Why become a student councillor?
University students deal with real pressures. The cost of living is rising, University decisions can be difficult to understand, and students do not always feel that their concerns are being heard.
Becoming a student councillor is an opportunity to do something practical about that.
You do not need to have years of leadership experience or already understand how JCUSA works. Good councillors are willing to listen, learn, speak honestly, work with other people and follow through on the responsibilities they accept.
What does a student councillor do?
Student councillors help govern JCUSA and represent the interests of JCU students.
Depending on the position, a councillor may:
- Listen to students and raise issues affecting their campus, cohort or portfolio;
- Attend and contribute to meetings of the Student Council;
- Take part in consultations with JCU and JCU UniLife;
- Provide a student perspective on proposed decisions, policies and services;
- Help develop JCUSA priorities, campaigns and representative work;
- Communicate relevant information back to students;
- Support opportunities for students to participate in JCUSA;
- Help establish or contribute to a JCUSA committee;
- Work with Clubs and Societies, student groups and other representatives where relevant;
- Report to the Student Council about work undertaken within their position.
A councillor is not expected to solve every problem personally. The role is often about listening, asking the right questions, bringing an issue to the appropriate people and making sure the student perspective is not left out of the conversation.
Can councillors make a difference?
JCUSA is the primary student representative body at JCU. Through the Student Council, students can raise concerns directly with JCU and JCU UniLife, contribute to consultations and help shape JCUSA’s own decisions and priorities.
Not every proposal will be accepted, and some changes take time. However, student representation is more effective when councillors understand what students are experiencing, communicate those concerns clearly and continue following an issue after it has first been raised.
A councillor may help improve a process, question a decision, identify a gap in student services, support a student-led initiative or make information easier for other students to access. Even when an immediate solution is not available, ensuring that student experiences are properly heard and recorded can influence future decisions.
What do I get from the role?
Being a councillor can be demanding, but it should also be worthwhile. The role can give you experience and opportunities that are difficult to gain through study alone.
Leadership and governance experience
You can gain practical experience in meetings, decision-making, consultation, policy, governance and working with different organisations. You will also learn more about how JCU, JCUSA and JCU UniLife operate and how decisions affecting students are made.
Professional and personal development
The role can help you build confidence in public speaking, writing, negotiation, teamwork and handling complex issues. Councillors may also have access to relevant induction, training and development opportunities.
Meeting students and building connections
Councillors work with students from different courses, campuses and backgrounds, as well as University staff, JCU UniLife staff, Clubs and Societies and external organisations. This can help you build useful relationships while becoming more connected with the wider JCU community.
Conferences, training and travel
Depending on available funding, relevance and approval, councillors may have opportunities to attend conferences, symposiums, meetings or training in person or online.
JCUSA may also consider funding relevant external training for councillors who want to develop their leadership, governance or representative skills. These opportunities are not automatic and will depend on the needs of the role, available funding and the appropriate approval process.
Events, activities and practical benefits
Councillors may help with JCUSA events, student activities, consultations and campus barbecues. Food or refreshments may be available when working at some activities, and councillors may receive JCUSA clothing such as a Council shirt for use during their term (which will also be yours to keep!).
These smaller benefits are not the main purpose of becoming a councillor, but they recognise that councillors give their time and effort to support JCUSA and other students.
Honorariums
Elected student councillors may receive an honorarium in recognition of the time, effort and responsibility involved in their role.
An honorarium is not a wage, salary or payment for every hour worked. It is a payment recognising the contribution made by an elected councillor while carrying out the responsibilities of the position.
Payment is subject to the arrangements approved by the Student Council, available funding and the councillor meeting the relevant requirements. This includes completing monthly reports and demonstrating that they have remained involved in the work of their position.
Appointed and ex-officio members of the Student Council do not ordinarily receive an honorarium. These positions may have different responsibilities and expectations from elected councillor positions.
What is expected from a councillor?
Being elected does not mean that you are expected to put JCUSA ahead of your health, employment or study. Councillors are students first, and many balance the role with classes, placements, work and other responsibilities.
However, accepting a position means accepting a genuine responsibility to participate. Councillors are expected to:
- Attend meetings of the Student Council or provide an apology when they cannot attend;
- Read relevant meeting papers and contribute to decisions;
- Act honestly and in the best interests of JCUSA;
- Listen respectfully to students and other councillors;
- Declare conflicts of interest where required;
- Make reasonable progress on the responsibilities of their position;
- Provide reports about their activities and portfolio;
- Ask for guidance when they are unsure about a process or responsibility.
No councillor will know everything when they begin. What matters is being prepared to learn, communicate and make a reasonable effort throughout the term.
Who can become a councillor?
The elected positions on the Student Council are filled by eligible JCUSA members (membership is free!) through the annual election process. Some positions represent a particular campus or student group and have additional eligibility requirements.
If a position is not filled during an election or becomes vacant during the term, eligible students may also be invited to express interest in filling the vacancy. Any appointment must follow the JCUSA Constitution and Regulations and be considered through the appropriate process of the Student Council.
You can ask about a role before deciding whether to nominate or express interest. Asking a question does not commit you to applying, and submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee appointment.
Do I need previous experience?
No. Previous experience in a club, committee, workplace or volunteer role can be useful, but it is not the only way to become a capable councillor.
Students bring different strengths to the Student Council. Some are confident speaking in meetings, while others are careful researchers, organisers, writers or listeners. A useful Council needs people with different experiences and ways of thinking.
If you care about an issue affecting students, want to better understand how decisions are made or believe that a particular group of students needs stronger representation, you may already have a good reason to consider the role.
How much time does it involve?
The time involved will vary between positions and throughout the academic year.
At a minimum, councillors should expect to attend meetings of the Student Council, read meeting papers, communicate with students and complete the reporting or portfolio work connected with their position. There may also be consultations, committee meetings, events or projects during busier periods.
Before nominating or expressing interest, students are encouraged to ask about the current expectations of the position and consider how the role will fit alongside study, work, placements and personal responsibilities.
Interested in becoming a councillor?
JCUSA holds elections for elected positions on the Student Council each year. Opportunities may also arise during the year when a position becomes vacant.
If you are interested in a position, want to understand what the role involves or would like to speak with a current councillor before deciding, please contact the President, Vice-President or JCUSA through our general contact pathway.
You do not need to arrive with all the answers. You need to be willing to listen, learn and make a genuine contribution on behalf of students.