Nominations close for the 2024 Student Elections on February 5th!

This week is your final chance to put yourself forward if you think you would like to run as a candidate in the Student Elections to become a full-time, paid Sabbatical Officer.

At this stage all you need to do is put your name forward. Nothing more is required. If you change your mind you can withdraw at anytime.

Let's bust some myths!

There can often be a lot of misconceptions surrounding the Student Elections and what it means to become a Sabbatical Officer here at your SU. So, before you make your decision on whether or not to nominate yourself for a Sabbatical Officer position, let's bust some common myths!

Myth: "Only certain students can nominate themselves in the Student Elections”

Wrong!

Fact: Every University of Plymouth student is given the same opportunity to put themselves forward as a candidate in the Student Elections.

Myth: "Being a Sabbatical Officer is just part-time work alongside your studies"

Wrong!

Fact: A Sabbatical Officer is a full-time position.

If you are in your first or second year at University, Sabbatical Officers take a year break from their studies and return to their course after a year of career-enhancing work. If you are in your final year of study or are a postgrad student, you can start your new role after your degree.

It does not matter whether you are a undergraduate or a postgraduate, what course you are studying, whether you are an international student or what age you are: you can nominate yourself!

Myth: "Sabbatical Officers are not paid”

Wrong!

Fact: Our Sabbatical Officers are paid a generous £23,040 per annum.

All our Sabbatical Officers are paid equally. Their salary is not dependent on which sabbatical role they have chosen or based on previous experience/qualifications.

Myth: "You have to know everything before applying to be a Sabbatical Officer"

Wrong!

Fact: Being a Sabbatical Officer may sound like a lot of responsibility, but rest assured that you do not need to know everything when you start.

You will be supported every step of the way by our Student Voice team.

The most important thing is that you have a good work ethic and are motivated to make a difference for your student community.

Myth: "Once you are elected, you start your role straight away"

Wrong!

Fact: Sabbatical Officers who are elected in March 2024 will start their role on the 24th June 2024 and their contract runs until the 1st July the following year. This gives you the time and space to finish your course or year of study before starting your new role.

When you start your role, you will spend the first three weeks receiving training as well as undertaking a handover period with the current Sabbatical Officer and UPSU staff team who can help you to settle in and get to understand the role and your responsibilities in greater detail.

Please speak to the student voice team if your course continues after the 15th June.

You can find all the Student Elections F&Qs by scrolling to the bottom of the Student Elections webpage.

Come along to one of our 'thinking of running?' sessions!

If you are thinking about nominating yourself as a candidate in the 2024 Student Elections but would like to know some more information and ask any questions about the role of a Sabbatical Officer or the elections process, please come along to one of our 'thinking of running?' sessions!

See our 'thinking of running' session timetable here.

Email Student Voice: studentvoice@su.plymouth.ac.uk if you have any questions regarding the Student Elections or want advice about nominating yourself.