Frequently Asked Questions
Information for Candidates
Why should I be a candidate?
Whilst there are many reasons why people run for positions in SurreyDecides, below are a few reasons previous students have noted for running:
- Wanted to improve the student experience
- Had clear ideas that they wanted to implement on campus
- Personal experience of issues on campus and a desire to solve them
- Experience of alternative systems in other Universities
- Interest in working in Student Unions or politics after graduation
- Opportunity to talk to, and engage with, more students
One thing that all of these people had in common was determination to change things on campus for the better!
Am I eligible to be a candidate?
In order to be a candidate in Surrey Decides, you must be a current student at the University. For part-time roles, you must be studying next year; full-time roles can be contested by students at any stage of their degree (including final years).
- Full time roles will require you to pause your studies (if applicable) for the following year and do not count as a placement.
- You can be a candidate whilst on placement.
- International students can be candidates and the Union can offer support if a role may affect your visa terms.
- Both undergraduate and postgraduate students (masters and doctoral) are eligible.
Can I talk to anyone about my manifesto?
Absolutely - whether you're thinking of running or your nomination's already in, come chat to us at the Union or get in touch with the relevant Sabbatical Officer:
How can I get involved?
If you would like to run for a position in Surrey Decides you must ensure your nomination is completed during the nomination period (10th Feb - 6pm 19th Feb). To do this you must complete a candidate form with your contact details, the role you wish to run for, and the emails of individuals who support your candidacy (10 for Part-time roles and 15 for Sabbatical positions).
Your proposers will then receive an automated email to confirm that they endorse your candidacy. Each individual can endorse two candidates within Surrey Decides, so long as they are not running for the same position.
Alternatively, if you want to get involved without running for a position, you can act as one of our student chairs for Question Time by emailing surreydecides@surrey.ac.uk.
What do I do if there are problems with my nominators?
If you have any issues with nominations please contact surreydecides@surrey.ac.uk as soon as possible.
If there is an issue with contacting an individual or IT issues, it is possible to alter your proposers, but you must contact us in order to do so. However, if it exceeds the deadline (6pm 19th Feb), you may not be able to run in Surrey Decides.
What am I expected to do as a Candidate?
Candidates are invited to attend a briefing on the 20th February which outlines the rules of the election process and offers advice on each aspect of this process. There are three main task each candidates are expected to complete:
- Submit a manifesto and ballot photo by the manifesto deadline
- Campaign during the campaigning period
- Attend each Question Time (optional but strongly recommended)
What is a Manifesto?
A manifesto is your opportunity to showcase your main aims to the student body. These typically include 3-4 main aims that you will complete within your year as a Sabbatical officer, and should be primarily relevant to the role you are running for. These points should be achievable, clearly defined, and easy to measure.
The manifesto is also your chance to showcase who you are as an individual to the student population, either through a short bio, design choices, or choice of images. You can include hobbies, sports or societies that endorse your campaign, or evidence of why you are qualified for the role. Each manifesto is unique and individual, but you can check out previous manifestos for inspiration.
What is Question Time?
Question Time is each candidate's opportunity to show why they are the best person for their role during a livestreamed debate alongside fellow candidates for the same position. Question Time takes place on the evening of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of March, from 7pm each night. Each night will consist of various roles taking the spotlight for an hour each (slightly longer for President) within Rubix.
Question Time is livestreamed by StagTV, including commentary following each debate. StagRadio will also air the audio of the debate followed by a student-led commentary. Each year #SurreyDecides trends in the UK due to the sheer number of students who engage with the event, meaning that it is a key opportunity for any candidate to shine.
How can I prepare for Question Time?
Candidates will be given advice on preparing for question time at the briefing on the 20th, but here are some general tips:
- Know your manifesto well
- Watch previous Question Time events for ideas of what questions may come up (you can find these on the SurreyUnion YouTube channel)
- Ask friends to interview you on your campaign points
- Talk to students and see what issues are most relevant to them
What if I cannot make it to Question Time?
