Senate Elections

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The Senate is the senior academic body of the University. Among other things, it advises on the University’s academic standards and policies, as well as program approvals and reviews.

Fall 2025 Senate Elections

University Canada West is hosting elections for Senate. Learn more about the nominees below:

Continuing Faculty Nominees

Dear Colleagues:

With gratitude I am asking for your support in re-electing me as a member of the UCW Senate.

Continuing my service at the UCW Senate is part of my tribute to this university which many of us wish for the best, as it is on its way to become one day.

I've been serving on two Senate Standing Committees since I joined UCW in the summer of 2021, and I've also served for one term as the vice chair of the Senate, and the chair of the Senate G&P Committee. Through that experience I've made some impact into the continued improvement of the overall academic quality of our university, and my work was highly recognized by colleagues at the Senate, as well as at the Committees.

Being the voice and eyes of all faculty members at UCW, I take the responsibilities of the Senate membership to my heart. With full commitment as always, I will devote my utmost effort, to represent my colleagues at UCW Senate, and work together with all stakeholders, to make UCW a better university, for all.

Thank you for voting for Dr. He - your voice at the UCW Senate!

Dr. Jane Ali is an Assistant Professor in the MBA program at University Canada West, where she teaches leadership and change management. With over a decade of experience in higher education, she brings a deep commitment to inclusive, student-centered learning and institutional innovation.

Dr. Ali's vision for UCW includes strengthening faculty development through collaborative mentorship, advancing curriculum design that reflects real-world challenges, and fostering interdisciplinary approaches that integrate action learning, artificial intelligence, indigenization, and career readiness. She is dedicated to enhancing student engagement and success by promoting accessible, equitable learning environments and supporting diverse learning needs.

Her leadership experience spans roles such as Academic Director at Excel Career College and BC Regional Program Coordinator for Campus Support, where she led cross-institutional initiatives and supported faculty in curriculum development and digital integration. At UCW, she contributes to curriculum remapping and DQAB compliance, ensuring academic excellence and relevance.

Dr. Ali holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and multiple credentials in adult learning, project management, and Indigenous studies. Her technical expertise includes Student Information Systems (SIS), hybrid learning design, and accessibility integration.

As a candidate, Dr. Ali is committed to driving positive change across UCW by advocating for transparent governance, inclusive academic practices, and strategic program development. Her goal is to empower faculty, elevate student voices, and build programs that prepare graduates for leadership in a rapidly evolving world.

I have been a full-time faculty member at University Canada West since 2022 and have been part of this academic community for four years. During this time, I served as Course Lead (Leadership in the Global Context) and as Vice Chair of the Leadership and People Management (LPM) department. These roles have allowed me to contribute to curriculum development, faculty mentorship, and student engagement while gaining a good understanding of our university's strengths and opportunities for growth.

As an immigrant to Canada, I know firsthand the transformative power of education. A university education provides students with the tools, confidence, and opportunities to build meaningful lives for themselves and their families. This belief gives true purpose to the work we do here at UCW as faculty members, empowering our students to reach their full potential.

Serving on the Senate would allow me to contribute to bringing this perspective into the decision-making process, ensuring that policies, programs, and initiatives are developed with a focus on creating an inclusive and supportive environment for both faculty and students. I am passionate about fostering a collaborative culture where faculty voices are valued and where our collective expertise shapes a university that continues to grow in academic excellence and student success.

I believe that together, we can build a future where UCW stands out as a place where faculty are empowered to innovate and students are encouraged to dream big and achieve even more. It would be an honour to represent my colleagues in the Senate and contribute to shaping a university that not only educates but also inspires and uplifts everyone in our community.

Dear Colleagues,

I am running for Senate as a passionate advocate for higher education in these rapidly changing times. At both the program and university level, I am dedicated to fostering critical and creative thinking, individualized learning, strong communication skills, interdisciplinarity, self-awareness, social responsibility, environmental consciousness, and the integration of Indigenous perspectives.

I have been with UCW since 2019, through many changes, developing deep respect and regard for my colleagues. As a recipient of the Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award (2023), subject lead, and member of various committees, I am committed to the constant improvement of our programs, teaching methods, research contributions, diversity and inclusion, and mutual collaboration. I have successfully proposed a new course in Environmental Ethics that, I hope, will further the contribution of our students to society and eventually lead to a certificate program.

