University Council Nomination and Election Process

Effective October 17, 2011, the University Council Executive Committee authorized an amendment for Council Elections 2012. In keeping with the Board of Trustees reduction in membership that started in June of 2011 [Queen's Board to get Smaller, Issue #3, p. 15 (PDF*, 5.98 MB)] the sixteen vacant positions on Council for terms that begin May 1, 2012, will be reduced to two.

Council elections are suspended for 2013 pending the outcome of the Council reform plan.  It is anticipated that elections to the newly reconstituted Council will resume in 2014.  For more information on Council reform, see the Roadmap to Reform (PDF*, 235 KB) and page 11 of the Alumni Review (issue No. 4, 2012).

Recent Charter changes also affect several Council by-laws.  It is anticipated that necessary By-Law updates and revisions will be presented to Council following completion of the Council Reform Process (PDF*, 216 KB) in Spring, 2013.

Procedures for Election to Council based on existing By-Laws

Each year, one-sixth of the elective Councillors retire from office and their successors are elected to six-year terms that begin May 1 and end April 30. Councillors may be elected for only two consecutive terms (12 years). All graduates are invited, through the Queen's Alumni Review, to nominate fellow graduates to run for a six-year position on the University Council. Nominations must be submitted in writing by a graduate and received by the University Secretary on or before a date specified by the University Secretary. To be nominated, a nominee must receive three valid nominations. The Secretary of University Council reports all valid nominations to the October meeting of the University Council Executive Committee. The University Council Executive Committee may nominate additional suitable candidates whenever necessary.

The University Council Secretary will inform candidates nominated by either process. Candidates may accept or decline up until a date specified by the Secretary of the Council. The names of all that accept nominations are placed on an electronic ballot. On-line voting takes place in the month of March. The successful candidates are notified promptly by the Secretary of University Council and they begin their six-year terms on May 1.

 

*PDF files can be viewed using Adobe Reader.