Danielle Zandvliet

The Board of Governors discussed several key items, including the approval of the Annual Report on Forced Labour and Child Labour, a budget update comparing actual activity to the approved budget for the previous fiscal year, and the approval of the audited financial statements. Additionally, the Board reviewed a strategic plan progress report and received presentations on the President and Vice-Chancellor's reports.

The meeting included the approval of updates to hiring procedures for senior academic, administrative, and vice-presidential roles, as well as the endorsement of Senate Budget Committee reforms, which involve dissolving the committee and transferring its responsibilities to the Academic Planning + Priorities Committee. Additionally, various course change proposals for the Faculty of Culture + Community and the Faculty of Design + Dynamic Media were approved, and several reports were presented regarding curriculum planning, academic priorities, accommodations policy, and committee governance.

The meeting included discussions on hiring policies, specifically Policy 8.9 and its procedures regarding interim appointments and search committee composition. The Senate also reviewed proposals for merging the Executive and Nominations committees and updates to the Senate committee schedule. Further, information was provided regarding the suspension of intake for the Critical and Cultural Practices, New Media and Sound Arts, and Photography programs, with an emphasis on creating space for program review rather than program closure. Additional topics included course change proposals from various faculties and updates from the Academic Planning and Priorities, International Development, Appeals, and Nominations committees. An open forum allowed Senators to raise concerns regarding the Senate Budget Committee's structure and the academic implications of artificial intelligence.

The Board of Governors discussed several key items, including the Q3 forecast for the 2025/26 fiscal year and the presentation of the 2026/27 budget. The Board approved the suspension of intake for the BMA Major in New Media and Sound Arts, the BFA in Photography, and the BFA in Critical and Cultural Practices. Furthermore, the meeting featured reports from the President and Vice-Chancellor regarding the university's centennial celebrations, as well as an academic update from the Vice-President, Academic and Provost covering research grants and enrollment programs.

The meeting included reports from the Chair, the Governance Committee, and the Academic Planning and Priorities Committee. Key approvals included a new Program Review Policy and Procedures, an academic schedule for upcoming years, and various course changes for the Faculty of Art and the Faculty of Design and Dynamic Media. Additionally, the senate discussed the role of the Senate Budget Committee, faculty sabbatical awards, and received a presentation on the university's policy framework, including discussions on transparency, accessibility of policy documents, and the alignment of policy development with institutional strategic priorities.