Three things motivate me to run for a position on the Board of Governors:
- ensuring the Board listens to the needs of our community,
- promoting its function as steward for the University in these challenging times, and
- encouraging greater communication between the Board of Governors and the constituencies of our community.
Listening: During the listening tour in which I participated as co-chair of the Senate Committee on Academic Freedom, I was heartened by the capacity and willingness of the people we met to build a strong community. I think it is important that the University of Ottawa continue in its role of fostering a place where the exchange of ideas can happen in a forum of respect, toleration and openness.
Stewardship: The Board of Governors plays a stewardship role for the University, and I would like to help foster this important function. When budgets seem tight and the mission of universities threatened, the fiduciary responsibilities of the Board of Governors is particularly important. It is a place where debate can happen about how the University of Ottawa can support the change that we need to see in our society to deal with problems that face our most basic systems, among which are challenges to democratic institutions, our relationship to the environment, and how we relate to each other as human beings in a shifting technological environment. A university is an inspiring place to be, and I would like to help the university community protect and foster this place of learning and exchange that can promote hope and optimism.
Communication: After many years of being a representative on the APUO Board, I understand how important lines of communication are for resolving problems and fostering community. We can only really work together if there is trust, and trusting relationships depend on openness and transparency. I hope that I can contribute to keeping those lines of communication open so that the various constituencies stay informed about the big issues that face us: scarce funding for post-secondary institutions; the ever-changing role of technology in how we teach, learn and do research; and the erosion of the capacity of universities to be places that inspire.