Opinions and collegiality mark open meeting

An impressive turnout by members of the Concordia community marked the June 28 open meeting to discuss the External Governance Review Committee’s report and recommendations. Watch the video from the event.

There was an impressive turnout at the June 28 open meeting to discuss the External Governance Review Committee’s report and recommendations. | All photos by Concordia University

The 90-minute meeting, held in the J.A. DeSève Cinema drew more than 150 faculty, staff, students, alumni and interested members of the community at large.

The gathering provided an opportunity for members of the audience to provide their perspectives on the report, which was released earlier this month and included 38 recommendations on the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Governors, Senate and the President.

President Frederick Lowy (left) with the meeting’s moderator, John Molson School of Business professor Stéphane Brutus. Office of the Vice-President, Institutional Relations and Secretary-General Project Assistant Suzanne Giguere (right).

In his opening remarks, President Frederick Lowy said he was pleased at seeing so many Concordians turn out for the event and emphasized that the meeting was part of ongoing efforts to reach out to the community for feedback on governance issues. 

Lowy assured those in attendance that members of Concordia’s administration were indeed listening to concerns and taking the “report very seriously.” He also noted that the Board strongly supports the report and is committed to consultations with the university community. He reminded everyone that have until July 31 to send further feedback on the report by email.

Rita Lc de Santis, member of Concordia’s Board and chair of the Ad Hoc Governance Review Committee.

Rita Lc de Santis, member of Concordia’s Board of Governors and chair of its Ad Hoc Governance Review Committee, reaffirmed that the Board is committed to moving forward. She noted that the Board recently directed the ad hoc committee to determine how best to implement the report’s recommendations in a timely manner.

John Molson School of Business Marketing professor Christopher Ross said the Senate Steering Committee, of which he is a member, will formulate an action plan this summer regarding the report’s recommendations. Ross said the Steering Committee’s plan will be likely be ready this fall. At its June 27 meeting, the Senate Steering Committee unanimously passed a motion to support the report.

Political science undergraduate student Gene Morrow.

Other comments from the audience ranged from calling the report a positive step forward to concerns about specific recommendations. 

Remarks were made about the need to broaden the representation on the Board to include more alumni, teachers and students. Several people voiced the need for better communication across the community and increased involvement by the Senate and President in the decision-making process regarding university affairs.

In closing, Lowy stated that he was pleased with the respectful tone of the meeting and that he was “absolutely optimistic” about the future of Concordia.

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