Governance
Your governing body at Dalhousie
Dalhousie’s governing body oversees the academic, business and student affairs of the university.
President
Tom Traves has been president of Dalhousie University since 1995, leading the university through a period of unprecedented growth in numbers of students and faculty, in research dollars and in world-wide reputation. Responsible to the Board of Governors and to the Senate for the supervision of Dalhousie University’s administrative and academic work, the president is supported by staff and advisors, including the university’s five vice-presidents who are responsible for various academic and non-academic services.
Board of Governors
The Board of Governors represents the interests of the university in directing its affairs and does so within the statutes relating to Dalhousie University. It carries this out through a stewardship role, delegating the day-to-day management of the university to the president and the senior administration.
The Board:
- is responsible for the overall conduct, management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of the university
- respects the responsibility of the university senate to adopt policies on academic matters subject to board approval
- consists of 25 members, including 3 student representatives
- meets bi-monthly, and includes nine standing committees
Senate
The Senate is the University's senior academic governing body.
The Senate is responsible for:
- approval of new programs
- granting of degrees and diplomas
- reviews of Faculties, Centres and Institutes
- establishing the academic calendar
- setting academic regulations (including regulations governing student conduct and discipline), which affect the University as a whole.
The Senate is comprised of 72 members from across Dalhousie’s faculties including 6 student representatives, it meets on the second Monday of each month.
Chancellor
Fred Fountain is Dalhousie’s sixth chancellor. The chancellor acts as the ambassador of Dalhousie University and presides at convocation and other official ceremonies. He also sits as an ex-officio member on the Board of Governors.
Vice-presidents
Carolyn Watters is vice-president academic and provost. She is responsible for providing leadership in the planning, management, and evaluation of Dalhousie’s academic activities. The vice-president academic serves as a member of the president’s management group and contributes to the development of institutional strategy and policy. She was appointed in August 2010.
Ken Burt is vice-president finance and administration. He is responsible for issues relating to finances, human resources, university pension plan, facilities and real estate management, information technology, environmental health and safety, the Office of Sustainability and the Dalhousie Arts Centre. He was appointed in January 2007.
Floyd Dykeman serves as vice president external. He provides strategic leadership for the delivery of programs related to alumni relations, fund raising and communications and marketing. He was appointed in June 2006.
Bonnie Neuman is vice-president student services. She serves as a member of the president’s management group and contributes to the development of institutional strategy and policy. As the head of the Student Services division, she provides strategic and financial direction to a number of administrative units on campus. She was appointed in July 2005.
Martha Crago is vice-president research. Through the direction of the Office of Research Services, she is responsible for providing assistance to faculty, supporting University researchers and administration, actively promoting research carried out at Dalhousie University, and promoting Dalhousie's involvement in international development activities. She was appointed in July 2008.
