Positions for Elections 2025
UBU Elections 2025
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Officer Roles
- President of Student & Union Affairs
- President of Campaigns & Welfare
- President of Activities
- President of Education
- Black Students’ Officer
- Minority Ethnicities Officer
- Officer for Students with Disabilities
- International Students’ Officer
- Inclusion Officer
- LGBT+ Officer
- Trans+ Officer
- Womens' Officer
- Environment & Ethics Officer
- Post-graduate Students’ Officer
- UBU Chair of Council
- UBU Council Lay Members
President of Student & Union Affairs
NOTICE: This is only an indicative Job Description to help you understand and choose a role and to decide about standing. Because sabbaticals are paid, contracted jobs, there is a contract and formal Job Description operated by the University’s People, Culture & Wellbeing department. You should ask to see this if you are serious about standing for a sabbatical role.
Main Purpose of the Role
Lead Sabbatical officer for Student & Union Affairs.
Sabbatical Officer for Governance and Communication, responsible for representing the interest of the student body in all communication with the University of Bradford and UBU Governance bodies.
Be the lead Sabbatical for UBU Trustee Board (Chair), UBU Council, UBU Executive, UBU General Meetings (including Annual General Meeting).
Work with the relevant UBU staff on ways of communication with the membership and University, ensuring UBU has sound Governance.
A member of the UBU Executive, reporting to UBU Council and UBU General Meetings.
Sabbatical Responsibilities:
Primary representative of student views to the University and to local, regional and national bodies.
Trustee of the Students’ Union, which is a charity under the Education Act 1994 and Charities Act 2006.
Work within the UBU constitution, its governing documents and by-laws.
Enact governing the UBU Constitution, governing documents, By-laws and Policy.
A member of the UBU Executive, reporting to UBU Council and UBU General Meetings.
Work with the CEO to deliver the UBU strategy
Individual Responsibilities:
Responsible for representing the interest of the student body in regards to communication and views of the student body to the University.
Responsible for representing the interest of the student body in regards to the welfare and safety of the student body to the University.
Work with the relevant UBU staff in relations to the democratic functions of UBU such as UBU General Meetings, UBU Council, UBU Executive, UBU Trustee Board, and UBU Elections.
President of Campaigns & Welfare
NOTICE: This is only an indicative Job Description to help you understand and choose a role and to decide about standing. Because sabbaticals are paid, contracted jobs, there is a contract and formal Job Description operated by the University’s People, Culture & Wellbeing department. You should ask to see this if you are serious about standing for a sabbatical role.
Main Purpose of the Role
Be the lead Sabbatical representative for student welfare and safety to the University.
Be the lead Sabbatical responsible for representing the interests of the student body in regard to ensuring inclusivity and diversity at the University.
Sabbatical Officer for campaigns and welfare representation, responsible for representing the interest of the student body in matters pertaining to campaigns (supporting campaign officers) and student welfare.
Sabbatical Officer for the promotion of community volunteering to the student body
Supporting students in promoting the UBU spaces working with any relevant campaign officer – Including but not limited to: Room 101, PGR Lounge, Prayer Room, TLMC, Society Space, Activity Space, Officers space
Work with relevant UBU staff on community issues; maintaining good links with non-student residents in the community and local City Councillors, working to improve student integration in local neighbourhoods, ensuring off-campus students are equipped to be good citizens.
Responsible for representing the interest of the student body to the local community and local Government ensuring students are equipped to be good local citizens
To be a member of the UBU Executive, reporting to UBU Council and UBU General Meetings.
Sabbatical Responsibilities:
President of Campaigns and welfare committee
Primary representative of student views to the University and to local, regional, and national bodies.
Trustee of the Students’ Union, which is a charity under the Education Act 1994 and Charities Act 2006.
Work within the UBU Constitution, its governing documents, and By-laws.
Individual Responsibilities:
Responsible for representing the interest of the student body in all campaign and welfare matters of the student experience to the University.
Responsible for representing the interests of the student body ensuring inclusivity and diversity at the University
Lead Sabbatical working closely with volunteering to ensure students are aware of local projects in Bradford and they encourage students to get involved
Work with UBU Campaigning officers to support and promote their relevant campaigns.
President of Activities
NOTICE: This is only an indicative Job Description to help you understand and choose a role and to decide about standing. Because sabbaticals are paid, contracted jobs, there is a contract and formal Job Description operated by the University’s People, Culture & Wellbeing department. You should ask to see this if you are serious about standing for a sabbatical role.
Main Purpose of the Role
Lead Sabbatical Officer for activities representation, responsible for representing the interest of the student body in matters pertaining to sports clubs, societies, micro-societies, and activity groups.
