UCLU

University College London Union

Electing StARs: Good Practice Guide

In accordance with the UCL Academic Manual, Student Academic Representatives should be elected from the following categories in each academic department:

  • At least one undergraduate student from each year of study
  • At least one taught Masters student
  • At least one graduate research student
  • At least one part-time student, where appropriate
     

StARs Logo

Step-by-step guide to electing StARs

The following election process is provided to offer guidance to departments:

Step 1 Introduction

Presentation to StARs by departmental staff member:

  1. Explain what a StAR is and the benefits of the position which include:
  • Making new friends, meeting like-minded students and working with other motivated and enthusiastic people.
  • Learning new skills that are instantly recognisable to future employers, including interpersonal, communication, organisational and problem solving skills.
  • Helping peers resolve course related problems.
  • Getting involved in the wider issues that surround UCLU and the University.
  • Receiving a certificate of recognition from UCLU acknowledging the role that they have been involved in.
  1. Present the Opportunity Profile, which outlines the requirements for becoming a StAR.
  2. Explain how StARs will be elected and how long they will be a StAR for according to the appointment schedule set out above.

Step 2 Nominations and speeches

Provide nomination forms to students. Each nominee should fill this out and return it to the member of staff dealing with StARs elections. Nomination forms and other resources can be found in the resources section below.

Each candidate should be asked to give a short speech stating why they should be elected as a StAR. Where it is not possible for this to be done in person it is possible to circulate speeches by email or through departmental Moodle pages. Should time allow, questions can be taken from students for each candidate.

Step 3 Voting

Each student can make only one vote. This can either be done through a show of hands or a secret ballot. This is done by assigning each candidate with a number and asking voting students to write their chosen number on their voting slips. A template voting slip can be found in the resources section below. Again, it is possible to conduct votes via email or Moodle where it is not possible to do this in person.

Step 4 Results

Once you have conducted your vote, please send the names and emails of the elected StARs to your Faculty contact within the agreed timeframe.

Election resources available to download: