LEAD LIKE A STUDENT

REPRESENT YOUR COMMUNITY AT ESSEX SU

Apply to be a voluntary Student Community Officer, Council Rep, Union or Campus Chair.

Be involved in making change and leading the direction of the SU.

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Essex SU is run by elected Student Leaders and voluntary SCOs & Council Reps

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They all sit on SU Council to make big decisions on behalf of Essex students

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Get involved! Represent your community as an SCO or Council Rep

Already know you’ve got what it takes?

Represent your community as a voluntary Student Community Officer or Council Rep next year.

Apply by 23:59 6 May!

Still deciding if it’s for you? Scroll on down and find out more about the roles and the SU Communities Election process 👇.

APPLY NOW
 

THE PERKS

Lead Essex SU

Really! You’ll work alongside the elected Student Leaders and SU Staff to contribute to the course of action of the SU.

Upgrade your CV

You’ll gain loads of transferrable skills like negotiation, listening, overcoming challenges, event organising and public speaking.

Represent Students

You'll be a voice for your community at Essex, making sure that their needs are understood and represented.

Variety of Positions

With 40+ positions available, there’s one to suit every interest.

Work with amazing people

You'll work with students, elected Student Leaders, SU Staff and University staff.

RATED 5 STARS*

“Taking on a role in SU Council allowed me to develop so many skills whilst also making lots of new friends. The skills I learnt including: negotiation skills, diplomacy and listening to all views, have been essential for me and have helped me to be the best SU President I could be.”

— Kieran Phillips, SU President 2023-24, Union Chair 2021-23, Colchester Campus Chair 2020-21

“Being the Women's Officer has not only allowed me to blossom as a person but has given me the opportunity to support a community that has done so much for me. my favourite thing about my role is that you can make the role your own, whether this is through campaigns, events, or the Instagram account. It has been incredible to on events and use my voice to raise the concerns/issues of my community.”

— Mariah Atsev, Women's SCO 2023-24

*BY THE PEOPLE WHO’VE BEEN THERE, DONE THAT AND GOT THE T-SHIRT.

APPLY HERE

Apply to be a part of the 2025 SU Communities Election below 👇

UNION CHAIR

The Union Chair leads the all-campus meetings

The Union Chair chairs the All Campus meetings, and ensures that these are well run, productive and participative and establishes a SU Council code of conduct.

The Union Chair also ensures that sll the procedures around the SU Council are followed correctly.

The Union Chair will also be responsible for the running of the AGM when required.

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CAMPUS CHAIR

Campus Chair leads the meeting of their specific campus

The Campus Chair leads their specific campus meeting (Colchester, Southend or Loughton) and makes sure these are well run, participative, and that the SCOs of their campus give their relevant updates.

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STUDENT COMMUNITY OFFICERS

Student Community Officers (SCOs) lead communities

There are 10 voluntary SCO roles available for you to apply for.

The SCOs are the figure head for their community, they ensure that the views and ideas of their community are heard by both the SU and the university.

They’re responsible for ensuring there are specific events for their community and that the correct celebration of key dates happens, like Black History Month or Lunar New Year.

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Asian Officer

Apply

Black Officer

Apply

International Officer

Apply

LGBTQ+ Officer

Apply

Mature Officer

Apply
neurodivergent officer

Neurodivergent Officer

Apply

Student Parent and Carers Officer

Apply

Students with Disabilities

Apply

Trans+ Officer

Apply

Women's Officer

Apply

 

COUNCIL REPS

Council Reps speak on behalf of students’

There are a variety of voluntary Council Rep roles available for you to apply for.

Council Reps are the voice of their communities at SU Council, They make sure issues that are discussed take their communities views and thoughts into consideration.

They also ensure that the SU and the other elected officers are doing their jobs correctly and that their community feels represented.