To this mission of caring, I bring exemplary academic credentials from Columbia University in New York City and the University of British Columbia (where I have studied and taught in five separate programs). I also bring a strong track record with international organizations that promote compassion, emotional intelligence, and human flourishing.

My interest in finding climate solutions and in educating the heart has led me to ecological and educational activism, and to involvement organizations such as the Mind and Life Institute and the Blake Society. A recipient of a Mitacs Go Global Award and a Varela Award, as well as two SSHRC Fellowships, I have been a visiting scholar, research institute fellow, and an invited speaker at programs from Amherst College in the USA to CIHTS in India.

Vote for me in the senate and I will work with my colleagues to make UCW a place where we support one another in preparing students to live compassionately, creatively, and joyfully.

Thank you,
Dr. William Rubel

Dr. Mazyar Zahedi-Seresht is a Professor of Operations Research and Supply Chain Management. His expertise includes mathematical modeling, supply chain optimization, and data envelopment analysis. He has published widely, led research projects, and developed new academic programs and courses in supply chain management. He also serves as the CORS Diploma Coordinator in the Canadian Operations Research Society.

With about two decades of experience as a language educator, researcher, and teacher development professional, I am an Associate Professor in the Dept of ACSS. I received MA TESOL, along with two postgraduate Certificates in CALL and Language Program Administration, from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (USA) and PhD in Education/TESL from the University of British Columbia.

My professional journey also included visiting scholar appointments at universities in Brunei, China, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and the USA, as well as keynote/plenary presentations at international conferences and delivering invited professional development sessions (onsite) across the world.

My contributions have been recognized with several awards, including the Distinguished Instructor Award (2010) from Sultan Qaboos University, the Young Alumni Achievement Award (2018) from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, and the Nan Poliakoff Memorial Award (2021) from the Association of BC Teachers of English as an Additional Language.

My professional leadership experience spans provincial, national, and international levels. I have served as an SME with the BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education & Future Skills and as a committee Chair for BCCAT. I was elected Secretary of TESL Canada Federation and Chair of TESL Canadian Educational Foundation. I have held several leadership roles with TESOL International Association (USA), including Chair of Interest Sections and Coordinator of the Awards Professional Council.

Over the years, I have collaborated with educators, administrators, and policymakers for a range of initiatives. My aspiration for serving on the Senate is based on a commitment to support the university's goal as a leading Canadian institution known for excellence in teaching and learning. I aim to contribute to advancing policy that supports educators and research-informed teaching. Drawing on my diverse leadership experience, I look forward to working with esteemed colleagues to further the university's mission. Thank you!

I want to work closely with the Senate and UCW leaders to make sure faculty voices are heard when it comes to research and academic planning. My goal is to connect faculty projects with UCW's bigger vision so we can better support each other and bring our ideas together.

It has been a privilege to serve UCW as a full-time faculty member since 2017. I am seeking re-election because I believe deeply in the value of shared governance and the power of working together as colleagues.

Over the years, I have served as a member and Vice Chair of the Senate; Chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee; Chair of the Research and Scholarly Activity Committee; Vice-Chair of the University Curriculum Committee; Course Lead for MRKT 621, MRKT 627, and MRKT 625; and member of several hiring, program development, and review committees. In each role, my priority has been to listen, build consensus, and ensure that decisions reflect the diverse perspectives of our faculty.
If elected, I will continue to:

  • Champion faculty voices in academic decision-making.
  • Support colleagues in teaching and research, recognizing the challenges and opportunities we share.
  • Strengthen collaboration across programs to build a more inclusive and collegial academic environment.

I see the Senate not as an administrative body alone, but as a community where faculty shape the future of UCW together. With your support, I will continue working with fairness, transparency, and respect for our shared mission of delivering high-quality education.

It would be an honour to continue serving you and representing our collective voice in the Senate.

I am seeking nomination to the UCW Senate, bringing with me prior experience as a Senate member and as Vice Chair of both the University Curriculum Committee (UCC) and the Scholarly Activity Committee (RSA), as well as strong academic preparation with a PhD and Postdoctoral fellow from the University of British Columbia (UBC). In these roles, I had the privilege of working collaboratively with colleagues and administration to strengthen academic programs, enhance curriculum development, and support scholarly engagement across the university.

