SC Division Representative Elections 2026
Nominee & Voting Update
Staff Council conducts elections of campus representatives on an annual basis. This year, we are electing Division Representatives to serve a two-year term from July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028.
Staff Council seeks representatives from all departments and areas and encourages you to nominate yourself!
To learn more about what representatives do or Staff Council initiatives/committees, please review our Staff Council website or contact a current representative.
For any questions about the election, what being a Staff Council Representative entails, please contact staff-council@andrew.cmu.edu. Thank you for your participation!
Election Timeline
Nomination Window
February 23 – March 15
Nominees Notified
March 16
Nominees Respond By
March 24
Voting Opens
April 9
Voting Closes
April 24
What We Do and Why It Matters
Our Purpose
The chief purpose of Staff Council is to examine matters related to all staff and to formulate recommendations to the university administration regarding staff concerns. Staff Council representatives provide advocacy on behalf of all staff members and contribute to the vibrancy and well-being of the entire Carnegie Mellon community.
Our Responsibilities
- Attend the general body meeting on the third Thursday of every month
- Serve on at least one standing committee
- Communicate information to our colleagues
- Serve a two-year term
Types of Elections
General Elections
Staff Council conducts elections of campus representatives on an annual basis. A representative's term lasts for two years. Elections for Divisional Representatives are held biennially and elections for At-Large Representatives are held in alternate years. All full-time and part-time Carnegie Mellon staff who are not represented by Faculty Senate or a collective bargaining unit are eligible for nomination. Staff Council seeks representatives from all departments and areas and encourages you to nominate yourself!
Officer Elections
Staff Council officers are the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Elections for officers is held every year in May with the exception of the Chair who automatically becomes Chair after serving as Vice Chair. Officer Position Descriptions [pdf].
When We Meet
Staff Council meets on the third Thursday of each month at noon. Representatives are expected to actively participate in meetings and on standing committees. They are responsible for maintaining the communication link between Staff Council and staff. Officers are elected annually at the General Body meeting following the general Staff Council election.
Our Committees
Standing Committees
Committees work on issues and prepare recommendations to the council. Standing committees are: Benefits, Communications; DEI+B; Governance, Elections & Membership; Food Drive; Kennywood & Entertainment Discounts; Staff Support and Guidance Committee; Rewards & Recognition; Take Our Children to Work; Sustainability and Wellness.
University Committees
Staff Council representatives also serve as liaisons to other University Councils, Committees and Task Forces. The liaisons are responsible for maintaining communications between the respective body and Staff Council.
Our Duties and Responsibilities
- Communication with Constituents
The Staff Council representative's most important role is to serve as a conduit to your constituents, providing important information about opportunities for personal and professional development, ways to become more involved on campus, and university policies which affect staff members. - Service on a Committee
The work of Staff Council is accomplished through committees. A committee structure is a time- honored way to spread the responsibilities among all members. You are required to serve on one standing committee, but you are free to serve on additional committees. - Attendance at Meetings
Be present at General Body meetings so that you remain informed for your constituents. Absence from four meetings within the Staff Council business year (July – August) without appropriate notice is cause for dismissal from Council. Prior notice about an absence should be directed to the president and/or secretary.
Respond to Your Nomination
Accept the Nomination
The next steps in the process are simple.
- Use the link in the email you received to accept your nomination by the given deadline.
- Complete a short questionnaire to help build your profile page for the elections.
View current SC Reps profiles: SC Division Reps or SC At Large Reps — just click on Rep name for link to view a rep bio. - Upload a photo to accompany your profile according to the guidelines on the form.
- Spread the word to your colleagues that you're running!
Decline the Nomination
Not ready to commit to a two year term? That's okay, there are so many other ways to get involved without running for a seat.
Staff Council hosts several events throughout the year including the Food Drive, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, and the Ice Cream Social. We also partner with other campus departments such as Human Resources and the Provost's Office to bring you the Benefits Open Forum, the Benefits and Fitness Fair, the Community Picnic and Kennywood Day.
All of these events are free and open to all CMU staff. You don't have to be a member of Staff Council to help out with most of these events! If you would like to volunteer, contact the committee chairs or email Staff Council.
Nominee Resources
Prepare Your Bio and Photo
As a nominee, you'll submit a brief bio and photo for your Staff Council representative profile. This helps colleagues learn more about you during the nomination and voting periods.
Your Bio
- Your responses will be used to create your profile page.
- Keep answers brief — this should be quick and easy!
- Preview the sample questionnaire below to prepare.
- View current Division Representatives or At-Large Representatives for examples.
Your Photo
- Upload a professional-looking photo that meets these requirements:
- 72 dpi resolution
- JPG, JPEG or PNG format
- Minimum size: 800 × 800 pixels
- File Name Format: lastname_firstname.jpg (e.g., carnegie_andrew.jpg)
- Email Subject Line: "STAFF COUNCIL BIO PHOTO"
- If you don't have a suitable photo, you can:
- Use a headshot from your department's website.
- Request a copy of your CMU ID photo from ID Card Services.
- Contact the Elections Committee to arrange a quick office photo.
Bio Questionnaire
This short questionnaire gathers basic details and a bit of personal insight to introduce you to your colleagues.
- Name (as it should appear on the website)
- CMU Email Address (not published, a link will be created)
- Profile Status (select one):
- New candidate – create a profile
- Incumbent – update my profile
- Incumbent – use my current profile
- Appointed to fill a vacancy
- Job Title & Department
- Year Started at 好色先生TV
- Briefly describe your work at 好色先生TV (250-character limit)
- Finish this sentence: "During my term, I would like to see Staff Council …" (400-character limit)
- For fun, pick one or two:
- Favorite quote
- Funniest or craziest experience
- Something surprising about you
- A superpower you'd love to have
- A song that would be on the soundtrack of your life
- Prefer not to answer
Submit Your Bio
When you're ready, submit your bio using the link provided in your nomination email. If you have any questions, contact Staff Council.