If you cannot make it to Question Time please contact surreydecides@surrey.ac.uk to let us know. If you are unable to make it in person, but would like to take part we can arrange for you to video call in. We advise all candidates to attend each night, or watch from home via the livestream or Youtube recording.
How does campaigning in Rubix work?
During the campaign period, candidates are granted free access to Rubix (Citrus and Flirt!) to camapaign. Candidates are welcome to bring promotional materials with them to these events to help them campaign, as long as they do not breech health and safety or an of the election rules.
Whilst candidates receive free entry, any friends they bring with them to aid campaigning do not receive free entry and must pay to get in, even if they would normally receive free entry (bar staff, etc.).
Are there limitations on campaigning?
There are limitations on how and when you can campaign during this period.
Below is a list of some of the main rules for the campaign period, but we advise all candidates attend the rules briefing on the 20th to ensure that they fully understand this process.
- Campaigning can only occur from 12:00 midday of the 26th February
- All posters and promotional material must be removed by 6pm on the 7th March
- There is a no tolerance policy on sabotaging another candidates materials
- Campaigning is banned from all Hive spaces and the entire Library building (including the ground floor).
- You are not to pressure students into voting for you, nor watch them vote – all votes must be private to avoid coercion.
- No use of adhesive stickers
- No excessive disruption (noise, unsociable hours campaigning, blocking access to campus facilities etc.)
- No campaigning whilst working for the University or Student's Union
What should I do if I believe a rule has been broken?
If you have evidence that a candidate has broken any of the election period rules, or is being needlessly disruptive to students, please contact surreydecides@surrey.ac.uk.
Please note that candidates should focus on their own campaigns; repeated unfounded or vexatious complaints against a competitor may affect your own position in the election.
Information for Voters
How does this affect me?
The University of Surrey Students' Union is not-for-profit charity, independent from the University that represents all University of Surrey students on a local and national level. As the sole representative body for students at Surrey, the Union is led by a team of 5 full time sabbatical officers and 21 part time student officers who are responsible for directing, and implementing, change within the University.
Over the past five years the elected officers have:
- Created Surrey Volunteering Platform
- Reviewed University Bursary Scheme to include more students
- Launched "Employable Me"
- Set up Nightline at Surrey
- Founded University of Surrey Lettings in partnership with the University
So, it is important for you to vote for the person who best represents what you want to change within the University.
How do I vote?
When voting opens, you will be sent an email from the Students' Union explaining how to cast your vote. Each position is listed separately and includes links to the candidate's manifestos for you to read up about the candidates.
When you vote, you'll see all the different roles on offer at the Union. You can vote in as many or as few elections as you wish.
On the voting page, you can rank all candidates in terms of preference, this is so that your vote can count for another candidate if your first choice doesn't win. Put a 1 (i.e. first preference) next to the candidate you want to support, and then any other rankings in descending order if you want.
There will also be an option to vote RON (Re-Open Nominations) in each section if you believe none of the candidates are suitable for the role.
Why does everybody have [1] next to their name?
Surrey Decides uses a single transferrable vote system to determine your student representatives. This means that voters have to rank the candidates for each role in the order of their preference, with 1 being their first choice for the role, 2 being their second, etc. After voting ends, all the 1 votes are counted for each individual. If anyone has an outright majority they are elected immediately, otherwise the person with the lowest number of votes is eliminated and their votes redistributed to the voters second preference. This process continues until someone has a majority. As this system can be confusing candidates include the [1] on their promotional materials to ensure voters allocate the correct "rank" to them, rather than misinterpreting the scale.
What should I do if a candidate is being disruptive?
If you have evidence that a candidate has broken any of the election period rules, or is being needlessly disruptive to students, please contact surreydecides@surrey.ac.uk.
When does voting open/close?
Voting takes place after the final Question Time at around 23:00 Tuesday 3rd March - 6pm 7th March.
Who can I contact for more information?
If you still have questions after reading this FAQ please email them to surreydecides@surrey.ac.uk or talk to one of our staff members within the Students' Union.
