The Student Government Experience
So, what is Student Government and what does the organization do for me—the student?
Student Government helps enrich the lives of students by having welcoming facilities, fundamental student services and resources and organizing amazing social and recreational events. The Loyalist Student Government has a long tradition of an ambitious pursuit of initiatives to support students.
ON THIS PAGE
Positions | Join | Timeline | Testimonial | 10 Reasons to Join | | Responsibilities | Requirements | | FAQs
Make Your Voice Heard—VOTE!
We encourage you to vote for the student(s) who will be representing you! Voting takes place through an online voting platform set up at polling stations on campus. Eligible voters who wish to participate must visit a polling station to cast their electronic ballot during the election.
Voting FAQs
-
All full-time and part-time day students at the Belleville, Bancroft, Tyendinaga and Port Hope campuses are eligible to cast one (1) vote for each position, regardless of the program in which they are enrolled.
-
Eligible voters will have the opportunity to cast their electronic ballot during the election by:
Belleville Campus: visiting a physical polling station on campus.
Bancroft, Port Hope & Tyendinaga Campuses: visiting an online link provided directly by the Chief Returning Officer.
-
Eligible voters who are unable to visit an on campus polling station can still vote by completing and submitting an Alternative Voting Method Request Form at least two business days prior to the start of voting.
-
Candidates and their platforms will be available on the LoyalistLife.com website shortly after nominations close. We encourage you to learn more about the candidates and reach out to them with your questions.
-
Absolutely! The Loyalist Student Government is there to represent you as a student. Every student has at least a few concerns that they want to see addressed, and the only way to make sure these are heard is to take part in the process. It doesn’t take much time to read through the candidates’ platforms and make a decision. You’re paying good money to get an education at Loyalist College, and you’re also paying fees to the Loyalist Student Government – so have a say in how that money is used and what kind of experience you want to have while you’re here!
-
Voting results will be posted on the Student Government website loyalistlife.com two hours after voting closes.
Positions
-
The Student Government President is responsible for representing the student body, serving as the official spokesperson for the Student Government, and implementing the strategic vision annually. They oversee the administration of the Student Government Constitution, coordinate board responsibilities, track schedules, and act as a liaison to the Loyalist College President & CEO and college executive. Additionally, the role involves approving financial transactions, ensuring student representation on various councils and committees as well as developing continuity plans for incoming Board Members. The President will have the opportunity to work full-time from May to August and shall be allotted payment for 35 hours per week.
You are perfect for this role if you:
- Have strong people skills
- Enjoy meeting/working with a diverse group of people
- Have strong organizational skills
- Have good time management skills and can multitask
- Enjoy learning new things
- Are looking to grow, personally and professionally
- Are flexible
- Enjoy having a dynamic working environment
- Have a passion for helping others and advocacy
- Enjoy planning and participating in a wide range of events and activities
- Consider yourself an ‘out of the box’ thinker
- Enjoy improvement projects
- Are personable
- Love or can learn to love public speaking
- Can look at the big picture and see the little details that make it happen
- Enjoy working as part of a team
- Have some leadership experience
- Are comfortable, or can become comfortable, with difficult conversations and delegating tasks
Responsibilities:
- Advocate for students’ needs, daily
- Answer and draft emails, daily
- Coordinate meetings, weekly or monthly
- Attend meetings, weekly
- Schedule and plan, weekly and monthly
- Possibly be interviewed by various medias, periodically
- Be stopped in the hall for spontaneous chats, daily
- Create a strategic plan for the year
- Be flexible and open to change
-
The Student Vice-President, Academic is responsible for maintaining communication with Class Leaders, addressing student concerns, and ensuring feedback is discussed with School Deans or Associate Deans. They act as a primary liaison between students and the Senior Vice-President, Academic, while also promoting Student Government and College services to encourage student engagement. Additionally, the role involves attending Dean's Committee Meetings, scheduling, and leading events for Class Leaders, and performing other duties as assigned by the Board.
