Articles of Associations
The "internal rulebook" for a company. They represent a formal agreement between the people running the business (the directors) and the people who own it (the shareholders) on how everything should operate day-to-day.
Ballot
The slip where a voter places their vote and marks their choice. However, we use an online voting system so all ballots are digital!
Board of Trustees
A board of trustees is an appointed or elected group of people that has overall responsibility for the management of an organisation. They’re typically the governing body of an organisation who seek to ensure the best interest of stakeholders in all types of management decisions.
Campaigning
The act of attempting to gain votes in an election through a variety of means, including using social media, banners, and talking to students.
Candidate
A person who is running for a position in the elections.
Candidate Statement
A paragraph written by someone running in the election. Explaining who they are and why they would be a good fit for the role, helping students decide who to vote for.
Committee Member
a student who volunteers with RSU and is responsible for leading a student group along with the rest of the committee. They are the main point of contact for the students in regard to the group's activities, and are in close contact with RSU to ensure their group works smoothly.
Democratic organisation
A structure where governance, decision-making, and power are shared among all members, rather than concentrated in top management or shareholders.
Democracy
Simply put, democracy means "rule by the people," a system where citizens have the power to choose their leaders and influence government decisions, usually through voting in national elections, ensuring their voices are heard in how their country is run.
Deputy Returning Officer (DRO)
The individual responsible for ensuring the fairness and integrity of the elections. They manage the day-to-day running of the Elections, alongside the Elections Team.
Elected
What we call the winner of a position.
Elections Team
The team of Students’ Union staff who are responsible for the day-to-day running and delivery of Elections. They support students with enquiries, run events, and are on hand to help during the busy election period!
Electorate
An endorsement is a public display of support for a candidate, whether this is done in person or online.
Eligibility
This means you meet the necessary criteria for something. For elections, certain roles have eligibility criteria – for example, for Student Groups you must hold a membership to the necessary group in order to run or vote for a position.
Full-time officer
These are elected students who lead the Union for a whole year during a sabbatical year (gap year from studies) or immediately after their last year of study. They are full-time, paid positions which exist to lead the Union and act as lead representative for students.
Hustings
A meeting or event where candidates running in the election address potential voters. This could be through a Q&A or speech.
Liberation Societies
These are representative communities led by students, which focus on liberation, campaigning and giving a voice to marginalised groups. They are safe spaces for students to discuss important topics and work in partnership with the SU to improve student experience.
Manifesto
A set of goals, priorities, and reasons written by those running for student group committee positions to explain what they want to achieve and why students should support them.
Membership (student group)
Membership that can be acquired through a student group's page on the RSU website. This gives you official member status to your group in the eyes of RSU.
Member
All students at Roehampton are automatically members of the Students’ Union once they enrol at the University.
Nominate
The act of putting yourself forward to run in the elections
Nominations
The period of time when students can put themselves forward to run in a student election. You must be nominated to appear on the ballot and be voted for.
Officer
A student elected or appointed to represent students within the Students’ Union. Officers speak up for students and help make decisions that affect student life at Roehampton.
President Community
One of our full-time Sabbatical Officers, who focuses on all aspects of University life beyond the classroom, ensuring students feel safe, supported, and a true sense of belonging at Roehampton.
President Education
One of our full-time Sabbatical Officers, who focuses on every aspect of the academic experience, ensuring students feel their degree offers real value
Part-time Officer (PTOs)
Part-time Officers are RSU elected officers that represent and advocate for students within their respective community.
President (Student Group Leader)
a core role within a student group committee. They are the first point of contact for the society, and takes the lead on key responsibilities such as chairing meetings; ensuring risk assessments are completed; working with stakeholders; leading events, etc.
Quorate
Having the necessary number of people present for decisions to be allowed to be made.
Referendum
A general vote by electorates on a single question that has been referred to them for a direct decision.
R.O.N (Re-open nominations)
An option available for each role in an election. Choosing R.O.N means the voter does not want to vote for any of the current candidates and thinks nominations should be reopened so new candidates can stand.
Run in the elections
The phrase we use to describe putting yourself forward as a candidate in an RSU election, with the aim of being voted into a student representative role.
Rules and Regulations
These are a set of guidelines or principles that govern conduct and actions within the Elections. They outline the do’s and don’t and provide a framework for acceptable behaviour.
Sabbatical Officers
A full-time, paid student representative elected by students to represent their views and improve student life at Roehampton. Sabbatical officers usually take a year out from their studies (or are recently graduated) to focus on the role full-time. The President Community and President Education are often called ‘Sabbatical Officers’
Secretary
A core role within a student group committee. They take the lead on the administrative functions of the society (e.g., room booking requests; submitting forms; guest speaker requests), as well as leading on your society’s communications and record keeping duties (e.g., keeping meeting minutes).
Slate
A group of candidates that run in multi-position elections on a common platform - this is prohibited in our elections.
Student Group
A group led by student volunteers (committee) who run different types of activities and events throughout the year. They help make student life at Roehampton better.
Student Priorities
A number of things students get to vote on that will become the FTO's focus in the 2026/27 academic year.
Single-Transferable Voting system (STV)
STV lets you rank candidates in order of preference, from your top choice to least preferred. That means even if your first choice doesn’t win, your vote can still count toward someone else you support.
Term
The period spent within a role (e.g. a term of 12 months).
The Big Six
These are the top 6 voted on student priorities that the SU will focus on in the upcoming year.
Treasurer
A core role within a student group committee. They take the lead on the financial matters for the society. This includes responsibilities such as signing off expenses; ensuring students have purchased a membership to join your society; submitting bids for Grant Funding etc.
Vote
A formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates, or courses of action, expressed typically through a ballot.