Katia Benoit

The agenda for the meeting included several key items for approval or information. Discussion items for approval included a Notice of Motion regarding Academic Hiring Restrictions, applicants to the Board of Governors, revisions to the Whistleblower Safe Disclosure Policy, and revisions to the Fraud Risk Management Policy. Information items covered reports from the Chair, President, Vice-Presidents, and Associate Vice-President, External, including updates on the Four Pillars Planning, the 2026/27 Operating Budget, updates on senior leadership searches, international efforts, academic sustainability course cataloging, the MCURES Funding Formula Review, student persistence initiatives, the Infosilem project, updates on diversity, Indigeneity, and anti-racism training and professional development funding, the Employee Engagement Survey, updates on collective agreements, and the UWinsite People HRIS platform. The Finance and Operations report detailed budget status, Rodzik Hall Dining opening, and the 3D Printed Housing Project. The Research and Innovation report covered the Canada Impact+ Research Chair Program Search, related training awards, and technology transfer activities. Several consent agenda items, such as revisions to the Whistleblower Policy and Fraud Risk Management Policy, were also listed for approval.

Key discussions included clarifying the Board's role in setting budgets and strategic priorities versus administrative decision-making regarding hiring. A motion was passed to place a notice regarding applicants to the Board of Governors on the February 24, 2026 public agenda. The Chair provided remarks recognizing the Chancellor, thanking an outgoing member, and congratulating a current member on an academic fellowship. The President's Report highlighted advocacy efforts and the development of a growth strategy focused on enrolment, government grants, research, advancement, and monetization. The Audit Committee approved the Audited Financial Statements for the University of Windsor Pension Plans for the year ended June 30, 2025, and approved the Policy on Device Management and Conditional Access. The Investment Committee approved proposed revisions to the Statements of Investment Policies and Procedures (SIPPs) for Endowment Funds and Pension Plans. The Resource Allocation Committee received reports noting that Fall 2025 enrolment fell below target primarily due to international graduate decline, while undergraduate intake reached a decade high. The mid-year review of the 2025-2026 Operating Budget projected a small operating deficit despite lower tuition revenue, offset by utilizing contingency reserves and ancillary department contributions. Preliminary budget assumptions for 2026-2027 indicated a projected budget gap of $25M before considering sustainability funding. Capital planning involves pausing non-essential projects while developing a Capital Master Plan/Strategy.

The agenda for this Board of Governors meeting includes essential procedural items such as the approval of the agenda and discussion of outstanding business, including a Notice of Motion regarding applicants to the Board of Governors, which is slated for debate in February 2026. Key reports cover remarks from the Chair, the President's Report detailing advocacy efforts, leadership searches, and the four-pillar growth strategy, and reports from Vice-Presidents covering collaborative initiatives with St. Clair College, international engagement, policy implementation (including full-time staff serving as sessional instructors), sustainability course cataloging, People, Equity, and Inclusion strategy implementation, and research and innovation updates. The Audit Committee agenda focuses on the approval of the Audited Financial Statements for the University of Windsor Pension Plans for the year ended June 30, 2025, as well as policies on Device Management and Conditional Access, and a review of the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Dashboard. Other committees address an Employee Mental Health Strategy update, follow-up from previous meetings, the Investment Committee report and proposed SIPP revisions, the Pension Committee report, and resource allocation items including enrolment reports, budget reviews, and preliminary budget assumptions.

The meeting addressed several key areas, including the President's report, which highlighted upcoming meetings with government officials and strategic priorities such as growth strategy and fundraising. Discussions also covered student fees for the UWin card, the implementation of the Infosilem scheduling tool, and a hiring freeze. The audited financial statements for the year-ended April 30, 2025, were approved, with a detailed presentation on assets, liabilities, credit ratings, and endowment. The appointment of external auditors for 2025-2026 was approved. A data strategy was discussed, focusing on data capacity and clarity, with an implementation target of December 2027. Revisions to the Capital Debt Policy were approved. The Board recommended re-appointments to the government and made appointments to the Board Pension Committee and the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Search Committee.

The town hall provided an update on the Aspire strategic planning development and discussed the established framework. It covered the work done over the past year to shape the university's next strategic plan. The discussion included the mission and vision statements, core values, foundational commitments, strategic priorities, and strategic opportunities. The importance of follow-up and accountability in strategic planning was emphasized. The consultation process involved input from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members.