Election FAQ's

The SU elections allow students to choose who will lead their Students' Union and represent them in decision-making. Students can nominate themselves for Sabbatical Officer roles and encourage others to vote for them. The elected officers work with the SU staff to set the direction and priorities for the year, always in the best interest of students.

The election dates will be listed on the SU elections page. Please check for specific dates related to nominations, campaigning, and voting.

The election period typically runs from December to March and includes several stages: pre-nominations, nominations, campaigning, and voting. The officers-elect are announced at the end of this process.

You can nominate yourself through the online nomination form available on the elections page. Make sure to complete all required sections and submit it by the deadline.

Once nominated, you can start campaigning! You can promote your candidacy via social media, posters, and other forms of communication. Be sure to follow any guidelines set out by the SU for campaigning.

In the SU elections, there are several exciting roles you can run for:

Full-Time Positions:

For full-time roles (President and Vice President), you will need to dedicate your time fully to the position, so it is ideal if you are in your final year and finishing your course before 1st July 2025. Alternatively, if you are in your 1st or 2nd year, you would need to be willing to take a gap year between 1st July to 30th June.

For part-time roles, you can be at any stage of your studies. These roles require a commitment of at least 20 hours per week, so being able to balance your studies and SU responsibilities effectively is key.

No matter the position, all you need is enthusiasm, a passion for making an impact, and a willingness to lead change!.

You can nominate yourself.

There are no specific qualifications required, but candidates should be passionate about representing their peers and making a difference in student life. Each role may have its own requirements, which will be outlined during the nomination process.

A Manifesto is your opportunity to tell other students why they should vote for you and outlines your ideas and plans. Your manifesto should focus on your skill set and why you want to represent students, including what changes or projects you would implement if you were elected.

The Manifesto is not limited to a word count. You can use a combination of text, infographics, images, or a combination all these to create your manifesto. Be sure to include a photo of yourself (alone and not with others) so that voters know who you are.

You can include links to social media pages, videos, images, etc. Get creative with your manifesto as they could be useful materials for your campaign.

You should have your manifesto ready as you prepare to nominate yourself, we will also provide a training on what a good manifesto should look like.

Send an email to suelections@rave.ac.uk The elections team is here to support you and guide you through the process.

You can only run for one position in the elections. Make sure to carefully consider which role aligns best with your skills and passion.

If you win, you'll take up the role for the upcoming academic year. You will receive training and support from the SU team to help you succeed in your new position.

Absolutely! There are many ways to get involved with the SU even if you don't win. You can volunteer, support campaigns, or contribute to student-led projects.

If you decide to withdraw, please notify the election team as soon as possible. The nomination process will provide details on how to do this.

Accessibility needs shouldn't be a barrier to applying for a Sabbatical Officer role.There is no requirement to disclose any needs unless you’re comfortable doing so, and only after you’ve successfully won your election. However, sharing this information earlier can help us better prepare to support you. If you have any access requirements or need assistance with your application, please don’t hesitate to email suelections@rave.ac.uk. We’re here to ensure the process is as accessible and inclusive as possible.

If you are successful, you will be an employee of Ravensbourne University. The University is dedicated to ensuring all staff members are enabled to perform their roles to the best of their ability. We’re able to make reasonable adjustments to this end – changes to the way things are done or physical features of the work environment or providing extra aid.

The SU prioritises candidate wellbeing in several ways. For example:

• Each candidate will have access to the SU staff members who are dedicated to supporting your wellbeing, after nominations closes.
• Candidate breakfast takes place during the campaign and voting period, where you can grab tea, coffee & pastries.
• Our Safe (StAAR) Space on the 1st floor will be open to candidates to relax and have some quiet time.
• The election rules prohibit negative campaigning (campaigning that focuses on why students shouldn't vote for other candidates, rather than why students should vote for them) and we have a robust and impartial complaints system in place.

Voting will take place online on the Student Union website, students simply need to log in to the website to vote. We would also be having voting stalls at the University building, where electronic devices will be provided, and students can just login to the website to vote.

A special results night event will take on the date announced by the election team after voting closes. This will be where candidates & their supporters can celebrate their achievements and experiences during the elections. We will also be announcing the winners of specific awards during the campaign and overall election process.

Email suelections@rave.ac.uk with your question and a member of the elections team will respond to you as soon as we can.