Policy 1.1.13 STUDENT SENATE CONSTITUTION

District School Board Ontario North East is committed to promoting meaningful student engagement and ensuring that student perspectives inform board-level decision-making. Establishing a formal Student Senate provides a structured mechanism through which students can contribute insight on matters

affecting student learning, well-being, achievement, and school culture.

The Student Senate supports the democratic representation of student voice across the district by fostering communication between students, schools, and the Board. It also strengthens the role of Student Trustees by providing a representative advisory body that collaborates on student-related initiatives and supports the coordination of student leadership at the district level.

This policy affirms the Board’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and Indigenous representation by ensuring that Indigenous student voice is formally reflected within student governance structures.

Student Senate A district-wide advisory body composed of elected student representatives that serves as a forum for student voice, consultation, and planning on student-related matters.

Student Senator A secondary school student elected or appointed to represent their school community on the Student Senate, in accordance with the requirements set out in the Student Senate Constitution.

Student Trustee A member of the Student Senate elected to represent all students of District School Board Ontario North East at official meetings of the Board, as regulated by Ontario Regulation 354/18.

Indigenous Student Representative A Student Senator or Student Trustee who self-identifies as Indigenous and represents Indigenous student voice within the Student Senate.

District School Board Ontario North East supports the establishment and ongoing operation of a Student Senate as an official advisory body to the Board. the Student Senate shall operate in a manner that reflects the principles of equity, inclusion, accountability, and respect, and that ensures broad representation of the student population, including Indigenous students.

The Student Senate shall:

• Provide informed advice and perspectives to the Board on matters related to student interests, issues, and activities;
• Serve as a conduit for communication and idea-sharing between students, schools, Student Trustees, and the Board;
• Support and strengthen the role of Student Trustees in representing student voice at Board meetings;
• Promote student leadership, engagement, and collaboration across the district;
• Oversee the election of Student Trustees in accordance with legislative and board requirements.

4.1 The mandate of the Student Senate shall be:

• 4.1.1 To provide the Board with active and effective insight into all matters of student-related issues and activities.
• 4.1.2 To act as a conduit for communication and idea sharing between the Board and its students in the intermediate and senior divisions, empowering the role of the Student Trustees and their mandate to represent student voice.
• 4.1.3 To support the Student Trustees in their task of coordinating initiatives which benefit and celebrate student achievement by collaboratively working towards a common goal.
• 4.1.4 To oversee the election of the incoming Student Trustees for the following academic year who will serve as the representatives of all DSB Ontario North East students at official School Board meetings.

4.2 A member of the Student Senate shall:

• 4.2.1 Represent the interests of students across the Board at every meeting of the Student Senate.
• 4.2.2 Liaise, represent, and gather information with and to their student council and to the students at their school on topics discussed at Student Senate meetings, and any issues arising from the student body.
• 4.2.3 Have good standing in attendance, academics and be dedicated to promoting studentvoice.
• 4.2.4 Plan inclusive activities and initiatives for students.

5.1 The Student Senate shall consist of:

• 5.1.1 Three voting representatives from each secondary school;
• 5.1.2 One voting representative, whom identifies as Indigenous;
• 5.1.3 Three Student Trustees;
• 5.1.4 At least one advisor as determined by the Board.

6.1 Each Secondary School will elect three (3) Student Senators, one of whom identifies as Indigenous, to the Student Senate such that all representatives must be in at least Grade 10; where a school has a Student Trustee, there can be three (3) representatives.

6.2 Each Secondary School must have elected or appointed their representatives to the Student

6.3 Senate by mid-February of an election year. The term of a member of the Student Senate begins in the fall following their spring election.

6.4 Student Senators are eligible to serve on the Student Senate for one (1) additional year after the end of this term.

7.1 The Student Senate will be responsible for electing three (3) Student Trustees to serve as the representatives of all District School Board Ontario North East students at official School Board meetings for each academic year.

7.2 Only Student Senate Members may run for the position of Student Trustee.

7.3 Three Student Trustees, one of whom identifies as Indigenous, will be elected by the entire Student Senate Body. Each senator will elect a Student Trustee from two different regions of the Board.

7.4 An election for a Student Trustee position for a one-year term of office shall be held not later than the last day of February in each year. O. Reg. 354/18, s. 2.

7.5 An election for a Student Trustee position for a two-year term of office shall be held not later than April 30 in each year. O. Reg. 354/18, s. 2.

7.6 The term of office shall consist of one year or two years and starts on August 1 of the year in which the Student Trustee is elected. O. Reg. 354/18, s. 4 (1)

7.7 Student Trustees may serve a maximum of two (2) years in office.

7.8 The Student Trustee position for a two-year term of office shall be filled by a student from a different Secondary School each term. (As a result, no Secondary School shall have consecutive two-year Student Trustee.)

8.1 Meetings of the Student Senate

• 8.1.1 The elected Student Trustees shall Co-Chair all meetings of the Student Senate
• 8.1.2 Monthly meetings of the Student Senate may occur either in-person or virtually.
• 8.1.3 A quorum exists if over 50% of Student Senate members are noted to be in attendance at duly scheduled in-person or virtual meetings.

8.2 Meetings of the Board

• 8.2.1 The Student Senate shall be officially represented at all meetings of the Board by the three Student Trustees.
• 8.2.2 The Student Trustees will bring regular updates to the Student Senate on activities of the Board.

9.1 A member of the Student Senate is deemed disqualified from their position if:

• 9.1.1 The student is no longer enrolled as a student in a secondary school of the Board;
• 9.1.2 The student is absent from three consecutive meetings of the Student Senate without just cause.
• 9.1.3 The Student Trustees shall be responsible for tracking student absenteeism at Student Senate meetings.

10.1 A Student Senator is entitled to receive an honorarium of $250 from the Board, shall they be in attendance at 2/3 of the scheduled Student Senate meetings for the year.

O. Reg. 354/18