There are now two openings for volunteer Lay Person positions on Acadia University’s Senate. As per page 4 of the Senate Constitution and By Laws, the Lay Persons are people “nominated by the Senate Nominating Committee who are not eligible for membership under the roles and categories laid out above provided they are not full-time employees of Acadia at the time they are appointed lay members”.
What is the role?
The Lay Person is a voting member of Senate and brings an independent and external perspective to Acadia’s academic decision making and deliberations. The Lay Person acts as an advocate for public interest- a voice for the role of Acadia as a contributor to society and to the community. The Lay Person could be someone with past Acadia experience or could be a community member with no existing connection.
What are the expectations?
There are normally ten monthly Senate meetings per year from September to June, with a duration of two to three hours each. Review of the Agenda and Minutes and related documentation requires approximately an hour of preparation per meeting. The meetings for 2023-2024 will be in hybrid modality, so the incumbent will be able to attend meetings in person or online for at least the first year.
This is a volunteer opportunity, with no remuneration.
Who are we looking for?
The Lay Person recognizes and values Acadia University as a contributor to a healthy and robust Wolfville, Annapolis Valley, and Nova Scotia. The Lay Person has a willingness to ask questions and contribute to discussions collegially at Senate meetings. The Lay Person handles business beyond what is recorded in the public Senate Minutes with discretion and professionalism.
Do you know someone who would be interested in contributing to Acadia in this way? If you know of anyone who would be interested in being nominated (or self-nominating) as a Lay Person on Senate for the July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026 term, please send along a CV/resume and/or statement of interest to Stephen Henderson (stephen.henderson@acadiau.ca) by September 30, 2023. Please indicate whether you would be interested in serving for 2 years (until June 2025) or for 3 years (until June 2026), as the two positions are for different terms. The election of the Lay Person is scheduled to take place at the October meeting of Senate.
