Contact
Dan Bergström, Researcher
Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology, SLU
dan.bergstrom@slu.se, 090-786 82 14, 073-049 80 14
Is the election of a new faculty board important?
Last changed: 10 October 2024
Depending on who you ask, the answer to the question can probably be both Yes and No. But hopefully most of us believe that decisions about e.g. faculty assignment and resource allocation to departments, the faculty's subject areas, appointment of higher positions and quality assurance of education, research and environmental monitoring and assessment is important, so therefore everyone should reasonably answer Yes!
Briefly, the faculty board's main function is to make decisions that promote education, research and development within the faculty. The work is led by the chair of the board, i.e. the dean, who must, among other things, demonstrate the ability to lead and motivate, drive development and change, communicate and achieve results and promote the best interests of the faculty.
Every three years there is an election of a new faculty board, including the dean and deputy dean, and the election committee's assignment has been to propose the composition of the new board. We have worked intensively to assemble a team of wise employees who we believe can contribute in a positive way to the faculty's development over the next three years. At the time of writing, we at the Faculty of Forest Sciences have reached the point in the election process where the election committee's proposal for a new faculty board has been presented and when those entitled to vote can nominate additional candidates. When this text is published, we will know if any free nominations have been sent in...
Let's assume that there are no free nominations, is it then still important to vote? The answer is Yes! The number of votes each candidate receives determines who becomes members and deputies, respectively. In addition, it gives an indication of the support that the proposed dean and vice dean have among the employees before the final decision by the vice-chancellor/rector. If we instead assume that there are free nominations, then your vote becomes even more important.
On October 23, a hearing will be held with the candidates where they introduce themselves and talk about how they want to contribute to the faculty's future issues. So if you think it is important which people lead the organization you work in, you have the opportunity to get to know the candidates better before the election. And if you are entitled to vote, you can use your vote to influence the faculty's direction for the next three years. The election period runs from 21-29 October.
Dan Bergström, chair of the election committee, S-fak