Disabled Student Officer
Experience optional, imagination essential!
Who can stand?
Any matriculated HWU student who defines as a Disabled Student studying in Riccarton, SBC or Orkney can stand. You do not need any particular experience but you do need to have an interest in making the experience of HWU students better.
What’s involved?
There are five Liberation Officers on campus who help to represent under-represented groups and campaign on any relevant Liberation Issues. These roles are voluntary and the student successfully elected will carry the role out alongside their studies. The amount of time you give to being an Officer is up to you but you are expected to host Liberation Group meetings, deal with student enquires, and be on hand during busy periods such as Freshers Week.
Liberation Officers:
- Disabled Student Officer
- Ethnic Minority Officer
- International Officer
- LGBT Officer
- Women’s Officer
The Disabled Student Officer will:
- Work to improve the Disabled Student experience and help fight discrimination
- Represent the issues, views and opinions of Disabled Students to the Union, the University, and NUS
- Lead Disabled student campaigns
- Promote the positive involvement of students with disabilities in all areas of the Union’s activities
- Provide a regular forum for Disabled Students to have their say
- Feed into the University’s Equality and Diversity Committee through the Collective and Campaigns Coordinator
The Liberation Officers will lead the direction of their remit, collaborate with the other Liberation Officers, and get involved in relevant areas of the Union. This could include supporting Union-wide activities and campaigns, as well as getting involved in local and national events.
Liberation Officers will work closely with other elected Officers across the Union to ensure the Union runs effectively and is fully student led.
All elected Officers will be given full training and support to carry out their role, so no previous experience is needed!
Skills you will develop
As well as developing a close knowledge of your remit, the Student Union, equality and diversity issues, education sector and Scottish Politics, you will gain skills in the following areas:
- Leadership
- Communication
- Organisational skills
- Listening and Interpersonal Skills
- Lobbying
- Team Work
- Project planning experience
- Chairing meetings
- Campaign planning and implementation
Opportunities & Benefits
- You will receive internal training from the Union and NUS Scotland
- Dedicated support and mentoring from Union staff
- Great CV Builder and meet new people
- Chance to become more involved in the Union
- A chance to make real improvements to the Heriot Watt Student Experience
For more information, contact Emma, this year’s Disabled Students Officer on et73@hw.ac.uk or the Collective and Campaign Coordinator Naomi at n.hunter@hw.ac.uk
The Positions
Student Union Positions
- Executive Member (x 6)
- Charities Officer
- Disabled Student Officer
- Halls Officer
- International Officer
- LGBT Officer
- Postgraduate Student Officer
- Ethnic Minority Officer
- Societies Convener
- Women's Officer
Sports Union Positions
Position Info
- Position Type: Part-Time, Voluntary Position
- Position Location: Primarily based at Officer's home campus, although travel to other campuses may be necessary as required
- Who can stand?: Any Disabled Student can stand for this position
- Who can vote?: Any Student can vote for this position
More Information
For more information on this post, please contact...
Emma Todd
( Current Disabled Students Officer)
or
Naomi Hunter
(Collective & Campaigns Co-Ordinator)