Sylvia - Women's Officer

Hi all, I'm Sylvia Barnett your Women's Officer, elected by and for women students. You can find me in the Exec office on the ground floor of South campus Student Union. I am responsible for the welfare and representation of women students in the University and for running the women's campaign.

This year there are a number of issues I want to focus on:

Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment:  The NUS 'Hidden Marks' report shows that 1 in 7 women students are victim to serious physical or sexual   assault during their time at university. See the report here

Women's Safety: I want to combat the culture of victim-blaming, that is, the idea that the person subjected to physical or sexual assault or harassment is to blame for the abuse they receive.  To claim that harassment and assault are caused by the victim dressing in a 'provocative' way, or being intoxicated, or walking home alone, etc., is to completely misconstrue the problem, and to add feelings of guilt to the complex emotions the person will be feeling after an assault.  However, I also recognise that we exist in a culture where women are still not safe to go out alone at night.  Therefore I want to work towards the introduction of a night cafe in Fallowfield, to provide students with a safe-space at night, with information, support, and taxi numbers. 

Reproductive freedoms:  This is particularly relevant in light of the government's plans to reform the way abortion advice is offered, which may potentially lead to anti-abortion and pro-life groups gaining power over the individual's decision as to whether or not to have an abortion.  I will run pro-choice events and discussions to highlight the importance of a woman's autonomy over her own body, and support national campaigns to persuade the government to rethink its strategy.

 I also want to work hard to diversify the women's campaign so any ideas, comments or problems you have please come share them. I want to make our women's movement more inclusive and open to all women.  My office can be made in to a women only space at your request and also has tea and coffee as well as lots of children's games and books. So pop by any time for a chat, and some advice or just to use it as a chill out space.

Take care

Sylvia

Email: womens@umsu.manchester.ac.uk
Tel : 07787422509
Visit : The Women's Officer in the Exec office on the ground floor Students' Union

To find out more about the role of women's officer click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here The Executive Officers will periodically put up public statements on important issues.

Criminialising Student Protests - 24/11/11

 

“The University of Manchester Students’ Union Executive shares the concern of students and many young people at the disproportionate sentencing that has been given out in relation to student protests.  Students should not be deterred from legitimately voicing their opinions through protest, and sentencing designed to deter students from doing so is damaging and dangerous in limiting their right to protest.”

Executive Committee Minutes

Executive Reports

Council Meeting 5 April 2011

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Non-Sabbatical Officers Reports

• EPS Faculty Officer
• Humanities Faculty Officer
• Postgraduate and Mature Students Officer

Council Meeting 15 March 2011

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Non-Sabbatical Officers Reports

• EPS Faculty Officer

Council Meeting 22 February 2011

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Non-Sabbatical Officers Reports

• EPS Faculty Officer
• Humanities Faculty Officer

Council Meeting 1 February 2011

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Non-Sabbatical Officers Reports

Council Meeting 8 June 2010

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Non-Sabbatical Officers Reports

None received

Executive Meeting 29 April 2010

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Council Meeting 18 May 2010

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Non-Sabbatical Officers Reports

None received

Council Meeting 27 April 2010

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Non-Sabbatical Officers Reports

None received

Executive Meeting 25 March 2010

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Council Meeting 16 March 2010

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Non-Sabbatical Officers Reports

None received

Executive Meeting 4 March 2010

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Executive Meeting 22 February 2010

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Council Meeting 23 February 2010

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Non-Sabbatical Officers Reports

None received

Council Meeting 2 February 2010

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Non-Sabbatical Officers Reports

None received

Executive Meeting 11 January 2010

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Council Meeting 1 December 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Non-Sabbatical Officers Reports

• International Students Officer
• Postgraduate and Mature Students Officer
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Faculty Officer
• Humanities Faculty Officer
• Life Sciences Faculty Officer
• Medical and Human Sciences Faculty Officer

Executive Meeting 16 November 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Council Meeting 10 November 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Non-Sabbatical Officers Reports

• International Students Officer
• Postgraduate and Mature Students Officer
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Faculty Officer
• Humanities Faculty Officer
• Life Sciences Faculty Officer
• Medical and Human Sciences Faculty Officer

Executive Meeting 9 November 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Executive Meeting 2 November 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Executive Meeting 20 October 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Council Meeting 20 October 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Non-Sabbatical Officers Reports

• International Students Officer
• Postgraduate and Mature Students Officer
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Faculty Officer - vacancy
• Humanities Faculty Officer
• Life Sciences Faculty Officer
• Medical and Human Sciences Faculty Officer

Executive Meeting 8 October 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Executive Meeting 30 September 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Executive Meeting 18 September 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Executive Meeting 4 September 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Executive Meeting 20 August 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Executive Meeting 20 July 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Executive Meeting 13 July 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

Executive Meeting 6 July 2009

Sabbatical Officers Reports

• Academic Affairs Officer
• Campaigns Officer
• Communications Officer
• General Secretary
• Student Activities Officer
• Student Direct Officer
• Welfare Officer
• Women's Officer

NUS Extra

NUS Extra is a discount card offered by the National Union of Students. This increases the number of shops and businesses in which you are eligible for a student discount, at the cost of £10.

