The role of the vice-dean governance and secretary entails supporting the dean with regards to good and effective Faculty governance. It includes two broad portfolios: governance and secretary. Major activities for the period of July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, are outlined below:
Faculty governance
- Periodic review of theFaculty bylaws to include the new vice-dean, interprofessionalism, partnerships and practical education, and related terms of reference.
- Supported update of School bylaws to increase uniformity.
- Evaluation of the governance structure of the academic portfolio, including consultation with previous associate vice-deans, academics and vice-dean, academics.
- Support to the vice-dean, research and the research office to create Faculty procedures (RES-300, RES-301).
- Recruitment of professors to participate in Faculty, University and important external committees as needed.
- Provided logistical support for the extension of the dean’s term, and the recruitment of a vice-dean, research.
- Initial review of 10 academic integrity cases involving 15 students prior to full assessment by the Committee on Academic Progress and Integrity.
Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
Following the creation of an EDI standing committee by the Faculty Council (June 2022), an ad hoc committee comprised of both regular and part-time professors, administrative personnel and students chaired by the vice-dean, governance, and secretary met regularly to draft committee terms of reference, and hosted Professor Awad Ibrahim, holder of the Air Canada Professorship on Anti-Racism and newly appointed vice-provost EDI (July 2023) for a Faculty presentation on anti-racism. The vice-dean, governance, and secretary met with Dr. Jaclyn Brusso, vice-dean, EDI and professional development (science) and Dr. Sharon Whiting, vice-dean, faculty affairs (medicine), to discuss EDI and governance. The terms of reference of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility (IDEA) – Anti-Racism and Decolonization (ARD) Committee were formally approved by the Faculty Council in May 2023.
APTPUO
Worked with Labour Relations to respond to outstanding APTPUO issues, reviewed the Letter of Understanding between APTPUO and the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, and provided consultative support to Schools related to ongoing and emerging APTPUO-related queries.
Sexual violence
The vice-dean, governance informed the student associations of the University’s sexual violence disclosure training modules. Human Rights Officer Klehr D’Souza provided resources and support regarding applicability of uOttawa policies for student association governance proceedings. The EDI Ad Hoc Committee hosted Tiffany Ticky, senior director of the Human Rights Office, who discussed its mandate, relevant uOttawa policies and accommodation measures in the event of sexual violence.
Workplace culture
Working with Lynn Metthé, dean’s office manager, the vice-dean, governance, and secretary organized stakeholder sessions with administrative personnel and school executive teams to discuss governance issues within the respective academic units. Organized two networking events with new professors hired during the pandemic. Consultation about onboarding gaps at both the University and Faculty prompted development of an internal onboarding strategy for new professors. Similarly, consultation with recently retired professors informed development of a fact sheet to support offboarding.
Prizes and awards
A process to harmonize Faculty of Health Sciences’ awards with relevant University awards in the major areas of teaching, research and service for professors, students, administrative personnel, alumni and partners was developed in collaboration with Lynn Metthé. For professors, a universal approach using existing annual report reviews by the School Teaching Personnel Committee will enable more transparent and robust adjudication of dossiers. For administrative personnel, student and alumni awards, harmonization of deadlines will enable prompt identification of candidates and a suitable time for preparation of nomination files.