There are lots of positions you can run for, each has its own time commitment and responsibilities. It’s important to find the one that’s right for you. If you have any questions, contact elections@ams.ubc.ca.
See below for detailed descriptions.
AMS President
Full-time, paid. 35 to 45 hours per week.
Areas of focus: Pretty much everything, including executive leadership, strategic planning, equity and inclusion, and indigenous student support. The president also oversees, student engagement, business management, university advocacy, government advocacy, and more.
As President you’re not just the leader of the AMS, you’re also leading the charge for all UBC students, fighting for their rights and a better university experience. It’s a whole lot of responsibility and it’s as serious as it sounds, but don’t let that scare you off. If you have a strong desire to lead and putting students first, this is the position for you.
VP Finance
Full-time, paid. 35 to 45 hours per week.
Areas of focus: Numbers and budgets, including financial planning, organizational budgeting, student fees and funds, business management, health and dental insurance, club and student group financial support.
As VP Finance, you are the treasurer for the whole AMS. This means making sure the organization stays on track financially. The VP Finance isn’t all numbers and spreadsheets though, you’ll play an important role in strategy and planning around student fees, AMS funds, the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan, business operations, and club support.
VP Academic and University Affairs
Full-time, paid. 35 to 45 hours per week.
Areas of focus: Holding UBC accountable to students, including university advocacy, academic policy, university policy, AMS/UBC relations, UBC tuition and budget, student support, student affordability, and UBC capital projects.
As VP Academic and University Affairs (aka VP Academic or VPAUA) you’re involved with everything on the UBC side of things. You’ll meet frequently with senior members of the UBC administration to discuss student concerns and pushing UBC to make student-friendly decisions and advocating on behalf of students when changes need to be made.
VP Administration
Full-time, paid. 35 to 45 hours per week.
Areas of focus: Making sure things run smoothly, including supporting clubs and student groups, sustainability, AMS Nest operations, AMS capital projects, Hatch Art Gallery, undergraduate societies, and internal policies.
As VP Administration you look after many of the internal operations of the AMS. This includes things like ensuring clubs and student groups are properly supported, operation of the AMS Nest, leading AMS sustainability, and developing new capital projects. You also play an important role in developing rules and policies for the AMS, including club and building rules.
VP External Affairs
Full-time, paid. 35 to 45 hours per week.
Areas of focus: Advocating to external, off-campus groups including municipal, provincial and federal governments, UPass and transit planning, working with other student unions, UBC and University Endowment Lands (UEL) community planning.
As VP External Affairs, you represent students to all three levels of government, meeting with top government officials and pushing for student-friendly policy. You also meet with regional partners like TransLink, ensuring students can efficiently travel across the lower mainland. The VP External is also the go-to between the AMS and other student unions across Canada.
VP Student Life
Full-time, paid. 35 to 45 hours per week.
Areas of focus: Creating a better student experience, including event programming, campus spirit, mental health and student wellness.
As VP Student Life, you’ll work closely with UBC and student groups to improve campus spirit, connection and community, and help students thrive while they’re at UBC. You’ll assist in the execution of mental health programming, AMS-run events and develop strategies to improve student life on campus.
Part-time, volunteered with some benefits, 10 to 25 hours per week.
As a student representative on the UBC Board of Governors, you’ll have a seat on the top non-academic decision-making body at UBC. You’ll discuss and vote on major UBC decisions, including the UBC budget, tuition increases, personnel management, new building proposals, and more. You’ll work closely with many senior UBC decision-makers and other student leaders, pushing for student priorities throughout the year.
Part-time, volunteered, 3 to 10 hours per week
As a Student Senator-at-large on the UBC Senate, you’ll have a seat on the top academic decision-making body at UBC. You’ll discuss and vote on major UBC decisions such as academic policy, new courses and curriculum, term dates, admissions policy, course delivery, and more. You’ll attend monthly Senate meetings and work closely with senior UBC personnel, as well you’ll also work with the Student Senate Caucus to advance student priorities collectively as a united front.
Part-time, volunteered, 3 to 10 hours per week
Each faculty gets to elect one student to represent them at UBC senate. The work is like the at-large positions, but you’ll bring your faculties’ perspective to the table.
Part-time, volunteered with some benefits. 4 to 8 hours per week
Each faculty’s student association (aka a constituency) elects one or more students to represent them on AMS council. Sitting on AMS Council is a great way to get involved in AMS decision making. A lot of the work the AMS does is planned, reviewed, refined and approved by the students on AMS Council.
Council elections take place throughout the school year, so check with your constituency to learn more.
Part-time, volunteered, 10 to 25 hours per week
Similar to the AMS, each faculty’s student association (aka constituency) elects its own team of executives. The positions vary a bit from one constituency to another, but typically include a President, VP Finance, VP Internal, VP External, VP Academic, and a VP Student Life. Being a constituency executive is a great way to take a leadership role that is more focused on the specific needs of your faculty. Elections for these positions usually happen in March and April (except the CUS, which holds elections in January).
