President's Newsletter — Issue 17 (June, 2011)

Although it might seem superfluous for me to write a President's Newsletter just days before my departure from Kwantlen, I do want to take  one last opportunity to inform the Kwantlen community of some developments of the last couple of months and to offer some final thoughts about the University.

Planning on Kwantlen's various capital projects continues. The task force for the Richmond campus is in the final stages of determining a list of needs, and I understand plans for the renovations of the Trades wing at Langley for the Faculty of Community and Health Studies are in their final stages, with the expectation that construction will start in the Fall. The renovations of the Richmond Library are complete, and I think everyone would agree that the renovated facility adds much to the campus. Finally, construction of the new laboratory wing for Science and Horticulture continues on the Langley campus, and is expected to be completed for September, 2011.

As well, there have been a number of significant academic developments. The Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts degree has finally cleared DQAB and is on the Minister's desk awaiting signature, while the Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Agriculture has received both Senate and Board approval, and is now posted on the DQAB website for external comment. The launching of our new degrees is well underway for the Fall, although it is not expected that all the degrees approved last January will be offered in September, 2011. This is the case, for example, for Science that has considerable preparatory work to complete. A proposal for a new Faculty that would incorporate Horticulture and the Institution of Sustainable Horticulture is in its penultimate stage, with the expectation that a final proposal will be forthcoming in the Fall.

There are, of course, challenges ahead, not the least of which is the long standing underfunding of the University. It is only because the University has been exceptionally prudent with its resources that it has been able to support the creation of new programs. This kind of growth, though, is no longer possible, especially as Kwantlen will exceed 100% capacity next year. I have stressed for some time that defining institutional accessibility as it relates to capacity and program must be given high priority, as it is clear that Kwantlen's current "open access" policy is not sustainable into the future.

With the completion of the Vision and Commitments exercise, the University must move forward expeditiously in developing specific actions relating to these institutional ambitions, even as we remain aware of the limitations facing the University over the next year or so. The Board is currently discussing the best way to move forward with the final stage of planning, and I suspect will be communicating with the University community shortly. It is quite clear that the University must, given limited resources, establish priorities. This will, inevitably, mean making some difficult choices. It is unrealistic to expect that Kwantlen can continue to do everything it has in the past and take on yet additional expectations in the future.

Recently several members of the Board and I met with Minister Yamamoto about the historic underfunding of Kwantlen in relation to other similar institutions in the province. We were encouraged that she reacted positively to the suggestion that the Ministry and Kwantlen need to work together to find a solution to the current state of affairs, especially as the south Surrey region provides fewer post-secondary seats than any other jurisdiction in the province.

I think everyone would agree that Convocation is an important expression of Kwantlen's evolving status as a university. It is the most significant event of the year, and in this regard the participation of faculty sends an important signal to our students about their importance. As well, many staff work very hard to ensure the success of Convocation, and to ensure that it is a positive experience for students and for their families and friends. Especially gratifying for me was the number of parents who praised Kwantlen for the kind of education it provides and for the outstanding experience of Convocation itself.

I must congratulate the Faculty of Business for its own excellent celebration for its Bachelor's graduates, which will do much to ensure the continuing relationship of its alumni to the Faculty. One of the most special events of the year is the graduation celebration for students in Kwantlen's Access Program for People with Disabilities, which again this year was held at the Stardust Casino in New Westminster. The pride of our students and their families was infectious and the enthusiasm of Faculty members in the program made for a truly memorable evening.

One of the most important recent issues pertains to the amalgamation of the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Social Sciences. As everyone knows, discussion about this issue has been ongoing for some time, and there has been extensive consultation within both Faculties. Coming out of this consultation was a comprehensive Green Paper intended to provide a context for each Faculty to vote on the amalgamation proposal. The result of this vote was that the Faculty of Humanities voted for amalgamation while the Faculty of Social Sciences did not.

The outcome of the vote along with the Green Paper was forwarded to Senate for its consideration. Senate, in turn, referred the matter of amalgamation to two of its committees, the Governance Committee and the Academic Planning and Priorities Committee. The Governance Committee examined alternative options which would bring the two Faculties together but which stopped short of actual merger. In particular, it looked at the possibility of a College that would have a single Dean but which allowed each Faculty to remain separate. This option was considered especially important for purposes of Senate representation. It was, however, reviewed by the University's legal counsel, who concluded that such a structure was not allowed by the University Act.

The Academic Planning and Priorities Committee similarly looked at the issue of amalgamation, and was especially concerned about the lack of institutional policy concerning the amalgamation and dissolution of academic units. Notwithstanding this lack of policy, the Academic Planning and Priorities Committee were mindful of the enormous amount of background work that had been completed, as well as the considerable passage of time since the discussion about amalgamation began. It therefore placed before Senate at its June 3 meeting the resolution that "Senate approve in principle the amalgamation of the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Social Sciences." Senate voted by a 67% majority of those in attendance to approve the creation of a new merged Faculty.