APPLY NOW

Asian Rep x2

Apply

Black Rep x2

Apply

Blades Rep x2

Apply

Care Experienced Rep

Apply

Estranged Rep

Apply

Faith Rep x2

Apply

Hidden Disabilities

Apply

International Rep x4

Apply

LGBTQ+ Rep

Apply

Living Off Campus Rep

Apply

Mature Rep

Apply

Minority Ethnic Rep x2

Apply

Rebel Rep x2

Apply

Refugee Rep

Apply

Safety Rep

Apply

Services Rep

Apply

Societies Rep x2

Apply

Sustainability

Apply

Students with Disabilities

Apply

Students Parents and Carers Rep

Apply

Student Staff Rep

Apply

Trans+ Rep

Apply

UG Arts & Humanities Rep

Apply

UG Social Sciences

Apply

UG Science & Health Rep

Apply

Women's Rep x3

Apply

VTeam Rep x2

Apply

REGISTER TO VOTE

Self-define today so that you’re eligible to vote…

Like most (if not all) Students’ Unions across the country, when it comes to gender, race, sexuality, and disability we operate a self-definition system. We do this because some of us might not self-define with the same gender or sexuality as when we first started university. This becomes important around SU Elections as we want to limit the voting of who should lead communities to those that belong to that community only. Set your preferences below.

Please log in to change your memberships.

By ticking any of the above boxes, you are consenting to receiving email communications in relation to the above selected preferences. Your details will be held in accordance with the Students' Union's Data Retention Policy and will not be shared with any other third party. Further details can be found on our privacy page. You are able to unsubcribe from receiving email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any emails you receive in respect of the above preferences.

So, how does it all work?

Essex SU is run by students, for students

Each year in May, students put themselves forward to run for part-time, voluntary positions to lead Essex SU. They campaign for votes and every Essex student will have an equal chance to 'vote like a student' and choose who they want to be elected into each of the roles.

This is the SU Communities Election.

The SU Communities Elections is broken down into these stages...

Interested in running? Let us know by expressing your interest by 23:59 Tuesday 29 April.

It’s the first step towards becoming Union or Campus Chair, a Council Rep or an SCO.

This is the phase where you can apply (put yourself forward) for a role.

You can only nominate yourself for one role.

Now that you’re a candidate, it is time to find out all of the details and ensure you understand the rules and procedure of the SU Communities Election. It is also an opportunity to find out anything you want to know before campaigning starts.

The candidate briefing is compulsory. You must attend at least one of the sessions.

All candidates will be announced by Essex SU as an official candidate in the SU Communities Election 2025/26.

You can start promoting that you are running for a position in the SU Communities Election!

It is your chance to do everything that you can to get the most votes in your category.

Use this period to convince the student body that you are the best person for the role and that they should vote for you.

Use posters, social media posts, leafleting and campaigning on campus.

The Campaign Hub will be available for all candidates in Colchester to use.

And voting is open! Now’s the time to make sure your audience are voting!!!

All eligible students can vote for who they want to lead Essex SU. Voting is available online and in voting booths on the Squares. This is when campaigning gets to its most intense and you’re pushing to get as many people to vote for you as possible.

Students vote in order of preference.

The results of the SU Communities Election 2025/26 are announced. If you’re a candidate, you cross your fingers that it’s you. Good luck!

 

 

 

Ready to take on the challenge?

The clock is ticking! Apply now and get ready to upgrade your CV! You’ll gain loads of transferrable skills like negotiation, listening, overcoming challenges, event organising and public speaking.

Apply by 6 May 23:59.

APPLY NOW

HOW TO CREATE A CAMPAIGN

The ultimate step-by-step guide to creating your campaign!

START PLANNING YOUR CAMPAIGN NOW

Talk To Us

Got a question? Feel free to send us an email!

The Rules

The election is free, fair, competitive and safe.

The following rules have been designed to ensure this…

Read The Rules

We’re on a mission to be the world’s most student-centered organisation.

Join the vote like a student movement and help us to make this happen.

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