At each academic partner, there is a student officer responsible for representing students on a local basis.  Local Officers are lead student representatives at each academic partner. The nature of these positions varies at each academic partner and is explained further in this guidebook – if you feel you can make a change, there is a position for you!

Local Officers are responsible for ensuring the voices of students are heard by their academic partner.  They engage closely with Student Voice Reps, represent the student voice to senior management, and organise events.  Local Officers have a seat on HISA’s Executive Committee, ensuring student voices are shaping HISA’s work.

You will be the recognised student leaders for your local partner.  As HISA Regional Officers are responsible for representing students across the region, Local Officers are responsible for representing students at their academic partner.

HISA Local Officers are called Depute Presidents, except for UHI Inverness and UHI Perth, where Local Officers are titled President and Depute Presidents. All local HISA branches have at least one Local Officer. HISA Moray has two Local Officers. HISA Perth and HISA Inverness have three Local Officers each.

As a Local Officer, you are the lead student representative for your Academic Partner.  You will play a key leadership role in representing the student voice at your partner and will work closely with other students and staff to do so.  Your role will be to champion the development of students at your academic partner, enhance the learning experience and ensure the student voice is heard locally and regionally.

Representing Students Locally

You also play a role in representing students at your Academic Partner to external bodies and organisations within your community, such as the local council, to promote ideas and policies

important to the needs of your fellow students. Throughout the year you should attend all Student Voice Rep meetings. This is in an incredibly important way to engage with students at your academic partner!

There will be key members of staff at your academic partner that you will work with. Depending on which academic partner you study at, you will be one of two student members on the Board of Management – the governing body of the college. Engaging with members of staff, such as the college Principal or those with responsibility for the student experience, is important to carry out your role.

Term of Office

Candidates that are elected, do not take up posts immediately after the election. There will be a full schedule of training and induction for officers to support you in your role.  Officers-elect must undergo a successful Disclosure Scotland PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) check to be able to carry out the role.

Hours and Pay

Local Officers are paid, part-time positions (with the exception of the Perth President position which is a full-time, paid position). 

Our local officers are paid an hourly rate of £10.53. 

 

Academic Partner	Role	Hours (Per Week)
UHI Argyll	Depute President	12 Hours
UHI Inverness	Inverness President	15 Hours
	Depute President - Education	10 Hours
	Depute President - Activities & Welfare	10 Hours
Highland Theological College	Depute President	8 Hours
UHI Moray	Depute President - Education	14 Hours
	Depute President - Activities & Welfare	14 Hours
UHI North Highland	Depute President	12 Hours
Orkney College	Depute President	10 Hours
UHI Outer Hebrides	Depute President	12 Hours
UHI Perth	Perth President	35 Hours
	Depute President - Education	10 Hours
	Depute President - Activities & Welfare	10 Hours
Scottish Association for Marine Sciences (SAMS)	Depute President	8 Hours
UHI Shetland	Depute President	12 Hours
UHI West Highland	Depute President	12 Hours

 

Are You Eligible?

In order to stand for election as a Local Officer, you must be registered as a student at the academic partner you wish to hold the position for. If you are successful, you must also be a student at the same time as the term of the Local Officer role. 

If you do not continue as a student in 2023-24, you will not be able to carry out the role of a local officer.

If you study at UHI Perth, the position of HISA Perth President is full-time. Therefore, as it is a sabbatical position, you do not need to be a student in 2023-24 to take on this role. If you are due to continue as a student, you will take a break from your studies to carry out this role.

Students that have already been in a paid local officer position for two years, will not be eligible to stand in the elections as a local officer.