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How to win

Here you’ll find everything you need to give yourself a winning chance at being one of our next Student Officers.

Illustration of a trophy with a rosette that says 'Student Officer'

Campaigning tips

Get out and talk to students. They need to know who you are and why they should vote for you.

  • Build a campaign team.
  • Do lecture shout-outs and hall knocks.
  • Plan where and when to campaign.
  • Always keep your promo materials with you.
  • Pick three main priorities to talk about. 
  • Do your research and keep it topical.
  • Keep it short, simple and jargon free.
  • Use flash cards, make eye contact, speak clearly.
  • Take advantage of our support.

Things to remember

  • Make your campaign SMART (simple, memorable, ambitious, realistic, topical).
  • Promotional material should stand out. Include your name, photo, position you’re running for, and how to vote.
  • Don’t be put off if students don’t engage, be polite and move on.
  • You’re responsible for your campaign team and the same rules apply. A complaint against them is a complaint against you.
  • Campaign in appropriate areas, not lifts, stairwells or entrance ways.
  • Ask permission to campaign in certain places such as bars, cafés and canteens.
  • Election Regulations don't allow you to campaign in libraries or drop-in rooms.
  • Ask before putting up posters in the University’s buildings.
  • Focus on your own campaign, don’t worry about what others are doing.
  • Don’t make empty promises, talk about practical changes you believe you can make.
  • Don’t neglect your studies and tell your lecturers what’s happening.
  • Campaigning is hard work, take care of yourself and have fun!

Social media tips

Why should I use social media for my campaign?

  • Contact students directly
  • Encourage discussion 
  • Share links and info
  • Raise your profile
  • Meet others involved 
  • Reach more students

Group of illustrated students

Top tips

  • If you’re in a Candidate Team work together to raise each other’s profiles.
  • Avoid contentious issues if this is not your stance or belief.
  • React appropriately to any interaction/feedback. 
  • Avoid anything that you wouldn’t be happy to say/show in public.
  • Link to your manifesto / The Union’s election webpage
  • Post correct information. Unsure? Ask the Deputy Returning Officer.

Candidate teams

A Candidate Team is a group of candidates who work together and support each other during the election campaign. Being part of a team can be beneficial in the elections but is not compulsory to run.

Benefits

  • Greater potential for votes due to the team gaining votes for each other.
  • A diverse team is more reflective of the student body and can help broaden your appeal.
  • If your team are all successful, you'll already know each other before you start. 
  • A sense of commonalty amongst candidates can give reassurance to students.

Risks

  • Everyone is accountable for the actions of individuals on the team. If one team member breaks a rule, the whole team could be subject to sanctions.
  • If the team isn’t pulling in the same direction, it can cause friction and lead to a breakdown.
  • A poorly organised team, with no clear message, can turn voters off. 
  • If students don’t identify with your team’s overall beliefs or aims, this may mean they don’t vote for anyone on the team.

How

There'll be sessions where you can meet other students who are interested in becoming a Student Officer. Here you can talk and discover if you have ideas or opinions in common. We'll also be taking contact details of students looking to form a Candidate Team and share them with all candidates.

When

You need to inform our Elections Team of your Candidate Team name, who the team members are, and the positions they're running for. 

Deadline 25 February, 23:59

p.s. it's not compulsory to be part of a Candidate Team to stand in the Student Officer Election. Independent candidates are still eligible to stand and campaign.

Thinking of forming a team?

There’ll be a number of sessions held for you to come along and meet other candidates who are thinking of running in this years Elections. You’ll be able to chat with one another and find out if you have any ideas or opinions in common.

Contact details of those who are interested in forming a Candidate Team will then be collected and shared with the relevant students.

You’ll need to inform the Elections Team via email with your Candidate Team name, members and position each member is running for by 25 Feb, 23:59.

Tell us about your team

Manifesto writing tips