Official Notice: Fall 2026 Elections & Referenda Season

Dear AMS Constituents,

The Fall 2026 Elections & Referenda Season is officially underway, with the first day of the election period fast approaching.

As we prepare to enter this important period of student democratic engagement, we encourage all constituents to review this official notice and familiarize themselves with the upcoming election processes, requirements, and key deadlines.

This Fall, we will be hosting dedicated information sessions for students interested in the Undergraduate Student Trustee and Rector Elections. These sessions will provide prospective candidates with an opportunity to better understand the responsibilities of each position, the election process, and the requirements they must fulfill to remain eligible throughout the election period.

 

---

---

Key Dates: Candidate Information Sessions

Please mark your calendars for the following mandatory information sessions:

November 2 at 5:30 p.m. — Undergraduate Student Trustee Information Session (Online)

November 3 at 5:30 p.m. — Rector Information Session (Online)

What Are the Information Sessions?

These are required sessions for prospective candidates that provide essential guidance on the respective roles and the procedures governing each election.

Candidates will have the opportunity to engage with past candidates, gain insight into the responsibilities and expectations associated with each position, and clarify any questions before proceeding with their candidacy.

 

Topics will include, but are not limited to:

Nomination requirements and procedures — including the steps candidates must complete to validate their candidacy.

Campaigning regulations and expectations — including the rules governing candidate conduct throughout the election period.

Election violations and sanctions — including the potential consequences of non-compliance with established election regulations.

Key deadlines and procedural requirements that candidates must meet to remain eligible throughout the election process.

 

Candidates are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the applicable election materials in advance to ensure they are prepared to meet all requirements.

We encourage all interested students to take advantage of these information sessions, review the available resources, and familiarize themselves with the requirements well in advance of the relevant deadlines.

Student participation in these elections is an important part of ensuring that undergraduate voices remain represented in university governance.

 

What Are the Roles?

Undergraduate Student Trustee Election

The Undergraduate Student Trustee represents undergraduate students on the Queen’s University Board of Trustees and serves as a member of the University Culture Committee.

The Board of Trustees oversees the University’s financial and strategic affairs and consists of 25 members, including three student representatives: the Graduate Student Trustee, the Rector, and the Undergraduate Student Trustee.

The Undergraduate Student Trustee is responsible for bringing the undergraduate student perspective to the Board’s deliberations and ensuring that student interests are considered in university-level decision-making.

This is a two-year volunteer position that provides an opportunity to contribute directly to the governance and strategic direction of Queen’s University.

For more information about the Board of Trustees and its responsibilities, please consult the Queen’s University Secretariat’s Board of Trustees webpage

Students are encouraged to connect with the current Undergraduate Student Trustee, Kelvin, by emailing to learn more about the role and its responsibilities.

 

Rector Election

Rooted in the Scottish academic tradition, the position of Rector originated at the University of Edinburgh and has since become an established part of Queen’s University governance.

The Rector is the University’s third officer, following the Chancellor and Principal, and is the only university officer elected entirely by the student body.

 

The Rector represents students across the University through several important responsibilities, including:

• Serving as a voting member of the Board of Trustees and representing student interests in university governance.
• Acting as an official observer at Senate.
• Advocating for student needs and facilitating dialogue between students and senior university administration.
• Participating in university committees and contributing to institutional decision-making.
• Co-presiding over Convocation alongside the Chancellor and Principal and delivering remarks to graduating classes.
• Overseeing the prestigious Tricolour Award process.

 

The Rector’s position offers students a meaningful opportunity to influence university governance, advocate for the broader student community, and contribute to the direction of Queen’s University.

For further information about the role, please visit the Office of the Rector’s website

Students are encouraged to connect with the current Rector, Boytchuk-Hale, by emailing to learn more about the position.

 

Election Resources and Submission Requirements

All prospective candidates are responsible for reviewing the applicable election materials and ensuring that their submissions meet the established requirements and deadlines.

The Undergraduate Student Trustee and Rector Election packages contain essential information regarding the nomination and validation process. Candidates can access these materials through the Internal Affairs Help Desk.

All key submission deadlines and additional information about the Undergraduate Student Trustee and Rector Elections, including relevant procedures and requirements, please consult the AMS Elections webpage

 

Questions?

For general election inquiries, please contact

For questions regarding the Undergraduate Student Trustee and Rector Elections, please contact Ashmaan, Chief Electoral Officer, at

We look forward to a successful Fall 2026 Elections & Referenda Season and encourage all AMS constituents to remain informed and engaged throughout the process.