Call for Nominations

In keeping with the University Appointments Policy, following the announcement of the departure of the incumbent Provost & Vice-President (Academic) the process for establishing a Provost & Vice-President (Academic) Search Committee has commenced to ensure the timely appointment of a successor. 

Today, we invite the University community to help identify faculty, staff and student nominees for the Provost & Vice-President (Academic) Search Committee. The Provost is the University’s chief academic officer and the principal advisor to the President on academic affairs. The Provost plays an instrumental role in supporting, developing, and leading the academic mission of the University by advancing innovation in curriculum and program development, ensuring program quality, leading faculty and student recruitment strategy, fostering a supportive learning environment, and championing policies and programs that enhance the student experience. As Chief Budget Officer, the Provost, in collaboration with the other Vice-Presidents and College Deans, plays a critical role in the development and implementation of the University’s annual budget, and in ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the University. 

In addition to the leadership of all elements of associate diploma, undergraduate, graduate and continuing studies, the Provost’s portfolio includes oversight of faculty and student affairs, institutional research and planning, teaching and learning, registrarial services, and the Library. 

As you consider individuals for nomination, we ask that you keep a number of important considerations in mind:

• Most importantly, members will need to act in the best interests of the University, as a whole, while being knowledgeable and taking into account the interests of the different constituencies to which the University is accountable.
• Members will need to have a strong understanding of the University’s mission, values and goals so that they can work together to select a strong champion for U of G.
• Members should have a strong understanding of the University’s academic mission and strategic priorities, preferably gained through significant involvement in the academic and teaching work of the University, or through work in areas that support teaching and learning.
• It is imperative that the membership of the committee reflect the diversity that we strive to achieve in our community, and that the broadest range of voices possible inform the selection of the next Provost & Vice-President (Academic).

Committee Composition

The composition of the Search Committee is outlined in the Policy on University Appointments. The Search committee is chaired by the President and Vice-Chancellor, and will consist of:

The following individuals appointed by Senate (who need not be Senators):

• Three (3) faculty members
• One (1) undergraduate student 
• One (1) graduate student
• Two (2) staff members

The following individuals appointed by the Human Resources & Membership Committee of the Board:

• One (1) external governor 

The following individuals appointed by the President:

• One (1) Dean
• One (1) Dean or Senior Academic or Research Leader

Commitment to Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (IEDIA)

The University of Guelph recognizes that an inclusive campus and a culture of inclusion are institutional and social imperatives. A culture of inclusion necessitates the involvement of stakeholders with a wide array of lived experiences, identities and perspectives to support, oversee and drive a strategic and system-wide approach to IEDIA.

The University is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and to designing, reviewing, and rebuilding structures – including policies, programs, and practices – that are inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all.  In keeping with this commitment, nominations of qualified individuals from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Colour; persons with a disability or who identify as differently abled; persons of all genders, and sexual orientations; and those with a demonstrable track record of confronting oppression and promoting belonging in their organizations and communities are strongly encouraged and will be actively sought. 

In keeping with this commitment, and consistent with its Modus Operandi, Senate will ensure that the membership of the Search Committee reflects the diversity that we strive to achieve in our community

Eligibility

In accordance with the Policy on University Appointments and Senate-approved Modus Operandi, the following eligibility criteria shall be observed:

• Nominees do not need to be Senators. 
• Faculty will be selected from among the professors, associate professors, assistant professors, librarians, associate librarians, or assistant librarians who hold tenure track (continuing track) or tenured (continuing) appointments at the University. No two faculty members selected to the Search Committee may come from the same College.
• Undergraduate students will be selected from among the full or part-time students registered in degree or diploma programs under the jurisdiction of the Senate.
• Graduate students will be selected from among the full or part-time students registered in degree or diploma programs under the jurisdiction of the Senate.
• Search Committee candidates who are students who are anticipated to retain their student status until the Search Committee completes its function will be given preference in preparing the slate of candidates for recommendation to Senate.
• Staff will be selected from among the regular full-time employees of the University who are not professors, associate professors, assistant professors, librarians, associate librarians, or assistant librarians.  

In accordance with related Senate regulations, nominations will also be accepted from the floor of Senate. 

Composition of Slate for Senate Approval

Upon conclusion of the nomination period, the Senate Governance and Nominating Committee will compose a slate using the Senate-approved Modus Operandi.  In doing so, the Governance and Nominating Committee will give particular attention to the following factors: 

• Expertise/background.
• Diversity of membership consistent with the University’s Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility policies and objectives. 
• Evidence of an ability to work in a consensus-based-decision-making environment.
• Evidence of commitment to the mandate of the committee in question.
• Representation from across the University.

Timeline

A typical search lasts 4 to 6 months, during which time Search Committee members can expect to meet approximately 4 to 7 times. The search is anticipated to commence in June 2026

Policies

• Policy 1.5 Policy on University Appointments
• Modus Operandi for the Composition of Membership Slates and Ballots for Senate Approval

Nomination Form

The nomination form available below must be completed and submitted to the University Secretariat via email to univsec@uoguelph.ca.  

NOMINATION FORM

Nominations may be submitted by a nominator who must be eligible for nomination themselves or by the nominee themselves (self-nomination). Preference will be given to second party nominations, in keeping with the Senate-approved Modus Operandi.

Nominations should speak to the qualifications of the nominee, with a particular focus on the attributes identified above. 

In order to support the Governance and Nominating Committee in ensuring that the Search Committee reflects the diversity that we strive to achieve in our community, members of equity-seeking groups are encouraged to self-identify. The University recognizes that self-identification is a personal decision and respects nominees’ right to privacy. Self-identification information will be kept confidential and, subject to the University’s legal obligations, will only be used for the purposes of establishing the Search Committee

Nominations must be submitted by
Friday, April 17, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

Contact Us

If you have questions, please contact the University Secretarait at univsec@uoguelph.ca.