Board of Governors’ Committees

Members of the Mount’s Board of Governors and, in some cases, members of the external community, participate on “standing” and “ad hoc” committees designed to assist the Board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities to the University.

Standing committees meet regularly and are accountable directly to the Board of Governors; they consider matters that fall within their specific areas of responsibility and bring recommendations to the Board for discussion and decision. Ad hoc committees are formed to address a specific project or task and are only active until the assigned task is complete and recommendations are brought to the Board of Governors for decision.

To view the mandate, membership and terms of reference for the Board’s committees (standing and ad hoc), please click on the arrow to the right of the Committee name to toggle the open/close of the section.

For further information on the Board of Governors’ standing and ad hoc Committees, please contact board.secretary@msvu.ca or by telephone at 902-457-6436.

2023-2024 Board Committees - Meeting Dates and Membership

 

For additional information on Board standing committees’ membership, mandate and Terms of Reference, please select individual committees below.

 

Updated:  August 23, 2023

Advancement and External Relations (AERC)

The AER Committee advances the University’s mission and vision and supports institutional priorities and objectives by promoting sound relationships between the University and its communities, including alumnae, donors, government and broader community partners. View AER Committee’s Terms of Reference for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.  Membership on the Committee includes:

Ex officio (voting) Members:

  • Tyrone Cotie (Chair of the Board)

Appointed Members (voting)

  • Rosemarie Sampson, Chair (Board Rep)
  • TBC, Vice-Chair of the Committee (Board Rep)
  • Heather Hanson (Board Rep)
  • Glenn Squires (Board Rep)
  • Potential Vacancy (Board Rep)
  • Craig Ennis (Alumni Rep)
  • Devora Goldberg (Student Rep)
  • TBA (Faculty Rep)
  • Kymberly Franklin (External Rep)
  • Sharon Ross (External Rep)
  • TBA (External Rep)
  • TBA (External Rep)

Ex officio (non-voting) Members

  • Joël Dickinson (President and Vice-Chancellor)
  • Isabelle Nault (Vice-President Administration)

Resources (non-voting)

  • Kelly Gallant (Associate Vice-President, University Relations)
  • University Relations staff and other resource people as required from time to time.
  • Non-voting Advisors – Individuals who are not Board members but who, from time to time, are invited by the Committee Chair to attend meetings to provide advice to the Committee.

 

Updated:  Aug 8, 2024

Advisory Committee on IT (Subcommittee of the Audit Committee)

The mandate of the Advisory Committee on IT is to assist and advise the Board of Governors in fulfilling governance responsibilities with respect to information technology, systems and cybersecurity. The Committee also assists the Board with establishing strategic plans, principles and policies relevant to information technology, systems and cybersecurity.  View the Advisory Committee on IT Terms of Reference  for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.  Membership on the Committee includes:

Ex officio (Voting) Members:

  • Tyrone Cotie (Board Chair)
  • Tianyuan Yu (Faculty Association President)
  • Carson Cameron (Students’ Union President)

Appointed (Voting) Members:

  • Paul McIsaac, Committee Chair (Board Rep)
  • Claudette Porter (Board Rep)
  • Potential Vacancy (Board Rep)
  • Ron Singer (External Rep)
  • Krishna Raj Kumar (External Rep)
  • Vacancy (External Rep)
  • Potential Vacancy (External Rep)

Ex officio (Non-voting) Members:

  • Joël Dickinson (President and Vice-Chancellor)
  • Isabelle Nault (Vice-President Administration)
  • Lori Francis (Vice-President Academic and Provost)

Resource (Non-voting)

  • Karen Smyth (Director, IT&S), Ex officio
  • Others resource persons that may be required from time to time

 

Updated:  Aug 8, 2024

Advisory Committee on Labour Relations (ACLR) (Ad hoc committee)

The ACLR sets the mandate for negotiations, provides guidance and advice, and reports to the Executive Committee and to the Board of Governors, who ratify the Collective Agreement. View the ACLR Committee’s Terms of Reference for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.  Membership on the Committee includes:

Ex officio (Voting) Members:

