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Student-led committees of the MSU are recruiting members

The MSU utilizes an array of student-run committees to facilitate its advocacy work, student service delivery, and democratic functions.  Below, there is a list of committees looking for students to join. All full-time, undergraduate students (enrolled in 18 or more units) are MSU members and may apply to join one of the committees looking for student participants. Any committee description labeled “MSU seat” is looking to recruit a McMaster student – specifically someone that is not elected to the Student Representative Assembly (SRA). Committee descriptions labeled “SRA seat” are specifically recruiting for an elected SRA member. 

Student involvement in the committees of the MSU is very important and valuable to the democratic process. Having general MSU members on committees ensures that the decision making process reflects a wide cross-section of the student population. Below is a list of all the MSU committee that have available seats. If you’re an full-time, undergraduate student (enrolled in 18 or more units over the course of 2022/2023) interested in being part of a committee, please email your name, indicate your preferred email address, and include a brief statement as to why you want to join the committee, to the MSU Speaker via speaker@msu.mcmaster.ca by April 24 at 10:00am (EDT). Doing so will nominate you for a seat on said committee(s). Your brief statement will be read aloud at the SRA during their meeting on April 24 and will help SRA members elect nominees to the respective committees. You may provide separate statements should you wish to be nominated for multiple committees, or indicate to the Speaker that the same statement may be used for all nominations.

Standing Committees of the Student Representative Assembly (SRA): 

These committees will meet approximately once a week during the academic year. For more information on any Standing Committee, refer to Bylaw 3/B – Standing Committees of the SRA. 

Finance (4 SRA seats, 2 MSU seats):
The Finance Committee will assist and advise the VP Finance and the MSU’s accounting team regarding the financial operations. This committee is responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and recommending some financial motions to the SRA, undertaking wage reviews, and actively raising awareness on financial matters among McMaster students.  

What kind of people would be well suited: 

  • Attention to detail and experience reviewing financial documents; 
  • Able to see how details work into the bigger picture 

Internal Governance (4 SRA seats, 2 MSU seats):
The Internal Governance Committee is tasked with updating, changing, and making recommendations on the governing documents of the MSU, as well as dealing with policy statements, which outlines the MSU’s position on a wide variety of matters. This committee is important to the MSU and the greater student population because it looks after the long-term considerations of the MSU. Without long term planning now, tomorrow will not be nearly so organized!

What kind of people would be well suited: 

  • Attention to detail, consistence, style, nuances of meaning;
  • Able to see the big picture while maintaining attention to detail; 
  • Enjoy abstract discussions on governance, and legislative principles.  

Municipal Affairs (4 SRA seats, 2 MSU seats):
The Municipal Affairs Committee oversees the MSU’s relations with bodies that are not located on McMaster’s campus, specifically Hamilton City Council and sub-committees. This Committee will proactively participate in external municipal organizations and lobbying efforts that further the interests of the MSU and its members lobbying agendas, and makes recommendations to the VP Education. Advocacy is handled by three committees (Municipal Affairs, Provincial and Federal Affairs, and the University Affairs Committee), and all work towards the betterment of quality of education at McMaster.  

What kind of people would be well suited: 

  • Interest in lobbying, writing and reviewing policy, and defining advocacy priorities; 
  • Have experience in consensus-building and decision making in groups. 

Provincial & Federal Affairs (4 SRA seats, 2 MSU seats):
The Provincial & Federal Affairs oversees the MSU’s relations with any bodies that are not located on McMaster’s campus. This Committee will monitor provincial and federal events that may have an impact on the academic or non-academic life of McMaster students, aid the Assembly in taking appropriate responses, and proactively participate in provincial and federal organizations and lobbying efforts that further the interests of the MSU and its members, and makes recommendations to the VP Education. Advocacy is handled by three committees (Municipal Affairs, Provincial and Federal Affairs, and the University Affairs Committee), and all work towards the betterment of quality of education at McMaster. 

What kind of people would be well suited: 

  • Interest in lobbying, writing and reviewing policy, and defining advocacy priorities; 
  • Have experience in consensus-building and decision making in groups. 

Services (4 SRA seats, 2 MSU seats):
The Services Committee is responsible for MSU services on a macro scale. The committee reviews the long-term goals and efficacy of services in order to make recommendations to the SRA. Services Committee is responsible for conducting services reviews, as well as reviewing the criteria and process used to conduct these departmental reviews. 

What kind of people would be well suited: 

  • Able to set a strategic direction for a department and see it through to completion; 
  • Interested in improving service operations. 

University Affairs (4 SRA seats, 2 MSU seats):
The University Affairs Committee oversees the MSU’s relations with bodies located on McMaster’s Campus. The UA advocates on issues that affect both academic and non-academic interests of students. Traditionally, University Affairs Committee has looked at the quality of education of students on campus. 

What kind of people would be well suited: 

  • Interest in lobbying, writing, and reviewing policy, and defining advocacy priorities; 
  • Have experience in consensus-building and decision making in groups. 

