Sabbatical officer
Encyclopedia
A sabbatical officer is a full-time officer elected by the members of a students' union
(or similar body such as students' association, Students' Representative Council
or guild of students), commonly at a higher education
establishment such as a university
. Sabbatical officers are usually trustee
s of their students' union, in its capacity as a charity, and may also sit on or form the board of directors of the union.
Sabbatical officers (or "sabbs") are normally elected annually, for a one-year term, i.e. a "sabbatical year
". Some students' unions allow their sabbatical officers stand for re-election for a second year. Terms of more than two years are not permitted in the UK
, under the Education Act 1994
. Typically, the primary requirement for candidacy (and election) is that a candidate be a member of the body of the relevant association at the time of their candidacy.
Sabbatical years are either taken in between years of study (for example between year two and three of a typical degree, sitting the third year twelve months later than would have normally been the case) or else immediately after graduation. They are almost always paid positions, with funds coming from the students' union itself, or directly from the educational institution. The officer generally retains student status during their time in office.
A university students' union may have one or more sabbatical officers, with as many as eight being not unheard of. Each generally has a specific job description and title, such as President
, Education Officer, Societies Officer, Sports Officer (often both Sports and Societies are overseen by one Students Activities Officer), Services Officer, Welfare Officer or Communications Officer. Together they form all or part of the "executive" or "executive committee" (or equivalent) of their organisation. They are generally supported by unpaid part-time officers who fulfil their roles while continuing their studies. In some cases, sabbaticals may work for separate bodies within a larger students' association at their institution; for example a sabbatical president of an athletics union when there are other officer working for the main students' union.
Some Further Education
colleges also have small numbers of sabbatical officers but these are rare, partly due to funding restrictions. Often the executive members of the students' association of these bodies will do the job whilst still studying.
Student organisations outside of individual educational institutions, such as the National Union of Students of the United Kingdom, sometimes have their own sabbatical officers drawn from one of their member institutions.
Students' union
A students' union, student government, student senate, students' association, guild of students or government of student body is a student organization present in many colleges and universities, and has started appearing in some high schools...
(or similar body such as students' association, Students' Representative Council
Students' Representative Council
A Students' Representative Council represents student interests in the government of a university, school or other educational institution. Generally the SRC forms part of a broader Students' Association which may include other functions such as societies, entertainments and sports Universities...
or guild of students), commonly at a higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
establishment such as a university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
. Sabbatical officers are usually trustee
Trustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
s of their students' union, in its capacity as a charity, and may also sit on or form the board of directors of the union.
Sabbatical officers (or "sabbs") are normally elected annually, for a one-year term, i.e. a "sabbatical year
Sabbatical year
Sabbatical or a sabbatical is a rest from work, or a hiatus, often lasting from two months to a year. The concept of sabbatical has a source in shmita, described several places in the Bible...
". Some students' unions allow their sabbatical officers stand for re-election for a second year. Terms of more than two years are not permitted in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, under the Education Act 1994
Education Act 1994
The Education Act 1994 is an Act passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom under John Major's government.Part I relates to Teacher Training....
. Typically, the primary requirement for candidacy (and election) is that a candidate be a member of the body of the relevant association at the time of their candidacy.
Sabbatical years are either taken in between years of study (for example between year two and three of a typical degree, sitting the third year twelve months later than would have normally been the case) or else immediately after graduation. They are almost always paid positions, with funds coming from the students' union itself, or directly from the educational institution. The officer generally retains student status during their time in office.
A university students' union may have one or more sabbatical officers, with as many as eight being not unheard of. Each generally has a specific job description and title, such as President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
, Education Officer, Societies Officer, Sports Officer (often both Sports and Societies are overseen by one Students Activities Officer), Services Officer, Welfare Officer or Communications Officer. Together they form all or part of the "executive" or "executive committee" (or equivalent) of their organisation. They are generally supported by unpaid part-time officers who fulfil their roles while continuing their studies. In some cases, sabbaticals may work for separate bodies within a larger students' association at their institution; for example a sabbatical president of an athletics union when there are other officer working for the main students' union.
Some Further Education
Further education
Further education is a term mainly used in connection with education in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is post-compulsory education , that is distinct from the education offered in universities...
colleges also have small numbers of sabbatical officers but these are rare, partly due to funding restrictions. Often the executive members of the students' association of these bodies will do the job whilst still studying.
Student organisations outside of individual educational institutions, such as the National Union of Students of the United Kingdom, sometimes have their own sabbatical officers drawn from one of their member institutions.