Call for applications for the position of President of the University of Montpellier
Having regard to the Education Code,
Having regard to Decree No. 2021-1207 of September 20, 2021, establishing the University of Montpellier and approving its statutes,
Circular on the organization of the election of the President of the University of Montpellier
The date of the election
The election of the President of the University of Montpellier will take place on:
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Salle des Actes – Triolet Campus – Building 7 Place Eugène Bataillon 34000 Montpellier.
It should be noted that the term of office of the elected members of the Board of Directors of the University of Montpellier will take effect from the first meeting convened for the election of the President (Article 22 of the University of Montpellier's statutes).
The voters
Article L 712-2 of the amended Education Code and Article 8-1 of the statutes of the University of Montpellier state that "the President of the University shall be elected by an absolute majority of the members of the Board of Directors (...)". The electorate comprises 36 members:
- 14 representatives of Professors, teachers, researchers, and similar staff, including 7 representatives of university professors and similar staff;
- 5 user representatives;
- 5 representatives of library staff, engineers, administrative staff, technicians, social workers, and healthcare professionals;
- 6 ex officio members;
- 6 external personalities.
Applications
The President is elected by an absolute majority of the members of the Board of Directors from among Professors, researchers, lecturers, associate or visiting professors, or any other equivalent staff, regardless of nationality (amended Article L712-2 of the Education Code).
In accordance with Article 8-1 of the statutes of the University of Montpellier, applications must be submitted at least eight clear days before the election. They may be submitted as of the date of publication of this circular.
Candidacy declarations must be sent by email to the Director General of Services, with a copy to dagi-direction and dagi-elections-statuts, no later than Monday, December 8, 2025.
The third paragraph of amended Article L712-2 of the Education Code stipulates that the duties of university president are incompatible with those of elected member of the Academic Council, director of a department, school, or institute or any other internal structure of the university, and with those of executive director of any EPSCP or one of its departments or internal structures.
In addition, Article L711-10 of the Education Code stipulates that the age limit for serving as university president is set at 68. A president may remain in office until August 31 following the date on which he or she reaches this age.
The voting process
Notice of Board of Directors Meeting
Article 8-1 of the statutes of the University of Montpellier specifies that: "the board of directors responsible for electing the president shall be convened by the incumbent president or, in the event of his or her absence, by the oldest Professors, who is a member of the board and not a candidate in the election.
The meeting of the board of directors shall be convened no later than fifteen days before the date set for the election of the chairperson.
As part of this election, the Board of Directors will be convened on December 17, 2025, by the current President of the University of Montpellier.
The meeting will be chaired by the oldest non-candidate Professors board of directors.
The board of directors' discussions are not public.
Preliminary debate
A debate will be held prior to the vote. Each candidate will have ten minutes to present their electoral program.
This presentation will be followed by a thirty-minute discussion between the members of the board of directors and the candidates.
Election operations
The attendance list will be drawn up by the Institutional Life Department of the General and Institutional Affairs Directorate of the University of Montpellier, under the authority of the Director General of Services, and presented in alphabetical order.
Ballot papers and election envelopes will be prepared by the Institutional Life Department of the General and Institutional Affairs Division of the University of Montpellier and made available to voters on election day.
Voters must bring identification with them to present when voting. Voting is secret, so use of the voting booth is mandatory. Voting will take place by roll call and in alphabetical order.
When their name is called, voters will place their ballot paper, which they will have previously placed in an envelope, in the ballot box, present their proxy, if applicable, and sign the register opposite their name.
The voting and counting of votes will take place under the supervision of the Director General of Services, assisted by an assessor proposed by each of the candidates.
Article L712-2 of the amended Education Code stipulates that "the President of the university shall be elected by an absolute majority of the members of the board of directors." With the electorate consisting of 36 members, a candidate must obtain at least 19 votes to be elected.
Proxies
Proxy voting is permitted under the conditions set out in Article 24 of the statutes of the University of Montpellier: "no one may hold more than one proxy."
These proxies, which remain valid for subsequent rounds of voting, will be returned after each inconclusive round of voting.
Proxies must be completed by the principal, indicating the name of the proxy holder.
Results
At the end of the election process, minutes will be drawn up. The chair of the meeting will announce the results, which will be immediately posted on the premises of the University of Montpellier and published on its website.
Article 8-1 of the statutes of the University of Montpellier stipulates that "if, after three rounds of voting, no candidate has been elected, the council shall be reconvened within eight clear days."
New meeting notice
Following the convening of the board meeting, "previously submitted applications must be confirmed. New applications may be submitted at least two clear days before the date of the new board meeting."
In this case, a new election will be held after the board of directors has been reconvened.