President of UBU Sports and Activities Committees and Assemblies.
A member of the UBU Executive, reporting to UBU Council and UBU General Meetings.
Work with the relevant UBU staff on the UBU Activities Strategy for sports, societies, micro-societies, and activity groups.
Oversee the budgetary process for sports, societies, micro-societies, and activity groups.
An advisor of best practice for existing societies and advisor for those wishing to set up new societies.
Work with the relevant UBU staff and be the lead on training for sports and society group executives.
Be available to support the Chair of the Sports and Activities Assemblies.
Sabbatical Responsibilities:
Primary representative of student views to the University and to local, regional, and national bodies.
Trustee of the Students’ Union, which is a charity under the Education Act 1994 and Charities Act 2006.
Work within the UBU Constitution, its governing documents, and By-laws.
Enact governing documents, By-laws, and Policy.
Individual Responsibilities:
Make sure that the interests of students are represented in any policy which the University produces in relation to organised social spaces, sports facilities, and protected timetable restrictions.
Work with the relevant UBU staff on the development of UBU sports and activities strategy.
Be the lead student representative of student sport and activities on campus and to the HE sectors, local and national community.
President of Education
NOTICE: This is only an indicative Job Description to help you understand and choose a role and to decide about standing. Because sabbaticals are paid, contracted jobs, there is a contract and formal Job Description operated by the University’s People, Culture & Wellbeing department. You should ask to see this if you are serious about standing for a sabbatical role.
Main Purpose of the Role
Lead Sabbatical Officer for Educational Representation, responsible for representing the interests of the student body in all academic matters.
Lead Sabbatical for Academic Assembly which includes Student Reps and Faculty Reps
Work with relevant UBU staff to support elections and training of Student Reps and Faculty Reps.
A member of the UBU Executive, reporting to UBU Council and UBU General Meetings.
Sabbatical Responsibilities:
Primary representative of student views to the University and to local, regional and national bodies.
Trustee of the Students’ Union, which is a charity under the Education Act 1994 and Charities Act 2006.
Work within the UBU Constitution, its governing documents and By-laws.
Enact governing documents, By-laws and Policy.
Individual Responsibilities:
Responsible for representing the interest of the student body in all academic matters of the student experience.
Work with the relevant UBU staff on gathering research and data on academic matters.
Work with the relevant UBU staff to ensure the election and training of Student Reps and Faculty Reps are met in line with UBU policies and procedures.
Black Students’ Officer
Term of Service
The term of office runs from 1st July, but an Officer will be excused if not available until the start of the academic year. They must be available for traditional “term-time” between 1st October and 30th June.
Main Purpose of the Role
The Black Students Officer is responsible for representing students in matters relating to race and ethnicity, particularly students who identify as Black, but working intersectionally with other Officers such as the Minority Ethnicities Officer.
A voice for racial equality in UBU, the University, and wider society.
Candidates for the role must define themselves as being Black.
Council Executive Officers give their time up voluntarily, i.e. this is an unpaid role.
All Council Executive Officers are voting members of the UBU Executive and have a general responsibility for representation and campaigning work, and also for the implementation of Policy.
Council Executive Officers are held to account by UBU Council, of which they are a voting member.
Individual Responsibilities:
To lobby to ensure that the interests of Black students are represented in any policy which the University produces, particularly in issues relating to racial equality, and reporting on this.
To report regularly on issues of concern to Black students, and racial equality matters, to relevant bodies of UBU.
To bring to the attention of the student body any new proposals put forth by the University which may impact upon Black students; and fight for a safe and friendly campus.
Minority Ethnicities Officer
Term of Service
The term of office runs from 1st July, but an Officer will be excused if not available until the start of the academic year. They must be available for traditional “term-time” between 1st October and 30th June.
Main Purpose of the Role
The Minority Ethnicities Officer is responsible for representing students in matters relating to race and ethnicity, also working intersectionally with other Officers such as the Black Students Officer.
They are a voice for racial equality in UBU, the University, and wider society.
Candidates for the role must define themselves as being a member of an ethnic minority.
Council Executive Officers give their time up voluntarily, i.e. this is an unpaid role.
All Council Executive Officers are voting members of the UBU Executive and have a general responsibility for representation and campaigning work, and also for the implementation of Policy.
Council Executive Officers are held to account by UBU Council, of which they are a voting member.
Individual Responsibilities:
To lobby to ensure that the interests of students are represented in any policy which the University produces in issues relating to racial equality, and reporting on this.
To report regularly on racial equality matters to relevant bodies of UBU.
