ARTICLE V: ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
All eligible students, including returning HCSA officers may run for election, and students are encouraged to nominate and vote for themselves. The Office of Student Affairs will act as the oversight body for all elections, tallying votes and acting as a neutral counselor in the event of any disputes over outcomes, proceedings and any additional proceedings.
Program Representatives: Active students in good standing enrolled in a recognized degree-seeking program housed at the School may be elected to represent that program. Likewise, only currently enrolled students in good standing from that program who will receive a degree from that program may elect their representative.
International Students Advocate: Only those currently enrolled as “international students” in good standing enrolled in a recognized degree-seeking program housed at Harvard Chan, may run for the position of International Students Advocate. Likewise, only those currently enrolled as “international students” in good standing, enrolled in a degree-seeking program at Harvard Chan may elect their representative.
For all other positions, all current students in good standing are eligible to run and vote for the seat. All voting will be conducted by secret ballot, to be counted by the Office of Student Affairs.
A list of all nominees, along with their photos and candidate statements, shall be posted on HCSA’s website and on the voting form. Nominations are due one week before voting occurs and candidates shall be given at least three days between the end of the nomination period and the beginning of the voting period to campaign. Election results shall be distributed to students, faculty and staff within one week of the end of the voting period.
Office of Student Affairs will ensure school-wide emails are sent to all students for:
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- The day when nominations open
- The day of voting opening
- The day of voting closing
- End of election with final outcomes
If a seat remains vacant after an election, the Executive Board reserves the right to appoint a current student in good standing to the position by a simple majority vote. This appointment must also be confirmed by a majority vote of the full HCSA body. If there are no current students willing to fill the position, it falls to the Vice President of that division to fulfill the seat’s duties and responsibilities, which may include an appointment.
Rules for Nominees
- Nominees must abide by Campaign Policies.
Nominees found in violation of these rules will be removed from the election ballot and may face sanctions.
Section 2: Fall Elections
Executive Board officers elected the previous spring are responsible for conducting fall elections. They should make all reasonable efforts to solicit nominations and votes from every active student in good standing. To this end, the Executive Board must hold an informational meeting for students interested in running for office the first week of the fall semester. Fall elections will take place within the first three weeks of the fall semester and a fall retreat will be held by the end of September. For a list of fall elected positions see Article IV Section 11.
Section 3: Spring 1 Elections – no longer active
Executive Board officers are responsible for conducting spring 1 elections. They should make all reasonable efforts to solicit nominations and votes from every active student in good standing. To this end, the Executive Board must hold an informational meeting for students interested in running for office the first week of the spring semester. Spring 1 elections will take place within the first three weeks of the spring semester and a spring retreat will be held by the end of February. For a list of spring 1 elected positions see Article IV Section 11.
Section 4: Spring Executive Board Elections
The President, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice President of Communications, and Vice President of Student Life for the upcoming academic year shall be elected in the spring. Only active students in good standing at the School are eligible to cast a vote in the election.
Nominations for spring elections begin shortly after Spring Break and voting must occur at least three weeks before the start of final exams in May.
Section 5: Summer Elections
Executive Board officers elected in the spring are responsible for conducting summer elections. They should make all reasonable efforts to solicit nominations and votes from every current student in good standing. Summer elections will take place within the first three weeks of June. For a list of summer elected positions see Article IV Section 11.
Section 6: Officer Appointments
The Person-at-Large position is an advisory position on the Executive Board, meant to preserve institutional memory in HCSA between academic years. This position may be held by an alumnus or alumna; however, the position is not an officer, cannot incur expenses, and has no voting privileges within the HCSA. The PAL may not hold another position in HCSA.
The Spring Elected Executive Board appoints the PAL by a simple majority vote. In the case of a tie, the President shall cast the deciding vote. The PAL shall negotiate his/her level of commitment with the Executive Board within one week of being appointed and must be able to provide advice as needed within 48 hours of solicitation.
For any appointed roles, the Executive Board shall choose by a simple majority vote. In the case of a tie, the President shall cast the deciding vote.
