The Students’ Society of McGill University (ɫ) operates independently from McGill University. The Society is a student-run group that dedicates its time and resources to give its members services, representation, and leadership.
Although the ɫ and McGill University operate independently, ɫ members do hold decision-making positions in McGill’s governing bodies. To see McGill University’s full organization chart, click in the link below.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is a written document describing a cooperative relationship between two parties wishing to work together on a project or to meet an agreed-upon objective. The Memorandum of Agreement (the “MOA”) between McGill University and The Students’ Society of McGill University (ɫ) was drafted to enable us to work cooperatively to meet our missions.
There are 13 Student Senators representing the undergraduate student body on the . Each Senator is elected for a one-year term by their respective constituents, typically the undergraduate students in a specific Faculty or School.
The McGill Senate is the governing body of the University, tasked with general control and supervision of academic matters. It is composed of 113 voting members broadly representative of the University’s constituencies (faculty, staff, students, administrators, governors, and alumni).
Senate meetings regularly take place on the third Wednesday of every month, at 2:30 PM in Room 232 of the Leacock Building (). Meetings are open to the public and are (archived for one month).
The more detailed aspects of the Senate’s work take place in various university , most of which have undergraduate representation coordinated by ɫ. Seats for student representatives on these committees are filled by Senators and students-at-large through the Vice-President (University Affairs).
A caucus is a closed meeting of a group of persons belonging to the same group or faction, usually to select candidates or to decide on policy. Senate Caucus is a meeting where the thirteen (13) student senators representing the undergraduate student body meet to strategize and discuss the status of their advocacy efforts, committee meetings, and constituency projects.
These meetings are open to all ɫ members: any student can attend to observe or to raise a topic concerning student life. If you wish to attend, please notify the VP University Affairs at uasecgen@ssmu.ca and Secretary General at uasecgen@ssmu.ca. Student Senators publish reports once per semester of the work they do in various committees, the Senate itself, as well as any projects that they undertake. The reports are posted on the University Affairs website.
McGill University is a large institution, and beneath the are many . This is where planning, discussions, and consultations take place on issues affecting various bodies within the University. This is also usually where the ɫ Senators, as well as undergraduate students like you, can start advocacy projects and initiatives. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to ua@ssmu.ca or uasecgen@ssmu.ca.
The ɫ President holds the sole undergraduate seat on the McGill University Board of Governors. The Board of Governors is the University’s highest governing body, and, unlike the Senate, is more focused on issues relevant to McGill as a corporation. Board members (called “Governors”) must serve on a Board committee. The Board of Governors comprises twenty-five (25) voting members and two (2) non-voting student observers. Some former members of the Board of Governors are appointed as governors emeriti.
To learn more about the Board of Governors and their meetings, .
For more information about contacting Councillors, Directors, Committees, or Senators, please consult the following masterlist