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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

POSITION DESCRIPTION

• Position: Director (Elected Position)

• Reports To: Chair – SSU Board of Directors

• Last Updated: February 6, 2025 

• Qualifications:

  • Must be a fee-paying student at Sheridan College with a minimum GPA of 2.5, OR a first-year student, 18 years or older, with volunteer or community leadership experience.  

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills are required to effectively represent the diverse Sheridan student body. 

  • Qualified candidates will be eligible to be nominated as a candidate in the Board of Directors Elections, as they need to be elected by the student body to secure the position.

• Honorarium: $400/month

• Hours: 14 hours/month 

• Term of Office: May 2025 to April 2026

• Location: Mississauga HMC Campus (4), Oakville Trafalgar Campus (4), or Brampton Davis Campus (4)

SCOPE AND NATURE

The SSUI represents all fee-paying students at Sheridan College, working to protect their well-being and interests across various aspects of student life, including academics, personal growth, culture, social activities, recreation, and community engagement. The SSUI meets the diverse and evolving needs of the student body by offering student-focused programs, services, and advocacy, creating an exceptional student experience. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The SSUI Board of Directors consists of 12 elected student members who represent approximately 30,000 full-time and part-time students. The Board ensures effective governance and brings student feedback into decision-making. Key responsibilities include developing and implementing a long-term strategic plan and delegating responsibilities to the President. 

The Board serves as an advisory committee, working collaboratively to make decisions that benefit all students. In its meetings, proper governance decorum is upheld, and Directors are held accountable for their decisions, as these impact both current and future students.  

Director Responsibilities 

Directors are expected to: 

• Engage regularly with students, attend student union and college events (e.g., orientation, convocation, etc.), and represent students at various ceremonies. 

• Attend Board meetings, actively participate, and come prepared by reviewing meeting materials. The frequency of meetings will be determined by the Board and Chairperson, and it is the responsibility of the Board to attend the meetings as scheduled. 

• Oversee the financial, legal, and quality aspects of SSU operations. 

• Uphold ethical governance and standards, including confidentiality and declaring any conflicts of interest. 

• Present themselves appropriately, reflecting the values of the SSUI and Sheridan students. 

• Do not speak on behalf of the SSU or the SSU Board of Directors without explicit written permission from the Board Chair. 

• Familiarize themselves with and adhere to SSUI By-Laws, the Roles and Responsibilities of a Student Association and its Directors, and Board Ends Policies. Failure to meet expectations may result in removal. 

• Participate in professional development and governance training programs as available. 

• Actively seek and incorporate student feedback, ensuring all voices are heard, including those from diverse programs and backgrounds. 

Additional RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in representation duties, such as community involvement or serving on college committees as student representatives.

• Be a member of at least one student club to engage further with the student body. 

• Contribute actively to the SSUI’s SheridanLife Blog to communicate with students. 

• Attend the SSUI Board Retreat scheduled in May. 

Board RESPONSIBILITIES:

As a group, the Board is responsible for: 

• Ensuring proper policies and procedures are followed within the Board. 

• Representing and maintaining accountability to the student body. 

• Contributing to the development and implementation of the SSUI’s long-term strategic plan. 

• Upholding the SSUI’s commitment to inclusivity, respecting all students regardless of age, race, gender, orientation, beliefs, or ability. 

• Ensuring that student concerns are reflected and well-addressed in meeting agendas.

Time Commitment:

• Directors are expected to: 

  • Attend all Board meetings (approximately 4 hours/month). 

  • Allocate at least 2 hours per week for front-facing office hours with students to gather feedback. Please note that students in co-op or placement during their term of office may face challenges meeting office hour requirements, particularly during work hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). 

  • Attend one committee meeting per month. 

   

  Directors will receive the full $400 monthly honorarium upon meeting these attendance and office hour requirements. The honorarium is subject to applicable deductions and may be pro-rated if these obligations are not met. 

For further qualifications and responsibilities, refer to the SSUI By-Laws.