Senate convened on Feb. 29 in Robert Sutherland Hall to discuss Senate’s effectiveness and the budget crisis.
Reports from the Provost and Principal described recent meetings and projects to manage Queen’s $48 million deficit. Though record numbers of students applied to Queen’s, totaling 58,000 applicants, questions remain unanswered on how the international student cap will affect the University.
Provost Evans explained briefly the new Queen’s Renew Project, a collaboration with external agency Nous Group, a consulting firm specializing in the higher education sector. The group recently sent out a survey to Queen’s employees to assess the effectiveness of services.
“It will focus on ensuring that the University’s support services are structured and operating as effectively as possible with minimal duplication of services,” Evans said in his report.
Principal Deane and Provost Evans Reports
Deane attended meetings in February with government officials, including Kingston and the Islands MPP Ted Hsu, and Ontario University and Higher Education Minister Jill Dunlop, to discuss the impact of the federal international student cap.
“We’re waiting (along with all other universities in Ontario) to hear from the provincial government what the institutional quota will be and what process will be introduced for issuing the attestation letters required by students before they can apply for a study visa,” Evans said in his report.
Evans began sending student leaders, including the AMS executive, a monthly newsletter with updates on the budget crisis.
Queen’s raised $490,166 in support of the United Way, a non-profit that raises funds for programs such as the Community Food Redistribution Warehouse, which distributes food to other local initiatives.
Faculty of Law Report
Highlighting the first-year class includes 17 Black students, Faculty of Law Dean Colleen Flood discussed improving mentorship and supports for equity-deserving students at a meeting on Nov. 16 with students and faculty.
Flood is concerned by the budget crisis, as within three years the faculty expects to run a deficit. Mitigation plans rely on alternative revenue streams, including the Graduate Diploma Certificate in Law, which saw increased enrolment this year.
According to Flood, international student tuition for Queen’s Law is the second highest tuition in the country at $73,310 per student. In her report, Flood initially requested the administration lower the tuition to $40,500 to drive international recruitment, which she acknowledged is no longer viable under the recent federal cap.
The faculty is working on ways to support research and boost the number of research chairs at Queen’s Law. Flood and new Associate Dean (Research) Cherie Metcalf are hosting lunches for faculty and students to boost interest in research.
Vice-Principal (Research) Report
Combined, seven Queen’s researchers secured $4.17 million in grants from the Canadian Institute of Health Research Project Grant Program, lagging 3.7 per cent behind the national success rate of 17.2 per cent. Research will focus on advanced melanoma and tick-borne diseases.
With funding from the Bruce Mitchell Research program, 52 doctoral trainees will receive $35,000 per year for four years, rewarding quality research-training environments at Queen’s with the intention of attracting new talent.
Tags
budget deficit, Governance, Senate
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