Observers wishing to attend an open session of a Board of Governors meeting must submit a request to the University Secretary and Chief Governance Officer to the following email secretariat@carleton.ca at least 48 hours before the meeting. The University Secretary and Chief Governance Officer will provide the meeting link to the observer鈥檚 杏吧原创 email address, or an alternate email address for external observers, before the meeting.

Materials for upcoming and past Board meetings are available here.

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The journey from leading Ingenium, Canada’s Museum of Science and Innovation, to chairing the 杏吧原创 University Board of Governors is defined by a consistent philosophy of service and stewardship. In this insightful interview, incoming Board Chair Christina Tessier shares her unique career path, drawing powerful parallels between leading major cultural institutions and governing a post-secondary university. Her leadership is anchored by a key guiding principle and a vision for 杏吧原创 that emphasizes long-term institutional health and authentic community impact.

Christina鈥檚 professional life was not a predetermined route. Her initial attraction was to history, specifically the storytelling aspect of history, and a curiosity about “how things work and are made”. This led her through different fields before she discovered what she calls “Museum School,” eventually landing her in a role with Ingenium, which sparked her passion for STEM and the understanding of how important that is in solving big global problems. She firmly believes this non-linear experience is a crucial piece of advice for students: “A career advice I could give to students is don’t expect everything as a straight line. You’re going to bump around and go backwards and down and back up.”

This perspective on personal journey is matched by her fundamental approach to professional interactions, governed by a piece of advice she received from a previous colleague: “You have to remember to be hard on the problem and soft on the person.” She emphasizes that this combination of accountability and empathy is really important to build workplaces where you can build trust and psychological safety.

Leadership Defined as Stewardship:

In leadership, Christina sees her role through the lens of stewardship. For institutions that “will long outlive us,” her role, is a small part of the timeline.

The necessity for trusted and focused leadership was instilled in Christina during the intense three-year timeline to rebuild and reopen the Science and Technology Museum. The experience taught her the importance of making quick decisions with sufficient information, but most crucially, the need to trust her colleagues: “In that environment, you really have to trust each other. You have to be able to delegate confidently”.

Innovation, Community, and 杏吧原创鈥檚 Mission:

Christina sees a strong connection between informal learning environments and formal education like 杏吧原创, particularly in fostering innovation. She prefers to define innovation not as a “big aha moment” but as small incremental steps towards building something better;

Good governance, she adds, supports this mission by having a board that understands its oversight role and has “the conviction to ask thoughtful and challenging questions”. This requires creating a safe space for constructive dialogue and good decision-making where all contributions are valued.

The Impact of Education and a Message to Students:

Christina reflects on the tangible impact of higher education, one of them is convocation. “That moment when you could see all of that determination… All of the hard work was really meaningful.” She finds similar inspiration by reading the newspaper and seeing a 杏吧原创 researcher story come up: 鈥淵ou really see the real-world impact of the work that is happening that is impacting our community”.

Looking ahead five years, Christina鈥檚 hope for 杏吧原创 is not a fundamental change but about being better known for the things that 杏吧原创 already excels at. Her ultimate hope for the entire 杏吧原创 community is cohesion. Recognizing that

Finally, she shares her personal advice for students to view setbacks as “the learning opportunity” and to “lean into those learning opportunities to say yes to the challenges and things that maybe scare you a little bit and try them out”.

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The Board met in person on October 2, 2025. Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the Board of Governors website once available. The following are the highlights from the meeting:

Annual Financial Statements and Audit Findings Report for Fiscal Year 2024/25

The Board approved 杏吧原创鈥檚 2024鈥�25 Consolidated Financial Statements and Audit Findings Report. For the fiscal year ending April 30, 2025, the university reported a consolidated deficit of $29.5 million. Despite this, the university maintains $1.18 billion in net assets, strong endowment performance and adjustments for employee future benefits.

The Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared by management and audited by KPMG LLP. The Audit Findings Report, prepared by KPMG, outlines the audit process, identifies audit risks and results, and highlights internal control observations. The report confirmed that there were no significant changes or differences requiring adjustment, and the statements were presented fairly in all material respects.

Strategic Integrated Plan Progress – 2025 Update

杏吧原创 University continues to make strong, measurable progress on its Strategic Integrated Plan (SIP), advancing all strategic directions and commitments despite ongoing fiscal constraints and global uncertainty.