You are perfect for this role if you:
- Have strong people skills
- Love meeting/working with a diverse group of people
- Have excellent communication skills
- Have a passion for advocating student needs
- Have good time management skills
- Have an interest in planning events and meetings
- Enjoy working in a dynamic environment
- Enjoy helping others
- Enjoy forming connections and collaborating with different departments
- Enjoy learning new things
- Are looking to grow, personally and professionally
Responsibilities:
- Host and run Class Leader meetings, monthly
- Attend Dean’s committee meetings, monthly
- Answer and draft emails, daily
- Bring forward any academic related concerns
- Advocate for students’ academic needs
- Formulate systems that better support students
- Organize academic or career related events or activities
- Actively keep communication flowing between Class Leaders, Student Government and Deans
- Ensure Class Leaders have a thorough understanding of their role
- Ensure Class Leaders are aware of their support systems
- Attend Academic Appeal Committee meetings
-
The Student Vice-President, Student Life’s responsibilities, in collaboration with the Student Experience and Engagement Team include administering Club Policies and the Club Application process including bringing club proposals to the Board, creating opportunities to bring awareness to the clubs and groups on campus, maintaining regular contact with Club Leaders to provide support with their club events and activities, requesting Club Reports periodically and presenting them to the Student Government Board, and ending clubs if they are inactive. The Student Vice-President, Student Life will take an active role to support the Student Life cycle directly related to residence, athletics, campus recreation, Student Experience and Engagement, and other departments as needed.
You are perfect for this role if you:
- Have strong people skills
- Love meeting/working with a diverse group of people
- Are organized
- Have good time management skills and ability to multitask
- Enjoy connecting with others
- Enjoy planning interactive events and activities
- Enjoy participating in interactive events and activities
- Are personable
- Have a base understanding of the importance of clubs and social groups
- Have a base knowledge of reading and understanding reports
- Be comfortable with, or be open to some public speaking
- Enjoy a dynamic working environment
- Have an interest in helping others
- Enjoy curating specialized playlists for events and activities
- Enjoy learning new things
- Are looking to grow, personally and professionally
Responsibilities:
- Meet with Club Leaders, periodically
- Review reports, periodically
- Review and approve schedules, monthly
- Present club updates to the Student Government Board at Board meetings, monthly
- Apply unique ideas to create fun and interactive events and activities, often
- Participate in and help promote events and activities around the College, weekly
- Plan Club recruitment opportunities, periodically
- Facilitate succession planning, periodically
- Organize philanthropic endeavours for the Student Government
- Liaise between departments to encourage student development
- Meet regularly with the Residence Council Leader and the Student Experience and Engagement team
-
The Student Vice President, Marketing and Communications collaborates with the Student Life Marketing Officer to coordinate promotions and communications, maintains the Student Government image on social media and ensures accurate recording and distribution of Board Meeting minutes. They serve as the Board Secretary, summarizing deliberations and promptly sharing minutes with the Board for review, while also overseeing the posting of approved minutes on the Loyalist Life website. Additionally, the role involves co-leading the print communication strategy for Student Government areas across all campuses in collaboration with the Loyalist College Marketing and Communications (Marcom) team.
You are perfect for this role if you:
- Have strong people skills
- Love meeting/working with a diverse group of people
- Have a passion for designing marketing materials
- Have innovative ideas
- Are passionate about bringing ideas to life
- Enjoy creating content for social media
- Have good communication skills
- Can multitask
- Enjoys working on a variety of different projects
- Enjoy collaborative work
- Take pride in creating powerful and useful marketing materials
- Enjoy being creative
- Enjoy planning and running events and activities
- Enjoy learning new things
- Are looking to grow, personally and professionally
Responsibilities:
- Create dynamic and eye-catching marketing materials, weekly
- Plan future projects, monthly
- Meet with the Marcom team, periodically
- Collaborate with multiple departments
- Help bring ideas to life
- Create social media posts that aim to increase engagement
- Take and edit photos and videos at various events and activities
- Understand College policies and procedures for marketing and communications
-
The Student Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) ensures that Student Government processes and decisions prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion. Responsibilities include creating awareness on campus, fostering an inclusive culture among Student Government members, and actively supporting student belonging. The role involves serving as a liaison to the Executive Director, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, representing Student Government on the Loyalist College EDI Committee, and addressing the needs of International Students, Country Leaders, students with disabilities, and other groups around the College.
