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By Craig Leroux, Senior Communications Officer

There is still time for Queen’s alumni to put their names forward to serve on University Council. The nomination period for eight alumni positions on the Council will close at 4 pm on Dec. 6, with elections for the positions happening in March. The elections will be the first since Council voted for significant reform in May.

The reforms include a gradual reduction in the size of Council, from more than 200 to between 40 and 50, including ex-officio members, by 2017. The streamlined body continues to play an important advisory role at the university and is responsible for appointing the chancellor and electing six Council members to the Board of Trustees – nearly one quarter of the Board’s membership.

“Serving on University Council is a significant way for alumni to get involved with their university,” says Daniel Woolf, Principal and Vice-Chancellor. “Councillors provide valuable advice and feedback to me and the rest of the administrative team.”

The new councillors will become part of a renewed and effective advisory body, says Councillor Alison Holt (Artsci’87), who chaired the University Council Reform Planning Group.

“Councillors are eager to be both advisors and champions for Queen’s, and we saw that enthusiasm renewed at the annual meeting in October,” says Ms. Holt. “The meeting really was a launch pad for moving forward post-reform. We had a good discussion about the role of Council and how we can make the best possible contribution as advocates for the university.”

Council exercised its most significant duty at its October annual meeting when it named Jim Leech (MBA’73) as the university’s next chancellor. Councillors also participated in consultations on strategic enrolment management, internationalization, experiential learning, and alumni engagement, and recognized four Queen’s community members with Distinguished Service Awards. They also paid special tribute to Chancellor David Dodge for his service over the past six years.

A new University Council Executive Committee will be constituted in the coming weeks and will work with councillors and the university to identify strategic areas where councillors can continue to provide advice and act as advocates for Queen’s. When the newly elected councillors assume their positions in September, they will become part of a smaller, but more focused advisory body.