ResSoc Elections Decision

Dear students, 

On Wednesday March 5th, 2025 the AMS Judicial Committee convened to hear the concerns brought forward to the Judicial Affairs Office on February 11, 2025 with respect to the ResSoc Executive Elections.  

Based on the statements provided to the Judicial Affairs Office, and supporting documentations disclosed during the proceedings, the committee unanimously agreed that the following infractions have occurred:  

Residence By Laws 8.1.2, 8.2.2(iii), 8.2.2(iv), 8.5.4.iv(b), and 8.5.4.iv.(c) 

In addition, based on the information and documentation made available, statements of witnesses, and respondent interviews, there has been no evidence presented to suggest bias in the election team, nor any external interference into the election.  

Notably, despite the ResSoc bylaws suggesting that an election team should be hired by December 1st, to allow them to meet their obligations under 8.2.2.(iii) and 8.2.2.(iv); the election team was hired on or around January 17th, 2025, which is approximately 11 days before nomination packages for candidates were due. Through statements provided to the Judicial Affairs Office, it is apparent that there was a lack of support, resources, and training for the ResSoc Election Team. As a result, although JCOMM has upheld findings of policy infraction, these infractions do not reflect misconduct that is the responsibility of the election team. Instead, this indicates a systemic failure, driven by a lack of proper procedures which did not set up students engaging with ResSoc Elections for success. 

In light of the mandate of the Judicial System to remain non-adversarial, the committee considers requests made by parties involved with or affected by the infractions. As JCOMM was made aware that the Residence Society is currently undergoing an extensive review of their ByLaws, the AMS Judicial Committee has determined that the following outcomes would provide for an educational opportunity to address or prevent similar occurrences.  

• That the Residence Society develop formal training resources for their election team  

• That the Residence Society work with the Chief Returning Officer to develop or adopt a procedure for identifying conflict of interest procedures that can be used for all operations whose integrity can be affected by the presence or disclosures of COIs. ResSoc is free to reference the AMS Appointment Policy, approved on November 4th for the comprehensive guidelines on conflicts of interest or develop their own.  

• That the incoming Residence Society executive undergo training offered by the Internal Affairs Office on procedural fairness and conflicts of interest.  

In a peer-to-peer judicial system, it is important to create a safe campus environment where true learning and growth can take place. As such, the privacy of all those involved should be respected, and any attempt to undermine the anonymity of the complainant or the privacy of the respondent(s), may be considered contempt of the Judicial System.  

If you have any questions about this decision, the ResSoc Executive Elections or the Judicial Process, please contact the AMS Secretariat at . The Secretariat is the political representative of the Judicial System, which for greater clarity, includes representing those involved in the System upon request.  

Decisions of the Judicial Committee with respect to elections are final and not subject to appeal. However, new information or evidence previously not considered can be submitted to .