To bring to the attention of the student body any new proposals put forth by the University which may impact upon students of an ethnic minority; and fight for a safe and friendly campus.
To co-ordinate and run campaigns and events particularly relating to students of ethnic minorities.
Officer for Students with Disabilities
Term of Service
The term of office runs from 1st July, but an Officer will be excused if not available until the start of the academic year. They must be available for traditional “term-time” between 1st October and 30th June.
Main Purpose of the Role:
The Officer for Students with Disabilities is responsible for representing students in matters relating to disability and related accessibility.
They are a voice for disabled students, and for accessibility.
Candidates for the role should self-define as having a disability.
Council Executive Officers give their time up voluntarily, i.e. this is an unpaid role.
All Council Executive Officers are voting members of the UBU Executive and have a general responsibility for representation and campaigning work, and also for the implementation of Policy.
Council Executive Officers are held to account by UBU Council, of which they are a voting member.
Individual Responsibilities:
To lobby to ensure that the interests of disabled students are represented in any policy which the University produces.
To attend UBU Executive Committee
To report regularly on disabled and equality matters to the Committees of the union.
To bring to the attention of the student body of new proposals put forth by the University which may impact upon disabled students, and fight for a safe and more disability-friendly campus.
International Students Officer
Term of Service
The term of office runs from 1st July, but an Officer will be excused if not available until the start of the academic year. They must be available for traditional “term-time” between 1st October and 30th June.
Main Purpose of the Role
The International Students Officer is a crucial link between the UBU, the University, and our vibrant international student community. This role offers a unique chance to:
Represent: Be a strong voice for international students on campus.
Advocate: Champion their unique needs and concerns.
Connect: Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment.
You must identify as an international student to run for this position. It's a voluntary role, offering invaluable experience in representation and campaigning.
Key Responsibilities:
Represent the interests of International students in university policies.
Report regularly on International and equality matters to UBU committees.
Bring important issues to the student body.
Coordinate campaigns and events for International students.
Liaise with International Societies and the International Office.
Inclusion Officer
Term of Service
The term of office runs from 1st July, but an Officer will be excused if not available until the start of the academic year. They must be available for traditional “term-time” between 1st October and 30th June.
Main Purpose of the Role
The Inclusion Officer champions equality and access for all students, particularly those who may be underrepresented. This role offers you the chance to:
Advocate: Be a voice for Mature Students, Home-based Students, Students with Dependants, and other underrepresented groups.
Ensure: Promote access to UBU and University resources for everyone.
Create: Foster a more inclusive and equitable campus community.
As a voluntary Council Executive Officer, you'll have the chance to shape UBU policy and make a tangible difference in student lives.
Key Responsibilities:
Ensure the interests of all students are represented in university policy.
Bring important issues to the attention of the student body.
Coordinate campaigns and events relating to equality, inclusion, and diversity.
Liaise with UBU societies and coordinate with local and national campaigns.
LGBT+ Officer
Term of Service
The term of office runs from 1st July, but an Officer will be excused if not available until the start of the academic year. They must be available for traditional “term-time” between 1st October and 30th June.
Main Purpose of the Role
The LGBT+ Officer is responsible for representing the student body in matters of gender equality, sexuality, and related issues, and in particular representing LGBTIQA+ students.
They are a voice for gender and sexuality equality.
They must define themself as belonging to an LGBTIQA+ group. They are not required to publicly specify this in detail.
Council Executive Officers give their time up voluntarily, i.e. this is not a paid role.
All Council Executive Officers are voting members of the UBU Executive and share a general responsibility for representation and campaigning work, and also for the implementation of Policy.
Council Executive Officers are held to account by UBU Council, of which they are a voting member.
Key Responsibilities:
To endeavour to have the interests of students represented in any Policy which the University produces in issues relating to LGBTIQA+ equality.
To bring to the attention of the student body any new proposals put forth by the University of Bradford which may impact upon LGBTIQA+ students, and work towards a safe and friendly campus.
To coordinate and run campaigns and events particularly relating to LGBTIQA+ students.
Provide specific representation for LGBTIQA+ students.
To liaise with relevant UBU societies.
To help with the co-ordination of educational events about LGBTIQA+ issues.
Help to co-ordinate LGBT+ History month.
Co-ordinate and work with local and national LGBTIQA+ campaigns.
Liaise and work with other Officers on matters where there is relevant overlap of responsibilities.
Trans+ Officer
Term of Service
The term of office runs from 1st July, but an Officer will be excused if not available until the start of the academic year. They must be available for traditional “term-time” between 1st October and 30th June.
