The Board met in person on December 4, 2024. Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the Board of Governors website once available. The following are the highlights from the meeting:
Planning Framework for the 2025-26 Operating Budget
The Board has approved Carleton’s operating budget planning framework for 2025-26. The plan incorporates a Financial Sustainability Framework to effectively address the current and anticipated fiscal climate. This new framework aims to take a programmatic approach to institutional change and includes four key components:
- Cost Containment Measures
- Revenue “Win-Back”
- Breaking the Academic Cost/Quality Tradeoff
- Evidence-Based Approach to Organizational Excellence and Optimization
Each component comprises projects that will be undertaken over the short, medium, and long term to achieve financial sustainability.
Strive for Sustainability Annual Report 2023 – 2024
This year marked significant progress in Carleton’s sustainability plan, showcasing the university’s dedication to reducing carbon emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and expanding community engagement through education and collaboration. As a key direction in Carleton’s Strategic Integrated Plan, the university has advanced its goals in leadership, teaching, research, operations, community engagement, and sustainable collaboration.
For a comprehensive overview of key programs and metrics related to sustainability over the past year, read the Sustainability Report for 2023.
Overview of Carleton University’s Capital Renewal and Deferred Maintenance
Carleton University has experienced significant growth, with enrollment increasing faster than campus space, resulting in higher campus density. Without intervention, 81% of campus space will be classified as high-risk by 2031. Despite responsibly utilizing available capital funds, additional funding is necessary to address the needs of the high-risk areas. In the event of future emergencies or strategic initiatives, reallocating these resources could impact the ability to maintain facilities. The analysis, conducted and presented by Gordian, reviewed historical university data and included comparisons with peer organizations.
Research Update
The Board received an update on Carleton’s multidisciplinary research portfolio, noting researcher success, growth in publications and citations, new partnerships, and a 25% increase in external research revenue since 2022, totaling $113 million for 2023/24.
Key research priorities for the upcoming year include sustaining increased productivity and funding by enhancing researcher support, fostering multidisciplinary collaborations, and strengthening international activities. CU Research will also ensure compliance with government mandates, boost its reputation through honors and awards, optimize ranking submissions, and celebrate successes.
President’s Report
Interim President Tomberlin provided an update on recent activities and accomplishments that have taken place at Carleton since the October Board meeting. Read the President’s Report.
Governor Spotlight: Logan Breen, Student Governor
Logan Breen is pursuing his Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Political Science, Economics, and French. He also has experience working as a Proceedings and Verification officer at the House of Commons, Canada.
Since May 2023, he served as the Vice President Internal of the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA). In this capacity, he was responsible for leading policy development, serving as CUSA’s governance officer, and overseeing a club and society system with more than 200 active student groups. Additionally, he is also a Carleton Athletics Board member. Learn more about Logan.
Next meeting: March 18, 2025
The next meeting of the 2024/25 Board year is scheduled for March 18, 2025. 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