  • Tyrone Cotie, Committee Chair (Chair, Board of Governors)
  • Patti Towler (Vice-Chair, Board of Governors)
  • Michelle Clare (Chair, Finance Committee)
  • Natasha Agnew (Chair, HRGC)

Ex officio (Von-voting) Members:

  • Joël Dickinson (President and Vice-Chancellor)

Ex officio members (Non-voting) may also include (as designated by Management):

  • Lori Francis (Vice-President Academic and Provost)
  • Isabelle Nault (Vice-President Administration)
  • Antony Card (Dean – Faculty Agreement); or
  • Carrie Dawson (Dean – Faculty Agreement); or
  • Susan Trenholm (Dean – Faculty Agreement)
  • Kelly Gallant (Member of University Relations – Communications)
  • Kim Peitzsche (Acting Director, Human Resources)

Resources (Non-voting):

  • Kennedy Fitzgerald (Manager, Academic Relations)
  • Sharon Davis (Director, Finance and Administration)
  • Other Chief Negotiators (as required)

** In circumstances where the Vice-Chair of the Board also serves as either Chair of the Finance Committee or Chair of the Human Resources and Governance Committee, the Vice-Chair of that committee shall serve on the ACLR as a voting member, in place of the Chair of that committee.

 

Updated:   August 23, 2023

Audit

The Audit Committee provides assistance to the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities relating to financial accounting and reporting practices by overseeing the internal control environment and reviewing financial statements. As well, it maintains, by way of regularly scheduled meetings, a direct line of communication promoting transparency, honesty and ethical behaviour between the Board of Governors and the Auditors, thus ensuring the Auditors’ independence and an avenue for discussion with the Board of Governors. View the Audit Committee’s Terms of Reference for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.  Membership on the Committee includes:

Ex officio (Voting) Members

  • Tyrone Cotie (Board Chair)

Appointed (Voting) Members

  • Danielle Desjardins, Committee Chair (Board Rep)
  • Paul MacIsaac, Vice-Chair (Board Rep)
  • Karen Hudson (Board Rep)
  • Melanie McGrath (External Rep)
  • TBA (External Rep)
  • Val Lara (External Rep)
  • Derrick Dempster (Board Rep)

Ex officio (Non-voting) Resources

  • Joël Dickinson (President and Vice-Chancellor)
  • Isabelle Nault (Vice-President Administration)
  • Sharon Davis (Director, Finance and Administration)

 

Updated:  Aug 8, 2024

Campus Planning

The purpose of the Campus Planning Committee is to advise the Board of Governors on matters related to the physical layout and protection of university lands, buildings, grounds and related infrastructure, any proposed changes thereto, and for the acquisition and/or sale of real property. The Committee is also responsible for advising the Board of Governors on space plans and general matters that may have an impact on campus planning and sustainability. View the Campus Planning Committee’s Terms of Reference for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.  Membership on the Committee includes:

Ex officio (Voting) Members:

  • Tyrone Cotie (Board Chair)

Appointed (Voting) Members:

  • Patti Towler, Committee Chair (Board Rep)
  • TBA (Faculty Rep)
  • Devora Goldberg (Student Rep)
  • Joe Nahas (Board Rep)
  • Glenn Squires (Board Rep)
  • TBA (Board Rep)
  • Penny Henneberry (Board Rep)
  • Ifeanyi Emesih (Board Rep)
  • Brendan Nobes (External Rep)
  • Gary Logan (External Rep)

Ex officio (Non-voting) Members:

  • Joël Dickinson (President and Vice-President)
  • Lori Francis (Vice-President Academic and Provost)
  • Isabelle Nault (Vice-President Administration)
  • Carrie Dawson (Member, Space Planning Ctte)
  • Kelly Gallant (Associate Vice-President University Relations)

Resource (Non-voting):

  • Tom Strapps (Director, Facilities Management) – Ex officio
  • Other resource persons may be required from time to time.