Main Purpose of the Role
The Trans+ Officer is responsible for representing students from the Trans+ community including trans and non-binary students; and representing the whole student body in matters relating to equality issues connected to the fact of individuals being trans and/or non-binary and/or identifying with other gender identities within the Trans+ community; and for wider campaigning to educate and inform the student body.
They are a voice for gender and sex equality.
They must define themself as a member of the Trans+ community. They are not required to publicly specify their precise identification in detail.
Council Executive Officers give their time up voluntarily, i.e. this is not at present a paid role.
All Council Executive Officers are voting members of the UBU Executive and share a general responsibility for representation and campaigning work, and also for the implementation of Policy.
Council Executive Officers are held to account by UBU Council, of which they are a voting member.
Key Responsibilities:
To endeavour to have the interests of students represented in any Policy which the University produces in issues relating to Trans+ equality.
To bring to the attention of the student body any new proposals put forth by the University of Bradford which may impact upon Trans and / or non-binary students, and work towards a safe and friendly campus.
To coordinate and run campaigns and events particularly relating to Trans & non-binary students.
Provide specific representation for Trans+ students.
To liaise with relevant UBU societies.
To help with the co-ordination of educational events about Trans+ & non-binary peoples’ issues.
Help to co-ordinate LGBT+ History month.
Co-ordinate and work with local and national campaigns relating to Trans+ & non-binary identities.
Liaise and work with other Officers on matters where there is relevant overlap of responsibilities.
Womens' Officer
Term of Service
The term of office runs from 1st July, but an Officer will be excused if not available until the start of the academic year. They must be available for traditional “term-time” between 1st October and 30th June.
Main Purpose of the Role
The Women’s Officer is responsible for representing women students in matters relating to their biological sex, their gender, and particularly their equality.
They are a voice for gender and sex equality in UBU, the University, and wider society.
Candidates for the role must self-define as a woman
Council Executive Officers give their time up voluntarily, i.e. this is an unpaid role
All Council Executive Officers are voting members of the UBU Executive and share a general responsibility for representation and campaigning work, and also for the implementation of Policy
Council Executive Officers are held to account by UBU Council, of which they are a voting member.
Individual Responsibilities:
To lobby to ensure that the interests of students are represented in any policy which the University produces in issues relating to sex equality and gender equality; and reporting on this.
To report regularly on sex equality and gender equality matters to relevant bodies of UBU.
To bring to the attention of the student body any new proposals put forth by the University which may impact upon students based on their sex and / or gender, and particularly which may be relevant to women’s equality, and campaign for a safe and friendly campus
To co-ordinate and run campaigns and events particularly relating to all women students
Provide specific representation for all women students
To liaise with any relevant UBU Societies
To help with the co-ordination of educational events about women’s and sex equality and gender equality issues
Help to co-ordinate International Women’s Day, Women’s History Month, and related events
Co-ordinate and work with related local and national campaigns
Liaise and work with other Officers on matters where there is relevant overlap of responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities:
To lobby to ensure that the interests of students are represented in any policy which the University produces in issues relating to sex equality and gender equality; and reporting on this.
To report regularly on sex equality and gender equality matters to relevant bodies of UBU.
To bring to the attention of the student body any new proposals put forth by the University which may impact upon students based on their sex and / or gender, and particularly which may be relevant to women’s equality, and campaign for a safe and friendly campus
To co-ordinate and run campaigns and events particularly relating to all women students
Environment & Ethics Officer
Term of Service
The term of office runs from 1st July, but an Officer will be excused if not available until the start of the academic year. They must be available for traditional “term-time” between 1st October and 30th June.
Main Purpose of the Role
The Environment & Ethics Officer is responsible for representing the interests of students where they are affected by damage to the environment or ethical trends and choices in the Union, the University, society, and the world.
They are a voice for environmental protection and ethical behaviour in UBU, the University, and wider society.
They are the champion on the UBU Executive of UBU Policies relating to the environment, social justice, and the ethical stance of UBU.
Council Executive Officers give their time up voluntarily, i.e. this is an unpaid role
All Council Executive Officers are voting members of the UBU Executive and have a general responsibility for representation and campaigning work, and also for the implementation of Policy
Council Executive Officers are held to account by UBU Council, of which they are a voting member.
Key Responsibilities:
To liaise with UBU Democracy Committee to ensure that environmental and ethical policy, to be found in UBU’s policy bank, is acted upon while it remains current, and refreshed and improved and expanded upon, where appropriate.
To lobby to ensure that the environment and ethical behaviour are considered in any policy which the University produces; and reporting on this.
To report regularly on environmental and ethical matters to relevant bodies of UBU.
