Senators reconvene for the first time since the summer to discuss topics ranging from Nous Group to Bader College.
The Senate kicked off its first meeting of the academic year on Sept. 25 in a hybrid format, with Robert Sutherland Hall as the main location. Discussions covered a range of topics, including the introduction of new deans, castle reopenings, and reconciliation initiatives.
Provost and Vice-Principle (Academics) Matthew Evans introduced new Deans Amy Burns in the Faculty of Education and Lisa Tannock in the Faculty of Health Sciences, before updating Senate on Bader College, where he said infrastructure repairs will be completed by October. Programming is set to resume in 2026 with a revised model with a shift from its former undergraduate focus.
“This marks a new chapter for Bader College,” Evans said. “I’ve been there in the past. It’s an hour from London, it’s very close to Gatwick Airport, and it’s very easy to get across to mainland Europe. So, this is quite a good center for visiting other places as well.
READ MORE: After two-year hiatus Bader College reopens for Winter 2026
Reports from multiple committees, such as the Summer Action Committee, the Academic Development and Procedures Committee, and the Senate Advisory Research Committee, were received but not discussed. Key actions included approving a new appointment to the Senate Scholarships and Student Aid Committee and updating AMS representation on the Senate Orientation Review Committee, with the AMS President replacing the Vice-President as orientation shifts under the presidential portfolio.
Reports
Principal Patrick Deane devoted his report to Bill 33, proposed by the Ontario government. If passed, the bill would require colleges and universities to establish merit-based admissions criteria, authorize government regulations on ancillary fees, and obligate institutions to implement research security protocols. He warned the legislation risks undermining equity pathways, describing it as a “heightening level of government control.”
Deane addressed the province’s ongoing governance review, noting that the Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities sent out a consultation survey to Ontario universities. Associate Professor in the Department of History and Senator Adnan Husain asked Deane whether the results of the survey could be shared with the Senate. While prefacing that he has to get approval first, Deane said he’s “no concerns with sharing the survey.”
Following this discussion, Deane shifted to a more positive note and encouraged senators to continue engaging with the Bicentennial Vision consultation, which remains open through late October.
Question Period
During the question period, senators pressed administrators on transparency and resource allocation.
Professor in the School of Gender Studies and Senator Sammy King asked if the University would share an Ontario government-mandated efficiency report conducted by Nous Group, which contains recommendations on governance and academic matters, with Senate.
Evans denied the request, explaining that information could be obtained by competitor institutions and added that the University has “no intention of sharing it.”
After a brief pause, Queen’s University Faculty Association President Karen Rudie asked why Nous Group was chosen as the consultant for the review. Evans explained that Nous was selected due to their prior work on the Queen’s Renew Project and being among a limited list of provincially approved consultants; Nous was the best fit.
Senator and Professor in the Department of English Literature and Creative Writing Petra Fachinger, raised concerns about a shortage of indigenous resources at Queen’s, noting the difficulty in providing meaningful cultural learning. She specifically pointed to limited Elders and advisors and criticized the suspension of two key positions at Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre and in anti-racist education, citing budget constraints.
Fachinger added that spaces meant to support Indigenous teaching are inadequate. She explained that the outdoor gathering space has a fire regulation cap of 35 people, making it unusable for her 55-student class.
Provost Evans responded by asking what her question was, saying, “I heard what was said, but I don’t detect a question.”
Fachinger replied by reiterating her previous concerns and saying, “Queen’s isn’t living up to its responsibilities [in] moving towards reconciliation,” before Deane turned the question to Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) Stephanie Simpson.
Simpson said the concerns should be brought to the Associate Vice-Principal (Indigenous Initiatives), who was appointed in February, and to the Indigenous Council, which advises the University on policy and governance related to Indigenous matters.
The next Senate will be held on Oct. 30.
Tags
Bicentennial Vision, Nous Group, Senate
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.