CSU ELECTIONS

OVERVIEW

As a democratic institution, the Capilano Students’ Union is driven by a passionate and diverse board of directors, all of whom are CapU students—just like you. Running to join CSU leadership is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the Capilano community and develop valuable skills. Take the first step towards an exciting future by running for office in the Capilano Students’ Union election!

Choose Position

Explore available roles and select the one that suits your interests and commitment level.

Get Nominated

Complete nomination paperwork to officially nominate yourself to run in the election.

Campaign

Introduce yourself to the campus community, share your vision for the position, and follow campaign rules

CSU Elections: Positions Available (Spring 2023)

Faculty and At-Large Representatives

Positions available

education, health, & human development representative
global & community studies representative
Sunshine Coast campus representative
at-large representative

Term and compensation

Must have been registered in at least one credit course at Capilano University, and have paid student society fees, during the current or previous semester
May only run for one position at a time
Candidates must be declared in the faculty they seek to represent

Duties on the board of directors (all faculty, campus, and at-large representatives)

Attend bi-weekly meetings of the Capilano Students’ Union board of directors
Be an active member of at least one committee (they usually meet bi-weekly)
Make decisions, as a board, in the best interests of the organization and all students

Duties as at-large representatives

Be responsible for keeping the Board informed of the perspectives and concerns of students
Perform such other duties as assigned by the board of directors

Duties as faculty and campus representatives

Represent the perspective of their faculty or campus to the CSU and the university
Organize meetings with senior administrators and faculty at least once per semester
Act as an ambassador for the CSU to the wider student body
Occasionally assist in additional CSU activities and campaigns

Collective Liaisons & Coordinators

Positions available

Indigenous students liaison
mature & parent students liaison
students of colour liaison
queer students liaison

Term and compensation

$370.42 per month
mid-October 2023 to May 31, 2024

Eligibility

Must have been registered in at least one credit course at Capilano University, and have paid student society fees, during the current or previous semester
May only run for one position at a time
Candidates for collective liaison positions must self-identify as a member of the constituent group they seek to represent

Duties on the board of directors (all collective liaisons & coordinators)

Attend bi-weekly meetings of the Capilano Students’ Union board of directors
Be an active member of at least one committee (they usually meet bi-weekly)
Make decisions, as a board, in the best interests of the organization

Duties as collective liaisons and coordinators

Represent the perspective of their collective to the CSU and the university
Organize social justice events (like Pride Week or Black History Month Cabaret)
Work with other collectives toward intersectional goals
Work with the VP equity & sustainability to organize awareness campaigns
Research and raise awareness of social issues
Support the executives in lobbying for policy changes on social issues
Organize collective meetings (at least twice per semester)

Important Dates

Nomination period opens

September 5, 2023

The nomination period starts at noon.

Information session

September 7, 2023

Information sessions are an opportunity for prospective candidates to get more information about the CSU, the positions available, and the general election process. Register at the link in the elections menu.

Information session

September 12, 2023

Information sessions are an opportunity for prospective candidates to get more information about the CSU, the positions available, and the general election process. Register at the link in the elections menu.

Early nomination package review deadline

September 14, 2023

Prospective nominees may submit their completed nomination package by this date if they would like the elections administrator to review it before the deadline.

Nomination period ends

September 18, 2023

Prospective nominees must submit their completed nomination package by noon.

Candidate orientation

September 19, 2023

All candidates are required to attend this orientation meeting at which the elections administrator will provide an overview concerning the electoral procedures as well as other relevant rules and information.

Campaign period begins

September 19, 2023

Candidates may start campaigning after they have attended a candidate orientation.

Candidate forum #1

September 26, 2023

There will be two candidate forums that offer an opportunity for candidates to speak to students about their goals and visions for their work at the CSU. Register at the link in the elections menu.

Candidate forum #2

September 28, 2023

There will be two candidate forums that offer an opportunity for candidates to speak to students about their goals and visions for their work at the CSU. Register at the link in the elections menu.

Polling period begins

October 3, 2023

Links to online voting ballots will be sent to students’ CapU emails at 9:00am.

Polling period ends

October 5, 2023

Polls close at 5:00pm and results will be announced that evening.

How to Vote

CSU elections have taken place entirely online using Simply Voting, an independently managed voting platform, since 2018. Ballots will be sent to all CSU members’ CapU email addresses and voting will take place, around the clock, until the end of the polling period. If a voter changes their mind, they may login and re-vote at any time during the voting period.

Electoral systems

The Capilano Students’ Union uses single transferable voting (STV) for elections in which there are more candidates than there are positions available, except that in an election for which there are exactly two candidates for exactly one available position, at which time only first-preference votes are accepted.

For elections in which there are more candidates than there are positions, the CSU’s uses a variation of single transferable vote, a proportional representation electoral system that applies the ”Droop quota” ([number of valid votes / number of winners + 1] + 1) and not applying any redistribution of surplus votes. When there is only one winner, the question is equivalent to IRV (Instant-runoff voting, a subset of STV).

Single Transferable Vote

On the first round of counting, each option shall receive a first preference vote for each vote indicating it as first preference.
Should an option meet the quota of first preference votes after any round, it shall be declared elected. If there are several options meeting the quota the one with the most votes shall be elected. If there is a tie one of those options shall be elected by random draw.
If no option is elected, then the option with the fewest number of first preference votes shall be eliminated from the question. Should there be a tie for the fewest number of first preference votes, then among these, the option with the fewest number of second preference votes shall be eliminated. Should a tie persist, the procedure shall continue with third preference votes, et cetera. Should a tie still persist, the option with the fewest number of original first preference votes, shall be eliminated. Should a tie still persist, the procedures shall continue with original second preference votes et cetera. Should a tie still persist, an option shall be eliminated by random draw. Options are never eliminated simultaneously, even when it is acceptable to do so (you would reach the same result eliminating one-by-one).
When an option is eliminated, all first preference votes for that option shall be replaced by the vote’s first preferred option that is not yet elected or eliminated. All second preference votes for that option shall be replaced by the vote’s next preferred option that is not yet elected or eliminated, and so on.
This procedure of electing and eliminating option(s) shall continue until all winners are elected or there is only one option left (and that option shall be declared elected).