This Year
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The Performance Student Union exists to provide a democratic voice and advocate for every student studying at the School of Performance. We were formed by and for students to tirelessly defend and expand Performance students’ rights, provide essential services to our members and advocate for our interests to the Faculty, Administration and beyond. Recognizing the interconnectivity of our struggle for student rights, we want to work with other course unions, campus clubs and organizations, labour unions and student unions to achieve our collective goals. We want free, accessible, quality performance education for all members, we want our programs recognized and appreciated across campus.
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Facing down budget cuts to our program, legislation that will declaw the student movement, including course unions, a rise in hate on our campuses towards international students, chronic underfunding of essential services, and the threat of privatization of our education, this year the Performance Student Union aims to build a solid foundation upon which to build.
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1 - Fight Budget Cuts
This year we will face head-on the budget cuts and chronic underfunding that all post-secondary education has been facing for decades. With the notable closures on theatre programs across our province, the PSU takes seriously the real threat of defunding on both a governmental and administrative level. We will campaign against underfunded programs that promise a certain level of quality education and fail to deliver every year. We will campaign against the redundancy of our educators and the unfair working conditions that we as student employees and the staff and faculty face at The School of Performance due to cuts.
2 - Spaces on Campus
We, the students and the union that represents us, need a space of our own. To foster the connection and unity between all three programs, to host events, to prioritize Performance issues, to provide a safe and free third space for all Performance students, including our many commuters who have no space that is maintained by and for Performance students. Course unions across campus have spaces, so should we.
3 - Increase Engagement (both of the union and our creative works - the shows, films and multimedia projects that we spend hundreds of hours working on every semestre)
We recognize that any power we might have as an organization is directly because of the students. Our active base needs to grow this year if we plan on making a difference. We are a democratic organization and we want to hear the student voice; to strengthen our connection and boost engagement with the student body we will be physically present on campus and engaged in regular outreach through pamphleting, feedback drives, postering, classtalks, and more. This year we will undertake a drive for committee membership. We want the products of our labour in theatre at TMU recognized and through outreach, collaboration, union engagement we can reach that goal. We can bring together our programs, socially and politically through union events, educationals and all forms of active outreach and base building. Building a coalition of course unions will strengthen, relationally, our organization and provide safety and an active site for organization. We need to unite on the grounds of our shared commitments to meet our engagement goals and fight for our rights as students here at TMU.
All three of these stated goals we feel feed into each other. As we strengthen our base, increase engagement in our Union; awareness of our program will increase on campus and we will find it easier to pressure the mechanisms that may be for a Performance student lounge and demonstrate that power against budget cuts; fighting budget cuts will allow us to do more quality work; having a space will increase engagement socially and politically; etc…
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Pressing is the current situation with regards to Bill 33. Joining the CFS-ON campaign against legislation that would defund our organization and the student movement more broadly, increase surveillance and policing on campus and roll out the red carpet for even more privatization of our education system is an existential threat not only to the Union as an organization but to our programs, staff, faculty and students. In a cost of living crisis that affects us all, Doug Ford wants to put us into more debt, take away the autonomy of our institutions and our student unions, heighten marginalization students face on campus and forcibly privatize our education. Our efforts in the Fall semester will centre on fighting against Bill 33 and for our autonomy. It will support all three goals. In order to fight back we need a more active base, we need spaces for that organization to take place and we need to stop the cuts to our programs.
We look to the future with hope and with a recognition that together we can and will win.
-Performance Student Union Executive 2025/2026
Our Constitution
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PREAMBLE:
The Student Union (also known as the PerformanceSU or PSU) exists to provide a democratic voice and advocate for every student studying at the School of Performance within The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University. The Student Union is an autonomous organization from the School of Performance formed with democratic principals by and for the student body to fight for rights of students be they financial, safety or equity based. The PSU provides an accessible, responsible, equitable and accommodating solution to conflicts and concerns that students bring to the attention of the executive committee in a timely manner. The Student Union wants free, quality performance education for all members, we want our programs recognized and appreciated across campus.
Article I. NAME
Section 1: Performance Student Union (PerformanceSU) (hereafter referred to as the ‘Organization’).
