650th Board Meeting Summary – March 10, 2026
The Board of Governors met in open session on March 10, 2026. The following are the highlights from the meeting:
International Graduate Tuition Fees
The Board approved a new two‑year international tuition framework for graduate programs. International graduate tuition fees will be frozen for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 academic years. This approach ensures that Carleton fees remain competitive, provides greater fee certainty for students and, thereby, assists with study permit applications to facilitate international student recruitment. Fees for international PhD students will continue to be charged at the domestic rate.
Campus Infrastructure: Campus Avenue Watermain Rehabilitation
The Board approved acceleration of the Campus Avenue and Parking Lot 2 (P2) Watermain and Sewer Infrastructure Improvements Project, at a total project cost of $7.0 million.
The project will replace aging watermain and sewer infrastructure along Campus Avenue, from Rideau House to Richcraft Hall. Recent watermain failures have increased operational risk, prompting the university to accelerate the project timeline to avoid catastrophic failure and potential high repair costs.
The project combines two separately scheduled jobs into a single coordinated activity, enabling the university to reduce disruption to campus, improve long‑term system reliability, and achieve cost efficiencies. Construction is planned to begin in May 2026, with completion expected by late fall 2026. The project is fully funded through existing capital renewal and deferred maintenance allocations.
International Strategic Plan Annual Report
The Board received the annual report on Carleton’s International Strategic Plan, highlighting the university’s global engagement, international student experience, research partnerships, and international impact.
The presentation outlined Carleton’s international reach, with an international student body coming from 138 countries, with multiple regions represented in partnerships and agreements with the University, and reported growth in international research collaborations and initiatives supporting international recruitment, mobility, and student success. The report also highlighted progress across Carleton’s strategic priorities, including scholarly prominence, inclusion and wellbeing, and global partnerships.
Reports from the Chair and President
The President’s report provided an overview of progress on university priorities, including:
- New and approved academic programs and expanded learning opportunities
- Investments in teaching spaces, technology, and AI‑enabled learning
- Strong performance in research, rankings, and international collaboration
- Encouraging trends in student recruitment, enrolment, and experiential learning
- Enhancements to student wellbeing, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
- Advancements in sustainability, fundraising, alumni engagement, and enterprise risk management
Together, these updates reflected ongoing efforts to strengthen Carleton’s academic mission, financial sustainability, and community impact.
Next Meeting: April 28, 2026
The next meeting of the 2025/2026 Board year is scheduled for April 28, 2026. Open session meeting materials are posted one week in advance of each meeting. More information on items approved, as well as minutes from previous meetings, can be found on the Board of Governors website.
Sincerely,
Beth Creary
Chair, Carleton University Board of Governors