NEXT WEEK will see the annual election of four sabbatical officers (Sabbs) to assist in the running of DSU and DUCK during the academic year 2008-09.

Sabbatical candidates are students at the university who opt to take a year out after completing their degree. They work full-time in the Union building Dunelm House and organise events and meetings designed to support, represent and advise the student body. Nominations closed on Friday, and candidates are due to submit their manifestos and begin their publicity today. This year has seen one major change in proceedings; namely, the removal of the role of Treasurer and the introduction of a new Societies and Student Development Officer.

The current societies officer, 2nd year Hatfield student Matthew Kalkman, has spent the year juggling his role with the responsibilities of a law degree and a position as Senior DSU Rep on his college JCR. The conversion of this role into part of a sabbatical position will come as a relief to new applicants for a post historically regarded as overworked.

Meanwhile the responsibilities of the treasurer will be taken up by full-time General Manager Paul Lloyd, currently General Manager of Huddersfield Student Union. The decision was taken to employ a professional manager to look after Union finances after years of successive losses through poor budgeting, including a loss of £73,000 during the 2006-07 academic year.

The other three positions up for election are for DSU President, DSU Education and Welfare Officer and DUCK Officer. Candidates are forbidden from campaigning by many methods including megaphones, door-to-door canvassing or distributing stickers, with promotion being more or less limited to poster and internet campaigns.

Hustings for candidates will be tomorrow (12 February) in Stockton, and on Wednesday (13 February) in Durham City. Elections open next Monday 18 February and close on Friday at 6pm. All ordinary members of the union are encouraged to vote in the online ballot.

For more information see www.dsu.org.uk.

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