You are perfect for this role if you:
- Have strong people skills
- Love meeting/working with a diverse group of people
- Are passionate about advocacy
- Have great communication skills
- Are a good listener
- Understand the importance of inclusivity
- Are comfortable with, or can become comfortable with public speaking
- Are passionate about making a difference
- Can multitask
- Can take on multiple projects at once
- Have a general knowledge of some barriers students may face
- Have an open mind
- Enjoy learning new things
- Have lived experience
- Are looking to grow, personally and professionally
Responsibilities:
- Attend the EDI Committee meetings
- Share students’ experiences and needs
- Engage with students to hear their stories
- Review projects and plans to ensure they meet EDI requirements
- Ensure all Student Government run events meet EDI requirements
- Learn about the services offered at the College and be prepared to recommend them based on students’ needs
- Create awareness and make recommendations for improvements around campus surrounding a variety of EDI-related causes
- Actively speak out against any injustices witnessed
-
The Student Governor represents the student body and provides students’ perspective and knowledge to the Loyalist College Board of Governors, contributing to the college's strategic and policy direction, and broad decision at the Board level. Responsibilities include attending all board meetings and retreats, representing student interests, providing the student voice on strategic direction and goals, and agenda items including finance as presented at the Board meetings. While Board of Governors members serve as volunteers, the Student Governor may receive compensation for fulfilling responsibilities as a Student Government Board Member.
You are perfect for this role if you:
- Have strong people skills
- Love meeting/working with a diverse group of people
- Have a passion for advocating for students
- Are interested in working in a dynamic environment
- Like to plan for the future
- Are interested in professional development
- Enjoy being in professional environments
- Enjoy learning new things
- Are looking to grow, personally and professionally
Responsibilities:
- Engage with CET (College Executive Team) members
- Ensure the student voice is heard
- Attend Loyalist College Board of Governors meetings
- Attend development retreats
-
The Indigenous Leader (proposed new title is Student Vice-President, Indigenous Initiatives) shall identify as First Nation, Inuit, Metis, or have Indigenous ancestry. The Director, Indigenous services will appoint an Indigenous Student Council member as the Student Government’s Indigenous Leader. The Indigenous Leader serves as the primary liaison between Student Government and Indigenous Students. Duties of the Indigenous Leader include, but are limited to engaging with and providing advocacy for the needs of Indigenous students, bringing Indigenous students’ perspective and knowledge to the Board, creating opportunities for Indigenous cultural awareness on campus, informing Indigenous students about Student Government and college services as well as campus activities to encourage student engagement, participating on the Indigenous Student Council and bringing forward feedback to the Board and vice-versa, as well as other duties determined by the Board and by Indigenous Services.
You are perfect for this role if you:
- Meet the identity requirements set by Indigenous Services
- Are passionate about Indigenous advocacy
- Enjoy making connections
- Enjoy building and maintaining a sense of community
Be prepared to:
- Represent Indigenous students in Board settings
- Advocate for Indigenous students
- Organize and run Indigenous centered activities and events
Join the Student Government!
Each year, an election is held in the Winter Semester to fill all positions for the following school year. An election is held in the Fall Semester to fill any vacant positions. No previous Student Government experience is necessary!
Follow these easy steps:
Step One
Pick up a nomination package from the Student Experience and Engagement Office (Room 1S1) at the back of the Shark Tank Pub once nominations open on Tuesday, March 5 at 12 pm.
If you are a student at the Port Hope or Tyendinaga campuses and would like to receive the candidate nomination package, please send the Chief Returning Officer an email.
Step Two
Complete the required documents in the nomination package and submit to the Student Experience and Engagement Office (Room 1S1) at the back of the Shark Tank Pub before nominations close on Tuesday, March 19 at 12 pm.
Requirements
Student Government positions are open to full-time and part-time day students at the Belleville, Bancroft, Port Hope and Tyendinaga campuses. Students must be in good financial standing by paying all ancillary fees, tuition and residence fees (if applicable) or have made necessary payment arrangements. Students must also maintain good academic standing by meeting the minimum Program Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 and a minimum Term Grade Point Average of 2.0 in each semester in which the Director will serve on the Board of Directors.
In order to be eligible for the Indigenous Leader position, a student will identify as First Nation, Inuit, Metis or have Indigenous ancestry.
Time Commitment
Outside of attending regularly scheduled meetings, the amount of time you commit to Student Government is your decision to make. You can make adjustments throughout your term by scaling up or scaling back your time, depending on what’s going on in your life. Just remember that you get out of the position what you put into it.
Student Government Leaders receive compensation in recognition of their service and commitment to the students of Loyalist College.
Get involved!
Student Government offers a welcoming space for students to grow and learn in. Don’t just take our word for it—see what a past member has to say!
