Elections
On March 31, 2005, the Thompson Rivers University Act created three governing bodies for TRU: the Board, the Senate, and the Planning Council for Open Learning.
Elections are held each fall and winter to fill positions on the TRU institutional governing committees as necessary.
Winter 2021 Elections for the Board of Governors, the University Senate the Planning Council for Open Learning and the TRU Community Trust Board of Directors
Positions on TRU governing committees to be filled through the winter 2021 elections, commencing February 2021, are as follows:
Board of Governors
Two (2) Student representatives: Appointment term one year - September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022
University Senate
Four (4) Student representatives: Appointment term one year - September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022
By-election: One (1) Support Staff representative to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the appointment term; January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023
By-election: One (1) Open Learning Teaching Staff representative: to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the appointment term; January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023
Planning Council for Open Learning (PCOL)
One (1) Open Learning Teaching Student representative: Appointment term one year - September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022
TRU Community Trust Board of Directors
One (1) TRU Student representative: Appointment term one year - September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022
Winter 2021 Election Schedule
February 8, to February 12, 2021 – Call for Nominations
Only those persons named in the Election Register are eligible to nominate and to vote at an election. A representative of the Registrar will be able to confirm eligibility.
All completed nomination forms must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2021, by email to elections@tru.ca. Nominations received after the deadline are not eligible.
A designate of the Registrar will acknowledge receipt of all nominations and confirm candidate eligibility via email.
Nominees are encouraged to review relevant legislation, by-laws, and terms of reference for the governing bodies to which they seek election. (Senate, Board of Governors, Planning Council for Open Learning, TRU Community Trust).
The nomination period will be followed by four (4) weeks before the voting period commences.
Candidate Statements
Candidates that meet election eligibility requirements will be invited to submit a brief candidate statement.
Campaigning
The campaign period shall commence as soon as possible and no later than five (5) business days following the end of the nomination period. Candidates may begin to campaign only after the Registrar has confirmed the eligibility of all candidates and published the names of all candidates online on the elections web page. The campaign period will continue up to and including the voting period.
- All candidates are required to act with honesty and integrity and conduct themselves in a professional and dignified manner in their campaigns.
- Candidates must adhere to TRU’s Posting Procedures Policy ADM 01-3 when campaigning and are responsible for the removal of all campaign materials within a reasonable time following the close of the elections.
- Areas to be used for campaigning may be subject to booking rules. Candidates should review and adhere to the procedures for Room, Venue and Table Bookings.
*Candidates should adhere to all TRU COVID protocol when campaigning.
March 15, to March 18, 2021 – Voting
Voting will begin on March 15, 2021, and will be conducted by anonymous and secure online ballot through myTRU and TRUemployee. Voting will close at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2021. No ballots will be accepted after the close of voting.
March 25, 2021 – Election Results
The Registrar will communicate all election results within five (5) business days of the close of voting. Candidates will be notified by email of their own outcome. All election results, including voting counts, will be posted on the TRU elections web page. Election results will be reported to the Senate at the next possible meeting following the election.
Proposed meeting times and attendance (subject to change)
Meeting times for each governing body will vary and attendance is required. For meeting schedules, please see:
- Board of Governors meeting schedule
- University Senate meeting schedule
- Planning Council for Open Learning meeting schedule
- TRU Community Trust
Questions and nomination forms
Nomination forms will be available here on February 5. They will also be available from the Enrolment Services Office in Old Main, on the first floor of the Kamloops Campus, or by email request to elections@tru.ca. For more information please email elections@tru.ca.