What qualifications are required to become a member of the Governing Council?
The University of Toronto Act, 1971 defines the membership of the five constituencies (student, teaching staff, administrative staff, alumni and Lieutenant Governor-in-Council appointees) that represent the membership of the Governing Council. The Election Guidelines require that a member of the Governing Council be a member of the constituency which they represent.
How can I find out more information about the Governing Council and its work?
Consult the Governing Council web-site (http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca), or contact the Governing Council Office by email at governing.council@utoronto.ca.
What do I need to complete on a nomination form?
An individual must obtain the signatures of a defined number of Nominators from the same constituency as described in the Election Guidelines 2021. Nominees may provide a candidate statement of 100 words or less which will be provided with the ballot in the election.
I'm not sure what constituency I belong to.
Constituencies are defined in the Election Guidelines 2021 which are available on the Governing Council elections website https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/elections or from the Office of the Governing Council. You may also contact the Chief Returning Officer by phone (416-978-8427) or by email (anwar.kazimi@utoronto.ca ) or the Deputy Returning Officer by phone (647-327-6337) or by email (patrick.mcneill@utoronto.ca) for information regarding constituencies.
How can I find out when the nomination period opens?
The Call for Nominations is broadly distributed within the University community, and will also be noted on the Governing Council web-site when the nomination period opens. (https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/elections).
Where can I get a nomination form?
During the Nomination period, nomination forms are available at the Office of the Governing Council (Room 106, Simcoe Hall) OR online on Governing Council web-site: https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/elections
When is the nomination period for 2021?
Nominations for student, administrative staff and teaching staff seats on the Governing Council will be accepted between 12:00 noon, Tuesday, January 12, 2021 and 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 22, 2021.
Application forms for alumni governor positions on Governing Council will be available as of 12:00 noon on Saturday, November 14, 2020. The deadline to submit an application is Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. For information on the application and election process, please go to the College of Electors website listed here: https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/needed-two-alumni
When do I vote?
Information about the 2021 voting period and procedures are provided in the Election Guidelines 2021. To view the Guidelines, please go to the Governing Council elections website listed below: https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/elections
Are there ways other than membership on the Governing Council that allow me to become involved with governance at the University?
Yes. If you are a member of the administrative or teaching staff with a primary appointment at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) or the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), or if you registered as a student at those campuses, information on elections for seats on the UTM and UTSC Campus Councils and their Standing Committees.
You may also apply to be considered for a position as a co-opted (appointed, non-Governing Council) member of a Board or Committee.
Which Boards and Committees have co-opted members?
The Academic Board, Business Board, and University Affairs Board each have co-opted members. Co-opted members of the Academic Board may be members of one of its standing committees - the Committee on Academic Policy and Program or the Planning and Budget Committee.
(See https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/governance-bodies for information about all Governing Council Boards and Committees.)
If your question was not answered here, please send it to governing.council@utoronto.ca.