Board Highlights – November 27, 2018

- December 6, 2018

Following each meeting of Dalhousie’s Board of Governors, Dal News highlights some of the presentations and decisions made.

The Board of Governors is responsible for the overall conduct, management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of the university. It represents the interests of the university, carrying out its responsibilities through a stewardship role (delegating day-to-day management to the president and senior administration). Its membership currently includes three ex officio members (the president, chancellor and chair of Senate), eleven Order-in-Council members and additional representatives appointed by alumni, students, faculty and the Board itself.

The Board has six standing committees: Academic & Student Affairs; Capital Projects and Facilities; Community Affairs; Finance, Audit, Investment and Risk; Governance and Human Resources; and the Board Executive. While these committees meet regularly through the year, the Board as a whole meets five times a year between September and June.

Facilities Renewal – preliminary budget approved for 2019-20

There was only one item for decision or discussion at the November Board meeting, concerning the facilities renewal budget for 2019-20. The preliminary budget was approved by the board.

The list of items, submitted through the Capital Projects and Facilities Committee, is presented each November ahead of the upcoming fiscal year to allow preliminary design and procurement work prior to commencement. On larger projects, the design, tendering and material procurement activities can require 3-6 months, so contractual commitments and expenditures may be required as early as November of the year prior to the actual implementation of the work and certainly well before the final approval of the Operating Budget in June.

The planned facilities renewal budget for 2019-20, at this stage, contains $24.6M in planned maintenance renewal projects, including $5.9M for multi-year phased projects, $5.9M for HVAC work, $3.7M for electrical and $1.3M for classroom renewal.

Other notes

  • In its consent agenda, the Board approved the nominations of Order in Council members Robert Hanf and Laurie Jennings for reappointment to the Board. Both their terms are set to expire on June 30, but, once approved through the provincial process,  will now continue through June 30, 2022.
  • Board Chair Larry Stordy welcomed new Provost Teri Balser to the Board meeting, as well as incoming Interim President Peter MacKinnon, who was in attendance.
  • President Richard Florizone, in his final Board meeting, thanked all Board members for their service during his presidency. “Governance is essential to universities,” he said. “Having an effective Board and engaged public leaders to serve on the Board is critical.” Board Chair Stordy presented President Florizone with a special piece of Nova Scotia artwork as a parting gift.

Approved minutes for Dalhousie Board of Governors meetings are published on DalSpace. Learn more about the Board at its website.


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