Julie Pitcher Giles

The Board of Regents held a special meeting to discuss the divestment of several university assets. Key items addressed included the approval of the divestment of the Ingstad Building at 310 Elizabeth Avenue, the Signal Hill Campus, the Johnson Geo Centre, and the Harlow Campus in the UK. The Board established conditions for the divestment of these properties, including potential closure timelines if sales or transfers are not completed by specified dates, and mandates for subject approvals from the Lieutenant-Governor in Council.

The Board of Regents held a meeting to discuss and approve significant changes to the executive structure of the university. The primary focus was on reducing the number of Vice-President positions from seven to three to address administrative efficiency and concerns raised by the Auditor General regarding duplication of roles and decentralized management. The approved changes involve the continuation of specific Vice-President roles, the removal of others, the creation of Deputy Provost positions, and the conversion of the Vice-President (Indigenous) role back to a Special Advisor to the President.

Memorial University's vision is to be a distinguished public university in Canada, fulfilling its special obligations to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Its mission emphasizes innovation and excellence in teaching, learning, research, scholarship, creative activity, service, and public engagement, fostering an inclusive community that welcomes global scholars and contributes locally, nationally, and internationally. This direction is guided by core values including excellence, integrity, collegiality, inclusiveness and diversity, responsiveness, accountability, freedom and discovery, recognition, responsibility to place, responsibility to learners, interdisciplinary collaboration, and sustainability.

The document discusses Memorial University of Newfoundland's efforts to address systemic barriers and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within the institution, particularly in the context of the Canada Research Chairs Program (CRCP). It outlines key objectives, actions, and outcomes related to improving resource allocation, hiring practices, employee engagement, and policy development. The plan emphasizes engaging with underrepresented groups, leveraging funding for EDI initiatives, and fostering a more inclusive research environment.

The EDI Action Plan for Memorial University of Newfoundland focuses on meeting CRCP EDI targets, increasing representation of members from the FDGs in faculties, addressing gender-based pay inequities for academic staff, and improving the organizational culture. Key objectives include targeted hiring initiatives, support for units in incorporating representation plans, salary adjustments for women ASMs, and initiatives to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion across campus. The plan also addresses challenges related to COVID-19, policy development, and recruitment, while exploring opportunities for broader impacts beyond the CRC Program.