UCSA Election: Why the f*$k should you care?

Did you want to run for the UCSA general executive? Too late!

Applications are closed and yes, there was barely any advertising anywhere. The “On Now!” posters may have caught your eye, but if not, you're not alone in missing the memo. The University of Canterbury Student Association comprises of 14 students elected annually by UC students. They represent student voice on campus and in the community, addressing needs through services, advocacy, feedback, and initiatives like the Borrow-a-Bike programme and Charger Library. So safe to say, they are kind of incredibly important - especially when every student pays a compulsory levy of up to $1100 a year, some of which the USCA uses.

As of the day before the election closed, only 21 candidates put themselves forward for the 15 roles. The University of Canterbury has over 22,000 students.

UC noticeboards, with election posters blending in with a sea of advertisements. Source: Elsie Williams

It feels as though maybe the word hasn’t gotten out that an election is about to happen. Though the total budget for the 2024 UCSA elections is $4,366.81, 53.5% of it is funded through the Student Services Levy, this budget covering the returning officer's remuneration, pre-election awareness campaigns, candidate support collateral, and voting awareness campaigns, excluding the costs of full-time staff supporting the elections - but it also comes out of your pocket.

The UCSA has been around since 1894, advocating for students. Fourteen elected student reps, supported by external advisors, govern this not-for-profit organisation. They’re behind many initiatives and services that attempt to make your time at UC better. Whether you’re into politics or not, these elections affect and impact every student, therefore, informing yourself is necessary when your money is on the table.

To get some insight into these roles, we chatted with Pierce Crowley, who was UCSA President for 2022 and 2023. During his two years in the role, Crowley helped implement some pretty legendary standards, including lecture recordings, drug checking on campus, pay parity with Te Akatoki, exam results date changes, public transport discounts for students and more.

Crowley acknowledges the executives power, as they have a “huge sway in shaping the student experience at UC.” But as minimal candidates apply, the question presents itself as to whether this election has been advertised effectively.

Crowley reflected on his tenure in regards to what worked well when engaging students – he said: “I think a multi-faceted approach to raising awareness worked best. This was a mixture of physical - posters, and Canta promotion - and social media - particularly Instagram.”

Pink posters take up a tiny position amongst a sea of advertisements, with a large QR and words saying “ON NOW!” How the hell are students meant to know what’s ‘on now’, let alone give a shit?

Crowley said above all, “the best promotion that got people to put their names forward were the face-to-face convos with the executive. Things like coffee-catch ups, exec info sessions.” The sausage sizzle sessions generally rake in a lot of voters, but voting with an empty stomach rather than from information, is a little concerning.

Reflecting on his own campaign, Crowley highlighted some of the biggest challenges, one being the fear of putting myself out there in the first place. “It can be so daunting when you are first speaking in lectures, or putting your name & face on a sign and outright ask people to vote for you. However, in the end, I found that students on the whole were consistently positive and supportive - even those who maybe weren’t voting for you.”

Crowley said those feelings were also helped by the people who run alongside you, as everyone is in the same boat.

Crowley emphasised the significant role UCSA Executive members play in shaping the student experience, as compared to the University of Auckland, where the Student Union struggles to even get a foot in the door. Turnout in UCSA elections is the highest in Australasia, regularly sitting at between 20-30%. Crowley said this may sound meh when compared to national politics, but most other student’s associations struggle to get even 5% of students to vote.  

“That is why it is so important to vote because the stronger the collective student voice, the more impossible it becomes for the students to be ignored by the University,” Crowley said.

Crowley said ultimately, everyone was in it because they wanted to make campus a better place for students, and he’s probably right - as last year’s Canta feature writer, Charlotte Thornton discovered these roles aren’t necessarily a bang for your buck.

Thornton's piece highlighted the financial challenges of running for a General Executive role. She shared her campaign experience, revealing that the honorarium—about $5,800 annually for roughly 10 hours of work per week—equates to less than half the minimum wage. The high-trust model of payment, lack of timesheets, and the blurred lines between work and personal time make these positions less accessible for many students, especially those already struggling with financial and academic pressures.

Silas Zhang, current Law Faculty Representative on the UCSA General Executive, emphasised the importance of student engagement in the upcoming UCSA elections. He said that a significant barrier to student interest is a lack of awareness about what the UCSA does.

Silas Zhang, 2024 UCSA Law representative chatting to Canta about the upcoming elections and the executive's goals. Source: Elsie Williams

“Students don't actually know what the UCSA does and what it's about," Zhang explained.

He said the UCSA manages $20 million in annual turnover and $15 million in assets, with both commercial and student support arms, playing a massive role in backing students to succeed at UC.

"We're going to do lots of outreach. We're going to go talk to people in person. We've been hosting information sessions for people to find out more about the UCSA role or the executive's role," he said.

Although Zhang won't be running again next year, he is vocal about the opportunities the position offers, noting its benefits for developing skills in board governance, leadership, and student representation.

Looking ahead to the election campaign, Zhang noted the importance of informed voting.

"We want students to make an informed decision about who should sit on the UCSA executive. It's a really important role, and it requires some skill," he told Canta.

Caleb Banks, UCSA Vice President Academic, shed some light on the efforts undertaken to ensure student awareness and participation for voters and nominees.

Despite these efforts, Banks acknowledges there is always room for improvement.

"We would always love to be more visible, but we are also proud of where we are at," he said, noting the UCSA has the highest voter turnout of any student association in Australasia, as Crowley also mentioned.

This year's focus is on ensuring that students understand the importance of their vote, continuing a theme of informed engagement throughout the campaign period.

Reflecting on his own campaign experience, Banks highlights the significant time commitment and the challenge of self-promotion.

"It's a very busy week and a half! However, planning your campaigning out from start to finish and managing your time wisely will make it a lot easier," he said.

Authenticity is key, according to Banks: "At the end of the day, I think the people who are successful in these elections are the ones who don’t pretend to be someone they’re not. Show us who you are, and why we should vote for you."

"[The UCSA] was established because the students of UC | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha wanted their voice to be heard … Our continued existence is evidence of our impact, and that the UCSA is and always will be here for students.”

The UCSA elections might not grab headlines, but the decisions made by these elected representatives directly impact your student experience. By voting, you ensure that the collective student voice is strong and impossible for the University to ignore. So next time election season rolls around, remember that your vote matters.

The UCSA might seem like just another acronym in the sea of university life, but it’s your voice, your representation, and ultimately your campus experience. Don’t let it go unheard.