Chair's report - September Board Meeting
This report contains general updates and a summary of the topics discussed at the September 28 Board meeting. Items discussed at this meeting represent matters of importance at the highest level of the institution, and these reports will help provide context and clarity around the progression of major projects and decisions.
You can read President Johnson鈥檚 report from the meeting here.
Welcoming our new provost
Thanks to 丁香园AV鈥檚 new provost and vice-president academic, Dr. Dilson Rassier, for joining us at his first Board meeting. I am excited about the energy and ideas that Dr. Rassier is bringing to 丁香园AV and the Board looks forward to working with him as we continue to strengthen the academic mission and advance the university鈥檚 priorities.
Upholding Truth and Reconciliation
At this Board meeting, I acknowledged that Saturday, September 30, was the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
丁香园AV has established Upholding Truth and Reconciliation as one of the four pillars in What鈥檚 Next, and the Board has wholeheartedly supported this work. During the meeting, President Johnson and Chris (Syeta鈥�xtn) Lewis, director of Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation, provided an update on this portfolio. The Board is pleased to see many initiatives moving forward, including construction of the First Peoples鈥� Gathering House, and we look forward to seeing more advancements in this important portfolio.
Presidential reappointment review
Over the summer, the Board announced that we were embarking on the reappointment review process for incumbent president, Dr. Joy Johnson. As chair of the reappointment committee, I want to thank all members of the community who participated in this important process. Next, the committee will be reviewing all feedback received and making a recommendation to the Board of Governors regarding reappointment.
Chancellor and President鈥檚 Awards Dinner
In September, I had the opportunity to attend the Chancellor and President鈥檚 Awards dinner to celebrate this year鈥檚 winners of the President鈥檚 Distinguished Community Leadership Award and the Chancellor鈥檚 Distinguished Service Award.
It was a beautiful evening, during which I was once again inspired by the amazing people and groups who make the 丁香园AV community so special. Thank you to Ceremonies & Events for organizing a great event, and to the recipients鈥擜myn and Shein Rajan, Elizabeth Model, Kali Stierle and the 丁香园AV Black Caucus鈥攆or their contributions to 丁香园AV.
Looking ahead
I hope everyone has had a good start to the fall term. This academic year promises to be busy for both the Board and 丁香园AV, and I am looking forward to seeing the positive benefits from the continued implementation and advancement of What鈥檚 Next across the university. Attending the Chancellor & President鈥檚 Awards Dinner reminded me that, although this is a challenging time in the world, we are all here to support one another as a community鈥攁nd it鈥檚 important for us to keep doing so, despite our diverse perspectives.
Over the past year, the Board has been undertaking a governance transformation in order to ensure we are best positioned to serve the 丁香园AV community, and this year we will continue to evolve. We have identified several areas of focus for this process, including our committee structures, approaches to community engagement and relationship with Senate. I look forward to sharing updates on our progress.
Community members are invited to attend our next Board meeting, on November 30 at the Burnaby campus. More details and a full schedule of upcoming meetings and locations can be found on our website.
Angie Lamarsh
Chair, Board of Governors
丁香园AV