My contributions have focused on ensuring that policies, initiatives, and new program developments reflect UCW's commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student success. I am committed to upholding the values of integrity, fairness, and transparency in decision-making. My priorities will be to continue fostering rigorous and relevant curriculum development, advancing research and scholarly activity, and encouraging meaningful dialogue that represents the diverse perspectives of our community. UCW thrives because of its culture of collaboration and ambition, and I am dedicated to contributing to that momentum by helping shape policies and practices that strengthen both academic quality and the student experience. It would be an honor to continue serving the UCW community through the important work of the Senate, and I ask for your support in this nomination.

With 27 years of experience spanning the technology industry, sustainability, and academia across 14 countries, I bring a global perspective and a deep commitment to advancing education, innovation, and integrity at UCW.

Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of serving the University Canada West community in multiple roles: as a sessional instructor, Department Chair, and now as continuing faculty. These experiences have allowed me to contribute to program growth, academic governance, and student success, while building strong relationships with faculty, staff, students, industry partners, and regulatory bodies.

I believe UCW's strength lies in its diversity and in the ability to connect classroom learning with real-world application. I have worked to integrate work-integrated learning projects, sustainability frameworks, Indigenous curriculum and connections, and digital transformation into our courses, ensuring students graduate with skills aligned to both current and future labor market needs. My leadership style emphasizes transparency, collaboration, and service-removing barriers and providing support so others can excel.

UCW has become my academic home, and I take pride in contributing to its growth and impact. As a Senate member, I would continue to champion academic integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, while ensuring that our governance structures reflect the needs of all stakeholders. I am committed to fostering an environment where faculty are empowered, students are supported, and the university continues to thrive as a leader in higher education.

It would be an honor to represent my colleagues on Senate and continue serving the UCW community with dedication and integrity.

I am excited to present my candidacy for this election at University Canada West. I bring extensive academic and leadership experience to this candidacy. I have served as Director of Bachelor Programs at post-secondary institutions, where I was responsible for overseeing curriculum, supporting faculty, and ensuring student success. I have also been actively involved in program reviews and in developing new programs that meet industry needs and enhance the student learning experience. These roles have strengthened my ability to balance academic quality with innovation and to create initiatives that truly serve students.

I will draw on this background to represent the student voice and to support initiatives that improve academic quality, engagement, and inclusion across UCW. I am committed to fostering open communication between students, faculty, and administration, and to helping create a university environment where every student feels heard and supported. we can continue building a university environment where academic excellence and personal development go hand in hand. I would be honored to have your support in this election.

I am currently a full Professor and Course Lead for BUSI 601 at UCW. I recently oversaw the substantive review and revision of the BUSI 601 course and am actively involved with the development of assessment tools for the MBA program.

I have been with UCW in one role or another since January of 2010. In that time I have been a sessional and full time faculty member, course lead, department chair, and, for a brief period, part of the acting VP Academic team. My contributions include the development of Academic Integrity policies, Appeals committee chair, Research Ethics Board member (2x), Admissions Committee member, Faculty Hiring Committee, Senate member, MBA redesign working group member, and BA and BCOM revision working groups member. In the process I have worked hard to maintain good faculty morale, mentor new faculty, and ensure an excellent teaching environment. I am particularly proud of the work I did redesigning the BA and BCOM degrees. These were carefully focused revisions that sought to create degrees that balanced the practical and the academic, creating a niche between existing technical and academic programs.

In other institutions over my 25 year academic career I have served as Academic Dean, a sessional faculty member, course and certificate designer, and senior mentoring faculty member. In all those roles I have been a highly regarded faculty member and twice earned teaching excellence awards. My student ratings have typically been excellent and my standards seen as very high.
As well as teaching and administration, I have an active research and publication program. My current research involves: AI and ethics, AI and university design, social stressors and masculinity, workplace ethics & spirituality, foundations of epistemology, and psychotherapy. I also have a small side practice in personal and family counselling.

I hold a Ph.D. in Sociology and a credential in Integrated Marketing Strategy from UBC Sauder. I currently teach Leadership in the Global Context at the Department of Leadership and People Management.
My teaching philosophy blends academic rigor with practice-oriented methods. I integrate real-world cases, neuroscience insights, and interdisciplinary research to prepare students to think critically and act effectively in complex environments. Most recently, I completed the Neuroscience in Business program at MIT Sloan, an experience that has deepened my ability to connect leadership education with cutting-edge science.

