Presidential Search

The search is underway for the University's 10th President & Vice-Chancellor.

On Nov. 7, 2024, Dr. Charlotte Yates announced her retirement as president and vice-chancellor. Dr. Rene Van Acker has stepped into the role of interim president and will continue in this role until a new president is appointed.

On This Page:

Role of President and Vice-Chancellor

The president and vice-chancellor is the administrative head of the University and Chair of Senate. Their role is defined in the University of Guelph Act, and elsewhere by the Board of Governors and Senate.

Presidential Search Process

The presidential search process is governed by the Policy on University Appointments. A presidential selection committee, comprised of members of the Board of Governors, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, will recommend a candidate to the Board of Governors for appointment.

Presidential Search Committee

The composition of the presidential search committee is provided for in the Policy on University Appointments. The committee is comprised of:

  • Chair of the Board of Governors, ex-officio chair of the committee
  • Three (3) faculty members appointed by Senate
  • One (1) undergraduate student appointed by Senate
  • One (1) graduate student appointed by Senate
  • One (1) regular full-time staff member appointed by Senate
  • Three (3) external members of the Board of Governors appointed by the Board
  • One (1) Dean or Senior Leader appointed by the Board
  • One (1) graduate of the University appointed by the Board

Members of the search committee will be selected in keeping with the call for nominations and relevant Board and Senate policies. The work of the committee is guided by the Policy on University Appointments, its Charter and the Good Governance Policy for the Board of Governors.

Policies

The presidential search process is governed by the Policy on University Appointments and, ultimately, the University of Guelph Act, 1964 which vests the Board of Governors with the authority to appoint the president.

Faculty, staff and student members of the presidential search committee are appointed by Senate according to its modus operandi for membership approvals. The presidential search committee will also be subject to the Good Governance Policy for the Board of Governors, and related confidentiality and conflict of interest requirements.

The work of the presidential search committee will also be informed by key university framework documents including the Strategic Plan.

Legislation and Policies

Guiding Documents

FAQs

On Nov. 7, 2024, Dr. Charlotte Yates announced her retirement as president and vice-chancellor. Dr. Rene Van Acker has stepped into the role of interim president and will continue in this role until a new president is appointed. In keeping with the Policy on University Appointments, the Board of Governors will soon begin the presidential search process.

Yes, the Policy on University Appointments says the incumbent president may be a candidate for the position.

The presidential search process is governed by the Policy on University Appointments.

The Policy on University Appointments states the chair of the Board of Governors will chair the presidential search committee. It also states that the other members of the committee will be selected as follows:

  • Three (3) faculty members appointed by Senate
  • One (1) undergraduate student appointed by Senate
  • One (1) graduate student appointed by Senate
  • One (1) regular full-time staff member appointed by Senate
  • Three (3) external members of the Board of Governors appointed by the Board
  • One (1) Dean or senior leader appointed by the Board

A call for nominations for faculty, staff and student members of the committee was posted on Dec. 9, 2024.

The committee will begin its work in Feb. 2025. The presidential search is expected to be complete by summer 2025.

Guided by the Policy on University Appointments and an external search firm, the presidential search committee will develop a plan. Among other tasks, the committee will determine the general characteristics and capabilities required in a candidate, advertise the position, interview candidates and recommend a candidate to the Board of Governors for appointment. A broad timeline for the search process is available on the timeline page.

In keeping with the University of Guelph Act, 1964, the Board of Governors must approve the appointment of a president.

The search committee will seek input from the University community later this spring; the extensive community input received in 2019-20 will also inform the presidential search process. The presidential search committee welcomes additional feedback at any time and can be reached at universityappts@uoguelph.ca.

Updates are available on the News section of the presidential search website.

You may submit questions or comments to the University Secretariat at universityappts@uoguelph.ca.

Contact Information

If you have questions or comments about the presidential search process contact the presidential search committee through the University Secretariat.

Presidential Search Committee
University of Guelph
c/o University Secretariat
4th Floor University Centre
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1
519-824-4120 Ext. 56571
universityappts@uoguelph.ca