Elections
Governance at TRU is divided into three bodies responsible for corporate and academic decision-making.
The Board of Governors makes decisions on such matters as property development, labour and finance. The Senate and the Planning Council for Open Learning make decisions on such matters as curriculum, credentials, admissions and educational policies. The composition, powers and duties of each governing body are legislated by the Province of British Columbia in the Thompson Rivers University Act.
Elections are held each fall and winter to fill positions on the TRU governing bodies as necessary.
Fall 2025 Elections for the Board of Governors, Senate the Planning Council for Open Learning, and the TRU Community Trust Board of Directors.
Positions on TRU governing bodies to be filled through fall 2025 by-elections, commencing in September 2025, are as follows:
Senate
A by-election for one (1) Student representative for the remainder of the appointment term, September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026.
TRU Community Trust Board of Directors
A by-election for one (1) Student representative for the remainder of the appointment term, September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026.
A by-election for one Faculty representatives for the remainder of the appointment term April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028.
Fall 2025 Election Schedule
September 22, to September 26, 2025 – Call for Nominations
Only those persons named in the Election Register are eligible to nominate and vote at an election. A representative of the Registrar will be able to confirm eligibility.
Nomination forms will be available here on September 22, or by email request to elections@tru.ca.
The Registrar will begin accepting nominations on Monday, September 22, 2025, for the positions indicated above.
Nominations must be submitted by email to elections@tru.ca by 4:00 pm on Friday, September 26, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
A designate of the Registrar will acknowledge receipt of all nominations and confirm candidate eligibility via email.
Nominees are encouraged to review relevant legislation, by-laws, and terms of reference for the governing bodies to which they seek election. (TRU Community Trust).
The nomination period will be followed by four (4) weeks before voting commences.
Candidate Statements
Nominated candidates who meet the election eligibility requirements will be invited to submit a brief candidate statement.
Campaigning
The campaign period shall commence as soon as possible and no later than five (5) business days following the end of the nomination period. Candidates and their proponents may begin to campaign only after the Registrar has confirmed the eligibility of all candidates and published the names of all candidates online. The campaign period will continue up to and including the voting period.
All candidates are required to act responsibly and with integrity when campaigning. The following guidelines are provided to assist candidates in planning campaign materials and activity:
- Campaign materials must not contain information other than that related to the candidate’s platform and information regarding the schedule of the election.
- TRU will not provide prospective voter contact lists to candidates or their proponents for the purpose of election campaigning, including TRU email, personal email, and phone numbers.
- Campaign activity and materials must comply with all TRU policies including but not limited to Respectful Workplace and Harassment Prevention (BRD 17-0), Responsible Use of Information Technology Facilities and Services (BRD 16-0), Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (ADM 2-0), Health and Safety (ADM 5-0), and Posting Procedures (ADM 01-3) , Responsible Use of University Space (ADM 32-0).
- Campaign activity must comply with TRU’s area and table booking rules issued by Ancillary Services.
- Soliciting votes door to door in on campus housing is against residence’s policies.
- Campaigning must not disrupt classes or regular campus operations.
- Candidates and their proponents must not be engaged with eligible voters when they are aware, or ought to reasonably be aware, that they are voting, and must not provide any electronic devices or login credentials to voters for the purpose of voting.
- Candidates are responsible for the removal of all campaign materials within a reasonable time following the close of the elections.
Campaign materials and activity found to be in violation of university policies, rules, or procedures, including the guidelines listed here, may result in disqualification from the election.
October 27, to October 30, 2025 – Voting
Voting will begin on October 27, 2025, and will be conducted by anonymous and secure, on-line ballot through myTRU and TRUemployee. Voting will close at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025. No ballots will be accepted after the close of voting.
November 7, 2025 – Election Results
The Registrar will communicate all election results within five (5) business days of the close of voting. Candidates will be notified by email of their own outcome.
Full election results, including voting counts, will be posted on the TRU elections web page after the individual candidates have been notified. Election results will be reported to the Senate at the next possible meeting following the election.
Proposed meeting times and attendance (subject to change)
Meeting times for each governing body will vary and attendance at meetings is required.
- Board of Governors meeting schedule
- Senate meeting schedule
- Planning Council for Open Learning meeting schedule
- TRU Community Trust
Questions
At the Call for Nominations, nomination forms will be available on this page, or by email request to elections@tru.ca.
For more information, please email TRU Elections at elections@tru.ca.
These elections are carried out in accordance with the Thompson Rivers University Election Procedures for The Board of Governors, Senate, The Planning Council for Open learning and the TRU Community Trust Board of Directors.
