Concordia University senate adopts external governance review resolution

After a lengthy meeting on February 18, Senate unanimously adopted a slightly amended resolution calling for an external committee to be established and given a mandate to review Concordia’s governance structure. The resolution was based upon a motion adopted by Senate at its previous meeting in January. The creation of the governance review committee was approved by the Board of Governors at its meeting the day before.

The subject of governance has been taken up at various Faculty Councils, departmental meetings and other university bodies over the last several weeks. After acknowledging the tensions that he had become aware of in meetings across the university in his first 16 days in office, President Fred Lowy presented the resolution adopted by the Board. President Lowy underscored the need for a small committee capable of meeting quickly and reporting in “a matter of weeks as opposed to months.” Senators carefully considered the resolution and approved a slightly amended version as follows:

Whereas at its last meeting Senate adopted a resolution calling for the establishment of a special governance commission to review the governance structure of the University;

Whereas Steering Committee of Senate discussed how to implement this resolution and agreed to recommend to Senate the establishment of an external governance review committee composed of a small number of members external to the University and that Senate designate Steering Committee to participate in the drafting of the mandate and recommendation of the membership of said committee in concert with the Executive Committee of the Board;

Whereas in response to the aforementioned resolution, at its meeting of February 17 the Board of Governors approved the establishment of an external governance review committee comprised of a small number of members external to the University and designated Dr. Frederick Lowy to draft the mandate and recommend the membership of said committee in concert with Senate;

I move:

That Senate approve the establishment of an external governance review committee comprised of a small number of at least three members external to the University, including at least one current or former faculty member; and

That Senate designate Steering Committee to set the mandate and approve the membership of said committee in concert with Dr. Frederick Lowy.

As for the mandate of the governance review committee, Senators suggested that Board size and composition be considered along with the composition of the Board standing committees. Other suggestions emphasized that principles of accountability, sustainability and responsibility should be addressed by the committee.

In other discussion, Senators raised questions about how projected revenues and expenses for new academic programs are determined and approved. The expectation of confidentiality when students defend research involving potentially sensitive information from industry or government partners was also discussed.

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