Someone will become the 40th rector of Queen’s in seven months. Before that, there are some daunting steps: deciding to run, leading a campaign, and earning the confidence of the student body.
The first step is the most important. You shouldn’t waste your time, or student’s time, running a campaign unless you are explicitly in it for the right reasons.
There is no single motive or ideal student profile needed to be qualified for putting your name forward, as evidenced by the many unique student leaders to have held the role thus far. My background is in fine arts and education, while others have been from law, biology, political studies, math, sociology, and engineering. We also all had our own unique reasons and experiences that led us to the role.
Humbly, I say that the unwritten necessities for any one on the rector ballot is a predominant hope for our school, an ever-deepening capacity to listen, and an unwavering commitment to show up for who ever is in need.
There are certainly tangible skills needed — such as communication, confidence, organization, judgement, and credibility— but hope, listening, and devotion must be felt. In other words, it’s much less likely that the student body will be able to discern, see concreate evidence of, or feel confident in your authenticity to serve merely from a campaign, or debate.
While nothing will fully prepare you for the metaphorical weight of this office, you will be positioned well if you can verify the following.
On hope
Student governments — the AMS and SGPS — work from the outside-in and are accountable to their structures. The rector’s office is baked into the university; the work starts from the inside out. Both are vital.
What it means is rectors have a duty to the institution. This is not to be confused with blind support and naiveté of our real faults. But being rector means you must carry a fiery hope deep within your belly that believes the university can do better, and importantly, that you want to be a part of it.
On listening
A rector is only as good as their ability to listen.
While lots of times student reach out to me, the role also requires going out. Showing up at a club, hanging back late after an Assembly meeting, or engaging in a conversation while waiting in line at CoGro, have all brought eye-opening conversations about our diverse student body.
Getting out of my office is a big part of my job, not just because it makes me visible on campus, but because the stories I hear equip me with more knowledge and points to share at a committee table.
On commitment
In many ways, being rector is being the mouthpiece of other students’ concerns and opinions. Sometimes I relate or agree, but a lot of times I say things to the administration or board that are entirely different from my view of the matter.
Further, committing to serving Queen’s students is not limited to a few passion projects. This role requires you to show up and serve any student, even if it is not aligned with your views or they’ve found themselves in a troubling circumstance due to their own mistakes. Everyone deserves to be treated with compassion, due process, and have someone to stand with them on their worst days.
All this to say, if you are thinking about running for rector, start by defining your motivation and having realistic conversations with family and friends about the responsibilities you’d be taking on. All of this will be well worth it, so long as your “why” is strong.
If you’d like to find out more about the proceeding steps: designing a campaign and securing the vote of the student body, then I invite you to reach out to me and come to the election information night on Nov. 3.
At your service,
Niki
Tags
Leadership, Rector election, Rector's Digest, Rector's office
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