Alongside my teaching, I serve on the Academic Admission Review Group (AARG) committee, where I contribute to upholding standards of fairness and transparency.

My industry background includes strategic marketing, branding, and communications, with professional roles ranging from Pfizer to the Construction Labour Relations Association of BC.

If elected to the Senate, I would bring my commitment to academic quality, collaborative governance, and student-centered innovation. My leadership philosophy focuses on creating opportunities for others to lead. I believe that true impact comes not from authority, but from empowering people to rise with confidence and purpose. I see UCW\'s continued growth as rooted in this very balance: upholding high academic standards while fostering inclusive practices, amplifying faculty voices, and empowering students to thrive as the next generation of global leaders.

I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the Senate's mission by ensuring academic integrity, equity, and continuous improvement at UCW.

I am pleased to submit my candidacy for the Senate. This is my second time applying for this role, and I have had the privilege of serving on the Senate for the past three years, where I have actively represented faculty. I have also contributed as a member of two standing committees: the Research and Scholarly Activity Committee and the University Curriculum Committee, where I had the honour of serving as Chair.

I joined UCW in 2020 and, since then, have taught courses including Entrepreneurship, Marketing Management, E-Commerce, Digital Marketing, and others. Since Fall 2022, I have been serving as Vice-Chair of the Marketing, Strategy and Entrepreneurship Department, and I have continued in this role as Co-Vice-Chair since January 2025.

Representing our faculty in the Senate is a responsibility I value deeply. Many of you might know me as an active and engaged member of our community, and I would be honoured to continue serving in the Senate to ensure fair and meaningful representation of our faculty.

I am honored to stand for nomination to the Senate, bringing forward my experience as a former Senate member and Chair of the Research and Scholarly Activity Committee. During my tenure, UCW experienced exceptional growth in research output and impact, culminating in the university being ranked #1 in Canada for Scopus-indexed publications among private institutions. We also introduced new grant streams to strengthen research capacity and support faculty innovation.

As a Professor at UCW and Adjunct Professor at leading universities in the USA, Germany, and Australia, I have dedicated my career to advancing research, academic excellence, and student success. With over two decades of international experience across academia and industry, I have designed and led numerous academic programs, supervised research, and directed large-scale R&D and digital transformation projects internationally. You can find more details about my academic and professional background on the UCW faculty page and my LinkedIn profile.

If you wish to continue strengthening UCW's research excellence, academic advancement, and innovative growth, I would be honored to contribute once again through your vote.

Dr. Mominul Talukder's fascination to compete impending Senate is to potentially engage himself to dive deep the required changes and scale up the reputation and good standing of the University Canada West into next level. He believes all pertaining stakeholders must have an opportunity seamlessly to raise their voices and address possible needs and demands through dialogue. He considers the university as being a family which should be free form any bullying and harassment and look forward upkeeping a collegial environment at all levels comprises of mutual trust and respect.

Currently, Dr. Talukder is an Associate Professor and teaches Leadership and Talent Management at MBA level. He is a devoted scholar in Human Resources and Management with post-doctoral training from University of Victoria (Gustavson School of Business), Canada and a Ph.D. from Western Sydney University (School of Business) in Australia. He has an over 19 years track record of experience in research and teaching at post-secondary level harnessing a variety of experiential pedagogies in the areas of Human Resources (HR), Organizational Behavior (OB), and Economics with seven years corporate experience in Marketing and Market Research.

Prior, Dr. Talukder has designed, taught and coordinated both HR and OB courses in the University of Toronto (Management Dept., Scarborough, Toronto), CIRHR (Downtown Toronto), McMaster University (DeGroote School of Business, Hamilton, Ontario), UVic (Gustavson School of Business, Victoria, BC), Centennial College (The Business School, Toronto), Western Sydney University (School of Business, Parramatta Campus), Central Queensland University (School of Business) and Australian Catholic University (PF School of Business).

Dr. Talukder is extensively experienced in both qualitative and quantitative research design, data collection, management, and analysis utilizing various platforms and software. He has published several research papers in refereed journals (e.g., Personnel Review, Journal of Employment Counselling, Accounting Forum and Research in Education to name a few) and presented countless papers in international conferences including USA, Australia, and Singapore. He was also a fellow (2020-2021) of Work-Family Researcher Network (WFRN) based in New York, USA.

