Vicki St. Pierre

This document details the launch of Mount Allison University's new strategic plan, developed through extensive community consultation. The plan is founded on a vision centered around student and employee thriving, fostering lifelong connections, and ensuring future readiness for the institution and its graduates. It is committed to providing a transformative student experience, promoting reconciliation, equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism, achieving organizational excellence, and upholding fiscal and environmental sustainability. The four key strategic directions focus on enhancing student life and success, evolving liberal arts and sciences for future needs, cultivating community culture and well-being, and driving operational and digital transformation, all with a core emphasis on student-centricity.

This report outlines Mount Allison University's performance objectives for the Federal Research Support Fund for the 2025-2026 period. Key objectives include maintaining investments in facilities (custodial, security, utilities) and research resources (library acquisitions, RDM initiatives, Computing Services labor). The plan also aims to enhance management and administration by increasing grant applications processed, ensure regulatory compliance by maintaining ethics training and support, and foster intellectual property development by increasing research contracts with community and industry partners.

Mount Allison University's new strategic plan, titled "Broad Minds, Bold Futures, Lifelong Connections," builds upon the institution's legacy as a small, immersive liberal arts and sciences university. The plan focuses on providing transformative student experiences, upholding academic excellence and rigor, and fostering a supportive, agile, and future-focused community with students at its core.

Key discussions during the meeting included the approval of the Investment Committee recommendation to select CC&L as investment managers for Global Equity investments. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Fiscal 2026 Budget, specifically focusing on the development of an operating fund deficit elimination framework, which involves setting targets for revenue allocation and communicating next steps. The Board also approved the draft 2025-26 Budgets, including tuition increases and fee adjustments, contingent upon the Deficit Elimination Framework. Furthermore, the Board accepted the recommendation to appoint Mike Roberts as the interim Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. An update on the CIL Project progress and financial gap was also received, and the Board reviewed the strategic planning process and associated survey results.

The meeting commenced with a territorial acknowledgment recognizing Mount Allison's location within Mi'kma'ki. Key discussions focused on several agenda items. The Audit Committee presented the Annual Financial Report and Draft Audited Financial Statements for the year ended April 30, 2024, which were subsequently approved. The Board reviewed and approved revisions to the Sexualized Violence Policy (Policy 1006), emphasizing ongoing training and cultural change. The Audit Committee also presented the Management Discussion and Analysis Report for 2023-2024, covering various risks and mitigation strategies, which was approved. Updates were provided regarding academic year readiness, including enrollment goals and infrastructure status. The Board approved the framework and budget for the Draft Strategic Planning Process. The President reported on recent relationship building, strategic planning focus, government relations, and the creation of a cabinet performance management program. Other business included discussions on funding for the temporary athletic center and encouraging Regent commitment to the CIL project.