President extends best wishes for the holidays

These have been an enjoyable and rewarding first few months at Concordia. Many Concordians have shown me how proud they are to study, teach and work here, and our alumni are as dedicated as ever to the university’s success. Thank you for the great welcome!

The coming months will be important for higher education in Quebec as we adjust to the Government of Quebec’s decision to reduce current operating grants to universities. We are deeply disappointed about the timing and extent of this unprecedented retroactive cut to our operating grant with just four months left in our fiscal year.

Our management of funding reductions expected for 2013-14 will require substantial adjustments to our expenditures across the university. We will engage our community in conversations on the issue, and I am hopeful that the mid-February summit on higher education will produce viable solutions for the stable funding of our universities.

As always, I am grateful for the continuing support of our graduates and friends. I have had the opportunity to meet with many alumni and I am inspired by your professional and civic achievements and dedication to the development of our university and well-being of society.

Concordia remains a strong institution. Unprecedented numbers of students are seeking admission to Concordia’s excellent programs, and we continue to hire the very best faculty to carry out the university’s missions of teaching and research. Even in these trying times, Concordia is managing its finances and capital projects in a prudent manner and making the strategic reinvestments needed to ensure the university’s success.

I am grateful for your commitment to your alma mater and its noble mission.

All the very best for the holidays and the New Year.

Alan Shepard
President and Vice-Chancellor