Article II. OBJECTIVE
Drawing from our commitment to the student body, the Organization seeks
Section I: To uphold the principles and further the goals outlined in the preamble and yearly mandate. The Organization responds to Performance students on an individual and community wide basis;
Section II: To promote the interests and concerns of students in the three programs at the Toronto Metropolitan School of Performance, including Performance Acting, Performance Dance, and Performance Production and Design with the ultimate goal of free and accessible education for all;
Section III: To provide vehicles for education and organization on campus and provide a structure to strategizing along issues in a way that helps the Organization reach its goals;
Section IV: To provide aid and information to any student who requires it, in regards to academics, finances, and life on campus. This is to be done through appropriate and official Organization communication mediums - as decided by the Executive members (e.g. online forms, email, in-person meetings);
Section V: To represent the student body as the liaison between students and faculty and staff of the School of Performance, when assistance is required by the Organization;
Section VI: To create a safe space for all students to attend, and directly advocate alongside and on behalf of students in terms of their concerns and grievances in any reasonable capacity;
Section VII: To create a dynamic and radically inclusive environment for all students, staff, and other persons within the School of Performance - providing support and a voice to all regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or creed;
Section VIII: To provide an official path of communication between students and the School of Performance, taking concerns and/or needs they may have directly about the school to the appropriate staff and administration members.
Article III. RELATIONSHIP TO TMSU
Section I: The constitution must be approved by the TMSU.
Section II: The TMSU will not interfere in the activities and operation of the Organization unless absolutely necessary. It does, however, have the power to investigate complaints made by any member of the Organization concerning alleged violations of this constitution, specifically in financial and/or harassment matters.
Section III: The TMSU may request financial records of the PerformanceSU trust account that is set up with the TMSU. Such records may be specifically requested on the terms of the Organization's permanent records and financial bookkeeping.
Article IV. MEMBERSHIP
Section I: Membership for all Executive and Board positions in the Organization lasts for one year, starting May 1st of the respective election year, to the following date the year after. Exceptions are in the form of Committee Members, who begin their tenures directly after being confirmed by the Executive. All positions are renewable through elections for an indefinite amount of time, as long as the member remains enrolled in the School of Performance;
Section II: Every member has the right and duty to take part in the creation of Union policy, including the right to discuss policies, actions and tactics of the Organization at meetings (be they public or internal). Every member has the right and duty to take part in activities which further the goals of the Organization. New policy and action will be determined after debate and with a majority vote. Criticisms of policies, actions, tactics, publications, etc can be sent to the Executive members of the Organization;
Section III: Any member is allowed to take a brief but limited leave of absence from the Organization with the advance notice and approval from the President, absences longer than 1 month will revert the position to vacancy at the President’s discretion;
Section IV: No member shall receive any kind of financial gain while serving on this Organization;
Section V: Any member who fails to comply with any of these policies will receive a verbal and/or written warning from the President. Continued disobedience can result in removal from office by the discretion of the President;
Section VI: Removal from an Executive or Board office position can and/or will occur if the member has performed an inexcusable action, severe constitutional infringement, or has not fulfilled their duties adequately as has been described by their official list of requirements in their position. Removal must be announced at the next meeting by the President;
Section VII: A petition signed by at least half of the general membership shall allow any article of impeachment to be tabled, which will be discussed, then voted upon;
Section VIII: Direct concern on the behaviour of any member of the Organization shall be brought to the attention of the President, who will then, depending on the severity of the accusation, meet either directly with the offending party, or with a minimum of one other Executive member to follow through with an appropriate course of action;
Section IX: Removal from a General/Committee office position can/will occur on the same merits as laid out in Article IV, Sections IV and V - with the exception that a minimum of two Executive members must put forth an article of impeachment. This will lead to a meeting with an Executive panel, comprising a majority of the Executive, who will discuss and vote upon the articles of impeachment. A majority vote for impeachment within this panel will result in impeachment.
