University Governance Conference 2024
A National Conference
Presented by the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA BC)
DATE:
January 18-19, 2024
LOCATION:
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (daytime conference event) – 900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC
Hyatt Regency Vancouver (overnight guests) – 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC
About
University governance reached a turning point in the pandemic that exposed fundamental flaws in institutional decision-making. Administrations say the pre-pandemic rules and structures are outdated, and no longer serve the purposes they once did. Senates and faculty say they’re displaced from shared governance, their authority and autonomy in decision-making eroded. Faculty associations participate in university governance, but their role is historically peripheral and ambiguous. The overarching questions behind this conference are: What is the state of university governance today, and can it survive modern day challenges? Is there a defined role for faculty associations in the governance model of today’s university?
This national conference will provide valuable opportunity for faculty, staff, university administrators, government policymakers, and other stakeholders to shape the future of university governance.
DATES AND TIMES:
Thursday, January 18 – Conference Day 1
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (on-site breakfast 8:00 AM)
Reception: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Friday, January 19 – Conference Day 2
9:00 AM – 2:30 PM (on-site breakfast 8:00 AM)
Download the conference program
Conference Registration
Conference Registration is now closed
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:
- Kumari Beck, Associate Professor, Simon Fraser University & President, SFU Faculty Association
- Max Blouw, President, Research Universities Council of BC (RUCBC)
- Shannon Dea, Dean of Arts, University of Regina
- Julia Eastman, Governance author, speaker, and advisor
- Cheryl Foy, President, Strategic Governance Consulting Service Ltd.
- Jeff Hennessy, President and Vice Chancellor, Acadia University
- Jacqueline Holler, Professor, University of Northern British Columbia & Past President, UNBC Faculty Association
- James Johnson, Professor, University of British Columbia & former President, Confederation of University Faculty Association
- Glen Jones, Professor & Ontario Research Chair in Postsecondary Education Policy and Measurement, University of Toronto
- Rick Kool, Professor, Royal Roads University & President, RRU Faculty Association
- Mark Mac Lean, Professor, University of British Columbia
- Rheanna Robinson, Associate Professor, University of Northern British Columbia
- Larry Savage, Professor, Brock University
- Marc Spooner, Associate Professor, University of Regina
- Robin Whitaker, Vice-President, Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)
- Sue Wurtele, Associate Professor, Trent University & Past President, Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA)
- Conference Chair: Kenneth Christie, President, Confederation of University Faculty Associations of BC (CUFA BC)
Graphic Recording: We are pleased to introduce Sam Bradd, Principal at Drawing Change, who will participate as the graphic recorder for the conference. Learn more about graphic recording at their website https://drawingchange.com.
Download the conference program
CONFERENCE PANELS:
- State of the Union: Current issues in university governance
- Use it or lose it: Faculty roles and responsibilities in university governance
- Legislation, lobbying, bargaining: The role of government and unions in university governance?
- Survive or thrive: What is the future of university governance?
- Building bridges: On facilitating collaboration between senate and board
- EDI & university governance: Indigenizing the academy
- A roundtable discussion among attendees
