AFSA 2024/2025 Successions & Elections

Please note that during the 2024 AFSA succession period, AFSA officers were appointed to their roles rather than constitutionally elected under the AFSA constitution and by-laws. The following roles were appointed under a “successions” process by way of interviews:

Resolution Process

AFSA acknowledges that the election process for officer appointments during the past election cycle in Spring 2024 did not fully adhere to the procedures outlined in its constitution, specifically Section XI, which governs elections and appointments. Following complaints received in September 2024, the acting officers of AFSA conducted a thorough investigation, and it was determined that the required steps in the election process were not followed.

After consultation with WUSA, AFSA was advised to hold an election at the end of the winter 2024 term for officer positions for the January 1, 2025, to August 31, 2025, term. Those informally appointed during the successions process were asked to temporarily hold their assigned executive positions as acting officers in order for the organization to continue providing benefit to SAF students until the elections process is resolved.

In September 2024, AFSA lost access to the uwafsa.ca domain due to complications with payment in the prior year. The acting officers continued to act in their positions out of their personal emails until a new domain could be acquired.

Elections were held in December 2024. However, these elections lacked a “no” or “against” option, which is not in line with AFSA by-law XI.13(4). It appears this option also did not exist in previous years.

WUSA advised that the acting AFSA board should either accept all of the candidates from the elections— or none of them. The acting board decided to consider the election void, taking the position that votes cast should faithfully represent the SAF population, given that they themselves were not officially appointed.

A by-election was held in February 2025, but the sole candidate, Rory Norris, did not receive the required 50% of affirmative votes.

A final by-election for the remaining positions were once again held in April 2025, around the same time as AFSA general elections for the 2025/2026 school year. There was once successful candidate: VP of Internal Events - Gurman Johal.

17. In the event of an unclaimed elected position the Board shall hold a by-election no later than one month immediately preceding the term of commencement of office to fill such a vacancy. In the event that such a by-election does not fill a vacancy an officer or director shall be appointed by a super-majority vote of each the Board no later than one month immediately after the term of the commencement of office.

Only after all prescribed election steps are exhausted will board appointments be made to fill any remaining vacancies. As vacancies persisted after the by-election in April 2025, the acting board will officially assume the role of director(s) and make appointments for the remaining vacancies under direction from WUSA.

Next Steps

AFSA is committed to improving student governance, which includes adhering to and updating the AFSA constitution and by-laws, as well as strengthening internal controls. This is a lengthy process which was initiated by our hardworking successors, but is reliant on active involvement from the SAF population.

If there are any further questions, please contact elections@uwafsa.com.