The Selection Process
Selection as a UNC Royal consists of three parts: the ballot petition, the application process and the election process. Please continue reading for more detail.
A. Ballot Petition and Board of Election Certification
All candidates must attend the BOE mandatory Zoom candidate meeting scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. Candidates can submit an RSVP for this Zoom meeting by searching for “Fall 2022 Candidate Meeting” on Heel Life. If candidates miss this meeting, they must contact the Board of Elections to determine the best way to receive this information.
During this meeting, the BOE will address election and campaigning laws. Please note that any violation of election laws is a violation of the Honor Code.
Candidates will also receive paperwork requiring them to collect two hundred (200) signatures in order to be considered an official candidate. Candidates will have five days to submit the required signatures in accordance with the rules and regulations of the BOE. Candidates may collect online signatures via ONYEN through HeelLife. Please note that NO signatures can be obtained until the day after the mandatory meeting on Sunday, Oct. 9. No duplicate signatures will be accepted, which means that no one person may sign your form twice but they can have signed another candidates’ form. Signatures must be turned over to the BOE, both electronically AND physically, Monday, Oct. 17. (Deadline time will be shared in the meeting on Oct. 9) If this date conflicts with a candidate’s schedule, they are encouraged to submit the signatures earlier.
B. Application Process
Each applicant is required to complete an application, which includes a resume, one letter of recommendation with a focus on scholarship, leadership and service, as well as a project proposal and an acceptable transcript. We encourage applicants to watch the Zoom recording prepared by the Homecoming committee and to follow-up with any additional questions. The completed application and the signed proclamation form must be submitted on the Google document before midnight ET on Sunday, Oct. 16, per Google timestamp received. We will not accept late or incomplete applications.
C. Election Process
All certified candidates will participate in the election process by a general student body vote. Voting will take place on Monday, Oct. 24. Please Note: This date immediately follows fall break. Only the contestants’ names will appear on the official ballot. The BOE is in charge of the tabulation of all votes. The top two senior candidates with the most votes will be selected as UNC Royals and announced on Saturday, Oct. 29 before or during the UNC vs Pittsburgh football game. Because the BOE uses an instant run-off system for Homecoming Court elections where candidates rank all the candidates, a tie is not possible.
Spending Limits & Reimbursements
Each candidate will have a maximum spending limit of $50 for the general election, which is reimbursable in accordance with the Student Code. Any approved expenses should be submitted to the Board of Elections prior to the deadline discussed in the Zoom meeting on Sunday, Oct. 9
A financial statement form, which will detail all campaign spending for the election, will be due electronically to the BOE. Further information will be given once candidates are chosen. Any violations will be reported to the BOE and to the Homecoming Committee.
Service Projects
Candidates will be required to submit a proposal that describes a service project of his/her/their choosing. The proposal asks the candidate to describe this project and provide additional information for how it benefits the UNC campus and/or surrounding community. Those selected as UNC Royals will be required to complete the project submitted. The project must be started on or before January 21, 2023 and completed by April 30, 2023.
Upon selection as a UNC Royal, you will be contacted by the Homecoming Committee and/or GAA Staff to confirm your plans regarding accomplishing your service project in a timely manner. NOTE: The GAA will reimburse candidates for their service projects. We do not provide funds in advance. Additionally, the GAA will not reimburse more than the allocated $300.
Harassment
Harassment of UNC Royals candidates, endorsing organizations or anyone else is strictly forbidden. Harassment is defined as, but not limited to, urging a candidate to withdraw from the selection process, threatening a candidate or banning a candidate from open functions. Should a candidate or their endorsing organization be found guilty of harassment, the BOE, upon consultation and request of the homecoming committee, will disqualify the candidate. If pre‐voting harassment on the part of the UNC Royals candidates or their endorsing organizations is discovered after the naming of the winners, they will be stripped of the title and relinquish all prizes, either actually or by monetary compensation to the Homecoming Committee. The first runner up shall assume the position. Please note that it is a violation of the Honor Code to engage in any acts of harassment.