BOARD OF GOVERNORS Approved Minutes

Transcription

1 hi BOARD OF GOVERNORS Approved Minutes Friday, December 5, :30 a.m. RGO PRESENT Members: Mr. Jack Perraton, Chair Mr. Charlie Fischer, Vice-Chair Ms. Dalmy Baez Mr. Joe Doolan Ms. Leslie Potter Dr. John Baker Ms. Bonnie DuPont Mr. Rithesh Ram Ms. Julie Bogle Mr. Paul Farion Mr. Steve Stowkowy Mrs. Joanne Cuthbertson Mr. Grant MacEachern Dr. Harvey Weingarten Officials: Guests: Mr. Roman Cooney, Vice-President (External Relations) Mr. Gary Durbeniuk, Vice-President (Development) Dr. Rose Goldstein, Vice-President (Research) Ms. Elizabeth Osler, Corporate Secretary and Senior Legal Counsel Ms. Gail Stephens, Vice-President (Finance and Services) Prof. Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost (Students) Open Session Ms. Pamela Weatherbee, Vice-President Academic, Students Union Ms. Valerie McGillvray, Executive Director, Graduate Students Association Closed Session Ms. Charlene Anderson, General Counsel Ms. Janet Stein, Director, Risk Management and Insurance Mr. Mike Trattner, Treasurer and Director of Investments Regrets: Staff: Mr. Doug Black Dr. Kabir Jivraj Mr. Nick Kirton Mr. Ken McKinnon Dr. Tony Russell Ms. Kathy Sendall Dr. Bill Tilleman Mr. Bob Ellard Dr. Alan Harrison Ms. Ruth Corbett Ms. Corinne Aarsen Roll Call and welcome The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and confirmed quorum. 1. Approval of Agenda Ms. Baez requested that a Quality Money Motion, which was included in the Agenda package, be

2 December 5, 2008 Approved Minutes Page 2 of 6 added to the Agenda as item 6d). Motion: Baez/Ram That the Board of Governors approve the December 5, 2008 Agenda with the addition of item 6d). 2. Conflict of Interest Mr. Farion declared a conflict with Agenda item 6. The Chair clarified for those who have family members attending the University, that it is deemed an acceptable conflict as long as there is no actual opportunity to further a private interest and does not influence a Member s responsibility to conduct their duty on behalf of the University. 3. Approval of Minutes The minutes were included in the Agenda package. Motion: DuPont/Fischer That the Board of Governors approve the October 17, 2008 meeting Minutes with the amendments noted below. Amendments: 18c) ii); 18c) iii); and 18c) iv): Amend the first line of each motion to read That the Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the President, and in accordance with. 4. Remarks from the Chair The Chair included the following in his remarks: congratulations on behalf of the Board to Mr. Bob Ellard, Vice-President (Capital Planning and Development), for receiving the 2008 Saskatchewan Order of Merit in recognition of his community leadership; and appreciation for the constructive efforts of the student representatives and the Administration during the tuition fees consultation process. 5. Report of the President 5a) Update on Activities An update on the President s activities was distributed with the Agenda. The President added that a memorial will be held on campus on December 6 th for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. 5b) Report to the Board Dr. Weingarten highlighted the following in his PowerPoint presentation: The roles and mandates of post-secondary institutions in Alberta - funding formula discussions are taking place; The Provincial review of Alberta s research and innovation system the government s emphasis for the new framework is to enhance the promotion, capture, and economic return of research; and

3 December 5, 2008 Approved Minutes Page 3 of 6 The proposed administrative reorganization of the Arts and Social Science faculties, including: o measures in place to ensure the campus community can access information and provide input to the discussion; o the routing and timeline of the decision process; and o primary issues and concerns in the Arts and Social Sciences disciplines, including low enrolment and attrition levels, low numbers of graduate students, low levels of research funding, administrative barriers and the challenges associated with financial sustainability for small administrative units within the current budget model. 6. Tuition Fees a) Students Union (SU) Response to the Tuition Consultation Documentation for this item was distributed with the Agenda. Ms. Weatherbee, guest, and Ms. Baez made a presentation on behalf of the SU in response to the tuition consultation process. Ms. Weatherbee and Ms. Baez highlighted the following: opposition to the proposed 4.1 per cent tuition increase; the SU s follow up regarding a motion passed at the December 7, 2007 Board of Governors meeting which recognized the importance of student success and improving the quality of the undergraduate education, including: o recognition by the SU of improvements in the student experience, particularly the success of UofC 101; and the need for further improvements in the student experience, and the quality of teaching as indicated through NSEE, CUSC and the SU Tuition Consultation events. The SU perspective on the governance of the University, including: o The importance of a vision and mission statement and Academic Plan as drivers for the University; o the need for various groups on campus to work together towards common goals; o the SU s desire to be involved in the process for change that goes beyond the tuition fee consultation; o an invitation to Board Members to provide their input on a process for change; and o the suggestion that all University plans dealing with finance and resource allocation should be aligned with and supportive of the Academic Plan. The Chair thanked Ms. Weatherbee and Ms. Baez for their commitment to positive consultation, and advised them that the SU s perspectives will be incorporated into future discussions regarding University processes. 6b) Graduate Students Association (GSA) Response to the Tuition Consultation Documentation for this item was distributed with the Agenda. Ms. McGillivray, guest, and Mr. Ram made a presentation on behalf of the GSA in response to the tuition consultation, highlighting the following perspectives: graduate students are aware that the majority of their education is funded by the public purse and not their tuition. While graduate students fundamentally oppose a tuition increase, graduate students want to focus and participate in positive discussions which focus on the quality of the graduate student experience; the GSA s share of the quality money supports key, not extraneous, activities; the current quality money allocation model is unacceptable to the GSA;

