Board gets overview of projected university budget
Part of the April 21 meeting of Concordia’s Board of Governors was devoted to a discussion of the university budget.
Chief Financial Officer Patrick Kelley presented a preliminary overview of the proposed 2011-12 budget and projections for the subsequent two years.
He emphasized the major changes to the government funding arrangements for all Quebec universities in the aftermath of the March 17 provincial budget. Clarifications from Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport (MELS) on several across-the-board issues are expected on May 20. The university has also formulated a list of specific questions that it intends to relay in upcoming meetings with representatives of MELS.
Remarks of the President
President Fred Lowy reported on a positive shift in climate and morale at the university, especially since a frank exchange at a joint meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board and the Steering Committee of Senate held on April 4.
He also explained that the External Governance Review Committee had received many submissions and would be meeting with both the Executive Committee of the Board and the Steering Committee of Senate, as well as other individuals and groups. He remains hopeful that the Committee would deliver its report for the beginning of June.
Lowy explained that delays in the search process for a new Vice-President Advancement will be addressed. The search for a new Vice-President Services will be completed by the fall.
Presentation by Dean Catherine Wild
Dean Catherine Wild gave an overview of Canada's premiere Faculty of Fine Arts. She pointed out several key indicators of continued Faculty success.
Eighty-one per cent of the accepted first-choice undergraduate applicants actually register (the university's top acceptance rate ) and 82 per cent of applicants to graduate programs, attracted by its reputation, already hold degrees from other institutions. Fine Arts enjoys a consistent success rate (about 50 per cent) in research funding, although the overall figures do not reflect additional Faculty funding success from outside organizations such as the Canada Council and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec.
With the move of the Departments of Theatre, Music and Contemporary Dance, the Faculty has now consolidated all nine departments downtown. An academic space needs assessment has been completed to prepare for an international architectural competition for the Grey Nuns site.
Meeting the increasing need for research space and reinvigorating technical and administrative support to meet increased enrolment and technology demands for the future remain challenges for the Faculty.
Wild outlined the key strategic directions for the Faculty. Despite a 39 per cent undergraduate student growth over the past five years and a doubling in graduate student growth over the same period, attracting the next generation of students is a priority. With 25 per cent of full-time faculty eligible to retire within five years, faculty renewal to ensure stewardship of core programs and new curriculum is another important issue. Part-time faculty now teach 55 per cent of undergraduate credits.
Wild concluded by pointing to the extraordinary honours bestowed on several of its faculty members: François Marc Gagnon (Prix Gérard-Morisset), Gabor Szilasi (Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts), Françoise Sullivan (Order of Canada), Christopher Jackson (Royal Society of Canada), Raymonde April (Order of Canada) and Geneviève Cadieux (Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts).
Advisory Search Committee for the Dean of the John Molson School of Business
Eva Ferrara, representing the JMSB support staff, and Abdullah Husen, representing undergraduate students, were appointmented to the Advisory Search Committee for the Dean of the John Molson School of Business.
In other business, a proposal was made for a Board of Governors version of the successful Dinner for Eight program where alumni mentor students in a dinner format. The proposal will be looked at by the Board executive.
Before the meeting concluded, a spokesperson for a group of students who attended the Board meeting was given the floor. He appealed for greater transparency of the Board and referred to the resolutions passed at Senate, including the call for the resignation of the Chair. President Lowy assured the students that all the issues raised by Senate were being considered by the Board.
The next meeting of the Board will be on June 9.
Related link:
• Board of Governors