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Montréal, October 10, 2008 – Following the announcement by the Minister of Education, Leisure and Sport, The Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities (CREPUQ) believe that it was very important to relieve the financial pressure on UQAM, and to do so without affecting resources available to the universities, which are already dealing with significant under funding.

“For the good of Quebec society, UQAM had to be allowed to turn its sights to the future,” said Heather Munroe-Blum, President of CREPUQ and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University. “We support Claude Corbo, Rector of UQAM, and we wish him well in his efforts to meet the challenges facing his institution,” she added.

In favour of effective governance

Echoing the Minister’s comments relating to effective university governance, the universities affirm that they are entirely in favour of good university governance. The universities have a longstanding track record of adopting best practices in this regard, and some have modified their practices significantly over the last few years.

As well, the universities having taken cognizance of the report by the Institut pour la gouvernance d’organisations privées et publiques (IGOPP) on Quebec university governance, published in September 2007. They have met with the authors, studied the report with their Boards, consulted with each other, and have been engaged in governance discussions with the Minister of Education for a number of months.

Quebec universities support the spirit and the objectives of the report and, like its authors, believe that we must adopt the vision as a whole, and not be satisfied with choosing only some elements. The universities have developed a broad consensus, shared in large measure by the Minister, regarding the principles that must be implemented to ensure good governance; specifically, these are:

• A Board of an optimal size, constituted by a majority of independent members, chosen as a function of their competence and experience to ensure good governance of the university—a board with clearly defined functions and with the three standing committees required to ensure good governance (Ethics and Governance, Human Resources, and Audit)

• A complete and transparent annual rendering of accounts based on indicators that provide metrics on attaining the mission and specific strategic goals of the institution, including quantitative and qualitative data.

In keeping with the IGOPP report, Quebec universities believe that good governance must be based on a clear affirmation of their mission, taking into consideration the unique character of each, and founded on the principles of university autonomy and accountability.

“Quebec universities strongly believe that, to be effective, the implementation of principles of governance must be tempered by the values, traditions and cultures of each of the institutions, and that each of the universities might be called upon to sign an agreement with the Ministry,” Heather Munroe-Blum said.

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For further information:
Daniel Zizian
Director General
514-288-8524 p. 201