To All Members of the Carleton Community,
This is an update from tonight’s Board of Governors meeting.
Canada Research Chairs Program Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan
Alastair Summerlee, president and vice-chancellor, reported on the completion of Carleton’s action plan to adopt greater transparency in the allocation, selection and renewal process for Canada Research Chairs.
The action plan, which is required by the chair program, focuses on improving the governance, transparency and monitoring of equity and diversity within the program. All institutions with five or more chair allocations are required to develop an equity, diversity and inclusion action plan centred on four designated groups — women, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal Peoples and members of visible minorities. Institutions are required to report publicly on the progress made in meeting key objectives on a yearly basis. The plan must include impactful objectives and move progressively to meet them in the 18 to 24 months following implementation. The Board approved Carleton’s action plan on Dec. 15, 2017, noting that the institution is well on its way to achieving the objectives in all categories.
Carleton University 2017 Annual Report on Sexual Violence
Suzanne Blanchard, vice-president (Students and Enrolment) and university registrar, presented background on the 2017 Annual Report on Sexual Violence. The Board of Governors approved the Carleton Sexual Violence policy for a three-year period in December 2016. The policy mandates that an annual report is presented to the Board for information. Nearly 3,000 members of the community have been involved in programming to increase awareness and the signs and prevention techniques to limit and deal with reports of sexual violence and violence in general. Since its inception, 61 individuals have come forward and talked to the Equity Office and three cases moved forward to the formal complaint phase. The policy was deliberately designed to be flexible so that a survivor-centric approach could be adopted to focus on support of the survivor. To date, that flexibility has allowed the university to accommodate the different circumstances of each case. Despite the intent that the policy would be in place for three years, the administration is suggesting that a consultative process should be implemented immediately to consider potential changes to the policy to clarify and improve aspects of the proceedings.
Research Funding Impact
Rafik Goubran, vice-president (Research and International), reviewed the research excellence and impact metrics called for by the province’s Strategic Mandate Agreement. He gave a breakdown of how tri-council research funding is spent, and the benefits of research funding in terms of recruitment, ranking, reputation, leveraging other programs, and assisting graduate students. The key priorities for 2018-‘19 were presented, including enhancements to service and support for researchers, celebration of our research excellence and an increase in Carleton’s international engagement.
Interdisciplinary Research and Teaching – The READ Initiative
Adrian Chan, assistant vice-president (Academic), presented background information about Carleton’s Research, Education, Accessibility and Design (READ) Initiative. The presentation highlighted a few of READ’s accessibility activities that are related to research and teaching, including the Innovative Designs for Accessibility (IDeA) competition, the CanUgan initiative focused on manufacturing cycles for individuals with disabilities in Uganda, and the $1.65-million NSERC CREATE grant to deliver the first interdisciplinary post-secondary accessibility training program in Canada. The presentation concluded with examples of the research Carleton students are undertaking to improve accessibility and create a more inclusive society.
Comprehensive Campaign
The president reported on the continued success of the Collaborate fundraising campaign. The university is now looking forward to post-campaign activities. Dan Fortin, member of the Board of Governors and co-chair of the Collaborate fundraising campaign, presented background information on the brand for ongoing fundraising in the post-campaign period.
Chair’s Report
I advised Board members that Carleton’s Executive Compensation Framework has been submitted to the province and that minor changes were incorporated into the document. Once the province gives final approval to the framework it will be posted on the website for comment.
Board Seeking Student Governors and Community-at-Large Members
The Board is seeking nominations for four student governors to serve on the Board effective July 1, 2018. Two “Board 101” information sessions for interested students are being held on Feb. 12, 2018 at noon and Feb. 14, 2018 at noon in Robertson Hall 608. Students interested in attending are required to register by contacting Amanda.Goth@Carleton.ca.
The Board is also recruiting community-at-large members. Ads to recruit members have been placed in various print and online media. The application form and detailed information about the nominating process are posted on the Board’s website: Carleton.ca/community-at-large-rep. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2018. Nominations can be sent to Amanda.Goth@Carleton.ca.
Board Award
The Board seeks nominations for the 2017-‘18 Board of Governors Award for Outstanding Community Achievement that recognizes the spirit of student volunteerism and substantial community contributions while at Carleton University. The deadline for nominations is Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. For eligibility criteria and how to submit a nomination please visit: Carleton.ca/secretariat/boardofgovernors/board-award
Save the Date: Talk Exchange
The Community Relations and Advancement (CR&A) Committee of the Board of Governors will hold its next Talk Exchange on Monday, March 19, 2018 in Residence Commons, second floor, at 1:00 p.m. The event will be hosted by CR&A Chair Linda Ann Daly and Vice-Chair Jay Nordenstrom.
Upcoming Meeting
The next Board of Governors meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27, 2018.
Dr. Chris Carruthers
Chair, Carleton University Board of Governors
Thursday, February 8, 2018 in Campus News
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