Report: Elections Committee - November 25, 2021

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Via Virtual Meeting room

REPORT NUMBER 92 OF THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE

November 25, 2021
 

To the Executive Committee,
University of Toronto.

Your Committee reports that it held a virtual meeting on Thursday, November 25, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. with the following members present:

Present:
Mark Lautens (Chair), Vikram Chadalawada, David Bowden, Joanne McNamara, Kenneth Williams

Secretariat:
Timothy Harlick, Secretary, Anwar Kazimi, Deputy Secretary of the Governing Council and Chief Returning Officer, Cindy Ferencz-Hammond, Assistant Secretary of the Governing Council and Deputy Returning Officer, UTM, Emma Thacker, Assistant Secretary of the Governing Council and Deputy Returning Officer, UTSC


  1. Welcome/Introductions

    The Chair welcomed members and guests to the meeting. 
     
  2. Election Guidelines 2022

    The Chair invited Mr. Kazimi, Deputy Secretary of the Governing Council and Chief Returning Officer to provide a brief overview of the proposed revisions to the Election Guidelines 2022. 

    Mr. Kazimi summarized the proposed revisions and drew members’ attention to the newly added language on equity, diversity, and inclusion found in section 1.  He advised that the proposed language addressed recommendations from the report of the President’s Anti-Black Racism Taskforce and was drafted in consultation with Professor Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity and Culture and Karima Hashmani, Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Mr. Kazimi also noted that the proposed EDI language would be included in calls for nomination in the upcoming elections.

    Discussion

    In response to members’ questions, Mr. Kazimi reported the following:
  • The proposed language was in line with a continued commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in governance at the University;
  • It was noted that consistent language would be incorporated as appropriate across the University for various undertakings;
  • The proposed language would broaden outreach during calls for nomination and benefit the overall election process
  • Information sessions had been held for those interested in becoming a candidate in the upcoming elections; and
  • The University would use the uElect platform for the upcoming elections as the purchase of a new election platform had not yet been completed.

    On motion duly made, seconded and carried

    It was Resolved

    THAT the proposed Election Guidelines 2022 be approved, effective January 1, 2021.
     
  1. Report of the Previous Meeting - Report Number 91, October 14, 2021 

    The report of the previous meeting was approved.
     
  2. Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting

    There was no business arising from the report of the previous meeting.
     
  3. Date of Next Meeting:  June 2, 2022, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.  

    The Chair confirmed that the next meeting would be held on June 2, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
     
  4. Other Business

    There was no other business. 

The meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m.


 

December 2, 2021