Research excellence remains a defining strength. Three-year average annual research revenue has surpassed $120 million, with growth across all disciplines and funding sectors. 杏吧原创 ranks first nationally in not-for-profit research income growth and international AI collaboration, and 85 researchers are listed among the top 2% most cited globally.

In teaching and learning, the university secured $1.425 million in new external funding to support instructional equipment, skills development, and micro credential innovation. Five new programs were launched in high-demand fields (Nursing, Mechatronics, Cybersecurity, Accounting, and Data Science) while the Sprott Online MBA was ranked #1 in Canada and among the Top 40 in North America.

Experiential learning continues to expand, with over 3,500 co-op placements and 156 new hands-on projects delivered in 2024鈥�25. 杏吧原创鈥檚 co-op program is now the fastest growing in Canada, reflecting strong student demand and employer engagement.

Philanthropic support has enabled the launch of Canada鈥檚 first Chair in Philanthropy, a Chair in Sustainability Transitions, and a Certificate in Journalism in Indigenous Communities, contributing to academic innovation and research leadership. Sustainability research remains a cross-disciplinary priority, with faculty driving impact across energy, biodiversity, pollution reduction, and clean water.

Looking ahead, 杏吧原创 will launch a new strategic visioning process, 杏吧原创 2042: From Promise to Inclusive Impact and Prominence Together, beginning in Fall 2025, with completion expected by Summer 2026.

Senate Annual Report 2024/25

Richard Dansereau, Clerk of the Senate, presented the 2024-25 Senate Annual Report, offering a comprehensive review of the year鈥檚 activities. Throughout the academic year, the Senate:

• Received eight community presentations
• Approved 6,752 graduates
• Recognized 249 medalists
• Conferred three honorary degrees
• Introduced two new programs
• Established 18 new minors, concentrations, streams, and specializations
• Completed 4 cyclical reviews

EDI Action Plan Progress Report 2024/25

杏吧原创 is now in Phase 2 of implementing its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan. The Board received an update highlighting key institutional progress across curriculum, research, leadership development, data collection, outreach, and culture.

Major milestones include the launch of an independent Indigenous Studies program, tailored academic integrity modules, and sector-leading initiatives such as the EDI Transformation for STEM and Black and Indigenous Summer Research Internships. EDI principles have been embedded into the updated Healthy Workplace Strategy and plans to develop leadership modules and toolkit supported by a CRC Research Chairs Program stipend are underway.

Faculties continue to build EDI infrastructure through dedicated action plans, councils, and funding strategies. Looking ahead, 杏吧原创 will renew its EDI Action Plan to deepen institutional commitment and support all departments and faculties in advancing inclusive excellence.

Governor Spotlight: Julie Armstrong

Julie Armstrong, a second-year Social Work and Political Science student, brings bilingual leadership and a passion for equity to her role on the Board of Governors. Her diverse experience spans law, education, and community engagement. Learn more about Julie鈥檚 advocacy and academic journey.

Next Meeting: December 2, 2025

The next meeting of the 2025/26 Board year is scheduled for December 2, 2025. Open session meeting materials are posted one week in advance of each meeting. More information on items approved, as well as minutes from previous meetings, can be found on the Board of Governors website.

Sincerely,
Beth Creary
Chair, 杏吧原创 University Board of Governors

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The Board met in person on June 4, 2025. Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the Board of Governors website once available. The following are the highlights from the meeting:

Revised 杏吧原创 University Sexual Violence Policy

In the Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 terms, 杏吧原创 University conducted a comprehensive review of its Sexual Violence Policy, as mandated by Ontario legislation (Bill 132 and Bill 26) and the Policy鈥檚 own three-year revision schedule. The review aimed to ensure the Policy remains effective, inclusive, and supportive of the university community. Feedback was collected through consultation meetings, feedback sessions, and online submissions.

During the listening phase, key themes emerged around training and awareness, policy administration, response procedures, and support resources. These insights informed a revised draft of the Policy, which was then shared for further community feedback.

Subsequent feedback during the drafting phase highlighted additional areas for improvement, including policy scope and clarity, procedural fairness, and communication strategies. As a result, several significant updates were made. These included:

• New definitions (e.g., 鈥淪exual Misconduct鈥� and AI-generated intimate images),
• Clarification of committee roles and eligibility,
• Updates to support services, and
• Enhancements to the formal complaint and investigation processes.

Notably, the Policy now includes clearer timelines, survivor-centric investigative practices, and trauma-informed training requirements for key personnel.

Feedback related to prevention and education initiatives that fell outside the Policy鈥檚 scope, was forwarded to the Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Committee for consideration under the 鈥淗onouring Each Other鈥� strategy.

