Committee of Election

This page outlines the process for the nomination and election of the Chancellor of the University of Manitoba

The Chancellor is the titular head of the University and confers all degrees.  The Chancellor is also a member of the Board of Governors and of the Senate.  A position profile for the role of Chancellor can be found here.

In accordance with The University of Manitoba Act, the Chancellor is elected by the Committee of Election for a three-year term.  There is no limit on the number of terms a person may serve as Chancellor.  

Chancellor Anne Mahon's has served as Chancellor since June 1, 2019. Her second term will conclude on May 31, 2025. She is not seeking re-election. 

The Committee of Election comprises all the voting members of the Board of Governors and the Senate.  The Chair of the Board of Governors is the presiding officer.  The University Secretary is the secretary.  The sole function of the Committee of Election is to elect a Chancellor.

To facilitate the election of a Chancellor, the Board of Governors and the Senate approved the Election of the Chancellor Policy in 2011.  This Policy provides for a Chancellor Search Committee to solicit and review nominations, and to recommend a candidate for Chancellor to the Committee of Election for approval.  The Chancellor Search Committee comprises:

  • the Chair of the Board of Governors (as Chair);
  • the President;
  • the Vice-President (External);
  • three members of Senate who are not students, elected by Senate;
  • two members of the Board of Governors (in addition to the Chair), elected by the Board;
  • two students, one undergraduate and one graduate, elected by Senate;
  • two members of the University of Manitoba Alumni Association, nominated by the Alumni Association; and

  • the University Secretary, as secretary (non-voting)(Jeff Leclerc).

    MembershipCommittee Member
    Chair of the Board of Governors, as ChairLynette Magnus
    President of the University of ManitobaMichael Benarroch
    Vice-President (External) of the University of ManitobaVanessa Koldingnes
    Three members of Senate, who are not students, elected by SenateSharon Bruce (Health Sciences)
    Nazim Cicek (Agricultural and Food Sciences)
    Cary Miller (Arts)
    Two members of the Board of Governors (in addition to the Chair of the Board), elected by the Board of GovernorsDouglas Finkbeiner
    Shreeraj Patel
    Two students, one undergraduate and one graduate, elected by SenateDivya Sharma (Undergraduate)
    Christopher Yendt (Graduate)
    Two members of the University of Manitoba Alumni Association, nominated by the Alumni AssociationDuane Brothers
    Kristie Pearson
    University SecretaryJeff Leclerc (non-voting)

Position Profile for the Chancellor

Nominations to the Position

Nominations may be made by:

        a) members and assessors of the Board of Governors and of the Senate;

        b) students;

        c) academic staff;

        d) support staff; and

        e) alumni.

In addition, nominations may be made by the Chancellor Search Committee.

Nominations must be made on the prescribed form, which is available here. Nomination forms must be signed by any five persons eligible to nominate.

Nominations are open from November 4, 2024 to 4:00 p.m. on November 26, 2024. All nomination forms must be received by the Office of the University Secretary, Room 312 Administration by no later than 4:00 pm on November 26, 2024.  Any questions regarding the nomination process may be directed to Mr. Jeff Leclerc, University Secretary, by phone (204-474-6167) or by email (Jeff.Leclerc@umanitoba.ca).

Nomination forms must be accompanied by the curriculum vitae of the person nominated as well as a short (two pages or fewer) biographical sketch of the nominee that will be provided to the Committee of Election.

Nominations from the floor on the date of the meeting of the Committee of Election shall not be permitted.

 

Chancellor Nomination Form

 

Eligibility

No person who is a member of the academic or administrative staff of any university or of any college or of the governing body of any university other than the University of Manitoba or of any college is eligible to be Chancellor.

Process

Following the close of nominations, the Chancellor Search Committee shall meet to review the nominations for the office of Chancellor to assess the suitability of the nominees against the description of the role of the Chancellor as outlined in the Chancellor Policy.  As part of the Chancellor Search Committee's review, the Committee may elect to obtain or ask nominators to obtain supplemental information about the nominees, or meet with individual nominees to discuss the nature of the position, and obtain additional information directly from the nominees.

Following this review, the Chancellor Search Committee shall prepare a report to the Committee of Election.  This report shall include the number of nominations received for Chancellor and the one recommended candidate for election as Chancellor along with supporting documentation.  Prior to making this report, the Chancellor Search Committee shall ensure the willingness of the recommended candidate to serve as Chancellor.

Meeting of the Committee of Election

A meeting of the Committee of Election shall be called on a minimum of 14 days' notice.

The meeting shall be held in a closed and confidential meeting of members of the Committee of Election, with the understanding that assessors of the Board of Governors and to the Senate may be present, but shall not vote.

The election of the Chancellor shall be by secret ballot following the presentation of the report of the Chancellor Search Committee.  The Chair of the Committee of Election shall cast a ballot in a sealed envelope, only to be opened and counted in the event of a tie.  The University Secretary shall act as Chief Returning Officer, and shall appoint others to assist in the conduct of the election.

To be elected Chancellor, the recommended candidate must receive support from a majority of those members present and voting.

Announcement

The results of the election shall be released publicly by the Chair of the Committee of Election once the nominee has been notified.  Members of the Committee are obligated to keep the information confidential until the formal announcement has been made.