To purchase an NUS Extra card, please visit the General Office in the Students' Union building on the main campus!

Alternatively, you can order your card online by visiting:
NUS Extra

NUS Elections

As a member of the NUS we send a delegation each year to their annual conference and all extraordinary conferences. You can stand in an election to be part of this delegation.

Why do we have an NUS delegation?

Each year, we hold an election to determine our delegates. This is for NUS conference, a yearly gathering of representitives from every Students' Union in the country.

What is Annual Conference?

Annual Conference is the supreme decision-making body of NUS. This is where all policy for the coming year is voted for by representitives from each Student Union. This is also where elections take place for NUS officers, a national version of the sabbatical officers we have here at UMSU.

When are the elections and how do I stand?

The dates often change each year. However, stay informed by looking out for announcements or posters from your Students' Union. Voting takes place on-line, so keep checking your university email addresses!

Every year, the Students' Union affiliates to a variety of external organisations. 

We do this to ensure that our members' needs and interests are served by these affiliations.

 

This year we have affiliated to:

•   (National Union of Students) 

• 

• 

•   (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) 

(click the images to visit the organisation's website)

 

If you have any questions or queries about our affiliations please contact our General Secretary on: letty.newton@manchester.ac.uk

 

  

 

 

 

 

IDEAS we are currently working on:

• The Students' Union should host more parties in the Students' Union.
• Better I.T support (more clean PCs with working CD ROM drives, available technical support during library opening hours, better access to printer cartridgesor different print log on system as in MMU).
• The University should redesign student system to make it easier to select course units.
• A committee should be created that links JCRs and Residence Associations with the Students' Union.
• The Students' Union should encourage Greater Manchester Police to produce publicity about sexual consent rather than placing publicity emphasis on victims.

The above ideas were passed by a UMSU Assembly or an all student online vote. Do you have an idea for a future Assembly? SUBMIT AN IDEA FOR AN ASSEMBLY HERE

 

Have you got an idea about a positive change that you feel will make life better for Manchester students?

Then share it with us!

Please note - There will now be no assemblies to decide on ideas until the new Academic year.

Things you will need to remember:

• You'll need to attend a UMSU Assembly meeting to explain your Idea
• If your Idea is approved we will work to make it happen
• Rejected Ideas can't be submitted again within the same academic year
   

You can email us if you need any help with the process.

Student Election 2012 Regulations:

The regulations for the Student Elections 2012 are available to download here

Please read them carefully and don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions at all. It is always better to ask than to break a rule by accident.

 

Do I need to submit a manifesto?

Students standing for election no longer have to submit traditional manifestos in the way they previously have in the past. We are giving all candidates the opportunity to submit up to one side of A4 for non-Exec roles and up to 2 sides of A4 for Exec roles that they can use in any way they like to encourage students to vote for them. So if you are standing for election you could submit a traditional manifesto if you like and use the space to explain why students should vote for you and what you stand for, or submit something in a more informal poster style - essentially you can be as creative as you like!  

Can postgraduate students stand for Exec roles?

If you are a PG student interested in being an Exec Officer but you don;t graduate until Dec 2012 then it may still be possible for you to stand for election and take up an Exec role if you are successful. Please email trish.lee@manchester.ac.uk for more information.

Is being an Executive Officer a full time job?

Exec Officers work full time (minimum of 35 hours a week) in the Students' Union. They are paid an annual sum of £15,500 and are entitled to 30 days annual leave.

Do you only campaign when elections are open?

Individual students decide when they wish to campaign and how much time they wish to spend campaigning. We ask candidates to bear in mind that students can get election fatigue so spending weeks with banners and door knocking is unlikely to translate into votes. If you are worried about how much time you might need to spend campaigning think about resources available to you online that maximise the effectiveness of your campaign without too much physical campaigning being needed. You can also have any number of students supporting your campaign and helping you to get elected so speak to your friends and share the load.

 How do I stand for an Exec role?

To stand for an Exec role you just need to fill out a simple online nominations form here and then come and have your photo taken.

How do I stand for a Voluntary role?

To stand for a voluntary role you just need to fill out a simple online nominations form here and then come and have your photo taken

 

Click here to read the election rules and regulations.

 

What positions are available?

The following roles make up the 2012-13 Executive team - please click on each of the positions below for more information about each role or click on the button below to stand now.

All Executive roles are all held by elected students that are granted a special one year period of leave (otherwise known as a sabbatical) during or at the end of a course of study at the University of Manchester. Students elected to the Executive take up their roles in June 2012 and are paid an annual sum of £16,600 for their time in Office. A new Executive team is elected every year in March for the following academic year and this year they will take up their roles in Mid June 2012.

• Activities & Development Officer
• Campaigns & Citizenship Officer
• Community Officer
• Diversity Officer
• Education Officer
• General Secretary
• Wellbeing Officer
• Women's Officer

 

Why do we have a Student Executive team?

