In the spring of 2021, with Laurentian University undergoing insolvency restructuring, its chancellor, TVO journalist Steve Paikin, resigned from the ceremonial post in which he acted as an ambassador for LU and conferred degrees at convocation.
With Laurentian having exited insolvency nearly two years ago, draft procedures for the appointment of a chancellor were presented at the Sept. 17 meeting of LU’s senate.
Laurentian president Lynn Wells explained that she couldn’t find a pre-existing policy for appointing a chancellor, so one has been developed with the assistance of university secretary Danielle Vincent.
Wells tabled the document at the senate meeting to gather the comments of members, with the view of bringing it back to the senate with edits, and eventually to the board of governors for approval.
She also wanted to know whether senate members think Laurentian really even needs a chancellor.
Asked by Sudbury.com this week when Laurentian could possibly have another chancellor in place, Wells said she doesn’t want to give a prediction.
“I want to make sure that whatever process we follow is a really thorough one and thoughtful one,” she said.
“I think the choice of a chancellor says a lot about an institution. And, you know, in other institutions where I worked, when we sought a chancellor, it does take some months, as the community brings forward ideas, and you do some vetting and try to figure out the right kind of person.”
According to the draft document brought forward by Wells, the chancellor is a volunteer position, with the person in question acting as the “titular and ceremonial head of the university and assists the university in its advocacy, advancement activities and national recognition efforts.”
Among the duties of the chancellor are presiding over convocation and conferring degrees. The chancellor’s term of office would be five years, which may be renewed once.
The draft document sets out a number of criteria for the ideal candidate, including sharing the university’s vision and values, being highly regarded nationally and internationally, and being gracious and diplomatic in nature.
It also sets out a revocation process, stating that “in rare circumstances, a chancellor’s appointment may be revoked where they have engaged in conduct inconsistent with the university’s values and/or which risks undermining the reputation of the university.”
Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) president Fabrice Colin pointed out the chancellor’s position is a relatively recent one at Laurentian. The university’s first chancellor, the now late Aline Chretien, was only appointed in 2010.
“Indeed you mentioned this question, whether or not we really need a chancellor, and it could be a good moment for us to ask this question again,” Colin said, pointing out that many of the main functions of the chancellor are also carried out by the university’s president.
Acknowledging that a chancellor could be a good ambassador for the university, at the same time, Laurentian could be “creating a risk for the university if the person chosen is not up to the task,” he said.
Colin also referred to former chancellor Paikin’s choice to “abandon the ship when the university was going through a crisis.”
Responding to Colin, Wells said it’s a good question as to whether Laurentian really needs a chancellor. But she said she’s had the experience of working with an “excellent chancellor” at Brock University, and the right person can help the university.
“I think there are a great many opinions to be expressed here,” said Wells, adding that hers is just one, and that Laurentian can create a policy for choosing a chancellor “without having an immediate follow-up.”
Coincidentally, on the same day Laurentian’s senate was considering the draft policy for appointing a new chancellor, Nipissing University announced sports journalist Scott Russell will be installed Sept. 20 as its fifth chancellor.
Heidi Ulrichsen is Sudbury.com’s assistant editor. She also covers education and the arts scene.