Introduction

The Alma Mater Society of Queen's University, otherwise known as the AMS, is the central undergraduate student government at Queen’s University in Canada. It is the oldest organization of its kind in Canada. Its roots lie in the old Dialectic Society (now known as the Queen's Debating Union), which created the AMS in 1858.

An umbrella organization, the AMS each year hires over 500 student employees and 1000 volunteers, as it works with member faculty societies to offer a wide array of resources, services, support and opportunities to Queen’s students.

Day to day

The day-to-day operations of the AMS are overseen by the AMS Council which includes an annually elected three-person executive (the President, Vice-President (Operations) and Vice-President (University Affairs), selected as a slate), five commissioners who are each responsible for a specific aspect of student life, and two directors who are responsible for overseeing the AMS’ 16 corporate services.

The AMS’ ultimate authority lies with the AMS Assembly that is comprised of elected representatives from each of the 11 member faculty societies (Arts and Science, Applied Science, Education, Concurrent Education, M.B.A., Commerce, Rehabilitation Therapy, Nursing, Medicine, Physical and Health Education, and Computing) and the Residences (Main Campus and West Campus).

History

The AMS was incorporated in 1969 as a non-profit organization without share capital and thus the Assembly representatives also serve as the voting members of the corporation and annually elect a Board of Directors that oversees the services and financial affairs of the Society. These affairs currently entail an annual operations budget of over $8 million.

Since its inception, the AMS had represented all students attending Queen’s University. However, that changed in 1981 when the Graduate Students’ Society, an AMS member society formed in 1962, voted by referendum to secede from the AMS. This amicable secession evolved out of a gradual, long-term, mutual recognition by the AMS and GSS that graduate students should have separate and autonomous representation. Subsequently, the AMS has seen both the Theological Society and the Law Students’ Society depart for membership within the GSS, known now as the Society for Graduate and Professional Students .

Representation

Currently the AMS represents over 13,000 students, each of whom becomes a member of the Society upon paying the mandatory student activity fee along with their tuition.

Today, the AMS seeks to remain true to its roots, working diligently on enhancing both the academic and extra-curricular experience of its members while fostering important connections with the surrounding community. The AMS provides the overwhelming majority of the broader learning environment that has become such an essential part of a Queen’s education. Its success in this regard arises primarily from its unique distinction as the only entirely student-run government in Canada.

Federally, the AMS is a founding member of the Canadian Alliance of Students Associations. Provincally, they are a founding member of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance.

Employees

Employing only six permanent staff, the AMS places full managerial and oversight responsibility in the hands of students. And to ensure these extraordinary leadership opportunities are afforded to as many students as possible, there is a 100% annual turnover with new students appointed to every supervisory position each spring.

List of Recent AMS Executives

External links

• Queen's Alma Mater Society official site
• Queen's University official site