The Board met in person on April 30, 2024. Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the Board of Governors website once they are available. The following are the highlights from the meeting:
Loeb Building Envelope Remediation and Replacement
The Board approved the Project Planning Report for the Loeb Building Envelope Remediation and Replacement. This project, guided by the Campus Master Plan, aims at modernising the building while addressing safety and maintenance issues, enhancing the building’s aesthetic appeal, and achieving energy efficiency and sustainability goals. Phases 1(safety repairs to the interior stairs) and 2 (envelope design options, constructability methods, and energy-efficient solutions) of the project have been completed. The completion of phase 3 is underway and it entails preparing construction drawings and specifications while considering budget constraints and the occupants’ needs.
Decommissioning of P9 Parking Garage – Project Implementation Report
The Board of Governors approved the Project Implementation Report for the decommissioning of P9 Parking Garage. In 2018, extensive cracking was observed in five beams, and key stakeholders agreed that maintaining the garage over an extended period would be cost prohibitive and would require demolition. Moriyama Teshima Architects was retained as the prime consultant for the project and a five-year expenditure plan was prepared by the firm, targeting a 2024 decommissioning date. The P9 decommissioning project will allow Carleton to safely demolish the aging structure, eliminating the need for continued investment in maintaining the deteriorated asset.
Capital Renewal Annual Funding
In 2014-2015, Facilities Management and Planning (FMP) engaged Sightlines to provide an independent review of the condition of the university facilities, the capital asset data, and to propose a funding strategy that would enhance the stewardship of the university’s capital assets. That report led to a commitment to allocate $14 million annually for 10 years to address the maintenance of the university’s assets.
In 2023, FMP engaged Gordian to review capital renewal investments, incorporating historical Carleton data juxtaposed to the data of peer organizations. Gordian’s report highlighted that Carleton’s buildings are older on average compared to the buildings of its peers, indicating a high-risk profile that necessitates ongoing investment in maintenance and renovations. This report enabled FMP to optimize investments and develop an actionable maintenance plan considering risk and the age of the assets.
The fiscal year of 2024-2025 is the last of the 10 years that the university had committed to a spending of $14 million per annum to prevent a growing backlog of maintenance needs. Based on the report provided by Gordian, an extension of $14 million annually for the next 3 years was approved.
Operating Budget 2024/25
The Board of Governors approved an operating budget for the 2024/25 fiscal year of $560 million in expenditures and transfers with revenues of $534 million balanced by drawing on previously allocated reserves of $26 million. The Board also approved domestic tuition per the Ontario Tuition 2024/25 Framework, international student tuition based on market comparisons, student association and miscellaneous administrative fees. The budget is set against a backdrop of financial constraints, including a freeze on domestic tuition fees for Ontario students, modest government grant increases, escalating expenses and declining revenues. The budget reflects strategic priorities such as enhancing student recruitment and success, expanding online education, and modernizing services.
Coordinated Accessibility Strategy Annual Report
The Board received an annual report on Carleton’s Coordinated Accessibility Strategy (CAS) which was launched in June 2020, and is now in its action phase, with numerous projects and initiatives focusing on lived experience and equitable representation. The implementation team is currently working towards intermediary outcomes, such as internal recognition of accessibility, embedded roles, and greater representation. Having inspired over 80 initiatives across 7 areas of focus over the past year, CAS has and continues to implement 19 of the total 40 recommendations while the remaining recommendations are underway or in a planning phase.
President’s Report
Interim President Jerry Tomberlin provided an update on recent activities and accomplishments that have taken place at Carleton since the March 6, 2024, Board meeting. Read the full President’s Report.
Governor Spotlight: Jennifer Camelon
Jennifer is the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Corporate Services at Canadian Blood Services and has an extensive private and public sector executive level experience in finance, corporate planning, IT, procurement and supply chain and enterprise risk management. She is a certified professional accountant (CPA, CA) and holds an ICD.D.
Jennifer has been elected to the Board of Governors for a three-year term commencing July 1, 2023, and ending on June 30, 2026.
Next Meeting: June 6, 2024
The next Board of Governors meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2024. 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,
Greg Farrell,
FCPA, FCA Chair,
Carleton University Board of Governors