Call for candidates for the position of President of the University of Montpellier
Having regard to the French Education Code,
Having regard to Decree no. 2021-1207 of September 20, 2021, creating the University of Montpellier and approving its bylaws,
Circular on the organization of the election of the President of the University of Montpellier
Voting date
The election of the President of the University of Montpellier will take place on :
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Salle des Actes - Site du Triolet - bâtiment 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 bylaws).
The voters
Article L 712-2 of the French Education Code, as amended, and article 8-1 of the University of Montpellier's bylaws state that "the President of the University is elected by an absolute majority of the members of the Board of Directors (...)". The electoral body 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, engineering, administrative, technical, social and health staff ;
- 6 ex officio members ;
- 6 external personalities.
Applications
The Chairman is elected by an absolute majority of the Board of Directors from among Professors, researchers, associate or visiting professors or lecturers, or any other equivalent personnel, regardless of nationality (article L712-2 of the French Education Code).
In accordance with article 8-1 of the statutes of the University of Montpellier, candidacies must be submitted at least eight clear days before the election. Nominations may be submitted from the date of publication of this circular.
Nominations must be sent by e-mail to the Director General of Services, with a copy to dagi-direction and dagi-elections-statuts, no later than Monday December 8, 2025.
Paragraph 3 of amended article L712-2 of the French Education Code stipulates that the duties of university president are incompatible with those of elected member of the Academic Council, director of a component, school or institute or of any other internal structure of the university, and with those of executive director of any EPSCP or of one of its components or internal structures.
In addition, article L711-10 of the French Education Code stipulates that the age limit for holding the office of university president is 68. A president may remain in office until August 31 following the date on which he or she reaches this age.
The voting process
Convocation of the Board of Directors
Article 8-1 of the statutes of the University of Montpellier specifies that: "The Board of Directors responsible for electing the President is convened by the current President or, in the event of impediment, by the Dean of Professors, a member of the said Board and not a candidate for election.
The Board of Directors is convened no later than fifteen days before the date set for the election of the Chairman.
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 member of the Board of Professors .
Board meetings are not open to the public.
Preliminary discussion
A pre-election debate will be organized. Each candidate will have ten minutes to present his or her electoral program.
This presentation will be followed by a 30-minute discussion between board members and candidates.
Electoral operations
The attendance list will be drawn up by the Service Vie Institutionnelle of the Direction des Affaires Générales et Institutionnelles of the Université de Montpellier, under the authority of the Directeur Général des Services, and presented in alphabetical order.
Ballot papers and envelopes will be prepared by the Service Vie Institutionnelle of the Direction des Affaires Générales et Institutionnelles of the University of Montpellier and made available to voters on election day.
Voters are required to bring identification with them to the polling station. Voting is secret, and a polling booth is compulsory. Voting will be by roll call and alphabetical order.
When their name is called, voters place their ballot paper, previously inserted in an envelope, in the ballot box, present their proxy, if any, and sign the voting list opposite their name.
Voting and counting will take place under the supervision of the Director General of Services, assisted by an assessor proposed by each candidate.
Article L712-2 of the French Education Code stipulates that "the President of the University is elected by an absolute majority of the members of the Board of Directors". As the electoral body comprises 36 members, the candidate must receive at least 19 votes to be elected.
Proxies
Voting by proxy is authorized under the conditions set out in article 24 of the University of Montpellier bylaws: "no person may hold more than one proxy".
These proxies, which remain valid for subsequent ballots, will be returned after each inconclusive ballot.
Powers of attorney must be completed by the principal, indicating the name of the proxy.
Results
At the end of the electoral process, minutes will be drawn up. The Chairman of the meeting will announce the results, which will immediately be posted on the University's premises and on its website.
Article 8-1 of the statutes of the University of Montpellier stipulates that "if after three ballots, no candidate has been elected, the Board is reconvened within eight clear days".
New notice of meeting
Following the convening of the Board meeting, "nominations previously submitted must be confirmed. New nominations may be submitted at least two clear days before the date of the next Board meeting.
In this case, a new election will be held after a subsequent meeting of the Board of Directors.