Article V. ORGANIZATION
Section I: Elections and Appointments
i. A general election will be held once per year. (Bi-elections will be held at the discretion of the Organization if offices are vacant);
ii. The Executives must be elected by the student body of the School of Performance.
iii. Elections must take place by the third Friday in March;
iv. Any student enrolled in the School of Performance who is interested in a position can run for an Executive or Committee member position;
v. Appointments to Executive positions past the bi-election period must be done with a simple majority vote of Executive members, with approval by the President;
Section II: Election Procedure
i. Notice will be given to all students of the School of Performance regarding elections and opening of nominations;
ii. Any student will be able to nominate themselves or another member (also known as secondary nominations) for a position. Secondary nominations must not be accepted until the nominated party has approved the motion;
iii. Nominations will be accepted over a two-week period;
iv. There will be three weeks notice for when elections will be held;
v. The President is responsible for the execution and collection of all electronic ballots, both digital and paper.
Section III: Committees
i. The Organization has the ability to create a committee or subcommittee at any time, and amend the constitution with information pertaining to it;
ii. The Organization’s committees will function as arms of the Organization and will act in accordance with the constitution of the Organization. Internal executives will be established and will undertake the democratic processes.
Section IV: Structure:
The executive office (hereafter referred to as the ‘Executive’) will be made up of the following:
i. President
ii. Vice President
iii. Treasurer
The Board of Directors (hereafter referred to as the “Board”) will be made up of the following:
iv. Director of Events
v. Director of Communication
vi. Director of Marketing
vii. Director of Administration
viii. Director of Equity
ix. Director of Academics
x. Representatives of Production/Acting/Dance
xi. Committee Members
xii. Should a Committee Member wish to create a position, they must notify the President in advance of the next General Meeting, and present an argument for the creation of the position with just cause. Approval for the creations of positions are made by the President.
Section V: Role of the Executive and Board:
i. The Executive and Board are responsible for fulfilling their official duties, abiding by the constitution, and working vehemently to benefit the students of the School of Performance.
ii. Three members of the Executive will be signing officers for the Organization.
iii. No faculty or staff may be allowed to sit on the Executive or Board of the Organization. Faculty members will not be permitted to sit in on meetings without prior approval and invitation from the Executive.
Section VI: Remote Functions
i. The Organization may amend its operational functions to adjust to a remote-based system which allows all members to function from a digital platform.
ii. A digital version of the Organization must be established by the Executive members prior to and plans must be approved by a two-third majority of the Executive. The amendments to the constitution caused by this must be added to this document.
Article VI: ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE AND BOARD BY POSITION
The Executive
Section I: President:
i. Shall chair all meetings, unless they are unable to attend, in which case they shall appoint another Executive to this task. And will be responsible for proposing campaigns and strategies in general meetings;
ii. Will act as a liaison between the Organization and the Faculty of the School of Performance, the TMSU, the SCS, and other organizations that the PerformanceSU could work with;
iii. Responsible for advising the Campus Groups Administrator of any changes in the Executive or signing officers;
iv. Will be responsible for the collection of ballots during an election within the Organization;
v. Update the constitution yearly to reflect the shifting needs of the Organization;
vi. Schedule and plan all meetings in liaison with the Director of Administration;
vii. In charge of overseeing, delegating and assisting internal management;
viii. Must approve all financial plans made by the Organization, as brought forth by the Director of Finance;
ix. Shall work tirelessly to advocate for the rights of Performance Students.
Section II: Vice President
i. Shall chair meetings when the President is unable to do so;
ii. Responsible for being the secondary contact at events within the school, after the Director of Events;
iii. Assists the completion of tasks by Directors as requested by president;
iv. Directly handles student complaints and filters to president;
v. Will assist the President in grand operations of the Organization as needed;
vi. Must liaise with faculty when the President is unable to do so;
vii. Must coordinate initiatives directly with Directors and ensure that tasks are completed by the relevant dates.
Section III: Treasurer:
i. Responsible for reporting to the TMSU, the SCS, and other relevant organizations, as well as members of the Organization for all monies allocated to the Organization by the relevant student groups or in any other way. And will submit reimbursement requests in accordance with given timelines;
ii. Completes the recording of all financial information from events/fundraisers and ensures they are kept up to date;
iii. Responsible for the updating of all financial permanent records within the Organization, and must provide bi-annual financial statements at the end of the fall and winter academic semesters;
iv. Creates a financial plan for the Organization in each year of operation to maintain and promote the financial health of the Organization.
