Student Representation Opportunities

STUDENT REPRESENTATION

Looking for another way to make a big impact on the student experience? Look no further! SAMU has 4 positions for students to get involved in advocacy efforts both on and off campus.

THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

What is the MacEwan University Board of Governors?

MacEwan University operates under the authority of the Post-Secondary Learning Act and through a shared bicameral governance structure between the Board of Governors (Board) and the General Faculties Council (GFC). Although the Board has the ultimate authority, the Board and GFC share and balance power within the university. The Board has senior oversight of the institution and concerns itself with long-range planning and business affairs.

The Board of Governors of Grant MacEwan University is a corporation as set out in the Alberta Post-Secondary Learning Act. As the senior authority for the University, the Board is accountable to the Minister of Advanced Education and ultimately, the people of Alberta. The Board manages and operates the University within its approved mandate, establishing policies to govern the affairs of the University. On an annual basis, the Board submits a Comprehensive Institutional Plan and Audited Financial Statements to the Minister.

Board of Governors Procedure

What does the Board of Governors Student Representative Do?

The MacEwan University Board of Governors has two seats dedicated to students, The first seat is for the President of the SAMU while the second seat is up to the Association to dictate how it is filled. The Board oversees many pressing topics for students at MacEwan such as tuition and fees, the University’s budget, fundraising efforts for internal scholarships, awards and bursaries and many other things. Having the student perspective at this table is crucial.

This position works closely with the SAMU President to provide the student perspective to the Board on the behalf of all students. The main responsibilities of this role are to:

attend all Board of Governors Board Meetings, all Committee Meetings, and all Preparation Meetings scheduled.
must work with the President to provide an up-to-date written report to the Executive Committee and to Students’ Council after any Board meeting.

Important Dates:

This position is appointed for a term of May 1st until April 30th

While all the meeting dates have not been officially confirmed at this time the Board of Governors meets typically in June, October, December and March on Thursday Nights from 4-8PM.
The Board of Governors tends to have one 2-day retreat a year held at the end of August/beginning of September.

HOW TO APPLY

Fill out the application form found here.

Applications Open: March 1st

Applications Close April 1st.

The successful candidate will be informed by April 10th.

GENERAL FACULTIES COUNCIL STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES

What Is the General Faculties Council?

MacEwan University operates under the authority of the Post-Secondary Learning Act and through a shared bicameral governance structure between the Board of Governors (Board) and the General Faculties Council (GFC). The Board and GFC share and balance power within the university. GFC has senior oversight of the academic affairs and research of the University

MacEwan University’s General Faculties Council shall be responsible for the academic affairs of the University, including but not limited to academic standards, integrity, policies and programs, as well as scholarship, research, and creative activities at MacEwan University. GFC is ultimately subject to the authority of the Board of Governors. In managing the University’s academic affairs, the GFC shall have the powers, duties, and authorities granted to general faculties councils in the Postsecondary Learning Act.

General Faculties Council Procedure

What Does the General Faculties Council Student Representative Do?

The General Faculties Council has four seats dedicated to students, two seats are for the President and Vice President Academic of SAMU while the other two seats are student seats appointed by SAMU. As GFC has oversight over all academic affairs having the student perspective at this table is crucial.

This position works closely with the SAMU Vice President Academic and President to develop the best advocacy points to deliver to GFC on the behalf of students. The main responsibilities of this role are to:

attend all General Faculties Council Meetings, Committee Meetings, and Preparation meetings scheduled.
work with the Vice President Academic and President to provide an up-to-date written report to the Executive Committee and to Students’ Council after meetings.

Important Dates:

While all the meeting dates have not been officially confirmed at this time the General Faculties Council meets typically in June, October, December and March on Monday Nights from 3-7PM.

HOW TO APPLY

Fill out the application form found here.

Applications Open: May 1st

First Round of Applications Close: July 15th

*If suitable candidates are not found the applications will reopen August 1st*

INDIGENOUS STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

What Does the Indigenous Student Representative Do?

Within SAMU’s vision of a culture of empowerment and the duty to be the student voice having an Indigenous student be given the opportunity to be able to speak on the concerns and barriers Indigenous people face within the post-secondary system alongside those in our student advocacy circles provides a meaningful way for an indigenous student to get involved with SAMU.

This position works alongside the Vice President External and is a representative of the Students’ Association of MacEwan University (SAMU) who represents the Indigenous community and student perspective and voice at the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), a federal advocacy group SAMU is affiliated with, on the National Indigenous Advisory Committee (NIAC), a subcommittee of CASA.

Important Dates:

May 14th – 20th, 2023, CASA Foundations Conference in Ottawa*
November 12th – 17th, 2023, CASA Advocacy Week in Ottawa*
- Conference dates are subject to change

Indigenous Student Representation Procedure

How to Apply

Fill out the application form found here.

Applications Open: March 1st

First Round of Applications Close: April 1st

*If a suitable candidate is not found the applications will reopen April 15th*

If you have any further questions regarding these positions please contact:

Governance Advisor,

Alan Honey

780-633-3449

honeya@macewan.ca