Craig Scharien

The Board of Governors approved several items, including the Statement of Financial Information for the year ended March 31, 2026, the Graduate Students' Society fees for 2026-27, and the 2025/26 University of Victoria Institutional Accountability Plan and Report. Additionally, the Board approved the 2027/28 Five-Year Capital Plan, revisions to the Licensing Program Policy and the Policy on Scholarly Integrity, and International Undergraduate Tuition Fee increases. The Board also received reports for information, including an External Relations report, status reports on capital projects, due diligence reports, research center reports, pension plan reports, and year-end management statements.

The Board approved numerous new and revised undergraduate and graduate student awards. Key actions included the approval of the institution's Forced Labour and Child Labour Statement, the collection and remittance of student fees for the students' society, and revisions to policies regarding non-academic misconduct and procedures for the appointment and review of associate deans. Additionally, the Board approved amendments to the Combination Pension Plan and Money Purchase Pension Plan, and adopted the audited financial statements and annual financial report. Informational items presented included reports on external relations, capital projects, policy compliance, and staff pension plan investment performance.

The Board of Governors discussed various operational, financial, and academic matters. Key topics included the recognition of award recipients, reports from the External Relations department, and the approval of numerous new and revised undergraduate and graduate awards. The Board approved the establishment of a Professional Specialization Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, modifications to the Master of Engineering Biomedical Systems program, and the discontinuation of several computer science major options and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Post-Diploma Program. Additionally, the Board authorized the 2026-27 student fees for the Graduate Students' Society, approved the Planning and Budget Framework for 2027-2029, and set the enrolment projection for the 2026/27 academic year. Further updates were provided regarding a transnational education partnership and progress on strengthening academic accessibility.

The Board of Governors discussed several key items, including the approval of numerous new and revised undergraduate and graduate awards to support student recruitment and retention, specifically addressing the Indigenous Citizenship Declaration Policy. Other agenda items included a status report on capital projects, the submission of the Forced Labour and Child Labour Statement for the federal government, and the 2025 Annual Policy Report. The Board also reviewed financial matters, including the Staff Pension Plan investment performance, student fee collection for the UVSS and GSS, and the Planning and Budget Framework for 2027-2029. Additionally, the Board approved changes to academic programs and policy revisions, such as those related to non-academic misconduct and administrative appointment procedures.

The board discussed several key topics including the approval of numerous undergraduate and graduate awards, the establishment of a Professional Specialization Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and proposed changes to the Master of Engineering in Biomedical Systems program. Additionally, the board addressed proposals to discontinue several Computer Science major and honours options, as well as the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Post-Diploma Program. Further discussions covered the Planning and Budget Framework for 2027-2029, enrolment projections for the 2026/27 academic year, and the university's external relations and capital projects reports.