Board of Directors
Section IV: Director of Events:
i. Organizes and facilitates all events hosted by the Organization in collaboration with the
Director of Administration;
ii. Creates, implements and executes the plan for each event, including a calendar with specific organizational tasks;
iii. Responsible for completing an Event Prebrief and Debrief before and after each event;
iv. Must attend all planned events unless sufficient reasoning is provided;
v. Will liaison with the Director of Finance in regards to funding for events;
vi. Plans Orientation Week throughout the summer and obtains advance approval for all plans by the President.
Section V: Director of Communication
i. Manages the Organization's social media pages’ communications channels;
ii. Collects social media analytics from respective platforms;
iii. Responsible for bi-annual social media data analysis, as agreed upon by the President and Director of Communication, at the end of the fall and winter semesters;
iv. Must, along with the relevant Executive members, organize and execute the output of Organization merchandise;
v. Collaborates with the Director of Marketing on the creation of assets for the Organization’s social media pages;
vi. Produces monthly newsletter in collaboration with the Director of Communications and oversees circulation in collaboration with the Director of Administration;
vii. Produces external communication assets, including but not limited to copy writing on posters, website, newsletters, outgoing emails and messages to other organizations;
viii. Responsible for translating the Organization’s mandate through media and communication channels.
Section VI: Director of Administration
i. Responsible for the upkeep and management of the Organization’s permanent records;
ii. Must, along with the President, organize bi-weekly meetings as needed throughout each operating year of the Organization. Will be responsible for finding spaces on campus and times to hold bi-weekly and committee meets as necessary;
iii. Will record meeting minutes at each meeting, then place them in the Organization's permanent records – unless assigned to another Executive;
iv. Manages the necessary forms and paperwork sent out to Executives, General/Committee members, and the student body;
v. Acts as the bridge between the communication ports of the School of Performance and the Organization;
vi. Responsible for managing the digital backend of the Organization’s operations including, but not limited to, the management of the Organization’s website, emails, financial systems;
vii. Oversees the execution of the plans that the President puts in place for the Organization and the creation of an internal calendar.
Section VII: Director of Marketing
i. Creates the appropriate physical and/or digital advertising content in regards to Organization activities/events in collaboration with the Director of Communications and Director of Events;
ii. Designs merchandise for the Organization as directed by the President;
iii. Produces monthly newsletter in collaboration with the Director of Communications.
iv. Responsible for routine design updates to the Organization’s website;
v. Manages the Organization’s social media pages alongside the Director of Communications;
vi. Responsible for the timely printing of marketing materials including but not limited to posters, pamphlets, signs, buttons and merchandise;
vii. Responsible for translating the Organization’s mandate sensory media.
Section VIII: Director of Equity
i. Responsible for the adaptation and creation of programmes and activities that advocate for minority students within the School of Performance;
ii. Acts as a liaison between the students and the Organization, gathering concerns and needs from the student body and presenting them to the Organization;
iii. Must work to create a more equitable and inclusive space for minority students through direct action as is possible through the resources of the Organization;
iv. Will work with the School of Performance in assuring equal outcomes to all students, and raise concern when needed if students feel as though they are not being heard;
v. Will, along with the President and Vice President, work with the labour unions that the School of Performance associates with in order to promote workers rights and protections for students within the School of Performance;
vi. Oversees the operations of the Student Equity Association (SEA) in collaboration with the special committee member for the SEA appointed by the Executive.
Section IX: Director of Academics
i. Will work with faculty to review course-work in order to ensure that it reflects current and ongoing needs of the students and the industry;
ii. Will manage complaints of call, show, classes, or other academic affairs as brought forth by students and produce regular reports of feedback from students and faculty;
iii. Will organise academic assistance and support as is relevant within the school;
iv. Will assure, along with the Director of Equity, that course material is upheld to equitable standards.
Section X: Representatives of Dance/Acting/Production
i. Representatives are non-executive voting members who represent each program within the School of Performance;
ii. They may not vote on constitutional changes or the impeachment of executive members;
iii. Must coordinate with relevant departments within the school to bring forth issues and concerns within the program they represent to the Organization;
iv. May bring proposals for initiatives that would support the program they represent;
v. Makes recommendations to the President based on the needs of their respective programs;
vi. Must contact and listen to the needs and concerns of their respective programs.