Deeming my credentials and once elected, I wish I could serve the university with utmost dedication which may have positive and lasting impact on the broader community.

My teaching philosophy is rooted in innovation, systems thinking, and human-centered design, where I integrate real consulting projects, industry collaboration, and experiential learning into the classroom.

As Course Lead for Design Thinking, I introduced the Design Thinking Trade Fair, where students showcased more than 200 AI-enabled prototypes, positioning UCW learners at the intersection of creativity, technology, and business impact. I have also contributed to program development and curriculum redesign across MBA courses, ensuring they remain rigorous, relevant, and future-ready.

Beyond academia, I bring 17+ years of experience as a senior change management consultant, leading digital transformation and ERP migration initiatives for Fortune-scale organizations. This state-of-the-art industry background enables me to bridge theory and practice, keeping curriculum aligned with employer and societal needs.

I am also engaged in service to UCW, consistently voicing the perspectives of faculty in curriculum and governance conversations, and aligning this work with the university\'s mission of delivering high-quality, industry-connected education. I see Senate as the central arena for safeguarding academic standards and ensuring our programs meet the expectations of both students and faculty.

If elected, I will bring academic leadership, innovation expertise, and a strong commitment to faculty representation. My goal is to strengthen the link between rigorous curriculum design, industry alignment, and a supportive academic environment for our community.

Limited-Term Faculty Nominees

I am currently a Sessional faculty member in the ACSS Department and have been part of UCW for two years, receiving excellent student feedback. In this role, I have had the privilege of working closely with students, supporting their learning, and contributing to their academic and professional development.
As someone who has experienced both the rewards and challenges of sessional teaching, I believe strongly in the importance of having our voices represented in the Senate. Sessional faculty make up a significant portion of the teaching body, yet our perspectives are often underrepresented in institutional decision-making. I want to ensure that the needs, concerns, and contributions of sessional instructors are fully recognized and valued.

My commitment is to act as a bridge between sessional faculty and the broader governance of the university. I will advocate for greater inclusivity, stronger communication, and policies that reflect the realities of those working on limited-term contracts. At the same time, I will strive to collaborate constructively with colleagues across all roles to enhance the academic experience for both students and faculty.

By serving on the Senate, my goal is to help build a more supportive and equitable environment-one where sessional faculty are empowered to thrive, and where our essential role in the student learning journey is acknowledged.

I would be honored to represent sessional faculty on the Senate and bring our perspectives to the table.

Dear colleagues,

The UCW Senate will hold elections this November. I am putting my name forward to represent you as a Limited Term Faculty Representative, which includes sessional faculty members. I teach political science courses at UCW and hold degrees in political science and law.

As you know, UCW is navigating significant headwinds from government policy changes that have lowered the number of international students and ended post-graduate work permits for associate degrees.

As your representative, I will advocate for you at both institutional and faculty levels. Institutionally, I will propose that the Senate use its academic authority to recommend policies to the administration and Board of Governors that support the following:

  1. Diverse student body: To build our brand as a dynamic global institution, our student body must reflect a wide range of nationalities and cultures.
  2. Domestic enrollment & partnerships: To mitigate our vulnerability, I will champion academic agreements for domestic block transfers with public institutions. This will enhance our academic reputation and make us a credible alternative, providing new pathways for students.
  3. International block transfers: I will support the academic review and approval of new block transfer agreements with international partners to secure a predictable source of qualified international students.
  4. New degree programs: I will advocate for the development of new degree programs that meet rigorous academic standards to help attract new student cohorts.

At the faculty level, I will champion policies that support fair workload management, professional development opportunities, and clear communication from the administration. I will host a meeting each term to listen to your ideas, which I will articulate on your behalf to the Senate and beyond.

If this vision resonates with you, I ask for your vote.

I have worn many hats throughout my two decades of professional life, but the one I have never taken off is teaching. Born into a family of teachers, I have been teaching for over 20 years while building a parallel career in sales, marketing, and business development in the mining and energy industries across Canada and internationally.

This unique combination of academic passion and industry engagement has shaped my belief that education must stay closely aligned with real-world needs. As industries and technologies evolve rapidly, I see a vital opportunity for University Canada West to strengthen its connections and serve its key stakeholders-students, faculty, and the job market.