To bring to the attention of the student body any new proposals put forth by the University which may impact upon students due to environmental damage or unethical stances; and fight to maintain a safe, environmentally friendly campus which minimises and aims to eradicate damage to the environment, plus a campus with businesses that run ethically and do not stock unethical products.
To co-ordinate and run campaigns and events relating to this area of responsibility.
To liaise with any relevant UBU Societies.
To help with the co-ordination of educational events about these issues.
Help to co-ordinate events for Earth Day and Fair-Trade Fortnight, and other appropriate events (for example, optionally, International Political Prisoners Day, and / or World Refugee Day).
Co-ordinate and work with related local and national campaigns.
Post-Graduate Students Officer
Term of Service
The term of office runs from 1st July, but an Officer will be excused if not available until the start of the academic year. They must be available for traditional “term-time” between 1st October and 30th June.
Main Purpose of the Role
The Post-graduate Officer is responsible for representing all Post-graduate Students of Bradford University who are members of UBU.
They must be registered as a Post-graduate student (e.g. Masters, Doctorate) at Bradford University.
Council Executive Officers give their time up voluntarily, i.e. this is an unpaid role
All Council Executive Officers are voting members of the UBU Executive, giving them a general shared responsibility for the representation and campaigning work of UBU, and also for the implementation of Policy. They can be collectively held to account by UBU Council, of which they are a voting member.
Key Responsibilities:
To make sure that the interests of Post-graduate Students are represented in any policy which the university produces in issues relating to Post-graduate learning, teaching, and social life.
To report regularly on Post-graduate matters to any relevant Committees of UBU.
To bring to the attention of the student body any new proposals put forth by the University of Bradford which may impact upon Post-graduate Students.
To work for a safe and friendly campus for Post-graduate students.
To co-ordinate and run campaigns and events particularly relating to students who are Post-graduates.
To co-convene the Post-graduate Students Network.
Provide specific representation for Post-graduate Students.
To liaise with any relevant societies representing Post-graduate students.
Co-ordinate and work with local and national Post-graduate campaigns.
Liaise with the Inclusion Officer on any issues which may particularly affect Mature Students.
Chair of UBU Council
Purpose and Scope
The Chair of UBU Council is a Trustee of UBU, and responsible for representing students in matters relating to the Union itself. They Chair UBU Council meetings, in which they have a casting voting right, i.e. when a vote is tied they have discretion and need not adhere to the status quo, but when they have no opinion or no desire to express an opinion, they should vote to maintain the status quo. They also attend the quarterly UBU Trustee Board meetings.
Key Responsibilities:
To assure UBU Council is run smoothly and on time without any disturbances.
To ensure full procedures occur during Union Council meetings.
Member of the UBU Trustee Board representing student views.
To investigate any problems that may arise for the Union alongside the sabbatical officers.
To ensure the UBU Constitution is correctly applied during UBU Council meetings.
Trustee Board Strategy Committee
Council Democracy and Advisory Committee
Council Lay Members x 9 Positions
Term of Service
The term of office runs from 1st September, but a Member will be excused if not available until the start of the academic year. They must be available for traditional “term-time” between 1st October and 30th June.
Main Purpose of the Role
Council Lay Members are voting members of UBU Council who attend meetings to represent the voice and opinion of all student members of UBU. They are to raise any issue that may have been brought to their attention and also help understand and resolve any issues that fellow Council Members may have brought. They are expected to take a share of the collective responsibility for developing the Union’s business as brought to Council, and resolving problems brought to Council.
Key Responsibilities:
To represent the views of students, whether or not they personally share those views.
To read the reports of the Executive Officers in advance of each UBU Council meeting, and prepare any pertinent questions.
To attend all UBU Council meetings, and to send apologies when they are unavoidably unable to attend.
(Council Members shall be deemed to have resigned if failing to attend a number of meetings as defined in the UBU Council By-Law.)
To strive to ensure that all unaddressed matters affecting students are brought to the meeting, particularly if they have not fallen within the remit of any of the Officers with a specific portfolio of responsibilities.
To stand for election for some of the committees of UBU Council (of their own choice) — for example, Democracy Committee and Membership Committee, plus any others that may be created from time to time.
Additionally, one or more Lay Members to stand for the (one) position for a Council Representative on the Trustee Board’s Elections Committee.
Additionally, one or more Lay Members to stand to be the (one) Deputy Chair of Council.
Lay Members may choose which committees to stand for, but should accept a collective responsibility to attempt to avoid vacancies on these committees.
- The University of Bradford Students' Union is a unincorporated association registered with the charity commission, charity No. 1148622
