Notes from Council: First principles on uncontested races approved
The policy change ensures that uncontested races will have their nomination periods publicly extended.
Helen ZhangAt the March 25 meeting of the University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU) Students’ Council, council approved the first principles regarding uncontested races in elections. Additionally, council approved the 2025–26 UASU Operating and Capital Budget.
The first principles regarding uncontested races sought to amend bylaws to ensure the public advertisement of uncontested races. This would entail publicly extending the deadline for nominations for uncontested races. Council approved the first principles.
Regarding the 2025–26 Operating and Capital Budget, Augustana councillor Nate Goetz asked about executive salaries.
“Would there be any sort of way to update the budget to better reflect what executives are actually reimbursed,” Goetz asked. Council discussed getting more information out to students via marketing. Ultimately, council decided not to delay the vote for the 2025–26 Operating and Capital Budget. President Lisa Glock also stated that she would want to “refer folks to the article in the Flame published on February 26, 2025 that lists our actual salaries.”
The motion to approve the 2025–26 Operating and Capital Budget was approved.
The policy committee brought two second principles to council: the scholarship and bursary policy, and the academic materials, supplies, and open education policy.
The scholarship and bursary policy update was to shift the wording of the policy to “better reflect student need.” Council approved the update for the second principles.
The academic materials, supplies, and open education policy was updated due to the expiration of the academic materials policy. The new policy has been combined with the open education policy and includes updated information. Council approved the update to the policy.
Lastly, the motion to amend Standing Orders 9.1 in order to adopt regulatory changes was voted on. Standing Orders 9.1 concerns SU reports, and the change requested was to add a section detailing how often councillors should be submitting reports. The change would be to have councillors submit reports every trimester. The motion was carried and will be in effect May 1, 2025.
CORRECTION: This article was updated at 12:32 p.m. on April 8, 2025 to correct a previous statement that said the passed first principles regarding uncontested races would affect future elections. The Gateway regrets this error.
