Annual elections take place to select representatives to sit on the Guild’s Executive Committee for the following academic year, either as Sabbatical Officers (5 positions) who are elected to the role in a full time capacity, or part time Executive Officers (8 positions) who undertake their responsibilities alongside their studies. They are all elected by you to represent your interests in the University and local community as well as joining with other officers throughout Wales or the UK to lobby the National Assembly or Government. At University level, Sabbatical Officers will sit on the main committees and ensure that the student voice has an input into the decisions made throughout the University structure. At community level, officers meet with representatives from the local Town and County Councils to discuss issues that affect students studying in the town such as transport and refuse. At a national level the Guild, through its membership of the National Union of Students, takes part in campaigns and protests on issues affecting today’s and tomorrow’s students.

Changes to the Executive Structure

Since last year’s elections there have been some substantial changes to the structure of the Executive Committee and the roles of officers. The following is a description of how the new structure is intended to work in practice and how the roles fit into this new structure.

The biggest change is the reduction in size of the non-sabbatical executive posts and the changing of two of the five sabbatical roles. The main reasoning behind the changes is to enable the Guild Executive to be more responsive to its members’ needs and it is expected that a smaller executive will be more dynamic. There is also a need to balance the workloads undertaken by the different sabbatical roles to ensure that students get the best service possible. The diagram opposite outlines the new Executive structure.

SABBATICAL OFFICERS

What are Sabbatical Officers?
Sabbatical Officers work full time for the Guild. “Sabbs” work to represent you on a University, local and national level. They lobby the University, the Council, the Assembly and the Government on your behalf to effect change on issues that affect you. Policies passed by the students at Guild General Meetings dictate the direction of the Sabbatical Officers’ work. Sabbatical Officers sit on many University Committees to ensure that University Management take student needs into account when making decisions. The five full time roles also act as trustees of the organisation and have the job of balancing this role as trustee with their role as elected representatives.

Who can become a Sabbatical Officer?
Any student currently enrolled at Aberystwyth University can become a Sabbatical Officer. Ordinarily a student will run for a position after they graduate but it is possible to do so beforehand by suspending your studies for a year.

Why become a Sabbatical Officer?
As a Sabb you can develop a range of skills in leadership, communication, team-working, planning and problem-solving. It is hard work but very rewarding!

Democratic Review

There was a major overhaul of the current positions on the Guild Executive Committee, which resulted in some role changes in order to improve representation, campaigning and communication from the Guild. Sabbatical Development was drastic…but it was needed:

President

This role has been and remains one of the positions with the widest portfolio for student work in Aber. The Presidents role encompasses everything from Westminster and Welsh Assembly lobbying, to crossing over into the remits of other officers and pressuring Aberystwyth University into developing its services for students in every possible area, it now has a crucial responsibility in overseeing the development of student media.

Education Officer

A core body of work in Education, taking some of the previous work of the Education & Welfare Officer, with more specialization in key areas: - Course Representation/Higher Education Funding Issues/Student Case representation (i.e Unfair Practice charges)/ Academic Development etc.

Activities Officer

It may appear as a step back to 2008 when an activities officer was still in place, but this has been a key move in redeveloping the Sabb team. The reintroduction of this position with increased admin support will make it more effective than ever before, and go the distance in redressing the imbalance between sports and societies.

Student Support Officer

This role has now absorbed the 90% of student support work that was undertaken by the Education & Welfare Officer, again allowing for further specialization. This role also has the crucial responsibility of developing Equal Opportunities and Liberation work within the Guild and across Campus, overseeing campaign work with two deputy officers (Equal Opportunities Officer and Deputy Student Support & Campaigns Officer)

UMCA & Welsh Affairs President

There is no change to this role. The UMCA President runs Undeb Myfyrwyr Cymraeg Aberystwyth (UMCA), the Welsh Students’ Union, and is responsible for running campaigns, arranging events and looking after the Welsh speakers and learners among the student body. They also head up the ongoing Welsh language campaigns that also involve the other members of the Guild Executive.

