The Board of Governors green-lights Concordia’s new sustainability policy

Concordia’s Board of Governors last met on December 14, 2016. Below are some highlights.

A common definition of “sustainability”

The Board approved a new policy that reflects Concordia’s long-term commitment to becoming a sustainability leader in higher education.

While the policy is new, the issue is a long-time key priority for the university. For example, for 18 years, Concordia has been the lowest consumer of energy per unit area among the six major universities in Quebec.

The new policy provides a broad definition of sustainability: “a mindset and process that leads to reducing our ecological footprint and enhancing social well-being while maintaining economic viability.”

This common understanding will serve as a catalyst to facilitate innovative, interdisciplinary and interdepartmental sustainability initiatives.

Twelve guiding principles will support the integration of sustainability at all levels of the university’s strategic planning initiatives and activities. These include environmental protection and enhancement, equity and diversity, participation and commitment, and the protection of cultural heritage.

Read the new sustainability policy.

Aligning Concordia’s pension plan with new government regulations

The Board also approved recommendations from the Employee Benefits Committee to amend the text of the Pension Plan for the Employees of Concordia University.

These changes, which take effect on January 1, 2018, are necessary to meet new Government of Quebec legal requirements. The modifications will maintain a single defined pension benefit plan while ensuring its financial sustainability.

Additionally, there will be a different cost-sharing arrangement for pension contributions between employees and the university (45 per cent / 55 per cent). This is within the new legislative framework and lower than the default formula of 50/50 outlined in the legislation. Read the message to faculty and staff to find out more.

By-law amendments related to eligibility, quorum and voting requirements

December’s meeting also saw a series of amendments to the university’s by-laws, including revisions to eligibility requirements to serve on the Board and its standing committees.

These revisions follow adoption of similar changes to the eligibility requirements for members of Concordia’s Senate to ensure consistency in practice across the institution.

The revised by-laws will maintain the requirement that student members be registered in a program, but they must now be in “acceptable academic standing” rather than “good standing.” This means having a grade point average of at least 2.00. The decision also formalizes the current Board practice of verifying student standing twice a year.

Suspension or expulsion from the university will immediately make a student ineligible to serve on the Board and its standing committees. Similarly, suspension or termination of employment at Concordia will make faculty and staff ineligible to serve.

Additionally, the Board approved by-law amendments to change quorum requirements to convene a special meeting and for voting on certain motions. Convening a special meeting will now require a two-thirds majority of the Board’s members instead of a previous 75 per cent.

Motions related to particular matters, such as tuition fees and senior administrative appointments, will now require a two-thirds majority instead of the previous 60 per cent. This last change reflects standard governance practice.

2 academic units change their name

The Board approved the following name changes, which were also passed by Senate at its December 9, 2016 meeting:

The Department of Religion will now be called the Department of Religions and Cultures to provide a more accurate description of its focus.

The School of Canadian Irish Studies has become the School of Irish Studies to reflect its broader academic and research activities.

QPIRG Concordia fee levy increase

The Board approved a $0.08 per credit fee levy increase (from $0.31 to $0.39) to fund the Quebec Public Interest Research Group at Concordia.

The fee levy, adjusted annually for inflation, is collected by the university from all undergraduate students on behalf of the Concordia Student Union (CSU). The increase, which came into effect in the winter 2017 term, was approved by students through a referendum held by the CSU in November.

Find out more about Concordia’s new sustainability policy.