Section XI: Committee Member:
i. Title bestowed upon any member who wishes to be part of the Organization who does not receive an Executive title and/or chooses not to create one for themselves with the approval of the President. Committee Members have the right to audit Executive meetings unless specified by the Executive. Closed Executive meetings will be marked as such.
ii. Responsible for assisting at events as needed and acts as a representative of the organization while working in that capacity;
iii. Committee Members can also gather to make an amendment in regards to Article IX, Section II;
iv. Must be overseen by the Director of Administration, assigned to Executives as needed;
v. They may not bring forward or second a motion, vote at Executive meetings, vote on constitutional changes or the impeachment of executive members;
vi. May not chair a subcommittee;
vii. Must attend the two yearly General Meetings.
Section XII: Vacancy Policy
i. Should an Executive or Board position become vacant for any reason, the remaining executives may, by majority vote, appoint someone from within their membership to fill the vacancy;
ii. Should the Executive appoint a person to an executive position, they must announce it to the general body through digital means (e.g. email, social media, etc).
Article VII: MEETINGS
Section I: Executive Meetings will be held at least bi-weekly, provided the Toronto Metropolitan School of Performance show schedule allows time for it;
Section II: A majority of the Executive and Board will form a quorum;
Section III: Executive Meetings are open only to the Executive and Board members and respective subcommittees, unless explicitly stated otherwise;
Section IV: General Meetings will be held at least once per semester according to need and production scheduling;
Section V: At least one week’s notice will be given for General Meetings in the form of posters, emails and social media posts. The first meeting of the semester will be open to all to audit, notice will be given as possible;
Section VI: General Meetings are open to all students enrolled in the School of Performance;
Section VII: The sum of the Executive and an equal number of non-Executive members
will form a quorum for a general meeting;
Section VIII: Proxy votes will not be allowed;
Section IX: The President and/or the Director of Administration must prepare an agenda prior to meetings;
Section X: After each agenda point, any member present has the opportunity to speak and raise questions or opinions. Motions must be seconded and approved by a majority vote. Speaking order will be determined by the chair of the meeting;
Section XI: Minutes must be taken by the Director of Administration, or any member of the Executive or Board present.
Article VIII: SUBCOMMITTEES
Section I: The Student Equity Association
i. The Student Equity Association (SEA) is a subcommittee of the PSU that acts as a branch for BIPOC students to have a communal space and voice;
ii. A special equity committee member will be appointed by vote by the executive at the beginning of each school year to help manage the SEA;
iii. The SEA will organize events and/or initiatives for BIPOC students such as monthly meet ups, talks, etc;
iv. All events or initiatives must be presented and approved by the Director of Administration, Events, Equity, and the President team before being executed.
Article IX: AMENDMENTS
Section I: An amendment of the constitution can occur at any meeting as long as there are enough members in attendance to form quorum, with the exception as follows:
Section II. An amendment for the creation of a committee requires an Executive Meeting with quorum, with an announcement made at the next General Meeting.
Article X: TURNOVER
Section I: The executive must leave the Trust Account with at least $100.00 for the
following year’s Executive to plan Frosh and Orientation events.
Article XI: LOGOS
Section I: The Organization will be represented by the logo of three heads in one, outlined in black with one pink head on the left side and one blue on the right, the faces have no mouths. The Organization’s colours are white, blue and pink. Other versions of this logo (ex: with other colours) can be used at the discretion of the Director of Marketing and Executives.
*Ratification of this document will allow for the Executive to edit for syntax and clarity.
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Constitution and Bylaws of the Performance Student Union 24/25
PREAMBLE:
The Student Union (also known as the PerformanceSU) exists to provide a greater depth of education and student advocacy to every student studying at the School of Performance within The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University. Each member is to provide an accessible, responsible, equitable and accommodating solution to any of the conflicts and concerns that students bring to the attention of the executive committee. This is to be done in a timely manner, with consideration to the direct concerns between the students and faculty within respective departments.
Article I. NAME
Section 1: Performance Student Union (PerformanceSU) (hereafter referred to as the ‘Organization’).
Article II. OBJECTIVE
Section I: To promote the interests and concerns of students in every program at the Toronto Metropolitan School of Performance including Performance Acting, Performance Dance, and Performance Production.
Section II: To provide aid and information to any student who requires it, in regards to academics and life on campus at Toronto Metropolitan University. This is to be done through appropriate and official Organization communication mediums - as decided by the Executive members (e.g. online forms, email, in-person meetings).
