Queen’s seeks new Chancellor

Queen’s Chancellor David Dodge has announced he will not be seeking a third term after his current term ends in 2014.

David Dodge began his first term in 2008 after leaving his position as Governor of the Bank of Canada.

Dodge has a long history with Queen’s. After earning an economics degree from Queen’s in 1965, he worked as an assistant professor in the department of economics after finishing his PhD at Princeton in 1972.

He returned to Queen’s as Chancellor after working in the federal government as Deputy Minister of Finance, Minister of Health and the Governor of the Bank of Canada. Queen’s also granted him an honorary degree in 2002.

His accomplishments at Queen’s include his involvement in the restructuring of the Board of Trustees and his revision of convocation ceremonies. He also raised awareness for the Initiative Campaign by promoting the campaign at special events.

The Executive Committee of University Council has given Principal Daniel Woolf permission to create an advisory committee to search for a new chancellor candidate.

The Council will vote on the committee’s recommendation when it meets in fall 2013.

— Sebastian Leck

University Council revamped

The University Council will undergo changes to its structure over the next four years.

The Council is responsible for the appointment of the Chancellor, the election of the Rector and the election of members to the Board of Trustees, and is one of the three highest governing bodies at Queen’s.

After a University Council decision through vote, the Council is said to reduce in size to fewer than 50 members by 2017, a significant decrease from its previous 228 members.

The Council voted 89-6 to “adopt new bylaws and enact significant reform.” The voting period took place during a 12-day period which ended this month.

Principal Woolf told the Journal how this change in size will benefit the group’s effectiveness.

“A smaller University Council … will allow for more engagement and participation among members,” he said.

The Council first put forward plans for a reform in 2010.

Woolf also suggested a risk in decreasing the group’s size, explaining that it may limit the diversity of the group. He told the Journal that with fewer voices, each member must be dedicated to issues at Queen’s.

The reform will take place during a four-year transition period, in which the size of the group will decrease as current councillors’ terms expire.

With a decrease in size, the change is expected to improve the Council’s relevance at Queen’s, Woolf added.

Alison Holt, chair of the University Council Reform Planning group, also told the University that a more focused Council structure will strengthen its relevance.

In 2011, the University’s Royal Charter was adjusted by the Parliament of Canada, allowing the Council to “determine its own composition and size.” -— Abby Andrew