A guide for Black students on how to stand and win in SU elections
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Introduction: strengthening the voice of Black students in the student movement By Aaron Kiely, NUS Black Students’ Officer 2012–13
Black students by standing and winning on our campuses.
Black students make up over 20% of NUS’ membership, yet we are grossly underrepresented across its democratic structures. Across Britain, only around 10% of all elected officers are Black and similar levels of underrepresentation exist within the structures of NUS.
In this guide to standing and winning in students’ union elections you will find top tips and advice.
We firmly believe that when Black students are able to participate, the wide range of issues and difficulties that Black students face can be brought to the surface and challenged. We cannot allow the continuation of underrepresentation as it means Black students who already face barriers are left out on the fringe of the student movement and can be isolated, and subsequently education and welfare can suffer immensely. The NUS Black Students’ Campaign knows that Black students are capable of leading the student movement. Strong and effective Black leadership can often mean that issues such as challenging racism, cuts and inequality can be brought higher up on the agenda. One of the best ways we can do this is to have Black students elected in our students’ unions. That is why the NUS Black Students’ Campaign is proud to be launching ‘Operation Black Students’ Representation’ this year in order tackle the unacceptable underrepresentation of Black students inside students’ unions across the country. As election season in students’ unions is approaching, now is a perfect opportunity to make significant gains for
Alongside this guide, the NUS Black Students’ Campaign is here to offer Black students hands on, individually tailored help – from writing your manifesto, to joining your campaign team on election day, we are here to help you stand and win for Black students on your campus. Please fill in the ‘Operation Black Students’ Representation: Student Request’ form and let us know the ways in which the NUS Black Students’ Campaign can help you, or email aaron.kiely@ nus.org.uk.
Guide to winning a student union election
KNOW THE RULES OF THE ELECTION Before you start campaigning, know the rules of the election. We know that Black students have sometimes been ruled out of elections by rules that might not be very clear or that have been used to deliberately exclude them. Knowledge is power, so make sure you brush up on your understanding to make sure that no one can accuse you of wrong-doing. If you have a question – make sure you submit it to the returning officer by email for your own records.
WHAT DO I STAND FOR? TIPS ON WRITING YOUR MANIFESTO Campuses across Britain are extremely diverse and so are the issues that face students on them. Have a think about the issues that you yourself have faced and the issues that are affecting students nationally. Here we provide some ideas of key issues and campaigning pledges you could include in your manifesto. Defending students and education It is important to think of the ways in which the national government cuts to education are impacting students on your campus. Including policies in your manifesto to defend students and education against the impact of these attacks is important. Here are some questions to think about: • Are any of your courses at risk of being closed? • Are the resources and opening hours of the library being cut? • Are welfare services on campus – for example counselling, childcare and healthcare – being damaged by the cuts? • Are students on your campus paying too much for expensive university accommodation?
• Would you like to engage students in campaigns to oppose soaring student debt and tuition fees? • Are you interested in mobilising students on your campus in the national fight to bring back EMA? Championing equality Students’ unions exist to represent all students. This means that our unions should be fighting to tackle the inequality and discrimination that blights the lives of millions, including Black, women LGBT and disabled students. When Black students get elected into positions we see a huge increase in campaigns for equality on campuses. Here are some examples of manifesto pledges on equality you could include in your campaign: • To lobby the university to ensure anonymous marking is implemented across the board • To create liberation officers in your union, including a Black Students’ Officer • To organise a range of events to celebrate Black History Month • To organise events that celebrate diversity and multiculturalism • To pass a ‘No Platform for fascists’ policy in the students’ union to ensure campus is a safe space • To campaign for an inclusive union – ensuring Halal food is available and that there is enough prayer room facilities • To get the students’ union to adopt a zero tolerance for sexual harassment policy • To celebrate LGBT and disabled students history month
Campaigning unions Students do not exist in a bubble, separate from the rest of society. It is important that students’ unions link up with the movements that exist both on and off campus to play a role in fighting for a better society and world. Students in Britain played an important role in the anti-Apartheid movement – we should build on the legacy. Here are a few ideas of campaigns for justice you could include in your manifesto: • Unite students with the wider community to defend the NHS which is under attack • Campaign for a living wage with no youth exemptions on campus – stop poverty pay • Work with organisations like Love Music Hate Racism and Show Racism the Red Card • Support the right to education in Palestine Important issues motivate student engagement and a manifesto that reflects that is likely to strengthen your level of support. We urge all Black students to stand on platforms that will benefit other Black students and champion issues like challenging racism and underrepresentation. For more advice on writing your manifesto, please contact the NUS Black Students’ Officer.
YOUR ELECTION TEAM A diverse campaign team will do your campaign wonders as it will help you engage with the diversity of campus. It is also important to make sure that your campaign team know what your key messages are and how they should communicate them.
As a first step, invite all of the people who might be interested in helping your election campaign to a campaign-planning meeting. Here you can outline why you are standing, what your policies are, ask for feedback and work out a campaign battle plan, from postering to leafleting to lecture shout-outs. Get your campaign team wearing your t-shirts and making sure that their networks are voting for you. Build an alliance between Black student clubs and societies as well as students from other liberation groups. Women, disabled and LGBT students also face barriers in your Union and many will understand and support you in trying to break down those barriers for everyone. Make sure to hold regular campaign team meetings to help keep morale high and your supporters enthusiastic!
CAMPAIGN TOP TIPS • Set up a “Vote for me!” Facebook event, invite all of your friends and then ask your biggest supporters to invite their friends to it. Share this page regularly on campus networks. • Tweet about your election and what you stand for. Students respond to inspiring messages that will motivate them to get engaged. • You will want lots of fliers that you can hand out – these should be easy to read, with your picture, links to your Facebook/Twitter and a few key points from your manifesto. • Win support of clubs and societies and get them to back you and send out a message of support from their email lists. Some societies have email lists of hundreds of students, vital contacts that you will want to communicate with.
• Increasingly students’ unions are allowing the use of tablets and laptops – ask around for a friend to help if you haven’t got one and make sure you’re not put at a disadvantage. • Hang banners from important locations on campus and in the local community. Can you think of a good place that the majority of students will pass during the election campaign? Make sure you don’t break any rules and be careful when putting banners up! • Lecture shout outs are a key way of getting support. Two minutes spent in a class room of 100 could mean many additional votes. Smile, be friendly, and be confident in your message. Students will appreciate your effort to contact them and will be interested in what you have to say! • Most importantly, speak to your fellow students. You could have the best t-shirts, a campaign team of 100 and the best-looking manifesto – but if you are unable to speak to your fellow students, then you will be putting yourself at a major disadvantage. • Remember, what you have to say is important and to motivate yourself, think about all of the things that you will be able to achieve as an officer and how many fellow students support you in achieving that. The NUS Black Students’ Campaign wishes you all the best in your election. You are making a huge contribution to increasing Black representation in the student movement. So keep in touch, let us know if you need any support and most importantly, GOOD LUCK!
If you feel like you have been unfairly treated in an election process or have any problems or questions, please contact the NUS Black Students’ Officer for advice and support: aaron.kiely@nus.org.uk