Serving on the UCW Senate would allow me to contribute this perspective. I should attend reputable conferences and engage with industry leaders. Consequently, I maintain a current understanding of labour market trends and the skills employers seek. I am committed to using this insight to help inform curriculum development, support innovative course design, and foster closer industry partnerships.

I am eager to collaborate with fellow Senate members to ensure UCW graduates are not only well-educated but also well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the modern workplace.

Graduate Student Nominees

This candidate has been acclaimed.

Undergraduate Student Nominees

This candidate has been acclaimed.

Senate Election Schedule

Please see the table below for the timetable for the Fall 2025 Senate Elections:

Nominations open for the following Senate positions

The following vacancies are available for students and faculty.

*Candidates will be assigned to the terms based on the number of votes received – highest number of votes will serve terms from November 2025 to October 2028.

About the Senate

Senate members will advise and provide recommendations to the UCW Board of Governors on a number of subjects, including program proposals advanced to the BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, the evaluation of programs and educational services, the setting of the academic schedule of the University and other matters specified by the Board.

The Senate meets bi-monthly, normally on the first Thursday of every second month. Senate members are also expected to participate in two (2) Senate committees, which may meet monthly or as needed. Meetings are conducted virtually on Microsoft Teams.

Senate Election Forms

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General FAQs

The Senate meets bi-monthly, every first Thursday of the month (from 3 pm to 5 pm).

For more information, see the Senate Bylaws.

Yes! All new members will participate in an orientation session and will receive a comprehensive manual before their first Senate meeting.

No, this is a volunteer position. For faculty members, this position will be considered towards any applicable service requirements. All Senate members may submit requests for reimbursements for any reasonable expenses incurred.

Please complete the appropriate forms.

If you have any questions about the nomination process, please contact elections@ucanwest.ca.

If you no longer wish to stand for election and wish to withdraw your nomination, please contact elections@ucanwest.ca to withdraw your nomination. Once withdrawn, you will not be eligible for the election and any votes for a withdrawn candidate will be invalid.

Please note that, if you are elected, it is our expectation that you will serve the entire term of office, to the best of your ability.

Voting will be done electronically (instructions to follow).

An orientation session will be held for all candidates. It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to ensure they are familiar with all the rules of the election, whether they attend the orientation or not.

Each nominee will be asked to provide a Statement of Intent (maximum 300 words and no links) in the Nomination Form. This Statement of Intent will be made available to the electorate on the Senate Elections webpage.

Campaigning is allowed and encouraged, but must be undertaken at the individual’s expense and in their own time. Candidates may not abuse UCW’s resources for election purposes. All candidates are required to act with honesty and integrity.

Candidates are expected to conduct themselves in a manner respectful of other candidates, and all campaign material must comply with human rights and other legislation.

Campaigning includes: word-of-mouth and direct communications, posters, flyers, websites and social media. Encouraging individuals to vote is not considered campaigning if there is no reference to an individual candidate or group of candidates.

Each candidate may post one campaign poster (8.5×11”) on each Community Board at the UCW campuses and may choose to distribute flyers on UCW campuses (at their own expense). Staff and faculty candidates may also post one campaign poster (8.5×11”) in each UCW faculty and staff lounge or work area.

If you have any questions about the campaigning process, please contact elections@ucanwest.ca.

Student FAQs

Nominations will be submitted on your own behalf but must be signed by three other eligible student members.

To be eligible to nominate another student, you must be:

  • An undergraduate or graduate student registered at UCW in Summer 2025 Term; In good standing; and From the same student constituency (i.e., Undergraduate or Graduate) as the nominee/candidate. Any eligible student can support an At-Large nomination.

To be eligible to vote, you must be:

  • An undergraduate or graduate student registered at UCW in Fall 2025 Term; In good standing; and
    From the same student constituency (i.e., Undergraduate or Graduate) as the nominee/candidate. Any eligible student can vote for the At-Large positions.

To be eligible to stand for election, you must be:

  • An undergraduate or graduate student registered at UCW in the Summer 2025 Term; In good standing; and Intending to register in two of the following academic terms (Fall 2025, Winter 2026 or
    Spring 2026 terms) during his/her/their term of office (November 2025 – October 2026).

For more information about eligibility, see Sections 2.1 and 4.1-4.5 contained in Appendix A to the Bylaws (Rules to Govern Elections to the Senate).

