The first regular meeting of the Board of Governors for the 2020-21 year was held October 21, 2021, via web conference and was chaired by Board Chair Shauneen Bruder.

The meeting began with a welcome to Governors offered by the Board Chair, and a welcome to guests in attendance and to those watching online.

President Charlotte Yates offered brief oral remarks, including a welcome to new Governors and an update on activities both the University and more broadly within the sector, including a new partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington to support student mental health. The President provided an additional update on EDI strategies and activities.

The Board considered two items for strategic discussion during the meeting. First, the Board received an update on return to campus, including an update on vaccination on campus, and planning ahead for the Winter semester. Second, the Board of Governors received an update from the President on the strategic refresh, highlighting the ongoing work Strategic Framework Refresh Advisory Committee.

Finance Committee Chair Nancy Brown Andison spoke to the University of Guelph Audited Statements for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2021, noting that a review of the statements had been conducted by both the Audit & Risk Committee and the Finance Committee. The Board of Governors approved the statements. Additional updates were provided on enrolment and budget.

The Board of Governors received an update on the work of the Steering Committee on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Violence and welcomed and heard from student-athletes who attended the meeting to address the Board about their concerns relative to this area, as well as those raised by alumni members of the Gryphon Track & Field team in a recent open letter.

The Board also received written reports for information, including reports from standing committee chairs on recent committee activities, the University’s annual freedom of expression report, and regular financial reporting.

The complete open session meeting package is available on the University Secretariat’s Governance Portal [1]. The official record of the meeting is the meeting minutes, which will be available following their approval at the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting, to be held on January 26, 2022.