Protocol for the Election to First Nations, Métis or Inuit Student Seats on Senate

The official version of this policy is housed with the University Secretariat. In the event of a discrepancy, the official version will prevail. Click here for a printable version of this policy.

Approving Authority: Governance and Nominating Committee
Responsible Office: University Secretariat, Office of Indigenous Initiatives
Responsible Officer: University Secretary
Original Approval Date: January 16, 2024
Effective Date: January 16, 2024

1. Purpose

The establishment of Indigenous representation in bodies like the Senate is required to carve out space for Indigenous epistemologies and ontologies. This will ensure the effective evaluation of Indigenous initiatives brought to bodies like Senate and will provide a structure for accountability to Indigenous peoples and communities.

2. Authority

Section B.(1)(j) of the Senate Bylaws provides that the Governance and Nominating Committee may establish a protocol for the election to First Nations, Inuit or Métis Student Seats on Senate.

3. Definitions

3.1. “Indigenous” shall refer collectively to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, as recognized in the Canadian Constitution, and their distinct cultures, languages and knowledge.

3.2. “Student” shall mean a Student, including undergraduate or graduate students, as defined in the Senate Bylaws and the Regulations Governing the Election of Students to Senate

4. Adminstration of Election

4.1. The Election shall be administered consistent with the Administration of Election provisions of the Regulations Governing the Election of Students to Senate.

4.2. The Chief Electoral Officer may fix such deadlines and develop such operational guidelines as are necessary to administer elections under this protocol, provided that any such deadlines or guidelines are communicated publicly prior to or at the beginning of the nomination period.

4.3. The Assistant Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives) shall serve as the principal advisor to the Chief Electoral Officer with regard to the operation of this protocol.

5. Eligibility

5.1. In order to be eligible to stand as a candidate for election to a First Nations, Inuit and Métis Student Seat on Senate, a student must meet the eligibility requirements provided in the Regulations Governing the Election of Students to Senate.

5.2. In addition, in order to be eligible to stand as a candidate for election to a First Nations, Inuit or Métis Student Seat on Senate, a student must complete the University of Guelph’s Indigenous Identity Confirmation for Students.

5.2.1. The Assistant Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives) or designate is responsible for communicating the outcome of this process to the Chief Electoral Officer for each candidate prior to the election.

5.3. In order to be eligible to nominate, a student must be registered as a full or part-time student in an academic program under the jurisdiction of the University of Guelph Senate in the semester in which the election is held and be self-identified as a First Nations, Métis or Inuit student.

5.4. In order to be eligible to vote, a student must be registered as a full or part-time student in an academic program under the jurisdiction of the University of Guelph Senate in the semester in which the election is held and be self-identified as a First Nations, Métis or Inuit student.

5.5. The Assistant Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives) or designate is responsible for providing the Chief Electoral Officer with a list of self-identified First Nations, Métis or Inuit students prior to the election.

6. Regulations Governing the Election of Students to Apply

6.1. Except where this protocol provides otherwise, matters relating to term of office, retention of seat, vacancies and replacement, nomination and election period, nomination, election, election results and irregularities with respect to First Nations, Métis or Inuit Student Seats on Senate shall be determined or decided in compliance with the Regulations Governing the Election of Students to Senate.

6.2. Where the Chief Electoral Officer determines it is appropriate, the Assistant Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives) may fulfill the role of the Chief Electoral Officer or University Registrar under the Regulations Governing the Election of Students to Senate.