Co-opted Membership FAQ

Co-opted members are non-Governing Council members who are appointed to serve on one of the Governing Council’s Boards.

Applications are open to the following groups within the University community:

• Administrative staff
• Alumni
• Students (full-time or part-time undergraduate and graduate)

Students may also apply for a position on the University Tribunal at the trial level.

Serving on a Board or the University Tribunal is a unique opportunity to:

• Contribute to the governance of the University
• Gain insight into decision-making and policy development
• Develop skills in leadership, collaboration, and communication
• Represent your peers and help shape the University community

We look for applicants who demonstrate:

• Experience in governance or leadership roles
• Contribution to the University community
• Engagement in co-curricular or community activities
• Sound judgment and decision-making ability
• Clear, persuasive communication skills
• Commitment to active participation and preparation for meetings

The University encourages applications from diverse individuals who reflect the richness of the University community. Applications are especially welcomed from: Indigenous Peoples, Black and other racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion are especially valued.

• Boards of the Governing Council: One-year term
• University Tribunal: Up to three years

All positions are volunteer roles.

Available positions vary from year to year. Vacancies for the upcoming year are announced in early March and posted at the top of the Appointed Membership page.

• Students must remain enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program throughout the year (until June the following year).
• Students in the Toronto School of Theology or those not enrolled in a University of Toronto program are not eligible.
• Members must resign if they cease to belong to the constituency they represent during their term.

Applications must be completed online. The link to apply and the application deadline will be posted at the top of the Appointed Membership page.

The form takes about 25–30 minutes to complete and must be done in one sitting (it cannot be saved and resumed).

Only fully completed applications will be considered. If you submit more than one, only your most recent submission will be reviewed.

Each Board has a nominating body called a Striking Committee that reviews applications and recommends appointments.

• Committees meet in May or early June.
• Appointments are confirmed at the final Board meetings in June.
• Notifications will be sent in June.

For the University Tribunal, student applications are reviewed by the Secretary who then selects suitable candidates for Tribunal hearings.

Members are expected to:

• Attend most or all meetings
• Contribute thoughtfully to discussions and decisions
• Adhere to the Expectations and Attributes of Governors and Key Principles of Ethical Conduct

Detailed information and overview videos are available here:

• Academic Board
• Business Board
• University Affairs Board
• University Tribunal

The University Tribunal hears cases involving academic misconduct.

Each hearing panel includes:

• A legally qualified Chair
• One student member
• One faculty member

Panel members act as impartial adjudicators, reviewing evidence from both the University and the student to decide the case and, if necessary, determine penalties.

Tribunal members are expected to:

• Sit on at least three hearing panels per year
• Demonstrate impartiality and sound judgment

Tracey Gameiro
Assistant Secretary of the Governing Council
Email: tracey.gameiro@utoronto.ca