Collectively the Executive team work together to:

• Promote and defend the rights of students at the University of Manchester
• Campaign on issues affecting Manchester students
• Act as Trustees of the Students’ Union
• Represent the voice of students
• Enact policy
• Lead the Union in delivering on students’ representative and political priorities.

Who can be an Executive Officer?

All registered students at the University of Manchester can vote to choose who they want to represent them. To be a member of the Executive team you must be a registered student at the time of election, stand for the position you want to have and gain the most votes.

 

Key dates & training:

More information about the trauining dates below can be found at www.studentelections.co.uk )

• Put yourself forward or suggest a friend for election: 1st February - 1st of March @ 12 noon
• About the Union and Executive Roles:16thFeb @ 5-6pm - UMSU (Steve Biko) Building Khaled Said
• Campaigning to Win: 20th Feb @ 1-2pm - MMUnion Conference room (This is a joint session for all candidates from UMSU, Salford SU, MMUnion and RNCM SU with Usman Ali - VP HE for NUS)
• Public Speaking and Confidence training: 20th Feb @ 4pm - UMSU building
• Meet the Current Exec team: 24th Feb @ 12 noon - 1pm - UMSU building
• Elections Breifing (for all students standing): Thursday 1st March @ 5pm
• Meet the Candidates: Thursday 8th March @ 6pm
• Voting opens: Friday 9th March @ 10am
• Voting closes: Thursday 15th March @ 6pm

Available Non-Executive Roles:

 

There are a number of none Executive Roles that will be elected as a By-Election. This means that they will only hold a term in Officer for the Summer and the following term, ending in December 2012 - please click on each of the positions below for more information about each role or click on the button to the right to stand now.

 The following roles are available:

International Students Action Group Chair

Postgraduate Students Action Group Chair - PG Taught

Postgraduate Students Action Group Chair - PG Research

LGBT Rep

Black Minority Ethnic Students Rep (2 positions available)

Disabled Students Rep (2 positions available)

Women Students Rep (2 positions available)

Engineering & Physical Sciences Undergraduate Student Rep

Engineering & Physical Sciences Postgraduate Taught Student Rep

Engineering & Physical Sciences Postgraduate Research Student Rep

Humanities Postgraduate Research Student Rep

Life Sciences Undergraduate Student Rep

Life Sciences Postgraduate Taught Student Rep

Life Sciences Postgraduate Research Student Rep

Medical & Human Sciences Undergraduate Student Rep

Medical & Human Sciences Postgraduate Taught Student Rep

Medical & Human Sciences Research Student Rep

 

Why do we have these roles?

Collectively the roles above work to:

• Promote and defend the rights of students in specific Faculties and defined groups at the University of Manchester
• Campaign on issues affecting students in their remit
• Consult with students in their remit and help co-ordinate and raise their voice at the relevant Assemblies.

 

All registered students at the University of Manchester can vote to choose who they want to represent them. To be an elected student you must be a registered student at the time of election, stand for the position you want to have and gain the most votes.

 

 

Key dates & training:

More information about the trauining dates below can be found at www.studentelections.co.uk

•  Put yourself forward or suggest a friend for election: 1st February - 1st of March @ 12 noon

• About the Union and Executive Roles:16thFeb @ 5-6pm - UMSU (Steve Biko) Building Khaled Said

• Campaigning to Win: 20th Feb @ 1-2pm - MMUnion Conference room (This is a joint session for all candidates from UMSU, Salford SU, MMUnion and RNCM SU with Usman Ali - VP HE for NUS)
• Public Speaking and Confidence training: 20th Feb @ 4pm - UMSU building
• Meet the Current Exec team: 24th Feb @ 12 noon - 1pm - UMSU building
• Elections Breifing (for all students standing): Thursday 1st March @ 5pm
• Meet the Candidates: Thursday 8th March @ 6pm
• Voting opens: Friday 9th March @ 10am
• Voting closes: Thursday 15th March @ 6pm

Click here to read the election rules and regulations.

All training sessions are available to students thinking of standing for Executive and Volunteer roles.

Put yourself forward or suggest a friend for election: 1st February - 1st of March @ 12 noon

About the Union and Executive Roles:16thFeb @ 5-6pm - UMSU (Steve Biko) Building Khaled Said

Campaigning to Win: 20th Feb @ 1-2pm - MMUnion Conference room

(Joint session for all candidates from UMSU, Salford SU, MMUnion and RNCM SU with Usman Ali - VP HE for NUS)

Public Speaking and Confidence training: 20th Feb @ 4pm - UMSU building

Meet the Current Exec team: 24th Feb @ 12 noon - 1pm - UMSU building

Elections Breifing (for all students standing): Thursday 1st March @ 5pm

Meet the Candidates: Thursday 8th March @ 6pm

 

Voting opens: Friday 9th March @ 10am

Voting closes: Thursday 15th March @ 6pm