The Executive Officers (or Officer Trustees, to give them their official title) make key decisions – like how the money gets spent, deciding priorities for the year and representing Leicester students at national events and in the media.
The Exec split their time between their portfolio (Academic Affairs, Student Activities, Campaigns and Involvement, Union Development or Welfare and International) and being a trustee of the union.
…and what do those “portfolios” mean?
Academic Affairs Officer
The Academic Affairs Officer has lots of responsibilities, sitting on regular university meetings including University Council and Senate. They meet senior management at the university; including the Vice Chancellor; every week, and have a big say on academic policy.
In addition they oversee the union’s education services and develop policies to ensure that the relevant activities are undertaken to help improve the quality of education provided to students by the university.
Campaigns and Involvement Officer
This role is a real platform to create change within the university and beyond. From addressing a crowd of students from the roof of Percy Gee to pushing for better student experience in boardrooms, the possibilities within this role are endless! The Campaigns and Involvement Officer decides the priority campaigns for the year, and is responsible for involving all of the membership (that’s students at Leicester), including under-represented groups, like postgraduates and Distance Learners and finding new ways to engage them.
Responsibilities also include looking after Union democracy, all environmental aspects of the Union and conducting effective campaigns to ensure that the Union is strong and active and represents the views of the membership.
Activities Officer
The Activities officer oversees the development of clubs, student groups and media groups; ensuring that student activity leaders are trained and developed to achieve their full potential. The Activities Officer also facilitates any changes that need to be made to aid the development of groups and in turn improve the experience of their membership. Anything to do with your society or sports team has probably had something to do with the Activities Officer at some point or another – and with over 30 sports clubs, 200 societies, 8 associations and 3 media groups this is no small task!
Welfare and International Officer
The Welfare and International officer is the principal contact between the Students’ Union and University Welfare and International Offices; arguably an incredibly important position!
The W&I Officer is in charge of the welfare of all students, as well as dealing with any issues international students have. Whilst often dealing with individual students and making a real impact the officer also conducts welfare related campaigns, works with the community to ensure it is safe for our students and represents the interests of all international students and supports their integration into University life.
Union Development Officer
This position is vital to develop the strategy of the Students’ Union in the new uncertain nature of higher education. It is essential that the union develops, to meet the needs of, and appeal to, the ever changing student membership.
The UD Officer works closely with the Chief Executive to regularly review the Strategic Plan and develop the Unions’ Annual Plan. The officer looks at the Students’ Union as an overview and ensures that everything the Executive Officers do is linked to the Strategic Plan and the Annual Plan. It is also their primary responsibility to ensure that student satisfaction is at its highest and students enjoy an exceptional experience.
