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PRESIDENT’S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORSREPORTMAY 2024TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS
PRESIDENT’S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORSPRESIDENT’S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORSOur May Board of Governors meeting marks spring renewal for Algoma University. We will be laying out a fresh annual budget that invests in our students, our academic and research programming, and new jobs and infrastructure to benet our students and our communities.Algoma University continues to be in a stable nancial position. I’m pleased to say that the budget the Board of Governors will review and vote on in May is one that shows continued nancial strength, strategic investment, and prudent decision making for the future. This budget process was not without challenges—in particular the challenges posed by the federal government’s cap on international students and provincial government’s subsequent allocation of Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs). While Algoma University was already planning to moderate international student recruitment and grow our domestic recruitment, our allocation of PALs will shrink our international student cohorts faster than expected.However, through careful budget planning, I feel condent that the draft 2024-25 budget invests in what matters most: it’s a student-centered, academic- and research-supporting budget; it invests in the communities we love; and it’s guided by a new Strategic Plan, our Special Mission and our commitment to cross cultural teaching and learning. A major milestone for 2024 was our May announcement that an Algoma U student residence is coming to Brampton. The beautiful tower will be a home-away-from-home for more than 500 students in a mix of single and double bedrooms in four- to six-bed suites. Each aordably-priced suite will include two bathrooms, a kitchen and living space. Just a short walk from their classes, this residence will give our Brampton students the same opportunity our Sault Ste. Marie students have: to surround themselves with a supportive community and be steeped in Algoma University’s unique environment while they live, study and enjoy urban Brampton. Our commitment to decolonization and cross-cultural learning will thrive throughout the design and feel of the building and the services, amenities and opportunities we’ll wrap students in will help ensure they have the best opportuniy for success.I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that our Sault Ste. Marie Campus Master Plan is on track, which means we can look forward to a similar announcement in the Sault before long. Also, as we welcome new master’s degree programs in Biology, Computer Science, Social Work, Psychology and Business and as we continue research expansion, we are also on track when it comes to planning for the future expansion of the Convergence Centre. This will no doubt be an exciting conversation as we continue to discuss how Algoma U’s programming and research can meet the needs of Northern Ontario and the communities around us.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORSOur Algoma U team has just received the results of a new economic impact study. As a University deeply rooted in our communities, the jobs we create, funds we inject into the local economy and spino economic activity we spark all deeply matter to us because creating life-changing economic opportunities helps us grow ever closer to our vision of positive change that benets generations. I look forward to Algoma University providing the Board of Governors with a full brieng on this important study at the June board meeting.With the renewal that a new scal year brings, I have a fresh set of concrete deliverables, as President and Vice-chancellor of this institution. Thanks to a mandate from our Board of Governors, I’m happy to report that the six themes I, working with sta and faculty, will be focused on are:GOAL 1: Business sustainability: diversication and risk managementGOAL 2: Special Mission: responding to community needsGOAL 3: Impact: developing future leaders to drive successful changeGOAL 4: Financial sustainabilityGOAL 5: Business excellenceGOAL 6: Decolonization Within those six goals, there are a number of action items that dive deeper on our priorities. Those call on me to: • Cultivate excellence through cross-cultural, equitable and engaging teaching, learning and research environments for all students.• Develop compelling, future-focused programs and areas of research that are responsive to the interests of students and communities, community-integrated; and interdisciplinary.• Foster and simplify means for connecting community and university partners.• Grow and nurture strong and responsible relationships locally and globally based on the foundational values of respect, reciprocity, and relationality.• Integrate and welcome diverse worldviews and cross-cultural perspectives into all aspects and areas of the university.• Enhance eective communication and connectivity across campuses.• Advance Indigenization and cross-cultural learning, within the spirit of our Special mission.• Celebrate and share Algoma University’s impact.• Promote unity by articulating and representing the Special Mission in a way that resonates across campuses and in the communities we serve.• Execute a comprehensive student enrolment strategy to ensure the prosperity and creativity of the University into the future.• Invest in and rene our systems and processes to support growth and prioritize intimate and personal learning experiences, cross-cultural leadership; and purpose-driven impact.• Implement the Algoma University Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy and Action Plan.• Develop and implement a robust people and recruitment strategy with a focus on equity, diversity and inclusion.• Continue to invest in student-centric infrastructure that provides supports for all learners.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORSI look forward to reporting to our Board of Governors and broader community each month on progress towards these goals, and on specic projects that we will undertake throughout this scal year to achieve them.As we prepare to celebrate convocation season, I want to thank you all for supporting, guiding and uplifting our students on their academic journey. Thanks to the eorts and compassion of our Board of Governors, Senate, faculty and sta, our newest alumni are ready to face the world as future change makers, they are work-ready and heading out to in-demand careers armed with critical thinking skills, diverse perspectives and cross-cultural understanding. I am proud that our classrooms are striving to provide a foundation in decolonization and cross-cultural dialogue and a cultural fluency that will make them leaders in the workplaces of today and tomorrow. We’re ready to see another group of Thunderbirds get started on their careers, and start to use those careers to have a positive impact on the world around them.Chi-Meegwetch, merci and thank you for all you do for Algoma U, Asima VezinaPresident and Vice-chancellor