Below is an announcement from current president and vice president-elect, Bal Deol.
Dear students,
It is with sadness and excitement that I must announce I will not be taking up the role of Vice President of Staffordshire University Students' Union for 2016/17.
As President this academic year I have worked with my officer team to achieve some great things. Personal highlights for me include improving the accessibility of the campus with the introduction of an accessible intersite bus, and I have helped to make the campus that little bit safer with the safe route footsteps and a Be Safe campaign that has been nominated for an award by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
All of this makes me immensely proud and whilst I know there is more to do, my ambitions have now turned to the national stage. I am currently running to be the National Union of Students' Disabled Students' Officer and, if I am successful, I hope I can make the lives of disabled students across the UK that little bit better.
I will of course continue to serve as your President until the end of June and the new team we will hand over to has an excellent mix of students ready to represent you. I have decided to step down now as I wouldn't want anyone to believe Staffs was my second choice if I was to not be successful in the NUS election later this month. Plus announcing it so soon after the election will allow the new officer team to make the right plans to take us into the 2016/17 academic year.
The support of my fellow officers, the Students' Union and the University has enabled me to do so much, so I would like to say a heartfelt thanks to you all for an amazing year.
I know that I will be leaving the Students' Union in more than capable hands and wish them every success for their year in office.
Many thanks
Bal
Leadership Race update:
Since Bal announced her decision to not take up the role of vice president in 2016/17, the Returning Officer has revisited the ballots cast in the Leadership Race.
With the withdrawal of Bal Deol, the election count has been rerun (with the transfer of the second, etc preferences). This results in the previous fifth place candidate, Ben Malbon, being returned as the fourth full-time officer for 2016/17.
Ben has confirmed that he is delighted to have the opportunity, and wishes Bal every success in taking her campaign to the national level.