With elections coming up, here are the roles of the AU exec…
President
The role of AU President or ‘EL Presidente’ as the role is affectionately known, is one of the most coveted positions at LSE, a role which requires a lot of hard work and dedication, plus a lot of drive and ambition to push the LSE AU into bigger and better things. As Head of a team of 6 tour heroes (the AU Exec), the President oversees the whole AU operation, making sure that everything runs smoothly and in order, and is also the point of contact to the Student Union sitting on the Student Union Committee as part-time SU Exec. The role also entails representing LSE at ULU and BUCS meetings, tying in with the bigger picture of university sport in London and encouraging a wider participation rate across LSE. Acting as the face of the AU, securing sponsorship deals which help fund various arms of the AU is another priority, also leading the main campaigns which are introduced throughout the year. For example, this year, the ‘I Love Wednesday Afternoons Free’ (I ‘heart’ WAF) Campaign, and the LSE Sports Strategy were top of the priority list.
Treasurer
With a penchant for number crunching, the AU Treasurer works on what is arguably the most important aspect for the smooth running of the AU, allocating club budgets. During budget week, the Treasurer is required to work long and painful hours, diligently working their way through the many individual budget request forms, approving budgets, but also taking out ridiculous claims such as ‘phone calls to Ireland.’ Working closely with the rest of the Exec, staying in budget is a priority, especially throughout the year. They also look at other school funds available apart from the AU Budget which may be under specific criteria, and how clubs can utilise these extra opportunities. This year a financial report is also a main objective for the AU Treasurer to complete, ensuring the AU has a clear, and transparent view of how money is being spent in these tough economic times.
Secretary
One of the most respected and sought after jobs in the world. FACT.
With more passion than a passion fruit, the AU Secretary will record and distribute minutes from the weekly AU Exec meetings and termly Club Captain meetings, ensuring that the rest of the Exec is clued up to the changes and important decisions which are made. Apart from looking good, they are also responsible for looking at ways in which our current sponsorship deal with KPMG can be improved and researching any other sponsorship opportunities to help better the AU. This year the AU Exec handbook was a main priority for the Secretary, recent reviews calling it ‘unputdownable,’ a book which outlines everything AU Exec, which successful candidates will enjoy reading!
Club Liaisons Officer
A first point of contact for Club Captains, the Club Liaisons Officer is a crucial element in getting club feedback and reporting it back to the AU Exec to enable them to take action. Representing the views of the AU as an Exec is a main priority, and any issues or related queries can be passed on to the president and then taken to the SU Exec for further deliberation. They are also responsible for promoting the AU in Halls of Residence, for instance in interhall competitions, and this year, a big part was RAG. During RAG week, the Liaisons officer is in charge of informing the AU of the events which are taking place, and how the AU can get involved directly.
Events Officer
The main events which need to be organised are the Welcome Party, Fireworks Night, Pub Golf, The Carol, ReAUnion, Mr LSE, AU Ball. On a serious note however, they are also in charge of making sure the AU’s reputation is not tarnished by adhering to the School’s rules about equal opportunities and appropriate behaviour. Also working closely with the President, any event which is planned needs to be put through the school council and approved. For a large event such as the Carol, months of planning is required because this year for example, it faced a massive backlash from various areas of the school, and even on a broader scale, because people believed that offensive terms and stereotyping were being projected by the AU. It is partly the Events officers’ job to make sure this does not happen again! They may also look into sporting events in conjunction with other universities. With the help of the rest of the AU Exec, they ensure that events are well publicised, run smoothly and are generally enjoyed by all.
Communications
With as much banter as Rob Fenton, the Communications Officer is responsible for the advertising of the AU. This includes publicising to The Beaver, Pulse Radio Station, Loose TV, LSE AU Website, and the AU E-Newsletter. This is required on a weekly basis ranging from reporting scores to The Beaver, and the ‘AU Hangover Show’ on Pulse. This year getting the AU notice board up and running was a main priority.
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