University of Toronto
Office of the Governing Council
Memorandum to: Members of the University Community
From: Mr. Stephen Smith, Chair of the Elections Committee
Date: September 5, 2007
Re: Request for Ideas and Comments on the Governing Council Election Process
Every year, the Elections Committee invites your ideas and input for the Governing Council election process. The Committee welcomes your comments on any element of the election process, but is particularly interested in your responses to the following questions:
· Would you consider being a candidate in a Governing Council election? If not, why not?
· Have you voted in Governing Council elections? If not, why not?
· Do you have any suggestions as to how to increase the participation rate for Governing Council elections?
The Elections Committee is very interested in your views.
Please send written submissions regarding the Governing Council and its election processes by email, regular mail or fax to:
Mae-Yu Tan,
Secretary of the Elections Committee
Office of the Governing Council, University of Toronto
27 King's College Circle, Room 106, Simcoe Hall
Fax: 416-978-8182
Email: maeyu.tan@utoronto.ca
Comment Form << follow this link to submit comments online
Suggestions received before Wednesday, September 19, 2007 will be considered in the preparation of the 2008 Election Guidelines.
Why is Governance Important?
The University of Toronto is a leader among the world’s best public teaching and research universities. It excels in the discovery, preservation and sharing of knowledge through its teaching and research and its commitment to excellence and equity. In achieving this record of excellence, the University of Toronto is governed by the Governing Council, which consists of members of the public and alumni, faculty, administrative staff, and students. As trustees, members make decisions about the University that have both immediate and long-term effects. Trustees are vested with the responsibility of ensuring that future generations inherit a university that continues to be a great centre of learning and scholarship.
All members of the University community are encouraged to become involved in the Governing Council or one of its Boards or Committees. This may be done by encouraging qualified individuals to stand as candidates in Governing Council elections, by standing for election yourself, by voting in elections in your constituency, or by applying for the co-opted (non-Governing Council) positions on the Boards and Committee of the Council. More information is available at http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/elections.htm.
Dates to Remember:
January 2008: Nominations open for administrative staff, teaching staff, student, and alumni seats on the Governing Council.
February - March 2008: Elections.
April – May 2008: Call for Nominations for Co-opted seats on the Governing Council Boards and Committees.