Governance
Interested in running in SCSU’s 2026 General Elections?
Please ensure that you read SCSU’s Elections Procedure Code & SCSU’s By-laws both documents which you can find below under Constitutional Documents.
Executive Positions Available:
(1) President
(1) Vice-President Academics & University Affairs
(1) Vice-President Campus Life
(1) Vice-President Equity
(1) Vice-President External
(1) Vice-President Operations
Executive Responsibilities:
The Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) represents over 14,000 undergraduate students at the University of Toronto Scarborough and works to improve student life through advocacy, services, campaigns, and events throughout the academic year.
The SCSU Executive Team is made up of six elected positions who work together with the Board of Directors and staff to lead the Union and represent student interests. Executives are expected to attend all board meetings, participate in committees, uphold SCSU bylaws and policies, and support a smooth transition for future student leaders. These are paid leadership roles that require dedication, teamwork, and a passion for student advocacy. Candidates must be undergraduate students at UTSC and may take a maximum of three courses (1.5 credits) per semester. You can learn more about each executive position and responsibilities in the SCSU By-laws.
Get Involved!
Important Dates:
Nomination Period:
Start Date: Monday February 2nd, 2026 at 10am
End Date: Friday February 13th, 2026 at 4pm.
Executives need 100 nominations
BODs need 50 nominations
Part-time needs 10 nominations
All Candidates Meeting:
Monday February 23rd, 2026
Location & Time: TBA
Campaigning Period:
All Campaigning materials must be approved by the CRO
Start Date: Tuesday February 24th, 2026 (online & in-person)
End Date: Wednesday March 11th, 2026 at 5pm
Voting Period:
Monday March 9th, 2026 to Wednesday March 11th, 2026
10am to 5pm each day
Students are required to bring their t-card in order to vote.
Director Positions Available:
(1) Department of International Development Studies
(1) Department of French & Linguistics
(1) Department of Anthropology
(1) Department of Health Studies
(1) Department of Art, Culture, & Media
(1) Department of Biological Sciences
(1) Department of Computer & Mathematical Sciences
(1) Department of English
(1) Department of Historical & Cultural Studies
(1) Department of Human Geography
(1) Department of Management
(1) Department of Philosophy
(1) Department of Physical & Environmental Science
(1) Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, & Mental Health
(1) Department of Political Science
(1) Department of Sociology
(1) Part-Time Director
(1) International Student Director
(1) Indigenous Student Director
Director Responsibilities:
Attending meetings of the Board, the commission and committees where they hold membership.
Joining at least one committee or commission.
Maintaining regular office hours or actively joining a project or campaign of the Union.
Acting with diligence, fiduciary responsibility, honesty and good faith in the best interests of the Union.
Recruiting students from their constituency to participate in union projects, events, services and campaigns.
Reading, understanding and abiding by the union’s Letter Patent, By-Laws and Policies.
Maintaining confidentiality of in-camera sessions and documentation.
SCSU’s 2026 Elections Team:
Chief Returning Officer:
Piravin Pirapakaran
email: cro@scsu.ca
Deputy Returning Officer:
Kisorey Kajenthiran & Modupe Olunuga
email: dro@scsu.ca
Elections & Referenda Committee (ERC):
Lalise Shifara (Chair), president@scsu.ca
Anisa Persaud (BOD English). english@scsu.ca
Saanvi Venugopal (First Year BOD), firstyear@scsu.ca
Elections & Appeals Committee (EAC)
Lalise Shifara (Chair), president@scsu.ca
Andrew Park (GTA Students’ Union Representative), president@utmsu.ca
Faiza Rutba (BOD Biological Sciences), biology@scsu.ca
Anika Nagpal (At-Large Representative)
If you have any questions about the 2026 SCSU General elections please email cro@scsu.ca and president@scsu.ca.
Constitutional Documents
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Effective July 1, 2013, the UTSC Campus Council replaces the former Council of the UTSC. The Campus Councils are governance bodies that have been established by and report to the Governing Council and are comparable to Boards of the Governing Council. They comprise representatives of the five estates – administrative staff, alumni, government appointees, students and teaching staff – with both governor and non-governor members. On behalf of the Governing Council, the Campus Councils exercise governance oversight of campus-specific matters, as well as matters assigned to them by the Governing Council from time to time.
The SCSU is committed to ensuring that student voices are being heard. We will be attending every meeting and putting issues that are important to students on the agenda at Campus Council. We will also work closely with student representatives to make sure all student concerns are raised at the appropriate committees.
More information about Campus Council can be found here.
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The Governing Council, established by the University of Toronto Act, 1971, oversees the academic, business and student affairs of the University. It is composed of 50 members – 25 members from within the internal University community, including administrative staff, teaching staff and students, and 25 members external to the University, including alumni and Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council appointees.
The SCSU is committed to attending all meetings and making sure the student voice is represented. We also work in collaboration with our sister unions to tackle tri-campus governance issues. The Union will also work with the student governors on Governing Council to ensure that issues of importance to UTSC students are represented.
More information about Governing Council can be found here.
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Student Space Committee
Study space Committee
Risk Assessment (all events that are held on campus)
Academic Committees
Academic Administrators Roundtable
Chairs Committee
Course Evaluation Framework Advisory & Implementation Committee
IITS advisory committee
Food user Committee
Positive Space Committee
Parking Committee
Advisory committee on Campus safety and security
Advisory Committee on Physical Accessibility
Library Advisory
Sub-committee on curriculums and programs
Student Services
Sit on hiring committees
Regular meetings with UTSC Executive Committee & University Administration including
VP Research
Dean of Student Affairs
Dean of Academics & Vice-Principal
CAO (SPACE)
Director of Student Life/ Athletics/ AccessAbility/ Academic Advising & Career Centre/ Residence
Equity Offices (Sexual Gender and Diversity Office & Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office)
Retail & Conference Services (other Food Service on Campus)
Campus Police & Security
Department Chairs
UTSC Governance
Board Packages and Meeting Details
Our April Board Meeting will be taking place on Friday, April 11th from 4 - 6PM in person, in SL232. Please contact operations@scsu.ca for more information.
Financial Statements
Commission Topic Deadlines:
Friday January 16th by 5pm
Friday February 6th by 5pm
Friday March 6th by 5pm
Feedback on Commission Spaces Deadline:
Friday March 27th by 5pm
Commissions
Commission Dates:
Monday January 19th, 1-3pm, in SL-232
Monday February 9th, 1-3pm, in SL-232
Monday March 9th, 1-3pm, in SL-232
Commissions are open to all SCSU members (all full-time UTSC undergraduate students who pay the mandatory fees) and serve as a way for students to propose and work on initiatives related to student life, advocacy, and equity. Any student can attend, speak, propose, and vote on initiatives, which are then ratified by the Board of Directors.
Campaigns & Equity Commission: Responsible for advocating and promoting campaigns related to education issues, equity, academic policy, and governmental issues.
Events Commission: Focuses on developing the events calendar and coordinating the delivery of Union events.
Services Commission: Deals with the cost-saving services offered to students, such as the Health & Dental plan, discounted tickets, and the annual tax clinic.
Please email Lalise Shifara at president@scsu.ca with your commission topics by the deadlines outlined below