Senate Elections

The University of Waterloo Senate is responsible for all issues relating to academic quality, including the granting of degrees, setting program requirements and approving academic regulations. This group makes important decisions on issues that matter to you, like Fall Reading Break for example! It is made up of University administration, faculty, and student leaders. While this is a University governing body, Feds hosts the elections for the student positions on Senate who are elected during the Feds General Elections in the winter term, with successful candidates typically serving two-year terms.

Interested in becoming the next student senator and being the voice of undergrads on this University governing body? Keep reading to find out how, and reach out to one of your current student senators (external link) to learn how they got to where they are! #UWVotes​

For questions and further Senate election information not found on this page, please contact Waterloo’s Secretariat.

Important Dates

Nominations have officially opened!

Nomination Period
Oct 26, 2018 – Jan 17, 2019 (closes at 4 p.m.)

All Candidates Meeting
Jan 17 at 6 p.m. in the SLC’s Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)

Interim Period
Jan 17 – Jan 20

Campaign Period
Jan 21 – Feb 7

Voting Period 
Feb 5 (opens at 10 a.m.) – Feb 7 (closes at 11:59 p.m.)

Check back here in the winter 2019 term. We’ll have key dates for the various events Feds hosts including meet-and-greets where you will have a chance to get to know your candidates!

Available Positions

These seats are available for undergraduates interested in running for Senate.

• Applied Health Sciences: 
  • One undergraduate student seat
  • Two year term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2021
• Engineering: 
  • One undergraduate student seat
  • Two year term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2021
• Mathematics: 
  • One undergraduate student seat
  • Two year term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2021
• Science:
  • One undergraduate student seat
  • One year term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2020 (current student senator in this position will be graduating, the elected student will be filling the vacancy)
• At-Large Representative: 
  • Two undergraduate student seats
  • One seat is a two year term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2021
  • The other seat is a one year term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2020 (current student senator in this position will be graduating, the elected student will be filling the vacancy)

Nominations

During nomination period, paperless nomination packages are available at vote.feds.ca. Paper packages are available for download below or upon request at the Feds main office.

• Please read and complete nomination form in its entirety.
• If you’re running for an at-large seat:
  • Only Waterloo undergraduate students are eligible to sign your nomination form.
  • The required number of signatures for nomination is 100.
• If you’re running for a faculty representative seat:
  • Only Waterloo undergraduate students in your respective faculty are eligible to sign your nomination form.
  • The required number of signatures for nomination is 25.
• Applications are due by 4 p.m. on the last day of the Nominations Period.
• The All Candidates Meeting is mandatory as important information will be shared concerning the elections process and the campaigning period.
• Candidates are responsible for becoming familiar with University of Waterloo Secretarial Nominations webpage, Senate Bylaw 3, Senate Bylaw 1, and the University of Waterloo Act, section 22. As well as the Federation of Students’ Elections & Referenda Procedures available through the Feds Library.
• Candidates are encouraged to submit their information by the stated deadlines (presented at the All Candidates Meeting) to be included in the Feds Elections promotional materials.
• The Feds Elections candidate logo is available for download at the bottom of the Feds Elections page.

Nominations are just a click away at vote.feds.ca. You have until the closing deadline to get online nomination package completed. Waterloo undergrads can nominate you from anywhere by logging in with their WatIAM.

vote.feds.ca

Or you can complete a paper package instead and return to the Feds main office before nomination period closes:

 Nomination Paper Package - Senate (PDF)

Senate Position Details

The University of Waterloo Senate has the power to the establish educational policies, and the power to make recommendations to the Board of Governors with respect to matters relative to the operation of the University (see the UW Act, section 22). The following are examples of matters that fall under the jurisdiction of Senate: establish, maintain, and modify curricula; determine standards of admission; regulate examinations; confer degrees and diplomas, and honorary degrees; enact bylaws; engage in long-range academic planning. There are 93 members of Senate, with seats reserved for undergraduate students. Student senators normally serve for two years as either a Faculty representative or an at-large representative. Senators must: be dedicated and willing to commit time each month to read and comprehend the agenda, and come prepared when attending the monthly 1.5 to two-hour meeting; be open, transparent, and trustworthy; be informed, and committed to serve in pursuit of the University’s objectives; and avoid conflicts of interest. More information on Senate can be found in the University of Waterloo Act and Senate Bylaw 1.

References

Refer to Senate Bylaw 3 (External Link) for more information on nominations and elections.

Senate Contact

Any questions relating to the above may be directed to Emily Schroeder, extension 32749.