“The best decision I made in College was joining Student Government. One of the best parts about it was the comradery. We had a tight group. It was always super fun running events with all these other Student Leaders, getting to know people from all different walks of life, and coming together for a common goal of trying to create a great student experience.”
Timeline of Achievements
Check out these noteworthy initiatives and accomplishments for our students!
10 Reasons to Join the Student Government!
Learn more about yourself.
Develop and enhance your skills.
Collaborate with other Student Leaders.
Gain practical experience.
Advocate for change on campus
Engage with diverse groups of people.
Expand your resume.
Give back to Loyalist.
Improve campus life for all students
Ultimately – have fun!
Your Responsibilities as a Leader.
Maintain your commitment to be the student voice by actively seeking feedback from students.
Be well informed and knowledgeable about Student Government and College services as well as campus activities to promote student engagement.
Attend Board Meetings and prepare in advance by:
Requesting additions to agendas to reflect the concerns and ideas of students at large.
Reviewing and understanding all materials sent in order to be informed on all decisions.
Proactively seeking student input on subjects to be discussed at meetings.
Organizing any new business to be brought to the Board.
Undertaking any agreed upon action from Board Meetings.
Maintaining a presence on campus by attending and volunteering at Student Government and College events.
Participate as the student representative on College and Community Committees and attend meetings.
Participate in leadership training sessions.
Approve the annual Student Leadership Budget which is the operating budget for Student Government.
FAQs
-
The Loyalist Student Government has a long tradition of an ambitious pursuit of initiatives to promote the interests of students, investment in services and core campus facilities and offering diverse extra-curricular activities considered to be beneficial to full-time and part-time day students who have paid the Student Ancillary Fees.
-
Full Student Government meetings will be held twice per month throughout the fall and winter semesters, or as needed in special cases (members will be advised at least one day in advance).
-
Apply to join the Student Government team!
-
In order to seek office and to serve as a Director of the Student Government, a student must:
• Be enrolled at Loyalist College as either a full-time or part-time student at the Belleville, Bancroft, Port Hope or Tyendinaga campuses.
• Maintain good financial standing by paying all ancillary fees, tuition and residence fees (if applicable) or have made necessary payment arrangements.
• Maintain a cumulative 70% grade point average or higher in each semester in which the member will serve on the Board of Directors.
-
Students must pick up a Candidate Nomination Package from the Student Experience & Engagement Office located in the Shark Tank Pub past the bar. All required documents must be completed and submitted prior to the close of nominations.
-
The term of office for all members of the Student Government is May 1 to April 30.
-
Of course! Obviously, having previous student government experience doesn’t hurt, but the Loyalist Student Government is a unique organization. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to learn about how it works and to ask questions as you go. Your role is really to represent the students of Loyalist College, so if you’re interested in doing that, give it a shot!
-
Lots! Being on the Loyalist Student Government is an amazing leadership opportunity, and you’ll gain a vast amount of experience. Every day is different.
-
All Loyalist Student Government members are enrolled in full-time or part-time day programs, so you definitely won’t be alone in that respect! As a Board member, you are required to attend two meetings a month, but it’s a good idea to be involved with the students that you’re representing so you know what their issues and concerns are. Sure, it might be challenging at times, but you’ll have a blast and the experience and connections you’ll gain will be invaluable.
-
Remuneration is allotted to the Board Members in recognition of their service to the students of Loyalist College. Board Members shall receive the Ontario minimum wage for the hours worked to fulfill their roles and responsibilities during their term of office.
Members of the Loyalist College Board of Governors are volunteers who serve without remuneration; however, the Student Governor can be compensated for fulfilling responsibilities of a Student Government Board Member.
The President has the opportunity to work full-time from May to August.
-
If you need further help, contact the Chief Returning Officer.
-
No, the first candidate registration received by the Chief Returning Officer shall stand if more than one form per candidate remains at the close of nominations.
-
Candidate eligibility is checked and once approved, you can begin campaigning! This could be through posters, information booths, social media, etc. It’s important to introduce yourself to students and let them know why they should vote for you.
-
Your paperwork will be reviewed by the Chief Returning Officer who will then verify your eligibility with the Registrar. Once this process is complete, you will receive an email confirming your nomination as well as instructions for campaigning.
-
Campaigning for the Loyalist Student Government Elections is an individual process which means that candidates cannot jointly campaign with other candidates or influence voters to vote for other candidates.