Board approves appointment of new provost

New provost named
At its April 26 meeting, Concordia’s Board of Governors approved the appointment of Benoit-Antoine Bacon as provost and vice-president, academic affairs, beginning July 1, 2013. Bacon, who is currently dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science and associate vice-principal – research at Bishop’s University, is an alumnus of Concordia.

According to Concordia President Alan Shepard, “the search committee was impressed by his scholarship credentials, administrative experience and commitment to excellence and innovative thinking.” Read more.

Update on 2013-14 proposed budget
The university’s proposed budget for 2013-14 was on the agenda for this meeting; however,  a decision was made to defer the presentation on the recommendation of Tony Meti, chair of the board’s Finance Committee.

Meti advised governors that modifications are required to the proposed budget and these should be reviewed by the Finance Committee before the budget is presented to the board. The modifications, while modest, are not expected to affect current projections.

As a result, the proposed budget will be submitted for approval at the next board meeting, which is scheduled for June 7.

Update on summit working groups
Shepard, Board Chair Norman Hébert, Jr., and Vice-President, Institutional Relations and Secretary-General, Bram Freedman met recently with the co-chairs of the working group tasked with examining the laws surrounding university governance in Quebec.

The working group is one of five created by the Government of Quebec  following the Summit on Higher Education held in February. Shepard said the meeting between the Concordia representatives and the working group members was an opportunity to discuss how governance works at Concordia.

“We talked about the importance of the autonomy of the board and of the bicameral model,” he said. “In the process of talking about these main points, we also had the opportunity to pass on key messages including our rejection of a two-tiered university system. We’re a research university. We’re first-rate, and we intend to stay that way.”

Dean of graduate studies profile approved
The Board of Governors approved the profile of the ideal candidate for the position of dean of graduate studies. Read the profile.

Short-term borrowings
On a recommendation from the Finance Committee, the Board of Governors approved short-term borrowing for the 2013-14 academic year. The plan for the 2013-14 academic year allows for maximum short-term borrowings of $143 million, the vast majority of which is guaranteed and serviced by the Government of Quebec. Approval of this plan is a mandatory requirement of the government.

Modifications to Procurement Policy
The Board of Governors approved changes to the university’s Procurement (purchasing) Policy (Policy CFO-20), which addresses the acquisition of goods or services made by or on behalf of Concordia University.

The new policy combines three policies that had not been reviewed in close to 15 years, ensuring conformity with provincial contracting legislation. It also ensures alignment with current procurement practices at the university and existing policies dealing with the acquisition of certain goods and services.

Approval of new undergraduate student fee levies
The Board of Governors also approved three new undergraduate student activity fee levies, to be collected by the university on behalf of the Concordia Student Union (CSU) and the Fine Arts Students Alliance (FASA).

The fee levies include a $0.15 per-credit fee from all undergraduate students to support Sustainable Concordia (up from $0.05 per credit), a new $0.12 per-credit fee to support the Concordia greenhouse, and a new $0.06 per-credit fee to support the Concordia Undergraduate Journal of Art History (CUJAH).

The new fees were approved by undergraduate students during a referendum held in March 2013. They will take effect in the fall 2013 term.

Related links:
•    “Benoit-Antoine Bacon appointed provost” – NOW, April 26, 2013
•    Purchasing Policy (CFO-20)  (This is a link to the existing policy. The new policy will be posted before the end of May.)