By STEPHANIE STAMATELATOS

Incumbent ticket Forward has rebranded itself as Students for Change ahead of this week's Monash University Student Union (MONSU) election at Caulfield campus.

While the election was initially scheduled for September, Forward’s implementation of a minimum of 22 working hours to nine out of 13 portfolios embroiled the ticket in controversy.

The policy instantly ruled most international students out of the political race, due to the confines of student visas. Forward was branded racist and the election was postponed.

However, Caitlyn Dunne, Students for Change's nominee for president, said the name represented a “change in vision”, which was “more than a rebranding”. 

“The candidates between [Forward and Students for Change] have changed, the policies have changed and the direction going into 2020 has changed,” Ms Dunne said. 

“This ticket wants to demand change. We are a team who won’t stop until students’ rights are met.”

Go! is the only ticket opposing Students for Change.

Eric Lee, Go!’s nominee for president, said the working hours policy was “disappointing” and “heartbreaking” for international students, but they are relieved it has been overturned.

Mr Lee said the difference between the two tickets predominantly lies in the nuances of their respective election policies. 

“More library time...more activities...more support” are the policies at the forefront of Go!’s election platform, Mr Lee said.

However, Ms Dunne said Students for Change similarly support a “24/7 library”, “bigger events with greater diversity, cheaper prices and accessibility to all students” and “financial counselling”.

70% of Go!’s nominees are international students from countries such as China, Malaysia and India. 

“Accurate representation of the student body helps to connect the student population as a whole,” Mr Lee said.

Students will now go to the polls between October 23-25.