The first Senate of the calendar year showed the University’s uncertainty amidst pending future political leaders and what it would mean for the future of research funding at Queen’s.
Senate was held on Jan. 30 through a hybrid format for the first time since September, taking place over Zoom and at Robert Sutherland Hall for approximately two and a half hours. Senate meetings moved fully online after protesters interrupted the September Senate meeting where glitter was thrown on Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Matthew Evans. Senators for the winter semester are now meeting in person with guests and media joining online.
In his opening speech, Principal Patrick Deane acknowledged the passing of former Principal Thomas R. Williams which was followed by a moment of silence.
Elections, student funding, and enrollment
During his report, Deane highlighted the implications of two impending elections, provincial and federal, on the University, with a significant portion of investments potentially compromised based on which party comes into government, noting an unstable time in politics.
He stressed how the bulk of investments made towards granting agencies are set to be given after 2026, but that their receival will now depend on the results of the elections.
According to Deane, the University invested over $1.8 billion over the next five years in addition to an ongoing $748 million in support of federal granting agencies that support research in various disciplines.
The three federal granting agencies include the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, all of which fund research in Canadian post-secondary institutions.
Deane also discussed the implications of the upcoming federal election on the funding of graduate student scholarships, noting the current federal government’s pledge to increase the number of scholarships over five years to provide funding to an additional 1,720 students yearly as part of the government’s federal budget for 2024 fiscal year, released last April. However, the University doesn’t know whether this would be impacted by the turnover with the government in the upcoming elections.
“It’s a very unpromising moment for higher education politically, both in the province and federally,” Deane said.
No further explanation was provided on how the elections would influence these investments.
Bicentennial Vision
Deane discussed the bicentennial review, which includes a 13-page paper on Queen’s Bicentennial Vision, covering the current finances of the University and the rising emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. He stated a working group will be created to investigate the future role of the humanities and social sciences at the University, with the composition of the group expected to be released next week.
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The discussion of the paper invoked questions on striking a balance between improving the success of humanities and science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs, which ended in agreement on the importance of better integration of the two fields in the University’s future.
Deane’s vision for the University’s future brought up concerns about how these plans would be paired with the Balanced Budget Queen’s 2040 plan, which lays out the University’s financial parameters for its decision-making, according to Deane.
“While we need to think about the research standing of this University in 2041, the identification of priorities to get there, innovations to the teaching and learning mission, all of those things […] they have to be done in the context of and with due recognition of the financial reality so far as we can predict them,” Deane explained.
Transparency in long-term plans
Senate was extended by an hour to discuss the increasing consultation and transparency for the Bicentennial Vision.
Motion two, submitted by Associate Professor Adnan Husain requested “any and all measures developed by senior leadership as part of the Bicentennial Vision and/or Queen’s 2040 plan be submitted to the Senate Governance and Nominations Committeeprior to being voted on by any other body.”
The Senate Governance and Nominating Committee, composed of the Chair of the Senate, the AMS President, the SGPS President, and seven elected members, advises the Senate on the efficacy and efficiency of its structure and that of its standing committees.
“It’s not within the power of the Senate either to control the administration or to alter the Board of Trustees jurisdiction on matters. But the sentiment here is important to be expressed,” Deane said, voicing his support for increased communication between the Board and Senate.
Discussion followed on the issue of the motion’s scope, with Senators specifically pointing to the phrase “any and all measures” as problematic. The motion was then amended to replace this with “any measures having academic ramifications.” After a vote, the motion was carried 24 to 11.
The next Senate will be held in a hybrid format on Feb. 27.
Tags
Bicentennial Vision, Federal Election, Provincial Election, Senate, transparency
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