Calling All UHI Students VOTE in the UHI Student Association elections. 10th-13th March 2025. Go to the HISA website and go the election section to vote.

Candidate Statement Charlotte Usher

I have been a student at UHI for an embarrassing number of years. For those of us in Moray and the rest of the UHI region it is a vital resource and the easiest physical university for us to get to.

It is going through a massive series of changes (along with the entire tertiary or post school education system). Students in 2025 have it far more difficult than when I went to university in 1996. I could afford my accommodation, my food and my travel despite coming from a difficult care experienced background.

Students today are exhausted in a way that I could not have imagined then. The way they relax, and party has changed to the point that college is often their respite from work. Students need to have their voice heard during this period of change. They also need new ways to hangout and have fun. Maybe ways that don’t involve going out.

As a mature student UHI has gifted me confidence (although I am a little terrified about standing for election) in a way another institution may not have been able to do.

My lack of confidence was destroying opportunities for me in post child-rearing life. I came out from just being Mum, starting with a Level 5 course in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. I have gone on to study a degree in Creative Writing in the Highlands and Islands, and an HNC in Digital Design and Web Development. I’m a parent to three children who have put in applications for the next year. I need UHI to be there and functioning well for them.

Over the past year I have been able to learn more about how the sector works and I can be an informed voice.

UHI is unique in that it covers students from level two up to postgraduate level study. It allows so many students to discover their own voices and abilities. I’ve been an FE student, a degree level student, an HNC student and I am looking to move on to postgraduate study. I’ve done in person learning and online learning through UHI.

Whenever transformation happens (whether that is in healthcare, school education, police, transport etc),   Even if you think I would make a rubbish candidate please check out the HISA election page and vote. Let us get those voting figures up and give whichever candidate becomes the cross-campus president, a loud voice and a solid mandate. Also look at the candidates for VP Education and your local candidates.

Follow the QR code to my website and I will post details on how to vote from Monday.

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Click this link for, Election Posts and Candidates

What are the Student Elections? 

The Student Elections are an annual election to elect the sixteen Student Officers that lead the Highlands & Islands Students’ Association (HISA). 

There are two types of Student Officer within HISA; Cross-Campus Officers and Local Officers. 

Cross-Campus Officers represent you across all UHI academic partners and campuses, and campaign for improvements to the student experience across the whole of UHI.  

Local Officers represent you at your specific UHI academic partner, and campaign for improvements to your everyday experience on campus. 

 When will voting be open? 

Voting opens at 10am on Monday 10th of March, and closes at 4pm on Thursday the 13th of March. 

How can I vote? 

• Visit one of the on-campus polling stations or vote online via the website
• Login using your UHI login details
• You can vote for one candidate per position 

The Orkney News would be pleased to publish statements from other HISA candidates. You can send them to news@theorkneynews.scot