Elections

Part 5 of the La Trobe University Act 2009, the University’s Council (Elections) Statute 2016 and Council (Elections) Regulations 2016 require that elections be held to fill the Council and Board positions, as prescribed:

• One member to be elected by and from the staff of the University for a term of three (3) years
• One member to be elected by and from the students of the University for a term of one (1) year

Current elected representatives

The current Staff position on the La Trobe University Council is held by:

• Andrea Carson, a political scientist and an Associate Professor (Journalism) in the department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, for a term of 3 years commencing 13 September 2022 to 12 September 2025.

The current Student position on the La Trobe University Council is held by:

• Lani Dumas, an International Relations student for a term commencing 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

Student election to Council – Vacancy 2025

At the time set down for the close of nominations (5pm 16 September 2024) for one (1) elected student member vacancy 2025 position on the University Council, twenty-three (23) nominations were received.

In accordance with the provisions of the Council Elections Statute 2016, an electronic ballot will be conducted.

The election will be held from 12.30pm Wednesday 25 September 2024 until 5pm Wednesday 02 October 2024.

All students eligible to vote in the election will be sent an individual voting email from an independent third-party vendor, BigPulse on Wednesday 25 September 2024.

Election results will be published as soon as reasonably practicable after the close of the election.

Council

The Council is the governing body of the University with responsibility for the general direction and superintendence of the University and may exercise all the powers, functions and duties of the University, subject to the Act, the University Statutes and University Regulations.

In broad terms, Council appoints and monitors the performance of the Vice-Chancellor, approves the mission, direction and strategic plan of the University and oversees the management and performance of the University. The responsibilities, powers and functions of Council are set out in sections 8 and 9 of the Act.

Council comprises ex-officio members, government and council appointed members, and elected members.

All Council members must act in the interest of the whole University and in accordance with the requirements of the Council members rights and responsibilities document.

Staff and students considering nominating in the future for these positions are requested to read the following information:

Under the Regulations set out in section 31 – Prohibition on external campaign support, a candidate in an election must not use the money or any in-kind support of any other person or any organisation or other entity to support in any way the candidate’s election campaign.

For further information email the Council elections team.