6

The Panther Prints

View From the BOG

by Ivan Dowling

One variation of ‘‘Old soldiers never die; they just fade away’’ that appealed to me when I was Dean of Science was ‘‘Old Deans never die; they just lose their faculties.’’ I can offer yet another variation: ‘‘Old professors never die; they just lose their audience.’’

Having recently retired from the mathematics department at UPEI, I am now serving as Secretary to the Board of Governors, sometimes referred to irreverently as the BOG. After 45 years of teaching, I live in fear of the onset of withdrawal symptoms, lacking my regular fix of a student audience. In desperation I will turn to a reading audience and supply some information about the BOG in an attempt to stave off the symptoms.

The University Act states that the Board will consist of 22 members. There are three ex officio members: the President, the Chancellor of UPEI and the President of Holland college. Of the remaining members, nine are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, two by the Student Union, two by the University Senate, two by the teaching faculty, two by the Alumni Association, and two by the Board itself. Annually the Board chooses its © Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and five Standing Committees. Each Board member sits on at least one committee.

The Board meets at 7:00 pm in the Faculty Lounge in Main Building, usually on the first Monday of each month. The meetings are open except for certain portions, usually those dealing with personnel matters. Such closed portions are declared in camera on the posted agenda. A typical Board agenda will include a report from the President and from the following committees: Finance, Executive, Staff and Organization, Buildings and Grounds.

What does a Board do?

Do members get paid?

How often does membership change?

Is membership time consuming?

Is the BOG protected by the Department of the Environment?

The monthly Board meetings

may last three hours or more. The initial term of appointment is three years. Terms are staggered, allowing for a continual change of membership. Members are unpaid. Attendance at and preparation for committee, general and special meetings is time consum- ing. The Chairman of the Board, for example, sits on all committees and chairs all general and special meetings. Whereas the University Senate is responsible for the academic policies of the University, the Board is charged with the management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of the University. There is a Board-Senate liaison com- mittee, but the day-to-day liaison takes place through the office of the Presi- dent, who chairs Senate and serves on the Board and all but one of its standing committees. The Board ultimately approves the appointment of the Presi- dent, the appointment and promotion of academic and administrative staff, the

granting of tenure, sabbatical leave, etc. _

However, the Board does so only on the recommendation of the President or advisory committees and always in accordance with procedures approved by Senate. At a typical Board meeting there could be approval of a budget, discussion on everyone’s favourite topic -- parking, reception of reports on enrollment and recruiting, motions on appointments, leaves.of absence and promotions, a presentation made by a group or department’‘on campus at the invitation of the Board, and information items supplied bythe President, such as the success of our student debaters in winning in winning the Atlantic Region Novice division title, as well as placing well in a national competition held at Queen’s University.

This completes my summary look at the Board, its make up, and operation. And now old habits demand that I give you an assignment on the information supplied in the summary. —

ASSIGNMENT:

1. a) How many members are on the board?

b) What is their average salary?

2. Write a short essay on wildlife in the BOG.

3. Complete the following state- ment: ‘‘Old Board Secretaries never die, they just. .

There! I feel better already!

that the minimum age of entrance is now 17 years old. (The exception to this rule is made for those UPEI students who are under 17 who can provide a valid UPEI

student ID card.) Photo ID is required in

January 16, 1996

the best: place for those under 17 os old to be hanging out.

aware ‘de their views on i matter. I hope that this article answers some questions and clears up any confusion about these policies. If 7 have any ate the feedback. You can reach me by

email at fmartin@upei. ca or by calling me at the Student Union at 566-0670.