Please see campaigning question and answer above. Classroom time is reserved for academic activities, and your professors and fellow students expect to have class time dedicated to learning. Visits or campaigning by student candidates cannot be accommodated.

Students can represent either their program (Undergraduate or Graduate) or At-large. They cannot run for both an Undergraduate or Graduate position. Faculty and staff members who are also students cannot stand for election, nominate or vote as students.

The at-large student member will represent the interests of all UCW students on Senate.

Faculty FAQs

Nominations will be submitted on your own behalf but must be signed by three other eligible faculty members. To nominate an individual, vote or stand for election, faculty members must:

  • have a continuing appointment at UCW in a degree program.

Please see the APPENDIX A to the Senate Bylaws (Election Rules) for full eligibility rules.

Nominations will be submitted on your own behalf but must be signed by three other eligible faculty members. To nominate an individual, vote or stand for election, faculty members must:

To stand for election, faculty members must have a limited-term appointment (including Sessional) at UCW in a degree program.

To nominate an individual or vote for election, faculty members must have either a continuing appointment or a limited-term appointment (including Sessional) at UCW in a degree program.

Please see the APPENDIX A to the Senate Bylaws (Election Rules) for full eligibility rules.

No. Faculty and staff members who are also UCW students are not eligible to run as student representatives.

Continuing faculty are those who teach in the degree programs, and have continuous appointments, an assigned rank and either a contract with no end date or are on a continuing track.

Limited term faculty are those who teach in the degree programs and have a limited term contract (either for a specific duration, or as a sessional).

Voting and Campaigning FAQs

The campaigning period will start on October 7 and end on November 2. Candidates may release campaign messages during this time period. Voting will be online only.

Staff members will only be able to vote for staff, continuing faculty will only be able to vote for continuing faculty, limited term faculty will only be available to vote for limited term faculty and students can only vote for students in their own constituency (or any at-large candidate).

The University will not provide resources for campaigning, and all campaign materials (such as posters, signs, social media, websites, etc.) will be produced at the candidates’ expense.

Candidates are reminded to minimize disruptions during business operations; while it is acceptable to remind voters during regular meetings, there should not be any solicitation of votes during regular business interactions.

We ask that each candidate respect their colleagues’ time and our shared workspaces by following these campaign best practices:

  1. Limit group emails to a maximum of two (2) messages on behalf of each candidate during the campaign period (October 7 to November 2)
  2. For all group emails, please blind copy (BCC) all recipients
  3. Campaign posters may be placed on the boards in the faculty prep rooms and employee lounge areas at both the Vancouver House and West Pender campuses
  4. Limit of one campaign poster per candidate per board/area
  5. Campaign posters may not be placed on walls or in stairwells at either campus

Candidates are reminded to be respectful of other candidates and support a campaign process that is fair, reasonable and in compliance with human rights or any other applicable legislation.

In terms of communication, candidates are recommended to present themselves honestly, covering items such as your motivation for running in the election, your intentions if elected and what would be the focus of your attention during your term on the Senate.

Yes, both chairs and current elected members of the Senate are allowed to vote.

Senate votes are not tallied by department; all faculty and staff members (and more broadly, all Senate members) are asked to consider the best interests of the University and its students.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to reach out to voters. Candidates are encouraged to be mindful of using the University resources for campaigning purposes.

The membership for each Senate Committee is generally restricted to members of the Senate (including elected representatives of students, faculty and staff). The Committee Chairs can extend invitations to non-committee members for projects or certain initiatives, as needed.

The successful candidates for the Senate elections are determined according to the "first past the post" principles: candidates with the most votes are declared winners.

In the event of an equality of votes between two or more candidates in an election, the final result will be decided by lot amongst the candidates, under the direction of the Registrar.

Candidates will be acclaimed for a vacant position if:

  1. The number of candidates nominated is equal to or less than the number of vacant positions;
  2. A candidate has withdrawn his or her nomination and, as a result, the number of remaining candidates is equal to or less than the number of vacant positions.

For more information, see Section 12.0 (Election Results) contained in Appendix A to the Bylaws (Rules to Govern Elections to the Senate).

The Senate Elections team has advertised broadly for the available positions on the Senate and has used the principles of equity to ensure that expressions of interest are appropriately supported and guided through the application process. As the final decision is made through an open election, the final decision on the candidates belongs to the voting members of the UCW Community.

Please direct any questions about Senate elections to elections@ucanwest.ca.