STUDENT LEADERS WANTED
ELECTION GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE
WHAT IS A STUDENT BOARD DIRECTOR AND WHAT IS THEIR ROLE?
Student board directors are currently enrolled students at the University of Sydney and Access members who want to make a difference. They are elected, for a two-year term, into a board position by fellow students on the basis of their ideas for the future and their passion for student life.
USU Board is made up of 13 directors: 11 who are elected by Sydney University students and staff, and 2 who are appointed by the University Senate.
Collectively, student board directors are responsible for governing the USU, developing and reviewing policies, improving programs and services, creating new spaces and managing the USU’s finances.
They make important and far-reaching decisions. For example, student board directors have been responsible for key programs such as our coveted C&S Program, INCUBATE, Verge Festival and Interfaith Week; initiatives such as sustainable coffee; even infrastructure such as the Holme Building redevelopment, Verge Gallery and the International Student Lounge.
WHAT ARE THE 2013 ELECTION GRANTS?
For the first time USU is offering $500* election grants to candidates to help them through the process. The grants system was developed in response to recent research** which showed more students were likely to run for the USU’s student board if the main barriers to running – time and money – were reduced.
The grants will be monitored by USU staff to ensure the spending abides by the USU’s Election Regulations. The spending limit will remain at $700 (as in previous years) and students wishing to spend an additional $200 can do so at their own expense.
IF I’M SUCCESSFUL, WHAT CAN I SPEND MY ELECTION GRANT ON?
Successful nominees can spend the grant on anything that is campaign-related and within the spending limit. Campaign-related materials include: t-shirts, balloons, streamers, face paint and A-Frames.
Items that are both easily and equitably borrowed or that are generally owned, are not included in the limit. For example, music, tables, laptops and TVs.
HOW CAN I RUN FOR BOARD?
1. Buy an Access Card from the Access Desk on Level 1, Manning House or at the International Student Lounge.
2. Ask two friends who also have Access Cards to support your nomination.
3. Fill in your details and your friends’ details in the nomination form. Links will be sent to your friends, which they will click to confirm their support.
4. Submit your completed nomination form by 5pm on Monday 15 April 2013.
HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE 2013 ELECTION GRANT?
If you wish to apply for the election grant simply tick the box within the nomination form.
On Wednesday 20 March between 1 and 2pm in the Holme Building’s Student Lounge, USU will be hosting an information session about the new election grants and how to run for the USU’s student board.
USU’s current President, Astha Rajvanshi, will be there alongside CEO, Andrew Woodward, to answer your questions. Other Board Directors will also be present for you to meet and discuss your thoughts on running for Board.
KEY DATES
2013-2015 USU Board nominations open Monday 18 March and close at 5pm on the Monday 15 April 2013.
Important Election-related Dates
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DATE
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TIME
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EVENT
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LOCATION
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Mon March 18
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9am
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Board Nominations Open
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usuonline.com.au
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Wed March 20
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1pm
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Holme student Lounge
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Monday March 25
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1pm
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Women’s Mentoring Session
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Manning Room 1
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Monday April 15
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5pm
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Board Nominations applications Close
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Access Office
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Tuesday April 16
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4pm
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Ballot Draw / Candidate Information Session
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Holme Sutherland room
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Mon May 6
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Campaigning can begin
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See regulations for rules
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Tues May 7
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12.45pm
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Election Soapbox
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Manning Bar
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Thurs May 16
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10am
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Absentee voting opens
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Access and ISL
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Tues May 21
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10am
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SCA / CON / Mallett St Voting Day
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SCA / CON / Mallett St
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4pm
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Pre Polling (absentee voting) Closes
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Access and ISL
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Wed May 22
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from 7.30am
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ELECTION DAY!
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All over campus
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7pm
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Election Night Party
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Hermann’s Bar
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*Dates may be subject to change
MORE INFO
More information will become available soon.
Keep an eye out for regular updates on our Facebook page at and if you require any more information contact .
* The 2013 election grants have been made available by reallocating budget from USU’s commercial operations – not from Access members’ fees. The number of grants available will be determined after initial interest has become evident. The grants serve to create a fairer elections process.
** This feedback was generated on USU Hub – a forum for gathering current student feedback on USU matters. To join the Hub, simply register at: www.usuonline.com.