At a special meeting of the Board of Governors held on June 20, the Board similarly approved in principle the amalgamation of the two Faculties, although it placed the following conditions on the motion. The Board motion reads as follows:

That the Board of Governors approve in principle the amalgamation of the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Humanities subject to

• A review of potential resource implications,
• The approval of subsequent adjustments to the budget,
• The final Board approval of the amalgamation once all review is completed.

These approvals will allow operational planning for the merger of the two Faculties to move ahead over the summer. I want to thank Dean Rob Adamoski and Dean Mazen Gurguis for their leadership throughout the amalgamation debate.

As I come to the end of my time at Kwantlen, I take pleasure in looking back at what has been accomplished over the last several years. I have said on several occasions that my departure is in many ways bittersweet. Both my wife Terry and I are deeply grateful for how the Kwantlen community welcomed us. More than this, I am very aware of the privilege extended to me in being the founding President of Kwantlen as a university. A new governing structure, new degree programs, increasing student numbers, major capital development, and a growing reputation in the south Surrey region—none of this would have been possible without the commitment and hard work of every member of the Kwantlen community.

I have been especially pleased at how the University has been able to attract outstanding faculty and staff, which, of course, have so much to do with defining the nature of Kwantlen. As well, our success in attracting some very experienced senior administrators is a good sign that the University's leadership will be able to take Kwantlen to the next step in its development. I want to welcome once again Dr. Anne Lavack as Kwantlen's next Vice-President (Academic) and Provost, and Dr. Jane Fee as the University's new Associate Vice-President (Academic).

I know there will be uncertainty over the next year, as Kwantlen conducts a search for a new President, but I am confident that the University will find the kind of leader it needs and deserves. In the meantime, I want to express my gratitude to John McKendry, who has agreed to serve as Acting President for the next year. John is a seasoned and experienced administrator, who will provide capable leadership during this period of transition. I ask that everyone provide their support to him during the next year.

I wish to thank members of the Board of Governors for their advice and guidance over the last few years. Their commitment, which goes well beyond anything that might be expected, is deeply appreciated. I also extend thanks to the Kwantlen Foundation Board and the Kwantlen Alumni Board for their work on behalf of the University. We need to remember that those who work on our various Boards do so as volunteers, taking considerable time from their private lives. I want to thank all members of Senate, as well as members of Senate's subcommittees. It was an honor for me to chair Senate, and to preside over some very lively debates. I know that not everyone has agreed with the direction of the institution, but this disagreement and debate in itself signals a new maturity for Kwantlen as it continues to grow as a university. I have been fortunate to have an excellent administrative team—our VPs, Associate VPs, Executive Directors and Deans. This is where much of the hard work gets done, and I am very grateful for their efforts.

I have enjoyed working with the Kwantlen Faculty Association and the BCGEU. Notwithstanding that we sometimes look at issues in different ways, there has been an element of civility and mutual respect that I have much appreciated. And, too, we have been able to resolve some very difficult situations. I have worked with several Kwantlen Student Association Executives, and am very pleased to see the growth of this organization over the last several years, given the difficult times it experienced previously. Finally, I wish to recognize the small group of people in the President's Office who have provided incredible support and without whom I would have simply not been able to do my job.

In the end, though, three groups make the University what it is—our faculty, our staff, and, of course, our students. The level of engagement of faculty with Kwantlen is something I have not often seen in my years as a university administrator. Their commitment to teaching, the importance they place on the learning experience of students, and their willingness to consider and allow for change are truly impressive. Kwantlen's staff really are the backbone of Kwantlen, as they are the group who ensure that faculty can teach and students can learn. Whether in the Registrar's Office, Marketing and Communications, Finance, or Human Resources, these are very important people to Kwantlen, and I thank them for their dedication and service. There is really little that has to be said about our students. They are the life blood of any university, and Kwantlen's success is signaled by the success of our students. They are what make our jobs so enormously satisfying. That I have been able to get to know and to work with so many students has been a particular joy for me.

In closing, allow me to borrow from my remarks to Convocation a couple of weeks ago: "The changes we have seen, the renewed vigor and commitment that is shaping the university, the ambition that Kwantlen be a special university and not merely duplicate what is elsewhere, our commitment to our students and the learning that goes on here, our desire to create a new definition of what it means to be a university—all these things are part of the transformation that has in its own way contributed to what we have achieved. This change must continue unabated even as we do not forget our history and traditions. We must resist at all costs complacency and entrenchment and the mediocrity to which it gives rise. We have worked hard to establish a vision and series of commitments that define Kwantlen. We have an obligation to ensure that they are realized."

I extend my very best wishes to everyone at Kwantlen, and I can say with absolute confidence that the University's future is one that will make everyone proud.

With many thanks,

David W. Atkinson
President & Vice-Chancellor