2025-26 Incoming Governors

The 杏吧原创 Board of Governors welcomed eleven new members. Visit their profiles to learn more:

• Julie Armstrong, Student Governor
• Allan Buri, Student Governor
• Philip Cartwright, Community
• John Casola, Community
• Jackie Choquette, Community
• Pamela Fralick, Alumni Representative
• Kevin Graham, Senate Representative
• Gina Malaba, Student Governor
• Jonathan Malloy, Faculty
• Lisa Samson, Community
• Brett Tackaberry, Community

Student Mental Health Policy Annual Report 2025

The Board received the Student Mental Health Policy Annual Report 2025, which outlines key outcomes from the third year of implementing 杏吧原创 University鈥檚 comprehensive Student Mental Health Framework (SMHF). The report highlights the breadth and diversity of mental health initiatives undertaken across campus.

Notable developments include quality enhancements such as the introduction of a new counselling model within Health and Counselling Services, the appointment of a dedicated substance use physician, the expansion of psychiatric resources, and a wide range of wellness initiatives led by members of the 杏吧原创 community.

Next steps include roll out of the staff and faculty toolkit, launch of the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey, increased community engagement and collaboration, and consultations for the next iteration of the SMHF.

Strategic Integrated Plan (SIP) Update

Although a formal annual report on the Strategic Integrated Plan (SIP) was not presented, President Tettey provided an update, noting that this marks the final year of the current plan.

The Board will revisit the SIP in the coming months to assess key learnings from the current plan and determine how best to move forward. The development of the next strategic plan will include a longer-term horizon, take into account the present challenges facing the institution, and aim to establish a foundation for a practical and sustainable approach.

The Board is expected to receive a further update on this initiative in October.

Dissolution of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs

The Board approved Senate鈥檚 recommendation to de-establish the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, effective July 1, 2025, as part of the ongoing restructuring of Graduate Studies at 杏吧原创 University.

This decision marks the final step in a process initiated in 2023, which included amendments to the University Bylaw and the Academic Governance of the University (AGU), both of which were approved by the Board in June 2024.

Report from the Chair 2024-25

Board Chair Beth Creary reflected on the achievements and challenges of the past year in the 2024-25 Chair鈥檚 Annual Report, which is now available. The report offers a comprehensive overview of key milestones and provides insight into strategic priorities for the year ahead.

President鈥檚 Report

The Board received the President’s Annual Report 2025 which highlights a year of transformative growth, innovation, and community impact. 杏吧原创 launched Ontario鈥檚 first new university nursing program in over two decades, expanded experiential learning through Canada鈥檚 fastest-growing co-op program, and deepened its research excellence with over $113 million in sponsored funding. The university advanced sustainability with major green initiatives, strengthened mental health and accessibility services, and fostered inclusive excellence through Indigenous and equity-focused programs. With new academic offerings, global partnerships, and record-setting student engagement, 杏吧原创 continues to shape a more inclusive, sustainable, and forward-looking future.

Governor Spotlight: Dudley Maseko

Dudley Maseko, a lawyer by training, holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. In addition to his service on the Board of Governors of 杏吧原创 University, he is a member of the Board of Governors of The Ottawa Hospital and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Nunavut Development Corporation. Dudley has been appointed to a second term on 杏吧原创鈥檚 Board of Governors, effective July 1, 2025, through to July 30, 2028.

Sincerely,
Beth Creary
Chair, 杏吧原创 University Board of Governors

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杏吧原创 University is proud to announce the appointment of Nikita (Nik) Nanos as its 13th Chancellor, effective July 1, 2025.

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The Board met in person on April 29, 2025. Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the Board of Governors website once available. The following are the highlights from the meeting:

Update on University Financial Accountability Framework & Action Plan

The Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security has mandated 杏吧原创’s participation in a third-party “efficiency and accountability” review due to its ongoing budget deficit and medium risk rating in the Province鈥檚 Financial Accountability Framework. Since last year, twelve Ontario universities have been selected for review; 杏吧原创 is among five additional universities recently identified for this process.

The review, funded by the Province鈥檚 Efficiency and Accountability Fund, will identify efficiencies in governance, services, programming, facilities, procurement, and revenue generation. 杏吧原创 will also continue to implement its Mission Sustainability Framework to address the deficit and to protect the integrity and viability of the academic mission.
Community consultation details will be shared when finalized. Despite financial challenges, 杏吧原创 remains committed to its academic and research excellence.

