McGill University
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

Board of Governors:
The McGill Board of Governors has general jurisdiction and final authority over the conduct of the affairs of the University. The Board’s mandate is focused on ensuring the sound governance and trusteeship of the University’s assets: financial assets, property assets, and human resources. It also makes all contracts and all appointments on behalf of the University. The Board is composed of twenty-five voting members and two non-voting student observers, and out of the 27 members, the appointment of 12 members, is within the sole purview of the Board. The other 15 are appointed or elected to the Board by other university associations or constituent groups.

Senate:
The McGill University Senate is a governing body tasked with general control and supervision over the academic matters of the University. The composition and responsibilities of Senate are governed by the Statutes of McGill University and the proceedings are governed in part by the Standing Rules of Procedure. The McGill Senate is composed of 111 voting members broadly representative of the University's constituencies (Faculty, Staff, Students, Administrators, Board Members and Alumni).
https://www.mcgill.ca/senate/

Student Society of McGill University (SSMU) and the Post Graduate Student Society (PGSS) (Undergraduate students)
Every undergraduate at McGill is a member of the SSMU. The Society advocates for students' interests and represents them to during discussions with the upper university administration. The Society advocates for fairer academic justice processes, better quality instruction, and better services for students.
https://involvement.mcgill.ca/organization/ssmu

Post-Graduate Student Society (PGSS) (Graduate students)
PGSS is the representative body for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows at McGill University. They coordinate numerous services, activities, and benefits for members.
They support students by:
- Serving as a resource for dealing with the University or life in Montreal.
- Advocating for you in meetings with the University.
- Collaborating with other offices and partners to improve student life.
- Planning social activities including trips to other cities, events we host at and around McGill, and at Thomson House, our restaurant and bar.
https://pgss.mcgill.ca/en/about

McGill Association of University Teachers (MAUT) (Academic staff)
MAUT | APBM is an organization of academic staff formed in 1951 to foster academic freedom, to involve the faculty in university activities and governance, and to improve the working conditions and salaries of teaching faculty and librarians. MAUT works to improve the academic regulations and university policies dealing with employment practices, codes of conduct, salary and benefits.
https://www.mcgill.ca/maut/about-us

McGill University Non-Academic Certified Association (MUNACA)/Public Service Alliance of Canada (Non-academic staff)
There are 14 unions and 2 non-unionized associations at McGill, including MUNACA and Service Employees Union (Local 800). The full list can be found here: https://www.mcgill.ca/hr/employee-relations/assocs-unions

Community Sessions (multi-stakeholder forum):

"[T]he Board provides students, staff, faculty alumni and members of the community an opportunity to submit written questions to the Board on matters within its mandate. Community sessions are held twice a year, once in the fall session and once in the spring session. Sessions are held following the Board meeting."

"The Board has developed practices that aim to strengthen its presence in the community and increase transparency and accountability when it comes to Board business. Notably, [for example] for several years, the Board has been holding annual forums with student associations. Board members also serve on a wide range of University committees and external bodies and participate in numerous campus activities including convocation ceremonies, homecoming and other university events. The majority of Board business in conducted in open session and meeting documents are available online in advance of the meeting. In addition, any member of the community wishing to send communications to the Board may do so through the Secretariat. Members of the McGill community may also submit nominations for member-at-large positions on the Board."

Source: https://www.mcgill.ca/boardofgovernors/community-sessions

Moreover, the Statutes of McGill University allow for the appointment or election of various stakeholders (or "members at large") to the Board of Governors and to the Senate, as well as to their respective Committees. The Statutes and the Terms of Reference of all Board and Senate Committees set out the composition of governance bodies that intends to ensure that various community stakeholders are able to serve on governance bodies. The Nominating, Governance, and Ethics Committee endeavours to reflect the cultural diversity of the broader community, and encourages the nomination of candidates who reflect the diversity of our larger society.

Source: https://www.mcgill.ca/boardofgovernors/committees-0/nominating/member-large-nominations