4 December 5, 2008 Approved Minutes Page 4 of 6 dedicated space on the West Campus land would provide the GSA with a long-term funding solution; dedicated space in the MacKimmie Library Block would solve the current hazardous work environment situation; continued improvements to the Grad 601 program are necessary; for example, the University Welcome Barbeque should coincide with Grad 601; and the GSA wants the opportunity to increase its funding in order to provide service to its students equal to that of the SU. The Chair congratulated Ms. McGillivray and Mr. Ram on their work in presenting the GSA perspective, noting that the ideas presented will be considered by the Administration and the Board. The Chair advised that the GSA motion, included on page 11 of the GSA Response to the Tuition Consultation, will be brought to the Board in conjunction with item 6d). 6c) Tuition Fees Ms. Tierney presented the Tuition Fees proposal that was circulated with the Agenda. The Vice-Chair noted the alignment between the goals of the Administration, Board, SU and GSA to enhance the quality of education and the student experience, and asked the Administration to categorize the budget so as to inform the Board how student priorities will be achieved. Motion: Fischer/DuPont That the Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the Operations Committee, the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), and the Vice-President (Finance and Services), approve the increase in Tuition Fees for at 4.1%, the maximum permitted under the revised Provincial Tuition Fee Policy. 6d) Quality Money Motion The Chair introduced the Quality Money Motion that was included in the Agenda package. Ms. Tierney confirmed that the Provost is aware of the outcome of the tuition consultations and that the wording of the motion was finalized in consultation with the student representatives. Motion: Baez/Ram That the Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the President of the Students Union and the President of the Graduate Students Association, and with the support of the Provost and Vice- President (Academic) and the Vice-President (Finance and Services): a) affirm as a priority a budget allocation for the Quality of the Student Experience, equal to the quality money amount from indexed by the same amount as the Board approved tuition fee increase for the academic year ; subject to adequate resources being available in the budget year; and b) direct that the University Budget Committee include an allocation for this Quality Money indexed by the annual Board approved tuition fee increase for each of the and budgets, subject to adequate resources being available in those budget years.

5 December 5, 2008 Approved Minutes Page 5 of 6 Motion: Ram/Fischer That the Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the Graduate Students' Association, ask that the Provost review the GSA tuition consultation document and work with the Vice-Provost (Graduate Education) and the Vice-Provost (Students) to: a) ensure that the GSA has an opportunity to participate in consultations with respect to the development of the West Campus; b) continue to develop and improve the graduate 601 orientation program; c) complete the review of graduate student funding guidelines in consultation with the GSA; and d) review the quantity and quality of graduate student space on campus. The Chair thanked the Administration, SU and GSA for their continued commitment to the consultation process to ensure motions are indicative of student priorities. 7. Report of the Operations Committee 7a) Resource Allocation Process Update Mr. Fischer, Chair of the Operations Committee, introduced the Resource Allocation Process Update that was circulated with the Agenda for information. There were no questions. 7b) Business Plan Revision Sustainable Renewal and MD Expansion Documentation for this item was circulated with the Agenda and a revised document was tabled, reflecting a revision made by the Operations Committee at their meeting on November 26, 2008, to increase the budget for the MD expansion from $7 million to up to $10 million. Mr. Fischer requested that the information in the body of the document be updated to correspond with the revised amount, for the record. Motion: Fischer/Cuthbertson That the Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the Operations Committee and the Vice- President (Capital Planning and Development): 1. approve an adjustment to the University of Calgary s Business Plan to amend the #19 Sustainable Renewal (Deferred Maintenance) Capital Plan project to $14,432,000 to reflect increased funding provided by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Technology; 2. approve a total capital expenditure project budget of up to $10 million for the Undergraduate Medical Education Medical Doctor (MD) 2008 Expansion, subject to funding confirmation from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Technology; and 3. authorize the Vice-President (Finance and Services) to approve and sign all documents pertaining to the fiscal year of the Capital Plan, subject to the availability of funding. 7c) Student General Fees Mr. Fischer introduced the Student General Fees which was circulated with the Agenda for information, noting that the Operations Committee has the delegated authority to approve the types of fees outlined. There were no questions.

6 December 5, 2008 Approved Minutes Page 6 of 6 8. Information Reports from Board Members Supporting documents were distributed with the Agenda as indicated: a) Report of the Chancellor Joanne Cuthbertson included. b) Report of the Board Member nominated by the Alumni Association Grant MacEachern included. c) Report of the Board Member nominated by the Senate Steve Stowkowy included. d) Report of the Board Member nominated by General Faculties Council Tony Russell included. e) Report of the Board Member nominated by the University of Calgary Faculty Association John Baker included. f) Report of the Board Member nominated by the Students Union Dalmy Baez included. g) Report of the Board Member nominated by the Graduate Students Association Rithesh Ram included. h) Report of the Board Member nominated by Local 52, Alberta Union of Provincial Employees Leslie Potter tabled. 9. Other Business There were no items of Other Business. Closed Session followed