So you’re interested in taking the next step and running for an elected position within the university or your students’ union? There are a couple of things you should know.

The main elections for most of our positions are held in February and March. If there are any vacancies after this process, or if there are any resignations throughout the summer months, by-elections for vacant positions are held in October.

The following positions are up for election in February, usually in the week directly before reading week:

• President
• Vice President University Affairs
• Vice President Finance and Administration
• Vice President Student Services
• BUSU Board of Directors
• Brock Press Board of Directors

The following positions have their elections in mid-March:

• BUSAC Councillors
• Brock University Senate
• Brock University Board of Trustees

If you are thinking of running for one of these positions, you need to start preparing 3 to 5 weeks before the actual date of the elections. There is a nomination process, which means you must pick up a package from the BUSU Office or this website, and collect some signatures of support from your fellow students. The deadline to hand this in will be two or three weeks before the actual date of the election. Only candidates who have submitted a nomination package will be eligible for positions. At the end of this process, some students may be acclaimed to positions if there are not enough candidates to fill all the available seats. Anyone who needs an election will then commence with a two-week campaigning period, which ends on the last day of voting.

Any elections administered by BUSU are governed by procedures contained in Bylaw 650. You will be guided through these regulations in detail should you choose to run, but it might not be a bad idea to check out what you can and can’t do ahead of time. You can find that bylaw here.

Start looking for announcements on www.busu.net and in the Brock Press in January to find out what your deadlines, campaign periods and election dates will be (September for by-elections). BUSU will host information sessions known as ‘Candidates Cafes’ for students who are interested in learning more about the positions which are available. Even better yet, contact somebody who is currently in a position that you seek, and find out about the responsibilities firsthand. You can also contact the BUSU Chief Returning Officer, John Garrang Maduk, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for any of your questions about the electoral process.