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 2026 Elections for the Board of Governors, Senate the Planning Council for Open Learning.
Positions on TRU governing bodies to be filled through fall 2026 elections, commencing in September 2026, are as follows:
Board of Governors
Two (2) Faculty representatives for the appointment term January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029.
One (1) Non-Faculty representative for the appointment term January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029.
Senate
Two (2) Faculty representatives for the appointment term January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029, from the following faculties:
Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism
Faculty of Arts
Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics
Faculty of Law
School of Nursing
Four (4) Open Learning Teaching Staff representatives for the appointment term January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029.
Two (2) Support Staff representatives for the appointment term January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029.
Planning Council for Open Learning (PCOL)
Two (2) Open Learning Teaching Staff representatives for the appointment term January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029.
Fall 2026 Election Schedule
September 23, to September 29, 2026 – Call for Nominations
Nomination forms will be available here on September 23, or by email request to elections@tru.ca.
The Registrar will begin accepting nominations on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, for all the positions indicated above.
Nominations must be submitted by email to elections@tru.ca by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. 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.
November 2, to November 5, 2026 – Voting
Voting will begin on Monday, November 2, 2026, and will be conducted by anonymous and secure, on-line ballot through myTRU. Voting will close at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2026. No ballots will be accepted after the close of voting.
November 13, 2026 – 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 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
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.
