Members of the AV¾ãÀÖ²¿ Board of Governors are expected to:
- Be accountable for their actions and those of the university.
- Be aware of the operations of the university.
- Be cognizant of the university’s culture, environment, and its risks.
- Be giving of their expertise.Â
- Support university fundraising activities and contribute to the university to the extent of their abilities.
- Be aggressive in questioning issues and in challenging administrators and board colleagues.
- Be good listeners.
- Be available, in terms of their time, to prepare for and regularly attend board and committee meetings and help carry out the business of the board.Â
- Be able to subordinate themselves to the board as a whole and stand behind board judgments and decisions.
- Support the president and be enthusiastically involved in advancing and defending the university.
- Understand how they can help the board meet its fiduciary responsibilities.
- Suggest agenda items to ensure that significant policy items are discussed.Â
- Resist the temptation to make judgments based on anecdotal and private sources of information.
- Urge those with grievances to follow established policies and procedures.
- Avoid conflicts of interest.
- Recognize the need for confidentiality.Â
- Finally, board members must have a sense of humour!
Principles of Engagement
Approved by the Board of Governors, February 13, 2024
The Board of Governors bears the ultimate responsibility for the operation and future of AV¾ãÀÖ²¿. The board carries out this responsibility through a stewardship role. The board delegates day-to-day management of the university to the president and management team. The board respects the responsibility of the University Senate to adopt policies on academic matters, but such policies may be subject to board approval.Â
The powers and duties of the board are outlined in the statutes relating to AV¾ãÀÖ²¿ as follows: 1863, C.24; 1875, c.27; 1935, c.104 & 1967, c.133; 1958, c.121; 1988, c.74; 1969, c.127; 1935, c.104, s.3; 1935, c.104, s.5 & 1967, c.133; 1935, c.104, s.6; 1863, c.24, 2.8.Â
Role of the board chair
The principal role of the Board Chair is to provide leadership to the Board of Governors. The Board Chair is accountable to the Board, acts as a direct liaison between the Board and President, and represents the Board internally and externally, including acting as the spokesperson for Board decisions.
Role of Board Committee Chairs
The principal role of a Board Committee Chair is to provide leadership and stewardship to a Committee of the Board, conducting the Committee's business and implementing its Terms of Reference. The Committee, through the Chair, is accountable to the Board; the Chair serves as the liaison between the Board and the Committee and presents the Committee's work to the Board.