Section III: To represent the student body as the liaison between students and faculty of the School of Performance, when assistance is required by the Organization.
Section IV: To create a safe space for all students to attend, and directly advocate on behalf of them in the terms of their concerns and grievances in any capacity.
Section V: To promote an inclusive environment for all students, staff, and other persons within the School of Performance - providing support and a voice to all regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or creed.
Section VI: To provide an official path of communication between students and the School of Performance, taking concerns and/or needs they may have directly about the school to the appropriate staff and administration members.
Article III. RELATIONSHIP TO TMSU
Section I: The constitution must be approved by the TMSU.
Section II: The TMSU will not interfere in the activities and operation of the Organization unless absolutely necessary. It does, however, have the power to investigate complaints made by any member of the Organization concerning alleged violations of this constitution, specifically in financial and/or harassment matters.
Section III: The TMSU may request financial records of the PerformanceSU trust account that is set up with the TMSU. Such records may be specifically requested on the terms of the Organizations permanent records and financial bookkeeping.
Article IV. MEMBERSHIP
Section I: Membership for all executive positions in the Organization lasts for one year, starting May 1st of the respective election year, to the following date the year after. Exceptions are in the form of Committee Members, who begin their tenures in September. All positions are renewable through elections for an indefinite amount of time, as long as the member remains enrolled in the School of Performance.
Section II: Any member is allowed to take a brief but limited leave of absence from the Organization with the advance notice and approval from the President.
Section III: No member shall receive any kind of financial gain while serving on this Organization.
Section IV: Any member who fails to comply with any of these policies will receive a verbal and/or written warning from the President. Continued disobedience can result in removal from office by the discretion of the President.
Section V: Removal from an Executive office position can and/or will occur if the Executive has performed an inexcusable action, severe constitutional infringement, or has not fulfilled their duties adequately as has been described by their official list of requirements in their position.
Section VI: A petition signed by at least half of the general membership shall allow any article of impeachment to be tabled, which will then be discussed, then voted upon.
Section VII: Direct concern on the behaviour of any member of the Organization shall be brought to the attention of the President, who will then, depending on the severity of the accusation, meet either directly with the offending party, or with a minimum of two Executive members to follow through with an appropriate course of action.
Section VIII: Removal from a General/Committee office position can/will occur on the same merits as laid out in Article IV, Sections IV and V - with the exception that a minimum of three Executive members must put forth an article of impeachment. This will lead to a meeting with an Executive panel, comprising a majority of the Executive, who will discuss and vote upon the articles of impeachment. A majority vote for impeachment within this panel will result in impeachment.
Article V. ORGANIZATION
Section I: Elections and Appointments
i. A general election will be held once per year. (Bi-elections will be held within the first two months in each necessary year to fill missing positions).
ii. The Executives must be elected by the student body of the School of Performance.
iii. Elections must take place by the third Friday in March.
iv. Any student enrolled in the School of Performance who is interested in a position can run for an Executive or Committee member position.
v. Appointments to Executive positions past the bi-election period must be done with a simple majority vote of Executive members, with approval by the President.
Section II: Election Procedure
i. Notice will be given to all students of the School of Performance regarding elections and opening of nominations.
ii. Any student will be able to nominate themselves or another member (also known as secondary nominations) for a position. Secondary nominations must not be accepted until the nominated party has approved the motion.
iii. Nominations will be accepted over a two-week period.
iv. There will be three weeks notice for when elections will be held.
v. The President is responsible for the execution and collection of all electronic ballots.
Section III: Committees
i. The Organization has the ability to create a committee or subcommittee at any time, and amend the constitution with information pertaining to it.
Section IV: Structure: The executive office (hereafter referred to as the ‘Executive’) will
be made up of the following:
i. President
ii. Vice President
iii. Director of Finance
iv. Director of Events
v. Director of Communication
vi. Director of Marketing
vii. Director of Administration
viii. Director of Equity
ix. Director of Academics
x. Representatives of Production/Acting/Dance
xi. Committee Members
xii. Should a Committee Member wish to create a position, they must notify the President in advance of the next General Meeting, and present an argument for the creation of the position with just cause. Approval for the creations of positions are made by the President.