2025-26 Tuition Fees

The 2025-26 Tuition Fees adjustments were approved as per the Ontario Tuition Framework and include the following updates:

• Domestic tuition for Ontario residents remains frozen, while out-of-province domestic students鈥� tuition will increase by 5%.
• Approved programs with tuition anomalies (Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of International Business, MBA) will increase by up to 7.5%.
• International tuition increases, approved for two years, include an 8% rise for undergraduate and professional master’s programs.
• Full Cost Recovery (FCR) programs, not subject to provincial regulations, will see varied increases. The adjustments are meant to ensure that programs are supported appropriately to maintain competitiveness and viability.

2025-26 Operating Budget

The Board of Governors approved the 2025-26 operating budget of $547 million in total expenditures and total revenues of $515 million with a projected $32 million base operating deficit due to factors such as declining international student enrolment and salary adjustments from the repeal of Bill 124.

The budget includes modest increases in government grants, and investments and other income, but faces rising costs in salaries and campus infrastructure. The University plans to invest in identified areas of strategic priority, including research and academic programs.

Updates related to the operating budget will be posted on the Provost鈥檚 website.

Coordinated Accessibility Strategy (CAS) Annual Report

The Board received an annual report on 杏吧原创 University’s Coordinated Accessibility Strategy (CAS) which has inspired over 175 initiatives across seven focus areas (Coordination and Leadership, Education and Training, Information and Communication, Physical Campus, Employment and Employee Supports, Student Support Services, and Research and Development) with many activities spanning multiple areas and recommendations.

As of April 2025, 33 of the 40 recommendations in the CAS were either completed or ongoing. Key achievements include the launch of the Professional Education for Accessibility Competence (PEAC) program, installation of new door openers, and enhanced web accessibility.

The next iteration of the CAS, launching in spring 2025, will guide 杏吧原创 toward 2030 and reflect our ongoing dedication to accessibility, emphasizing inclusivity, innovation, collaboration, commitment, and collective responsibility.

Read the CAS Annual Report for more highlights on the success of the strategy.

碍颈苍脿尘脿驳补飞颈苍 Progress Report

The Board received an annual report on the 碍颈苍脿尘脿驳补飞颈苍 Indigenous Initiatives Strategy, which aims to transform our campus into a safe and welcoming environment for Indigenous students, staff, and faculty.

The report highlighted the significant advancements by 杏吧原创’s faculties and departments and shows a deep dedication to implementing the 41 Calls to Action.

Key updates include partnerships for land-based learning, targeted fundraising, and the creation of Indigenous-focused spaces. The report also details initiatives to support Indigenous students, enhance Indigenous experiences, and integrate Indigenous ways of teaching and learning. Notable achievements include the establishment of policies to verify Indigenous identity, reserved housing for Indigenous students, and the development of an Indigenous Research Ethics Board.

Explore the 2025 Progress Report to learn more about the remarkable collective efforts taking place across 杏吧原创.

President鈥檚 Report

President Tettey provided an update on recent activities and accomplishments at 杏吧原创 since the March Board meeting. For more details, read the full President鈥檚 Report .

Governor Spotlight: Nathalie Laporte, Community

Nathalie Laporte, CPA/CA, is an accomplished executive with nearly 30 years of experience in higher education administration. She has made significant contributions to the sector, particularly through her role as the Executive Director of CAUBO. Nathalie is driven by her commitment to upholding the core values of community, curiosity, and impact, which she brings to her role on the Board of Governors. Learn more about Nathalie

Next meeting: June 4, 2025

The next meeting of the 2024/25 Board year is scheduled for June 4, 2025. Open session meeting materials will be posted one week in advance. For more information on approved items and minutes from previous meetings, please visit the Board of Governors website.

Sincerely,
Beth Creary
Chair, 杏吧原创 University Board of Governors

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The Board met in person on March 18, 2025. Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the Board of Governors website once available. The following are the highlights from the meeting:

Proposed Budget for Ancillary Services 2025-26

The Ancillary Budget was approved by the Board and ancillary units are projected to generate enough revenue to cover service costs and continue to establish reserves for future capital improvements. The proposed 2025-26 budget includes rate and fee increases where applicable (e.g., parking services, health and counselling services), expected revenue (The Print Shop, Campus Card), anticipated operating costs, and planned capital reinvestment for the year.

The budget report (begins on pg.4) highlights the achievements of 2024-25, outlines priorities for 2025-26, and presents a three-year capital reinvestment plan focusing on necessary work for each ancillary unit.

