The fourth and final regular meeting of the Board of Governors for the 2018-19 year was held June 21, 2019, at the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics and was chaired by Board Chair Kevin Golding. This marks the final regular Board of Governors meeting chaired by Kevin Golding who completes his term as Board Chair on June 30, 2019. Shauneen Bruder became Chair of the Board of Governors on July 1, 2019.
The meeting began with a territorial acknowledgement offered by the Board Chair and a welcome to Board members.
The President offered oral remarks, thanking the Chair for his long and dedicated service to the University. The President also highlighted the creation of the One Health Institute. The Board received an annual report on student sexual violence education, prevention and response initiatives and an annual report on student mental health and wellness.
As per the Board’s standard practice, the Chair of each standing committee of the Board provided an update on recent activities of their respective committees, bringing forward items for information or approval, as appropriate.
An update was provided on recent activities of the Audit & Risk Committee by the Committee Chair, Neil Parkinson. The Board of Governors approved the Audited Financial Statements for the University of Guelph-Humber as well as a Safe Disclosure Policy for the University.
An update was provided on recent activities of the Finance Committee by the Committee Chair, Nancy Brown Andison. The Board of Governors considered and approved the University of Guelph 2019-20 Budget Plan and several subsidiary budget components. The Board also received a report outlining the baseline carbon footprint and ESG score of the endowment fund.
An update was provided on recent activities of the Governance & Human Resources Committee by the Committee Chair, Shauneen Bruder. The Board received an update on revisions to Human Rights Procedures and approved procedures for staff and faculty under the University’s Sexual Violence Policy, as well as revisions to the University’s Signing Authority Policy and Register. In addition, the Board approved several items arising out of the recommendations of the Working Group on Board Governance Review, including revisions to Board Bylaws, a consolidated Good Governance Policy for the Board of Governors and the appointment of officers of the University.
An update was provided on recent activities of the Pensions Committee by the Committee Chair, Paul Gallagher, including the results of a valuation of the University’s pension plans. The Board of Governors approved text amendments to the University’s pension plans based on a recently ratified collective agreement and several housekeeping requirements.
An update was provided on recent activities of the Physical Resources and Property Committee by the Board Chair, Kevin Golding.
The complete open session meeting package is available on the University Secretariat website [1]. The official record of the meeting are the meeting minutes, which will be available following their approval at the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting, to be held on October 23, 2019.