Anna Voskuil | News Editor
Featured Image: The Tuesday BoG meeting addressed university concerns at the start of the year. | Fatema Ali
As of July 1, Paul Tsaparis has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board of Governors (BoG). For the first time in the 2018-2019 academic year, the BoG met this past Tuesday with Tsaparis, sitting for the first time as Chair, alongside Chancellor Gregory Sorbara, as well as President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton.
The main issues raised at the meeting were: sustainable divestment, advances in research, pensions, investment plans, results of the recent strike, and research development.
As well, the Board expressed their sincere condolences on the passing of former Chair Paul Cantor, and announced that a memorial for him will be held this coming weekend.
Primary motions discussed included: the integration of Artificial Intelligence into society; intensifying the implementation of Faculty Program Quality Plans; looking into identifying and implementing new access initiatives, such as an Indigenous Strategic Framework; and the hiring of a new VP Equity, People and Culture, who will lead a new Division and focus on strengthening equity, positive labour relations, and resuming Employee Engagement efforts.
As well, the Finance and Audit Committee advised the BoG to approve a $7 million capital project for mechanical upgrades and renovations of the Hilliard Residence, which is, according to the BoG report: “To be funded as part of the multi-year Housing Renewal Plan.”
Further, the Committee advised the BoG to enter into a contract with Dell Canada from October 1, 2018 to September 2025; wherein the company will supply desktop computers, monitors, and laptops to York. Currently, there is a projected value of $12 million, exclusive of HST.
In addition, the Board discussed their intention to move forward with enabling a plan for tracking progress/metrics aligned with the Strategic Mandate Agreement for 2017 to 2020, which was signed this past academic year.
The Board announced their appointment of two new members from external parties, one being the President and CEO of Canadian Tire. As well, they appointed former Governor Rick Waugh as an honorary member of the Board.
The proposed budget plan found that enrolments for the current school year have seen a decline: for undergraduate programs, the total is -4.1 per cent, versus a system growth of +0.3 per cent; for graduate programs, -12.1 per cent.
As of May 31, hard costs from the recent labour disruption, which cover a wide range of university expenses, showed to be about $10 million.
More information on continuing and transfer students’ enrolment data will be released during the Fall 2019 term.
In regards to a motion on divestment, a statement from the meeting agenda read: “The University is called to look realistically at what impact divestment in fossil fuel will have at this time.”
The meeting mentioned the York University Advisory Committee on Responsible Investment (YUACRI)’s introduction of two 2016 proposals from the York community at large, one being from YU Divest.
In March 2017, YU Divest’s proposal was called for YUACRI’s review, which was claimed to be challenging for YUACRI.
Further, the report notes that currently, no Canadian university has opted for divestment.