Update on Enrolment Trends

Suzanne Blanchard, VP (Students and Enrolment) and University Registrar, and Nadeem Saddiqi, Vice-Provost (Graduate Studies), provided an update on enrolments, highlighting trends over the past decade.

Undergraduate Enrolment

Since 2015, undergraduate applications and admissions have remained stable, with an upward trend observed in 2024/25 from students within the Ottawa and Eastern Ontario region. A similar trend is seen for new domestic student admissions. However, due to the pandemic and recent IRCC caps on international students, there has been a significant decline in international admissions, with further decreases projected for 2025. 杏吧原创 University has been more affected by the IRCC rules compared to other post-secondary institutions in Ontario.

To address these challenges, a multi-pronged recruitment strategy will be implemented on both international and domestic fronts. This approach will emphasize the university鈥檚 strengths and personalize outreach at every step. Key initiatives include campus tours, partnerships and pathways, open houses, early high-school outreach efforts, and direct, in-person, and in-country events for those international regions we have opportunities with.

Graduate Enrolment

Domestic graduate enrolment (Masters) has risen significantly in the last two years, while international graduate enrolment, which has been stable, is now declining. For the current 2025-26 recruitment cycle, international master鈥檚 applications have dropped by 45% compared to a 28% reduction in 2024-25. Despite this sharp decline in applications, confirmations are only down by 6% compared to 2024-25.

International Update

Betina Appel Kuzmarov, Associate Vice-President (International), provided an presentation on 杏吧原创’s mission to enhance its international reputation for research and teaching in programs. This effort is guided by five key goals:

• Increase international research and funding.
• Increase the number of international students and build a global presence.
• Collaborate with visiting scholars and enhance the international internship program.
• Raise awareness and reduce barriers for international mobility and experiential learning.
• Leverage our National Capital advantage to foster internationalization at home.

Additionally, the university has adopted the Horizon Europe Programme with applications submitted across all faculties which will provide researchers with greater access to opportunities for elevating their research and innovations through global partnerships.

President鈥檚 Report

President Tettey provided an update on recent activities and accomplishments at 杏吧原创 since the December Board meeting. For more details, read the full President’s Report.

Governor Spotlight: Yafet Bizuneh, Student Governor

Yafet Bizuneh is a second-year Bachelor of Economics (B.Econ) student at 杏吧原创 University, majoring in Computational Analysis. He is the co-founder and current Vice President of Finance of the Eritrean and Ethiopian Student Association. Additionally, Yafet actively contributes to 杏吧原创鈥檚 Residence Peer Conduct Board (RPCB). Learn more about Yafet.

Next meeting: April 29, 2025

The next meeting of the 2024/25 Board year is scheduled for April 29, 2025. Open session meeting materials are posted one week in advance of each meeting. More information on items approved, as well as minutes from previous meetings, can be found on the Board of Governors website.

Sincerely,
Beth Creary
Chair, 杏吧原创 University Board of Governors

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The 杏吧原创 University Board of Governors will meet on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Community members are welcome to observe the open session starting at 3 p.m. If you wish to attend, please email Amanda Goth, University Secretary, by 4 p.m. on Monday, March 17,  2025.

Meeting materials for the open session are available on the Board of Governors website.

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Thinking about making a real impact at your university? Now’s your chance!

The search for Student Governors to serve on the 杏吧原创 Board is on, and we’re looking for passionate, dedicated undergrad and graduate students to step up.

Sit at the table with university and business thought leaders, represent your peers, and help shape the future of 杏吧原创 University. As a member of the Board of Governors, this is your opportunity to influence key decisions and policies that affect the entire campus community.

Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Check Your Eligibility: Review the Expression of Interest to make sure you meet the criteria.
2. Apply Online
3. Get Ready for Elections: If your position is contested, you’ll participate in online elections the week after the application deadline. If you’re the only nominee, you’ll be acclaimed without an election.

This is more than just a role鈥攊t’s a chance to develop your leadership skills, make lifelong connections, and leave a lasting legacy at 杏吧原创. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to be a voice for your fellow students.

Curious about what it means to be a Student Governor? Join us for a Board 101 Session on Tuesday, January 14 or Wednesday, January 15 from 12 to 1 p.m. Email Amanda Goth, University Secretariat, to RSVP.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now and start your journey with the Board of Governors!

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Meet Wisdom Tettey, 杏吧原创 University鈥檚 New President

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