2021 University Rector Election – Preliminary Information

What is happening? 

On April 30^th, 2021, the 37^th Rector of Queen’s University announced his resignation through a statement in the Queen’s Gazette. With that announcement, the search for a new Rector has begun, for an election that will take place in September 2021! The University Rector is the 3^rd highest office at Queen’s, following the Principal and Chancellor. The position is one of the most important on campus, as its mandate to serve students at the highest level allows voices to be heard where it matters most. The Rector brings together three facets – the Alma Mater Society, the Society of Graduate and Professional Studies, and the University. Keep checking back to myams.org/elections for updates. Please note, to be eligible to run you must pay your AMS or SGPS fees in September. 

What does the Rector do? 

The Rector serves as the representative of all Queen’s University undergraduate and graduate students to the institution in matters pertaining to education. The Rector acts to support and mentor student representation and to enhance the broader learning environment. Serving on university governing bodies, including the Board of Trustees and Senate, and on numerous committees, the Rector voices student concerns and promotes educational excellence. The Rector also acts as an advisor to and advocate for students in grievance procedures. Additionally, the role involves many ceremonial functions, including convocations and conferring of awards, such as Agnes Benidickson Tricolour Award. 

The Rector is a voting member of the Board of Trustees of Queen’s University, they also serve on subcommittees of the University Senate. However, the Rector is not a voting member of Senate. The term for the Rector is 3 years, however, they can resign at any point. As well, the Rector serves as a non-voting member of both AMS and SGPS assembly, providing monthly reports. 

What is the election process like? 

The election process comes in four important parts: Nomination, Validation, Campaigning, and Voting. This process will take place in September 2021, so be on the lookout for updates on our website! As well, before the process begins, we will be holding several information sessions which will cover everything you may need to know. 

Nominations: The Nomination period is the first step in running to be the Rector. This week provides the opportunity for candidates to acquire a nomination package (found on myams.org/elections), which will contain all pertinent information. The nomination package is an exhaustive list of rules and regulations, as well as important deadlines pertaining to the election season. As well, to complete the nomination process, candidates will have to solicit 2% of AMS and SGPS student signatures to be able to run. More details on how to collect signatures will be included in the package. 

Validation: All candidates who have obtained the minimum required number of signatures must have Assembly approval to be placed on the ballot. Candidates will attend assembly and answer questions put forward to them, as well as be verified as an SGPS or AMS member. 

Campaigning: The Campaigning period generally lasts 7-10 days (about 1 and a half weeks). There are rules and regulations surrounding this period that teams must abide by and can be found in AMS Policy Manual 1 (and your Nomination Package). Candidates are permitted to have a campaign team and manager, to help facilitate and run their campaigns. This information must be disclosed to the Chief Electoral Officer and SGPS representative. As well, a debate will be held to discuss platforms and policies. Candidates are required to submit their platform at least 48 hours ahead of the debate.  

Voting: At the end of the campaign period, students will have 2 days to vote for their preferred candidate. The results will be announced the evening of the second day of voting, with celebrations following! 

Who can Run? 

To be eligible to run for Rector, you must be a member of either the Alma Mater Society or the Society of Graduate and Professional Studies. 

Members of the AMS include: 

1. Payment of an AMS Specific Student Fee (generally paid in September with Tuition) 
2. Membership in one of the following AMS Member Societies: 

• Arts and Science Undergraduate Society 
• Concurrent Education Students Association 
• Physical and Health Education and Kinesiology Students Association 
• Engineering Society 
• DAN School Undergraduate Society 
• Health Sciences Society 
• Commerce Society 
• Nursing Students’ Society 
• MBA Society 

A member of the SGPS is defined as: any full-time or part-time, on-campus or off-campus, graduate student or professional student enrolled at Queen’s University and belonging to one of the Constituent Bodies. 

A full, how-to-run guide with information on how to build a platform, the election process, and Rector history will be released in July on the AMS website. 

AMS Policy on Elections 

More on elections and Rector elections policy:  https://myams.org/home/governance/policy/ 

For general information on Elections and Referenda, consult the AMS Constitution, Section 4. 

Please contact speaker@sgps.ca for SGPS policy on Rector Elections. 

Contact Information: 

Erica Johnson, AMS Chief Electoral Officer: ceo@ams.queensu.ca 

Laura Devenny, AMS Secretary of Internal Affairs: secretariat@ams.queensu.ca 

Please direct all media inquiries to Maddie Zarb, AMS Director of Communications, at communications@ams.queensu.ca  

BACKGROUNDER   

Alma Mater Society (AMS) – //www.myams.org   

The central undergraduate student government at Queen’s University, the AMS represents over 19,000 students and is the oldest student government in Canada. There are over 1,000 student volunteers and 700 paid staff.