PART TIME EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (NON-SABBATICAL)

One of the biggest and most controversial changes to the Guild structure has been the changes to the part time executive roles. In recent years, there have been many Exec positions unfilled and many of the positions that have been filled have failed to work effectively for the areas they support. A smaller Exec should be a more focused and active committee with all of its members dedicated to working hard to move the Guild forward.

What are part time Executive Officers?

Part time Exec Officers work alongside Sabbatical Officers whilst continuing with their studies. “Non-sabbs” work to raise the profile of, and represent the interests of their specific areas and together with the Sabbatical Officers, make up the Guild Executive Committee. They will also work with Sabbatical Officers to lobby the University, the Council, the Assembly and the Government on your behalf to effect change on issues that affect you.

Who can become a part time Executive Officer?

Any student currently enrolled at Aberystwyth University can become a part time Executive Officer.

Why become a part time Executive Officers?

Undertaking the role can be demanding but the benefits of being part of a team and making a difference are extremely rewarding. As a part time Exec Officer you can develop a range of skills in communication, team-working, planning and problem solving. Running an election campaign can be very rewarding (even if you don’t win!) and in the week leading up to Election Day you’ll understand why politicians do this on the big stage - the highs and the lows make it fun!

Part time Executive Officer Roles

Non-Portfolio Officer

The Non-Portfolio role has been the subject of much thought and discussion. The idea for the role is fairly simple: to allow students to set the agenda for their officers and to ensure that the issues that they feel are most important get the attention they need. They will also allow us to be more flexible and responsive to the changing needs of our students. It’s about campaigns in essence and ensuring that we run the right ones, the non-portfolio role will also as part of a smaller streamlined exec be able to have more of a say in the day to day running of the Guild and its campaigns. The Non-portfolio Officer will be line managed by the Sabbatical Officer that is felt to best suit their aims as decided by the Exec at their first full meeting. Until this time they will be under the line management of the President.

Equal Opportunities Officer

This is a new role for the Guild and is in many ways just as experimental as the Non-portfolio Officer. The Equal Ops Officer will work with the Student Support Officer to promote the importance of equal opportunities within the Guild. They will also be tasked with helping the Student Support Officer to run a new Equal Opportunities Forum, a chance for all students to have their say on equal ops and also a chance for any problems to be highlighted.

Guild Chairperson

This officer will be responsible for ensuring the Sabbatical team and Part-Time Exec Officers are accountable to the student body at General Meeting, ensuring that policy made by the body is undertaken by the officers. The role co-ordinates and chairs the Guild's General Meetings

Welsh Language Officer

This officer will be responsible for representing the interests of Welsh speaking students within the Guild and University. The officer is also responsible for monitoring the Guild’s Bilingual Policy and to advise on ways in which services can be improved. The officer will act as a source of information and point of contact for Welsh speaking students, and to campaign on their behalf.

Sustainability and Ethics Officer

This officer will be responsible for advising the Guild on ways in which it can improve the environmental and ethical impact of its work. The officer will act as a source of information and point of contact for students interested in environmental and ethical issues and run campaigns relevant to the role.

Deputy Student Support & Campaigns Officer

This officer will be responsible for the provision of additional student support to the Student Advice and Counselling Centre (SACC) and to promote its services to students. The officer will, if required, deputise for the Education and Welfare Officer.

Societies Officer

The officer will support the Activities Officer in encouraging student participation in societies. The election for this post takes place in the Guild Annual General Meeting and only Board of Society members are eligible to vote.

Sports Officer

This officer will be support the Activities Officer in encouraging student participation in sports and supporting clubs. The officer will, if required, deputise for the Activities Officer. The election for this post takes place in the Guild Annual General Meeting and only Club Sporty members are eligible to vote.