Tuesday 18-09-2018 - 15:49

For those joining Lancaster as postgraduates this year the idea of a college system could well be a new aspect of university life. At Lancaster, the eight undergraduate colleges have Junior Common Room Executives (known as JCRs for ease).

This is a group of 14 or so students elected by students of their college in Week 8 of Michaelmas term to run events for and represent students of their college in areas of student life from welfare to employability, sport to social life. They hold office from the end of Christmas vacation until the start of the next Christmas vacation.   

Graduate College has this too but in the form of the Postgraduate Board (PG Board). The PG Board is elected in Week 2 of Michaelmas term and stay in office until the end of the next summer vacation. The reason for a difference is to better suit the needs and timeframes of postgraduate study. 

The positions on the PG Board are: 

• Chair 
• General Secretary 
• Treasurer 
• Academic Officer 
• Events Officer 
• Sports Officer 
• Welfare Officer 
• Media and Communications Officer 
• Board Members Without Portfolio ​(x6) 

As with running for or holding any officer role at Lancaster, nominating yourself for the PG Board will give you experience of campaigning, public speaking and the elections process. Being on the board offers the opportunity to gain huge amounts of experience in events management, budget keepings, campaigning, project planning and representation. 

Nominations for the PG Board will open Week 1 of Michaelmas, 10am Monday 8 October followed by a period of campaigning in week 2 and 3 days of voting from Wednesday 17 – Friday 19 in week 2. 

What do I need to do to nominate myself?  

You will need to nominate yourself at lancastersu.co.uk/nominations and submit a manifesto. This should be a description of what you would set out to achieve if elected. You will also need to give a short speech know as a hust at a forum of PG students. You will also need to campaign to win the votes of students. This can be in the form of posters, across social media and talking to people face to face. It is up to you. You will need to submit a budget of what you will be spending on campaign materials.  

What is expected of me if I’m elected?  

If you are elected you will be expected to attend PG Board meetings, hold events and campaigns for PG students at Lancaster. It will depend on the role you are elected into as to what you will do specifically.  

• Nominations are open from 10am Monday October 8 to noon on Friday October 12 
• Voting is open from 10am Wednesday October 17 to 4pm on Friday October 19

More information about elections is available here. If you have any questions about elections or the PG Board please email elections@lancastersu.co.uk.