USU Board Elections 2020: Nominations are open

Pulp covers the basics of the upcoming USU Board Elections

Nominations for USU Board candidates have opened for students who want to contest the upcoming USU Board Elections. Nominations will close on 9 April. In an unprecedented move, the Elections will occur online from 18-22 May. Five candidates will be elected as Board Directors this year, after which they will serve for 2 years. 

A total of 11 elected Board Directors (in odd years, six candidates are elected) sit on the USU Board, alongside two Directors appointed by the USyd Academic Senate, and the Immediate Past President, who can’t vote. The Board is responsible for directing the organisation and holds Board meetings on the last Friday of each month. In June, they will vote to elect the next Executive, consisting of the President, Vice President, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer. 

Board Directors receive an honorarium (an honorary fee), which will be $4994.20 next year. Apart from attending Board meetings and various committees, they are expected to act in the best interests of the USU; their fiduciary duty to the organisation means they have a legal obligation to do so. 

Usually, the elections are contested in person, with campaigners swarming Eastern Avenue and the Redfern Run. Because this year voting will occur entirely online, it is likely that campaigning will change in style. Given only people who have signed up for USU membership by Friday 15 May will be eligible to vote, candidates may focus on driving memberships before the election. Social media campaigning, which will probably be a key part of the race, begins on Wednesday 6 May. 

If you’re interested in running for Board, the USU will be holding an Election Information Session via Zoom this Friday at 1pm. There will also be a Women’s Mentoring Session on Friday 3 April at 1:30pm on Zoom for female students interested in nominating.