules?
When an election is taking place the election rules will be published online and you will be able to view them. All students will be able to make a complaint if a candidate or their team is breaching the rules.