Dear members of the 海角社区 Community,听
It is our pleasure to provide you with an update on the recent activities of 海角社区鈥檚 Board of Governors. You can learn more about the Board鈥檚 mandate and membership on its 听听
The Board of Governors held the second regular meeting on December 12, 2024. The full minutes of the meeting鈥檚 open session will be available following approval at the Board鈥檚 next meeting on February 6, 2025. In the meantime, we would like to share with you the meeting鈥檚 important discussions, decisions, and developments.听听
Thank you for your interest in the work of the Board of Governors. If you have any questions, ideas, or comments, please write mcgill.president [at] mcgill.ca.听听
Sincerely,听听
Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor
Maryse Bertrand, Chair, 海角社区 Board of Governors
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Key Updates
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On the recommendation of the President and Vice-Chancellor, the Board of Governors approved a one-year extension of Professor Josephine Nalbantoglu鈥檚 term as Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The Board of Governors was also informed of the extension of Professor Angela Campbell鈥檚 appointment as Interim Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning) until May 31, 2026. Read the full announcement.听听
The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, approved the final FY2025 Budget. A provisional FY2025 budget, developed in response to the uncertainties related to changes in the Quebec tuition and funding policies, was approved by the Board of Governors last April and contained a $12M deficit, including a $10M contingency. The final FY2025 Budget provides for a $15M deficit with a $5M contingency. Despite unforeseen expenses in FY2025, which contributed to the deficit, the University has made progress in implementing previously adopted budget measures. The Board also received the first of three reports on budget planning for FY2026.听听
Also on the recommendation of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, the Board approved three construction and renovation projects, as well as the submission of the Plan d茅cennal des investissements universitaires (PDIU), 2025-2035, to the Minist猫re de l鈥櫭塩onomie, de l鈥橧nnovation et de l鈥櫭塶ergie (MEIE). The Government of Quebec mandates all universities to submit a PDIU, which outlines major capital projects that may be executed over the next ten years.听听
The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the Committee on Sustainability and Social Responsibility (CSSR), endorsed 海角社区鈥檚 Climate and Sustainability Strategy 2025-2030, which aims to advance the University鈥檚 efforts to address environmental challenges. It is structured around four categories: (i) learning and research; (ii) physical environment; (iii) resource management; and (iv) community building.听听
The Board of Governors also received, for information, the CSSR Committee鈥檚 report pertaining to the Expression of Concern received on June 25, 2024, which called for divestment from more than 40 companies with ties to Isreal. After extensive consideration, the Committee determined that the Expression of Concern had not shown that the companies met the criterion of 鈥渟ocial injury,鈥� per the Committee鈥檚 Terms of Reference. Read more in the 听听
Also from the CSSR Committee, the Board received an update on the mandate given to explore divestment from companies that derive a dominant portion of their direct revenues from the production of military weapons, regardless of the countries in which they operate. The Committee has undertaken consultations and will continue its work in the coming months, with a report to be submitted to the Board in February 2025.听听
The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of Senate, approved the following:
- The appointments of Stephen Yue and Charles Gale as members of the Committee on Staff Grievances and Disciplinary Procedures, effective immediately and ending on August 31, 2027.
- Revisions to the Policy on Hazing and Inappropriate Initiation Practices, which include updates to the Policy鈥檚 content to reflect how the University addresses hazing in the present day, as well as a change in name to the Policy on Hazing.
The Board of Governors also received an update from Senate regarding a recent open discussion held with Senators. The discussion was guided by a case study on freedom of expression and assembly in instances where controversial speakers either appear, or are requested to appear, on campus.听听
The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the Investment Committee, approved the revisions to the Statement of Investment Policy (SIP), which will take effect as of February 1, 2025. The revisions aim to ensure continued alignment with the SIP鈥檚 return objectives.听听
From the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, the Board received an update on the New Vic Project, which outlined the next steps considered to ensure appropriate funding for the realization of the project鈥檚 academic goals and mission.
