BOG Meeting Summary: Dec. 1
In compliance with Ontario’s Essential Services Order, the Carleton Board of Governors met remotely on Dec. 1, 2020. Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the Board of Governors website once available. The following are the highlights:
Chancellor Yaprak Baltacioğlu Renewed
The Board of Governors unanimously approved the renewal of Chancellor Yaprak Baltacioğlu for a second three-year term. After arriving from Turkey with limited prospects, Baltacioğlu completed a Carleton degree and became one of the most distinguished public servants in the country. Throughout her career, she worked as deputy minister in several key portfolios and advised four prime ministers. Baltacioğlu embodies the Carleton story and has served the university admirably throughout her first term as Chancellor, especially at Convocation, and as an ambassador for Carleton in the broader community.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan
Michael Charles, assistant vice-president and university advisor, Equity and Inclusive Communities, presented the Board with Carleton University’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan. Following an extensive consultation process involving the entire Carleton community, the Equity and Inclusive Communities (EIC) Advisory Group has completed the final version of this ambitious and important plan. The Board officially received the report, and thanked Michael Charles and the EIC Advisory Group for their remarkable work.
International Strategic Plan
Karen Schwartz, associate vice-president (Research and International) and International Liaison Officer provided the Board with a presentation on Carleton’s inaugural International Strategic Plan. The plan is designed to strengthen the university’s international prominence and impact, and better support the international engagement of Carleton’s faculty and students. The International Strategic Plan will operationalize the ‘Serve the World’ direction of the newly launched Strategic Integrated Plan.
2020/’21 Operating Budget Update
Last spring, Carleton reacted to the financial uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and put $23 million of discretionary funding from the 2020/’21 budget on hold. Final enrolment numbers for the fall indicate a small increase in student registrations and confirm that the operating budget is in line with previous forecasts. The Board of Governors approved the release of the $23 million discretionary allocations from the 2020/’21 budget as recommended by the Finance Committee.
Framework for the 2021/’22 Operating Budget Approved
The Board approved Carleton’s budget planning framework for the fiscal 2021/’22 year. To prepare for any uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the university is adopting a scenario-planning approach to the upcoming budget, which will include an array of student enrolment projections. The budget planning framework anticipates approval of the budget at the April Board meeting.
Capital Proposal Form – Replacement Parking Structure
The P9 parking garage was built in 1969 and houses 651 parking spaces. The garage requires significant structural upkeep and will be decommissioned by 2024. To meet parking demand on campus, the board approved the start of the preliminary design for a replacement parking structure on P4. Following a preliminary design phase, financial considerations and parking needs at Carleton will be reassessed in light of the ongoing pandemic.
Healthy Workplace
The Board received a presentation from Cindy Taylor, assistant vice-president (Human Resources), which outlined a series of Healthy Workplace initiatives and achievements that have taken place at Carleton. The presentation touched on the university’s strong Healthy Workplace culture and outlined a number of resources created to support the campus community through the COVID-19 pandemic. These included virtual resources and workshops and a series of wellness sessions dedicated to racial injustice. In the coming months, Heathy Workplace plans to expand ongoing supports and will help Carleton staff and faculty through the unique challenges of the upcoming winter term.
President’s Report
President Bacon provided an update on recent activities and accomplishments that have taken place throughout Carleton since the September Board meeting. You can access the full report here.
Become a Governor
The office of the University Secretariat will be hosting elections in early 2021 to fill student, administrative staff and academic staff positions on the Board. The Board is also seeking community-at-large members. To find out more, please visit the Board of Governors Elections and Nominations page.
Board of Governors Award Honouring Volunteerism
Nominations are now open for the Carleton University Board of Governors Award for Outstanding Community Achievement. The $2,000 award recognizes significant community contribution and volunteerism from a current Carleton student. Nominations are welcome from all community members. Click here to learn more about the Board Award..
Governor Spotlight: Jane Taber
The Board of Governors consists of 32 volunteers representing the Carleton community, like Jane Taber. Jane joined the Board in 2019 as a community-at-large representative. Learn more about Jane.
Next Meeting: March 11, 2021
The next meeting of the 2020/2021 Board year is scheduled for March 11, 2021. 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,
Dan Fortin
Chair, Carleton University Board of Governors
To learn more about the Carleton University Board of Governors, including membership, meeting schedule and official minutes, visit carleton.ca/boardofgovernors