REPRESENTATION

Student elections are your opportunity to get involved, contribute and be the voice for students!

It’s an exciting time where we encourage students like YOU to have a voice, take charge of how you will be represented, and have your say in your Uni experience.

In 2023, our focus is on the quality of your Uni experience and adding even more value through delivering on our student promises.

Now is your chance to make a difference, get involved, and make sure that your Uni experience is the best that it can be.

Voting in this year’s elections is as easy as 1-2-3 (and 4): 

1. Monday, 12th September, you will receive an email from UTAS to vote.
2. Click on the link provided in the email.
3. Vote for each candidate in order of your preference.
4. Submit your vote.

See this year’s candidates and their candidate statements here. Watch a recording of the Presidential Debate moderated by Togatus here.

• Nominations Open: 9 am Monday 15 August 2022
• Nominations Close: 5 pm Monday 29 August 2022
• Electoral Roll Closes: 5 pm Monday 29 August 2022
• Online Voting Ballot Opens: 9 am Monday 12 September 2022
• Online Voting Ballot Closes: 11:59 pm Wednesday 14 September 2022
• Scrutiny: 2 pm Thursday 15 September 2022 (TUSA Boardroom, Sandy Bay Campus)
• Election Results: 5 pm Thursday 15 September 2022

The roles below are all up for election this year. Click on each role to read the position description.

• President
• Equity President
• Education President – Undergraduate
• Education President – Postgraduate
• Southern Campus President
• Northern Campus President
• Cradle Coast Campus President
• Rozelle Campus President

Are you eligible to nominate for TUSA student representative positions?

Don’t be disappointed – check your eligibility and get your nomination in and confirmed early.

• Role related eligibility criteria as per the position descriptions for each position.
• Valid enrolment under Clause 18.1 of the UTAS Student Participation and Attainment Ordinance
• Good academic and conduct standing*

Specific role related eligibility (further information can be found under Section 5 of each position description):

• Equity President
  • Nominations for this position must include written letters of support from two Equity focused organisations that demonstrate the prospective nominees willingness to represent students that identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, students studying with disabilities, students who identify as a woman and international students.
• Education President – Undergraduate
  • Must be a currently enrolled Undergraduate Student
• Education President – Postgraduate
  • Must be a currently enrolled Postgraduate Student
• Southern Campus President
  • Must be enrolled at or regularly attend UTAS Southern Campus(es)
• Northern Campus President
  • Must be enrolled at or regularly attend UTAS Northern Campus(es)
• Rozelle Campus President
  • Must be enrolled at or regularly attend UTAS Rozelle Campus(es)
• Cradle Coast Campus President
  • Must be enrolled at or regularly attend UTAS Cradle Coast Campus(es)

*details pertaining to this criteria are detailed within the Election Policy

If you or your nominators do not have a valid enrolment your nomination will not be accepted.

As a candidate in the TUSA student elections, you will want to encourage as many University of Tasmania students as possible to vote for you.  All current students at the University of Tasmania are entitled to vote, provided they satisfy the valid enrolment criteria under  Clause 18.1 of the UTAS Student Participation and Attainment Ordinance.

Campaigning can commence once the Notice of Confirmation of Eligibility has been issued, and the electoral material has been authorised by TUSA.

The most common tried and true campaign methods involve posters, leaflets and talking to students. However, given current numbers of students on campus, we would suggest a combined virtual and in person approach might work better this year.

It may be in your best interest to not only talk to students on your campus, but to find out what students want and need at the satellite campuses too.

To get your message across about why people should vote for you, you can use almost any method you like.  Be as creative as you want, however, there are a few rules that you must follow and there are electoral offenses that can carry a penalty.

Please refer to the TUSA Election Policy for important information regarding campaigning, posters, electoral material and other election rules.

As per the TUSA Election Policy an Election Tribunal is appointed each year to receive complaints, investigate alleged breaches of electoral rules and determine appropriate disciplinary action.

Members of the Election Tribunal for 2021 are:

• Sam Gorringe – TUSA Chief Executive Officer
• Kate Lee- UTAS Director – Student Enquiries and Communications
• Kate Davey – TUSA Student Advocacy & Welfare Officer

Voting will be conducted online. Only students eligible to vote in the annual election will receive an email at the commencement of voting, which contains a link to the on-line polling. Candidates’ names will appear in a random rotation order each time the on-line polling is accessed.

Scrutineers are people who check to ensure that the process of vote counting is conducted fairly and in accordance with the election regulations of the TUSA.  All candidates may appoint scrutineers, however only one scrutineer per candidate is allowed.  Scrutineers are not to communicate with or hassle voters.

A candidate cannot be a scrutineer for other candidates.  Scrutineers may be present for the online ‘vote count’.  To appoint a scrutineer, the candidate must contact the Returning Officer via email after close of nominations by 12th September 2022.

Shauna-Lee Ward
TUSA Operations Manager
elections@tusa.utas.edu.au

Tasmanian University Student Association
2 Churchill Avenue, Sandy Bay. Tas. 7005
(PO Box 5055, University of Tasmania LPO)

Q: What do I need to do to nominate to be a TUSA Student Rep? 

A: Check your eligibility above and complete the nomination form on our website. Candidates may provide a statement of up to 150 words in support of their nomination and a photo of themselves. This will be published on the TUSA website, the online polling system, and other means used to promote the election. 

Q: Do you get paid to be a student rep? 

A: Yes! All State Council elected representatives will be paid an honorarium. See all position descriptions above for an indication of pay rates. 

Q: How much of my time will it require? 

A: This is dependent on the position. See all position descriptions above for an indication of time commitment requirements. 

Q: What are the benefits of working for the Student Association? 

A: You get to be a part of shaping the future for students at UTAS, at the same time as giving yourself the opportunity to innovate, grow and become a community leader both now and into the future.  

Q: Where can I find information about the governance of the TUSA?  

A: For more information and detail about the governance of the TUSA, you can read the Constitution or head over to our Governance page. 

Q: Do I have to campaign? 

A: It’s not compulsory to campaign, however this is the best way to encourage UTAS students to vote for you. Please note that campaigning can only commence once the Notice of Confirmation of Eligibility has been issued, and your electoral material has been authorised by TUSA. For campaigning ideas, head over to the “Campaigning Ideas” section above. 

Q: Are there rules about what I can and can’t do when campaigning? 

A: Yes, good question. All intending candidates should be aware of and abide by the current TUSA Election policy. 

Q: Is there an opportunity to have my photo taken professionally? 

A: Yes, TUSA can arrange a free photo opportunity.  Please email elections@tusa.utas.edu.au to express your interest and we will arrange the opportunity.  

Q: Do I have to attend meetings? 

A: Yes, you will likely sit on committees, attend a range of meetings with TUSA (including State Council meetings and with the Board of Management), UTAS and external stakeholders. 

Q: Will I have space to work if required? 

A: Yes, at each of the campuses, there is a dedicated or ‘hot’ desk for each student rep.  

Q: What are the social benefits of becoming a student rep? 

A: There is plenty of time for fun and laughter…in fact we encourage it. You get to be part of the TUSA family, join in on team activities and make some friends for life.