For discussion and input, the Board received a report on supplementary Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which will help the University monitor the impact of recent government tuition and funding policy changes; the supplementary KPIs are put forward in addition to the existing metrics developed by the University to chart its progress on core activities.听
On the recommendation of the Nominating, Governance, and Ethics Committee, the Board approved a series of appointments to Board standing committees, advisory committees, and to internal and external non-Board bodies.听听
Finally, the Board received presentations on (i) the key priorities of the Vice-President, Global Engagement鈥檚 portfolio and an update on 海角社区鈥檚 ongoing efforts to advance global initiatives and opportunities, and (ii) University Advancement鈥檚 Annual Report, which outlines UA鈥檚 financial achievements and campaign progress in FY24, along with other highlights.
President鈥檚 Remarks
President Saini provided remarks pertaining to a range of recent developments from across 海角社区.
Government Relations
The President opened his remarks with an update on Bill 74, which was adopted on December 5 and aims to regulate international student admissions into Quebec. Despite the concerns jointly raised during consultations by 海角社区, Universit茅 Laval, Universit茅 de Montr茅al, and Universit茅 de Sherbrooke, exemptions were not made for universities.听听
On the same day that the Bill was adopted, an opinion editorial spearheaded by 海角社区 and co-signed by 70 researchers and professors was published in ; the op-ed expanded on the concerns about the Bill鈥檚 negative impacts on attracting international talent, research & innovation, and academic autonomy.听听
Minister Pascale D茅ry is expected to propose a plan to the Prime Minister targeting a reduction in international student intake across Quebec's university network, with an announcement anticipated in early 2025. The University continues to follow this file closely and will inform the community of further developments.听听
The President also addressed Bill 83, which was introduced on December 3 and mandates Quebec-trained doctors to work in the public healthcare system for the first five years of their career, with significant non-compliance fines. The Bill may also require medical students and residents to sign formal commitments at the start of their education to practice in Quebec for the specified period. 海角社区 is studying the Bill and consulting peers to understand its implications for the University and its affiliated institutions.
Community Relations
The President next shared an overview of the Fall 2024 Convocation ceremonies, which were held on December 2 at Place des Arts and featured the installation of Pierre Boivin as 海角社区鈥檚 21st Chancellor, as well as the introduction of Cynthia Price-Verreault as inaugural Deputy Chancellor. During the ceremonies, Joan Ivory (BA'54) received an honorary doctorate, while Dr. Mark Yaffe, Prof. Chandra Madramootoo, and Prof. Ratna Ghosh were also recognized with Lifetime Achievement Awards.听听
From December 4-6, the President joined a 海角社区 delegation in Barbados to mark the 70th anniversary of the Bellairs Research Institute, Canada鈥檚 only tropical teaching and research facility. Events included presentations from students in the Barbados Field Study Semester, a symposium at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, Barbados, and a community event for school children. The delegation also engaged with Barbadian government officials, business leaders, and academic community partners to strengthen further strategic collaborations, particularly around environmental sustainability.
Selected Kudos
Finally, the President concluded his remarks by offering his congratulations to a selection of individuals in the 海角社区 community for their recent achievements.
- Vincent Wong (Honours in Neuroscience) is among the 11 students from across Canada to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship, bringing 海角社区鈥檚 total of Rhodes Scholars to 149, the most in Canada.
- Three 海角社区ians were honoured by the Fonds de recherche du Qu茅bec鈥檚 Prix Grands Sages. Emeritus Professor Dr. Phil Gold was named a Grand Sage for 2024, while Ph.D. candidates Jennifer Maxwell and Mohan Du each received a Prix Grands Sages scholarship.
- Professor Wendell Nii Laryea Adjetey (Department of History and Classical Studies) has been honoured with the 2024 Governor General鈥檚 History Award for Scholarly Research for his book, Cross-Border Cosmopolitans: The Making of a Pan-African North America.
- Professor Audrey Moores (Department of Chemistry) was appointed as the President of the College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada for a two-year term.
- A total of 304 海角社区 student-athletes have been named to the 2024 President's Student-Athlete Honour Roll; to qualify, students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 while registered on a varsity team roster.
The Board of Governors received the following reports:
- Report of the Nominating, Governance, and Ethics Committee
- Report on the 2024 Joint Meeting of the Board of Governors and Senate
- Report of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
- Report from Senate
- Report of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee
- Report of the Committee on Sustainability and Social Responsibility
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