The UPEISU Council is finally about to vote on a new set of election procedures, spawned after last March’s heated cam- paigning raised questions about the adequacy of existing guide- ‘ones.
A committee struck in April prepared the document over the summer, but Council decided in October to delay final approval until a by-law mechanism | was xidec to the UPEISU Constitu- tion.
If approved, the new procedure will become the third Student Union by-law, following the intro- duction this week of by-laws re- garding sub-organizations and hiring policies.
Stated below are the major changes outlined in the new proposal:
1) A definition of the position of Chief Returning Officer has been created, to replace the title of Chief Electoral Officer, whose duties were poorly defined in the pre- vious procedures.
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Nominations and elections
2) Conditions of eligibility for elected office have been clarified. With the exception of the representatives ’ on Council and Senate from the mature and part-time stu- dents candidates must be taking at least three courses at the time of nomination, having paid Student Union fees in full before declaring candidacy.
2
Elections. by acclamation will no longer be standard procedure. Instead, if only one person has come’ for- ward for a position after nominations close, a ‘‘yes/ no/abstain’” yote will be
held to validate the person’s
appointment.
4) Campagning has been de- fined and the description of acceptable methods of cam- paigning enlarge. No longer will candidates be declared ineligible if posters or ban- ners bearing their names are discovered to have been dis- played during polling hours.
Disqualification will result if the posters or banners, etc, are found within the visible distance of the polling sta- tion, but otherwise fines will be levied for outstanding campaign displays.
5) Procedures for continuing an election if one or more candidates have been striken from the ballot are now clear.
6) A clause dealing with ap- peals of decisions of the CRO has been added.
7) Conditions for the holding of by-elections have been described, and dates set for the necessity of holding by- elections after January 1 for executive positions.
8) The referenda procedures have been outlined where none existed before.
NOTICE
For more information about any changes to elections proce-
dures, inguire at the Student Union office. Copies are available
and Vice” President “Academie Carolyn Ryan will answer any questions.
The by-laws will be voted on at the March 2 meeting of Council.
4 Constitutional Amendments to be voted on during
Elections, March 12, 13.
UEPISU CONSTITUTION The Following 3 amendments address concerns of the
February 3 General Meeting.
Article 1V — Student Union Fees
C) Changes in student fees for active members shall be conducted in the following manner: 1) Notices shall be given of a fee change at a meeting of
the UPEISU Council. 2) Publi
ity of the amount of fee change and its
justification shall be given in the student newspaper
for two consecutive issues.
3) There shall be a general information session adver- tised in the student newspaper and helf for Purposes of discussing and explaining changes in student fees for any students who wish to ateend. The meeting shall take place at least one week after the notice of fee change has been made to the UPEISU Council.
4) The fee change shall’ be voted upon at a meeting of the UPEISU Council two weeks after its introduction
Article IX — By-laws D)
2) Publicity of a proposed by-law or an amendment to an existing by-law shall be given in one issue of the student newspaper before the meeting of Council when it is to be brought for approval.
Nominations for the following Student Council positions will be opening on Monday, February 24:
1 senate
2 Business Reps. 1 Education Rep. Ombudsman
The following amendment is due to a Council decision to add to the position of V.P. Operations. i Article XI — Executive c C) The V.P. Operations shall: 5) Serve asa liaison between the UPEISU Council and the house committees of campus residences for the . coordination of social events. .Nominations close Friday, March at 5:00 p.m. with a compulsory nominees’ meeting at 5:30 p.m. Elections
run March 12-March 13.
Article XXI — Impeachment Procedure C) Insertion of “‘or the Ombudsman” after ‘‘the speaker’” in the second line of this second. Nomination forms may be picked up at the SU Office,
in the Barn. Note: This impeachment of the Ombudsman cannot be
conducted by the Council. This safeguards against the Council
. . thwarting the Ombudsman in his efforts. There is also a need for volunteers to work with the “
elections committee, this will entitle volunteers to attend the S.U. Party at the end of the semester. Le ease Get Involved, Bill Sinnott
Interim CRO
= March 6, 1986 - THE GEM ee