Other Committees looking for students to join: 

Child Care Centre Advisory Committee (2 MSU/SRA seats):
The Child Care Centre Advisory Committee seats can go to EITHER MSU or SRA members. The Child Care Centre Advisory Committee acts as an advisory body to the Child Care Centre, and allows for consultative management of the service. This advisory committee allocates money received through fundraising, promotes the interest of the Child Care Centre, and makes recommendations to the SRA on continued improvements to the centre. For more information, refer to Operating Policy – Child Care Centre Advisory Committee.  

Clubs Advisory Council (5 SRA seats, 5 MSU seats):
The Clubs Advisory Council (CAC) provides a forum for clubs to exchange information and pool resources. The CAC also acts as the Clubs Administration Advisory Board. Additionally, the CAC acts as a judicial and appeal body for clubs. The CAC will assist the Assistant Clubs Administrator to plan and promote events by the Clubs Administrator (e.g. Clubsfest), assist in the selection of clubs deserving of the Annual Awards for Outstanding Clubs and planning the MSU Clubs Awards and Appreciation Night. This committee meets a minimum of twice a semester. For more information, refer to Operating Policy – Clubs Advisory Council.  

Elections Committee (3 SRA seats, 5 MSU seats):
The Elections Committee (EC) is responsible for adjudicating MSU elections and referenda in a fair and just manner. The EC develops electoral rules to supplement the existing documentation (Bylaw 7 – Elections & Bylaw 7/A – Electoral Procedures). The EC must be unbiased, and shall consider all appeals. This committee meets for FYC Elections, SRA By-elections, Presidential, and SRA General Elections, and at the call of the Chief Returning Officer (CRO). Members are expected to be present for all fines meetings, and hours of meetings may exceed expectations. For more information, refer to Operating Policy – Elections Committee.  

General Assembly Planning Committee (1 SRA seat, 1 MSU seat): 
The General Assembly Planning Committee provides recommendations regarding the promotion, organization, and execution of GA meetings. The committee assists with promotion, organization, and execution of GA meetings, as well as determining the schedule, date, and location of GA meetings. For more information, refer to Bylaw 6 – General Assembly.  

MSU Governance & You Committee (1 SRA seat, 2 non-SRA MSU seats):
The MSU Governance &You Committee was created to increase the diversity and representation of student government at McMaster in terms of but not limited to gender, race, sexuality, ability, Indigenous status, and other underrepresented groups. The working group shall focus on governing bodies of the MSU including the SRA, the Executive Board, and the Board of Directors, while also recognizing the need for and advocating for increased diversity and representation in McMaster governing bodies outside of the MSU. The working group meets at least twice per month, with the Chair being elected from the membership of the working group. For more information, refer to Operating Policy – MSU Governance & You Committee.  

MSU Sustainability Education Committee (2 SRA seats, 2 non-SRA MSU seats):
The MSU Sustainability Education Group was created to represent undergraduate student interests on sustainability issues, and will be focusing on raising awareness of environmental issues, assisting in developing and implementing the MSU and university environmental policies, and creating educational campaigns and resources that create a more environmentally aware and sustainable campus.  For more information, refer to Operating Policy – MSU Sustainability Education Committee.  

Teaching Awards Committee (3 SRA seats, minimum 4 MSU seats):
The Teaching Awards Committee (TAC) recognizes and encourages excellence in teaching at McMaster by awarding the MSU Teaching Awards, on behalf of MSU members. The TAC shall support the TAC Coordinator in completing their responsibilities, which include promoting that nominations are open, ensuring that the classes of nominees are contacted and evaluation forms are handed out, and assist in planning the ceremony. For more information, refer to Operating Policy – Macademics and Operating Policy – Teaching Awards. 

University Bookstore Committee (3 MSU/SRA seats):
The University Bookstore Committee seats can go to EITHER MSU or SRA members (or a couple of both). The University Bookstore Committee meets a few times a year to discuss the finances of the bookstore, as well as the future plans of the department. Many of the changes that happen at the bookstore affect students because they affect service delivery; for example, changing the locations of where textbooks are sold. It is important to have student representatives who can speak frankly and honestly about how any proposed changes will affect student life.  For more information, contact the Vice-President (Finance) at vpfinance@msu.mcmaster.ca.  

Welcome Week Awards Selection Committees (1 SRA seat, 1 non–SRA MSU seat):
Students interested in the Welcome Week Awards Selection Committee must not have a conflict of interest (e.g. being a residence rep), and must be available during Welcome Week. The Selection Committees reviews and approves the judgment criteria for each Welcome Week event for the Residence Cup (for residences and SOCS), and Faculty Cup (for academic divisions), and acts as judges for these events. For more information, refer to Operating Policy – Welcome Week Awards.

For more information, please email:

Zoe Tsai
MSU Speaker
speaker@msu.mcmaster.ca

 Administration,  MSU Services,  President,  Research,  Vice President (Administration),  Vice President (Education),  Vice President (Finance)