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Conférence des recteurs et des principaux des universités du Québec
University board chairs plead for adequate university funding and strategic accountability
Sherbrooke, January 18, 2013 – At the third preparatory meeting for the Higher Education Summit, the chairs of Quebec university boards of directors today presented a brief highlighting the contribution of directors in fulfilling the university mission, noting that they do so not only with respect for academic freedom and independence, but also in full compliance with the strictest standards regarding the use of public funds.
Boards of directors are composed of management representatives, professors, lecturers, students, university employees and ordinary citizens from various backgrounds. They are trustees for the interests of the university community and Quebec society as a whole.
“Directors are dedicated, loyal people with a variety of expertise, who ensure with complete transparency that society gets a fair return on its investment in its universities. Their sole interest is in the growth and sustainability of our institutions. And they participate on a strictly volunteer basis,” said John R. Porter, Chair of the Université Laval Board of Directors, who presented the brief on behalf of all university board chairs.
Working together, directors adopt and oversee the implementation of strategic directions and budget decisions. They ensure compliance with decision-making and accountability regulations. They contribute in multiple ways to the continuous improvement of university governance and management.
Quebec universities do so much with the resources they have
The operating budget of Quebec universities is lower than the Canadian university average. Nonetheless, our universities continue to deliver the goods. They award more than 70,000 diplomas every year. They conduct sustained research in every field of endeavour. And they give back so much to the community. Such results would be impossible without stringent management.
If we are to guarantee the long-term health and existence of our universities and allow them to contribute fully to educating the next generations and ensuring Quebec’s development, we must find solutions to the chronic and structural problem of underfunding.
Making accountability more strategic
It would be useful to revise the accountability procedures that apply to universities, with a view to making them simpler and more strategic, as well as easier to understand and disseminate. The bureaucratic temptation to add regulatory requirements must be resisted and we must make sure that the creation of any new agencies or organizations does not end up diluting the role, functions and responsibilities of boards of directors.
“The universities are in favour of an accountability system that is more strategic and more contextual, which allows the achievement of a university’s mission and strategic goals to be measured in terms of clear indicators, some common to all institutions and some specific to each. Ultimately, the objective remains to demonstrate optimal use of the resources they receive and the effective, efficient management of public funds,” said Mr. Porter.
The brief submitted by the Quebec university board chairs can be viewed here: http://www.universites-avenir.ca/gouvernance-financement/
Source:
Chantal Pouliot, Director of communications
Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities
514-288-8524, poste 244
cpouliot@crepuq.qc.ca
http://www.crepuq.qc.ca
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