Frequently Asked Questions - Elections

The University of Toronto Act, 1971 defines the membership of the five constituencies (student, teaching staff, administrative staff, alumni and Lieutenant Governor-in-Council (LGIC) 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.

Consult the Governing Council website (http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca), or contact the Governing Council Office by email at governing.council@utoronto.ca.

An individual must obtain the signatures of a defined number of Nominators from the same constituency as described in the Election Guidelines. 

Candidates will also be asked to provide a statement of 100 words or less which will be provided with the ballot in the election. The candidate statement is a public, written biographical declaration that represents a candidate during the voting period. Typically, it offers a description of a candidates motivation for running and will speak to a candidates background which qualifies them to serve on a Council or Committee.

Constituencies are defined in the Election Guidelines, and are provided here: https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/constituency-definitions-governing-council-elections  

The Call for Nominations is broadly distributed within the University community, and will also be noted on the Governing Council website when the nomination period opens. (https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/elections).

As per the Election Guidelines, Nominations for student, administrative staff, librarians, and teaching staff seats will be accepted between 12:00 noon, Tuesday, January 9, 2024 and 5:00 p.m., Thursday, January 18, 2024. 

During the Nomination period, electronic nomination forms are available online on Governing Council website: https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/elections

Nominations for student, administrative staff and teaching staff seats on the Governing Council will be accepted between 12:00 noon, Tuesday, January 9, 2024 and 5:00 p.m., Thursday, January 18, 2024. 

Voting occurs online from February 6, 2024, 10:00 a.m. to  February 16, 2024, 5:00 p.m. 

The Voting Period is provided in the Election Guidelines and outlined here: https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/elections/student-election-information/important-dates-2024 

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.

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.)

No, members of the Governing Council, its Boards and Committees, do not receive remuneration and are not reimbursed for travel expenses. 

Most meetings are scheduled throughout the academic year between September and June. Meeting preparation may require 1 - 2 hours per meeting, while meetings typically run for up to 2 hours.

There are six governance cycles per year, meaning, each governance body typically schedules six meetings per academic year.

Members of the Governing Council and UTM/UTSC Campus Council are also expected to volunteer as members of 1 or 2 additional Boards and/or Committees of the Council. From time to time, members are also asked to serve on ad hoc, search, or advisory committees.