{"id":69575,"date":"2020-09-30T18:45:41","date_gmt":"2020-09-30T22:45:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/?post_type=cu_story&p=69575"},"modified":"2025-10-17T11:23:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T15:23:13","slug":"sip-launch-virtual-event","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/story\/sip-launch-virtual-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Carleton Unveils Road Map for the Future in Dynamic Virtual Event"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Carleton Unveils Road Map for the Future in Dynamic Virtual Event\n <\/h1>\n \n <\/header>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/path>\n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

\u201cOne of the secrets of life,\u201d said Carleton University President Benoit-Antoine Bacon<\/a>, \u201cis to always be at the beginning of something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bacon made the remark during a dynamic virtual event on Wednesday, Sept. 30 to officially launch Carleton\u2019s new Strategic Integrated Plan<\/a> (SIP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The comprehensive year-long collaborative process to create the SIP may be complete, said Bacon, \u201cbut now we\u2019re at the place where the ideas in the plan can really take off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"President
President Benoit-Antoine Bacon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More than 600 people logged in for the online launch, which featured live and recorded speakers in multiple locations, a fast-paced video showcasing the beauty of the campus and the city, and a peek inside the pages of the SIP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlans like this must be an evolution, not a revolution,\u201d said Bacon. \u201cThey must be based on an institution\u2019s true history, but also recognize that the world has changed and continues to change.”<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cA plan doesn\u2019t have any value if it stays on a shelf,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cIt needs to be embraced by the community and implemented through action. We need to track and measure these things. We must do the things we say we\u2019ll do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Aerial<\/figure>\n\n\n

Three Strategic Themes to Guide Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Inspired by the triangular shape of the Carleton campus, the new SIP outlines three strategic directions: Share Knowledge, Shape the Future; Serve Ottawa, Serve the World; and Strive for Wellness, Strive for Sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These themes, said Bacon, \u201care especially relevant in these challenging and disruptive times.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cOn a map, our campus creates a unique triangle \u2014 a natural symbol of strength,\u201d the plan declares. \u201cThis shape also reminds us of delta, the mathematical symbol for change. This triangle is both Carleton\u2019s strength and delta, our mandate for change. It is a symbol of what we are and where we can go. The symbol frames everything we stand for at Carleton: the power of higher education and innovation, the value we place on community and collaboration, and the importance of sustainability and wellness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe western edge of the triangle follows the path of the iconic Rideau Canal \u2014 a hint at the ingenuity and innovation that helped establish this city and a waterway that tells a story of the creation, application and mobilization of knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo our east, we border an important arterial road [Bronson Avenue] \u2014 an axis that creates our connection to the community, to this city\u2019s cultural heart and the country\u2019s political centre, and ultimately leading to the gateway to the world [the Ottawa International Airport].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo our south, we travel along the Pasapkedjinawong (Rideau) River \u2014 moving forward to a prosperous future with momentum and resilience, reminding us of our connection to the natural world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Betina<\/figure>\n\n\n

Sharing and Sustainability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The launch was emceed by Lorraine Dyke<\/a>, Carleton\u2019s deputy provost (Academic Operations and Planning), who co-chaired the SIP task force along with Clerk of Senate Betina Appel Kuzmarov<\/a>, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs Dean, Patrice Smith<\/a>, and Cindy Taylor<\/a>, the university\u2019s assistant vice-president, Human Resources.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cToday is truly a momentous day for Carleton,\u201d said Dyke, who highlighted the engagement she experienced during the consultative process to create the plan.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cIt will serve as our collective vision for the future, and it will take all of us to bring it to life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lorraine Dyke, Deputy Provost (Academic Operations and Planning) and SIP Task Force Co-Chair<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dyke introduced Elder Barbara Dumont-Hill from Kitigan Zibi, whose video message was filmed on the banks of Pasapkedjinawong. The plan, said Dumont-Hill, \u201cis about sharing and sustainability. To me, that\u2019s a little bit like going back to the future. It\u2019s about sharing knowledge and creating health for the generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, Provost and Vice-President (Academic), Jerry Tomberlin, thanked the task force co-chairs.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cThey\u2019ve done a terrific job leading the community through this process, and they and we have a lot to proud of,\u201d he said. \u201cThey worked collaboratively and built partnerships across the Carleton community. It\u2019s thanks to their leadership that we have such an ambitious and visionary plan to celebrate today.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