Section V: Role of the Executive:
i. The Executive is responsible for fulfilling their official duties, abiding by the constitution, and working vehemently to benefit the students of the School of Performance.
ii. Three members of the Executive will be signing officers for the Organization.
iii. No faculty or staff may be allowed to sit on the Executive, although they are welcome to give feedback and suggestions in regards to the operating system of the Organization.
Section VI: Remote Functions
i. The Organization may amend its operational functions to adjust to a remote-based system which allows all members to function from a digital platform.
ii. A digital version of the Organization must be established by the Executive members prior to the month of August of the affected year, and plans must be approved by a two-third majority of the Executive. The amendments to the constitution caused by this must be added to this document.
Article VI: ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE BY POSITION
Section I: President:
i. Shall chair all meetings, unless they are unable to attend, and appoint another Executive to this task.
ii. Will act as a liaison between the Organization and the Faculty of the School of Performance, the TMSU, the SCDS, and other potential Toronto Metropolitan University student organizations that the PerformanceSU is affiliated with.
iii. Responsible for advising the Campus Groups Administrator of any changes in the Executive or signing officers.
iv. Will be responsible for the collection of ballots during an election within the Organization.
v. Update the constitution yearly to reflect the shifting needs of the Organization.
vi. Schedule and plan all meetings in liaison with the Director of Administration.
vii. Responsible for being the secondary contact at events within the school, after the Director of Events.
viii. Must approve all financial plans made by the Organization, as brought forth by the Director of Finance.
Section II: Vice President
i. Shall chair meetings when the President is unable to do so.
ii. In charge of overseeing and assisting direct internal management.
iii. Assists the completion of tasks by directors as requested by president
iv. Directly handles student complaints and filters to president
v. Will assist the President in grand operations of the Organization as needed.
vi. Must liaison with faculty when the President is unable to do so.
vii. Must coordinate initiatives directly with directors and ensure that tasks are completed by the relevant dates.
Section III: Director of Finance:
i. Responsible for reporting to the TMSU, the SCDS, and other relevant official Toronto Metropolitan University student organizations, as well as members of the Organization for all monies allocated to the Organization by the relevant student groups or in any other way.
ii. Completes the recording of all financial information from events/fundraisers and ensures they are kept up to date.
iii. Responsible for the updating of all financial permanent records within the Organization, and must provide bi-annual financial statements at the end of the fall and winter academic semesters.
iv. Creates a financial plan for the Organization in each year of operation to maintain and promote the financial health of the Organization
Section IV: Director of Events:
i. Organizes and facilitates all events hosted by the Organization in collaboration with the
Director of Administration.
ii. Creates, implements and executes the plan for each event.
iii. Responsible for completing an Event Debrief after each event.
iv. Must attend all planned events unless sufficient reasoning is provided.
v. Will liaison with the Director of Finance in regards to funding for events.
vi. Plans Orientation Week throughout the summer and obtains advance approval for all plans by the President.
Section V: Director of Communication
i. Manages the Organization's social media pages.
ii. Collects social media analytics from respective platforms.
iii. Responsible for bi-annual social media data analysis, as agreed upon by the President and Director of Communication, at the end of the fall and winter semesters.
iv. Must, along with the relevant Executive members, organize and execute the output of Organization merchandise.
v. Collaborates with the Director of Marketing on the creation of assets for the Organization’s social media pages.
Section VI: Director of Administration
i. Responsible for the upkeep and management of the Organization’s permanent records.
ii. Must, along with the President, organize bi-weekly meetings as needed throughout each operating year of the Organization.
iii. Will record meeting minutes at each meeting, then place them in the Organization's permanent records – unless assigned to another Executive.
iv. Manages the necessary forms and paperwork sent out to Executives, General/Committee members, and the student body.
v. Acts as the bridge between the communication ports of the School of Performance and the Organization.
vi. Responsible for managing the digital backend of the Organization’s operations including, but not limited to, the management of the Organization’s website, emails, financial systems.
vii. Oversees the execution of the plans that the President puts in place for the Organization.
Section VII: Director of Marketing
i. Creates the appropriate physical and/or digital advertising content in regards to Organization activities/events in collaboration with the Director of Communications and Director of Events.
ii. Designs merchandise for the Organization as directed by the President.
