ELECTION OF NEW DEAN. Who is eligible to vote? What does a blank vote mean? When will we know the election results? Akademiliv answers these questions and other common concerns, prior to the advisory election for the new dean. If you have more questions about the election, please contact the Drafting Committee by emailing dekanval@sahlgrenska.gu.se.
If you have more questions about the election, please feel free to contact the Drafting Committee by emailing dekanval@sahlgrenska.gu.se.
- Here you can read a report from the hearing that was held with dean candidate Jenny Nyström on Friday, 6 October 6th: https://akademiliv.se/en/2023/10/94900/
What is the election for?
The election is for the position of dean for Sahlgrenska Academy. The Vice-Chancellor appoints the dean. The election is advisory and acts as a decisional guide for the Vice-Chancellor.
How is the election held?
The election is held through an electronic election process via the university’s web questionnaire tool, Sunet Survey. On October 9th, all eligible voters have received an email. The email’s sender will be “survey.no-reply@gu.se Göteborgs universitet – enkät-survey”. The email includes a link that is unique to each eligible voter. The link leads to a website, that is equivalent to an election ballot, where you cast your vote.
The election survey can be completed on a computer, tablet or mobile phone. The election survey can be accessed and completed during October 9th – 18th, 2+23. The election will close at 11:59 PM on October 18th.
How safe is web voting?
The university’s questionnaire tool, Sunet Survey, is used for the election. Use the “anonym respondentenkät” (anonymous respondent survey) function. This means that the respondent will be anonymous and that it will not be possible to see how any individual has responded. The link between an eligible voter and their selection is broken (during voting), which makes it impossible to recreate the link, thereafter.
If I am anonymous, how can I receive a reminder to vote?
The system keeps track of whether or not a respondent has voted. Thus, the system is able to send out a reminder to anyone who has not yet voted. Compare this to the classical way of voting, where the voting list indicates who has/has not voted.
Are there election regulations?
The university’s rules of procedure set the framework. Information and instructions on the design and conduction of the university’s internal election are published on the university’s website: http://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/elektroniskaval/
Who is eligible to vote in the election?
According to the university’s rules of procedure, those qualified to vote in the election are all employees within the faculty whose employment comprises at least 50% of a full-time position and who are employed on a permanent basis or have an appointment comprised of at least two consecutive years of continuous employment.
How can doctoral students voice their opinions in the election?
According to the university’s rules of procedure, doctoral students are not eligible to vote as employees for elections concerning members of the Faculty Board. This is because the students appoint doctoral student representatives to the Faculty Board.
What responses are possible?
It is possible to vote yes, to submit one’s own nomination (no) or to vote blank. Thus, there are three possible alternatives. If you nominate someone else this person must have consented to the nomination.
What does the text that is equivalent to a ballot look like on the website?
Here, is an extract from the website:
I would like to propose a name for the position of dean. How do I do it?
Click on the alternative “NO. I do not support the Nominating Committee’s nomination”. An answer box will appear where you can type in the name of the person you would like to nominate for the position of dean (provide their first and last name). Note that you must provide the name in this box. The system will not allow you to leave the box empty. The person you nominate for dean needs to be eligible. To be eligible, a person must be an employee of the university, with a minimum position of 50 percent, and have permanent employment status or hold a position that includes two or more consecutive years of continuous employment. As a further condition, the nominated person must have scientific expertise. If the person is not eligible, the vote is counted as a spoiled ballot. The person should have been asked.
I want to vote no to the Drafting Committee’s nomination, but want to refrain from submitting my own nomination. How do I do it?
If you do not support the nomination by the Nominating Committee you need to submit a nomination of your own. The election is advisory and the purpose is to find possible candidates. If the person you name is not eligible your vote will be counted as a spoiled ballot.
What does a blank vote mean? How are blank votes used when tallying the results?
A blank vote indicates that you want to participate in the election, but that you do not want to submit your own alternative nomination.
Why is it important to vote in an election with only one nominee?
A high voter turnout and a clear election result gives the Vice-Chancellor a solid decisional basis.
When will we know the election results?
Voting will end at 23.59 on October 18th. As soson as the vote count protocol has been established, the results will be given to the Vice-Chancellor and published on Akademiliv. Please note that the election is advisory and that the Vice-Chancellor will be making the final decision.
Will there be a new advisory election to appoint a new pro-dean? When will we know who the nominee(s) is/are for the position of pro-dean and when will the election be held?
The Nomination Committee has been tasked with the responsibility of overseeing the nomination process for the new dean and the new pro-dean. According to the Vice-Chancellor’s directive, the nomination process to appoint a new pro-dean will occur after the nomination election for a new dean has been conducted and a new dean appointed. The date of the election for pro-dean has not yet been decided.
When will the new dean and pro-dean take office?
The date for the newly appointed dean and pro-dean to take office will be decided by the Vice-Chancellor in agreement with the concerned individuals.
Who arranges the election?
The Faculty Board’s Drafting Committee is tasked with arranging the election. This includes, for example, developing the election plan, composing a list of nominees together with the Vice-Chancellor, confirming the voting list, establishing the vote count protocols and being responsible for communication.
BY: ELIN LINDSTRÖM
