Roshni Antony

The Board of Governors discussed several operational and strategic matters. Key items included the rescinding of the Budget Surpluses/Deficit Carry Forwards policy, updates to the 2025-2026 meeting schedule, and revisions to committee terms of reference. Academic personnel actions were approved, including reappointment of the Dean of the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences and various tenure and probationary appointment renewals. Presentations were held regarding strategic enrolment management, performance metrics for the Strategic Plan, Research & Innovation Week, the Achievement Program, and the work of the SPARES Research Group concerning the security and management of Ontario's power grid.

The meeting included a spotlight presentation from the SPARES Research Group at Lakehead University regarding operational readiness for a battery and demand response dominated grid in Ontario, focusing on cyber-physical security and AI for demand management. Key business dealt with included receiving reports from the Audit and Risk, External Relations, and Finance and Operations Committees. The Finance and Operations Committee successfully moved to rescind the Budget Surpluses/Deficit Carry Forwards policy. The Governance and Nominating Committee reported on amendments to the 2025-2026 meeting schedule, moving the October 2026 Annual Meeting and Fall Retreat to Orillia, and approved term renewals for four external members. Amendments to the Board Governance and Nominating Committee Terms of Reference were also approved. The President reported several appointments, including an External Adjunct Professor and a Professional Associate. Other informational items included updates on the Strategic Plan Year 1 progress and various committee reports. Business reported from the in camera session covered the renewal of several probationary appointments, tenure and simultaneous promotion approvals, and the reappointment of the Dean of the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences.

The meeting began with an acknowledgement of the Indigenous territories of Thunder Bay and Orillia, followed by the approval of the agenda and a reminder regarding confidentiality and conduct. The Consent Agenda was approved, which included the rescinding of the Use of University Computers policy and several committee reports. Key discussion items focused on the Annual Integrated Planning and Budget Development Process, covering the 2024/25 fiscal year end update, 2025/26 mid-year budget update, and environmental scan items like financial sustainability and funding formula review. Furthermore, the Board approved, in principle, the dissolution of the Board Learning and Liaison Committee (BLLC) and reassigned its members to other standing committees. The Wellness Strategy Annual Update was presented, and following an in camera session, the Board approved the Gichi Kendaasiwin building site plan and the new Advancement Investment Model and Policy. A spotlight presentation highlighted the Claude E. Garton Herbarium's operations and strategic priorities, concluding with a motion to review and revise the Board Handbook and Orientation Program.

Lakehead University's five-year strategic plan, Shaping the EvoLUtion, sets a bold vision for its future, aiming to achieve its goals by 2030. Grounded in values of integrity, community, belonging, curiosity, and reconciliation, the plan is built around five interrelated themes. It also incorporates five key presidential goals: fostering a transformative student experience, strengthening people and culture, ensuring financial sustainability, enhancing digitalization and infrastructure, and improving leadership and governance. The plan positions Lakehead as a leader in learning and research, driving innovation, creating local solutions with global impact, and strengthening community partnerships to elevate academic and research excellence.

This document outlines the Terms of Reference for the Lakehead University Research Ethics Board (REB), detailing its mandate, authority, and accountability. It emphasizes the REB's role in reviewing the ethical acceptability of all research involving humans under the university's jurisdiction, in accordance with the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS2). Key areas covered include the REB's independence, its responsibilities in establishing policies and educating on research ethics, its meeting schedules, membership composition, and the process for reconsideration and appeals. The document also describes the administration and compliance support for the REB, and the delegation of review for undergraduate research projects.