Section VIII: Director of Equity
i. Responsible for the creation of programmes and activities that advocate for minority students within the School of Performance
ii. Acts as a liaison between the students and the Organization, gathering concerns and needs from the student body and presenting them to the Organization.
iii. Must work to create a more equitable and inclusive space for minority students through direct action as is possible through the resources of the Organization.
iv. Will work with the School of Performance in assuring equal opportunities to all students, and raise concern when needed if students feel as though they are not being heard.
v. Will, along with the President, work with the labour unions that the School of Performance associates with in order to promote workers rights and protections for students within the School of Performance.
vi. Oversees the operations of the Student Equity Association (SEA) in collaboration with the special committee member for the SEA appointed by the Executive.
Section IX: Director of Academics
i. Will work with faculty to review course-work in order to ensure that it reflects current and ongoing needs of the students and the industry.
ii. Will manage complaints of call, show, classes, or other academic affairs as brought forth by students.
iii. Will organise academic assistance and support as is relevant within the school.
iv. Will assure, along with the Director of Equity, that course material is upheld to equitable standards.
Section X: Representatives of Dance/Acting/Production
i. Representatives are non-executive voting members who represent each program within the School of Performance.
ii. They may not vote on constitutional changes or the impeachment of executive members.
iii. Must coordinate with relevant departments within the school to bring forth issues and concerns within the program they represent to the Organization.
iv. May bring proposals for initiatives that would support the program they represent.
v. Makes recommendations to the President based on the needs of their respective programs.
vi. Must contact and listen to the needs and concerns of their respective programs.
Section XI: Committee Member:
i. Title bestowed upon any member who wishes to be part of the Organization who does not receive an Executive title and/or chooses not to create one for themselves with the approval of the President.
ii. Responsible for assisting at events as needed and is allowed to attend any meeting held while they serve on the Organization.
iii. Committee Members can also gather to make an amendment in regards to Article IX, Section II
iv. Must be overseen by the Director of Administration, assigned to Executives as needed
Section XII: Vacancy Policy
i. Should an executive position become vacant for any reason, the remaining executives may, by majority vote, appoint someone from within their membership to fill the vacancy.
ii. Should the Executive appoint a person to an executive position, they must announce it to the general body through digital means (e.g. email, social media, etc).
Article VII: MEETINGS
Section I: Executive Meetings will be held at least bi-weekly, provided the Toronto Metropolitan School of Performance show schedule allows time for it.
Section II: A majority of the Executive will form a quorum.
Section III: Executive Meetings are open only to the Executive members and respective subcommittees, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Section IV: General Meetings will be held at least once per semester according to need and production scheduling.
Section V: At least one week’s notice will be given for General Meetings in the form of posters, emails and social media posts.
Section VI: General Meetings are open to all students enrolled in the School of Performance.
Section VII: The sum of the Executive and an equal number of non-Executive members
will form a quorum for a general meeting.
Section VIII: Proxy votes will not be allowed.
Section IX: The President or the Director of Administration must prepare an agenda prior to meetings.
Section X: After each agenda point, any member present has the opportunity to speak and raise questions or opinions.
Section XI: Minutes must be taken by the Director of Administration, or anyone present.
Article VIII: SUBCOMMITTEES
Section I: The Student Equity Association
i. The Student Equity Association (SEA) is a subcommittee of the PSU that acts as a branch for BIPOC students to have a communal space
ii. A special equity committee member will be appointed by vote by the executive at the beginning of each school year to help manage the SEA
iii. The SEA will organize events and/or initiatives for BIPOC students such as monthly meet ups, talks, etc
iv. All events or initiatives must be presented and approved by the Director of Administration, Events, Equity, and the President team before being executed.
Article IX: AMENDMENTS
Section I: An amendment of the constitution can occur at any meeting as
long as there are enough members in attendance to form quorum, with the exception as follows:
Section II. An amendment for the creation of a committee requires an Executive
Meeting with quorum, with an announcement made at the next General Meeting.
Article X: TURNOVER
Section I: The executive must leave the Trust Account with at least $100.00 for the
following year’s Executive to plan Frosh and Orientation events.
The constitution is a living document. It is updated often. Check back to make sure we are acting in your best interests and that our bylaws reflect our values.