Tuesday 31-10-2017 - 11:57

It’s time to be the change-making, event-running, campaign-leading students who make the student experience what it is. In Week 8 of this term it will be time to vote for the new JCR officers, Part Time Officers, NUS National Conference delegates and University Councillor and to be honest there is a lot information to take in! So with nominations opening in week 6, we thought we’d better start explaining it now.

 

 

What is a JCR? 

JCR stands for Junior Common Room Executive. They are a part of the students’ union and are an important link between the union and colleges. They are the elected team of undergraduate students that represent the students of each college in welfare and education matters and campaigns, hold events and socials and represent you on a university level.

Every college is slightly different in the roles they have on their JCR but all of them have a president; at least one vice-president; welfare officers, social secretaries, communications officers and two sports representatives.

What is a PTO?

PTO stands for Part Time Officer, and they are elected to represent you on a variety of university issues. The positions are: International; Women +; LGBTQ+; BME Students'; Mature; Students with Disabilities.

NUS National Conference representative

NUS Delegates are elected across campus and will attend NUS National Conference, 27 - 29 March 2018 in Glasgow, as representatives of Lancaster University Students' Union. At conference you will be voting on national policy and issues that will affect students across higher and further education.

You need to have a keen eye for national student issues and a good understanding of what affects students at Lancaster University.

National Conference also elects the new NUS officers for the coming year.

What is a University Councillor?

A University Councillor is a student elected to sit on University Council with the students' union President as a representative for students. University Council is a meeting of the most senior members of university staff and appointed external members including the Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellors, and is the governing body of the university.

What is the students' union?

Lancaster University Students’ Union is a student-led charity that represents students on all aspects of university life. The Full-Time Officer team is a political lead on campaigns and work closely with the JCRs, PTOs and student body to ensure we are doing the best we can for you.

Why do we run elections?

We run elections because the union is a student-led, democratic organisation, so having elected representatives means students are at the heart of everything we do.

How can I get involved?

In Week 6 nominations will open and you will be able to nominate yourself for any JCR position in your college, NUS National Conference delegate, University Councillor or any of the Part-Time Officer positions you define as, as long as you are a Lancaster University student studying in Lancaster.

Am I able to vote?

Are you a student currently studying at Lancaster University UK? Yes? Then yes you can vote in your college JCR, NUS National Conference and University Councillor elections. You can also vote in any PTO elections that you define as, for example is you define as a woman you can vote for the Women+ Officer.

You can find out more about elections and making change here.

If you have any questions at please do not hesitate to email lusu.elections@lancaster.ac.uk

Nominations will open 10am on Wednesday (November 15) of Week 6 and close Friday (November 24) of Week 7 at 12pm.

Voting will then open Wednesday (November 29) Week 8 at 10am and close Friday (December 1) of Week 8 at 4pm.