After that, a pair of speakers talked about the purpose and symbolism of each of the three strategic directions or axes of the SIP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jerry
Jerry Tomberlin, Provost and Vice-President (Academic)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on Share Knowledge, Shape the Future, Kuzmarov said: \u201cCarleton can draw on the canal for inspiration. When we look to the future, we know that ingenuity will be a critical skill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only is Carleton fulfilling this direction through research, added Smith, it\u2019s also doing so through steps such as the Memorandum of Understanding<\/a> signed earlier this month with the Yukon\u2019s First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun to collaborate on Indigenous and northern studies, post-secondary education, research and access for learners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking about Serve Ottawa, Serve the World from the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, SIP task force member, Pauline Rankin, also dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, noted that \u201cCarleton\u2019s community connections are extensive and enduring\u201d and that \u201ca profound sense of community dedication drives our core mission and our responsibility to our city and our society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pauline
Pauline Rankin, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCarleton has evolved into a research-intensive educational institution whose reach and impact extends far beyond city limits,\u201d added fellow task force member Karen Schwartz, the university\u2019s Associate Vice-President (Research and International). \u201cWe partner with universities, governments and organizations around the world and are a global hub of intellectual growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWellness is the sustainability of individuals,\u201d continued Schwartz, segueing to the final axis, Strive for Wellness, Strive for Sustainability, \u201cand sustainability is the wellness of the planet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this regard, Michael Charles, assistant vice-president and university advisor for Equity and Inclusive Communities, highlighted Carleton\u2019s work to create a plan for institutional strategic action on equity, diversity and inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Michael
Michael F. Charles, Assistant Vice-President and University Advisor for EIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCarleton has chosen a holistic campus-wide approach to wellness and health, recognizing the diversity of its communities and the perspective they bring,\u201d said Charles. \u201cAs a large institution, Carleton is a reflection of society and is not insulated from its challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, said Prof. Kahente Horn-Miller<\/a> (Kanien:keha\u2019ka\/Mohawk), the inaugural assistant vice-president, Indigenous Initiatives and a co-chair of the Carleton University Strategic Indigenous Initiatives Committee, the recently released Kin\u00e0m\u00e0gawin<\/a> (Learning Together) report shows how much progress has been made on Indigenous issues and reconciliation and how much remains to be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis work is never finished,\u201d said Horn-Miller, \u201cbut is something to which we must continually dedicate our efforts and resources.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Prof.<\/figure>\n\n\n

Aligning with an Overarching Direction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Toward the end of the launch event, Bacon responded to questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked about how the SIP will be implemented, he said it will be highly visible throughout the fall and the rest of year, and that individuals, faculties and departments will need to reflect on the SIP\u2019s language and strive to align their work with the university\u2019s overarching direction \u2014 a synergy that is already happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asked about how one plans for the future when confronting the biggest public health crisis in a century, Bacon said: \u201cWe need to be responsive in real time to the COVID pandemic. What does it mean day to day? How do we keep everyone safe and continue our academic mission? But we can\u2019t just do that. We need to keep our eyes far into the future \u2014 maybe there will be some lessons from the pandemic \u2014 and think how can we adapt and change today so we continue to succeed in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Karen
Karen Schwartz, Associate Vice-President (Research and International)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One staff member asked what employees can do to contribute, to which Bacon replied: \u201cIt\u2019s everyone\u2019s<\/em> plan. Everybody at Carleton is invited to read the plan, to reflect on the plan, and to ask what it means for them, for the unit they work in and for the university as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cImagine if everyone does that. That will be transformative across the university. It\u2019s not so much the plan that changes the university, but the people who embrace it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Lastly, asked about the challenges facing Carleton, Bacon talked about the gap between how the university is perceived and what it is accomplishing these days in research, innovative pedagogy and care for the student experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat an opportunity we have, with the SIP completed, to tell our story more loudly,\u201d he said. \u201cThe next 10 years will be very exciting for us. Challenges or not, Carleton will thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event concluded with a series of video messages from members of the Carleton community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chancellor
Chancellor Yaprak Baltacio\u011flu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAmong other principles, the new SIP is rooted in community, inclusivity and diversity,\u201d said Chancellor Yaprak Baltacio\u011flu. \u201cThis is core to a positive experience for students, faculty and staff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cSimply put, it\u2019s inspiring and presents an amazing vision for the future of Carleton,\u201d said Board of Governors Chair Dan Fortin.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cIt provides amazing guidance and vision, yet respects our roots. By seeking out broad perspectives and listing to feedback from so many participating, it\u2019s an exciting vision for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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