 

Updated:  Aug 8, 2024

Executive

The Executive Committee facilitates the operations of the Board by reviewing the Board macro-agenda to ensure that the Board is discharging its responsibilities as efficiently and effectively as possible. Based on the macro-agenda the Executive Committee develops and plans the Board meeting agendas for regular meetings and the Annual meeting to ensure all appropriate matters are brought before the Board on a timely basis. In addition, the Committee assists the Board by responding to matters when it is impractical to call a full Board of Governors’ meeting. View the Executive Committee’s Terms of Reference for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.  Membership on the Committee includes:

Ex officio (Voting) Members:

  • Tyrone Cotie, Committee Chair (Chair of the Board)
  • Patricia Towler, Committee Vice-Chair (Vice-Chair of the Board, Chair of Campus Planning)
  • Rosemarie Sampson (Chair of Advancement and External Relations
  • Danielle Desjardins (Chair of Audit and Risk)
  • Michelle Clare  (Chair of Finance)
  • Natasha Agnew (Chair of Human Resources and Governance)
  • Tom Nicolle (Chair of Investment)
  • Amanda Dean (Chair of Nominating)

Ex officio (Non-voting) Members:

  • Joël Dickinson (President and Vice-Chancellor)
  • Lori Francis (Vice-President Academic and Provost)
  • Isabelle Nault (Vice-President Administration)

Resources:

  • There are no resources named for this committee.

 

Updated:  Jan 4, 2024

Finance

The purpose of the Finance Committee is to provide financial advice to the Board of Governors with respect to the University’s annual operating and capital budgets, funds, university fees, Government grants, borrowing of funds, unaudited financial statements, recommendations from other committees which have financial implications and other matters as presented by the University Administration and/or the Board of Governors. View the Finance Committee’s Terms of Reference for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.  Membership on the Committee includes:

Ex officio (Voting) Members:

  • Tyrone Cotie (Board Chair)
  • Tianyuan Yu (President, Faculty Association)
  • Carson Cameron (President, Students’ Union)

Appointed (Voting) Members

  • Michelle Clare, Committee Chair (Board Rep)
  • Claudette Porter (Board Rep)
  • Diana Whalen (Board Rep)
  • Vacancy (Board Rep)

Ex officio (Non-voting) Members:

  • Joël Dickinson (President and Vice-Chancellor)
  • Lori Francis (Vice-President Academic and Provost)
  • Isabelle Nault (Vice-President Academic)

Resources (Non-voting):

  • Sharon Davis (Director, Finance and Administration) – Ex officio
  • Other resource persons that may be required from time to time.

 

Updated:  Aug 8, 2024

Human Resources and Governance (HRGC)

Human Resources and Governance (HRGC)

The HRGC provides advice to the Board of Governors on matters pertaining to the terms and conditions of employment of University employees; it develops and maintains human resource policies of the University. It also oversees policies and procedures relating to the governance of the University and reviews and provides advice on other matters as presented by the University administration and/or Board of Governors.  View the HRGC’s Terms of Reference for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.  Membership on the Committee includes:

Ex officio (Voting) Members

  • Tyrone Cotie (Board Chair)
  • Patricia Towler (Vice-Chair of the Board)

Appointed (Voting) Members:

  • Natasha Agnew, Committee Chair (Board Rep)
  • Tianyuan Yu (Faculty Rep)
  • Nola Sam (Student Rep)
  • Sheilagh Martin (Board Rep)
  • Cherise Hart (Board Rep)
  • Vacancy (Board Rep)
  • Vacancy (Board Rep)

Ex officio (Non-voting) Members:

  • Joël Dickinson (President and Vice-Chancellor)
  • Lori Francis (Vice-President Academic and Provost)
  • Isabelle Nault (Vice-President Administration)

Resources (Non-voting):

  • Kim Peitzsche (Manager, Human Resources) – Ex officio

 

 

Updated:  Aug 8, 2024

Investment

The Investment Committee is charged with the oversight of the investment management of the Capital Funds, Endowment Funds, Women’s Studies Chair Funds and any other sums of money of the University, as directed by the Board of Governors.  View the Investment Committee Terms of Reference for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.  Membership on the Committee includes:

Ex officio (Voting) Members:

  • Tyrone Cotie (Board Chair)

Appointed (Voting) Members:

  • Thomas (Tom) Nicolle, Committee Chair (Board Rep)
  • Michelle Clare (Board Rep/Chair of Finance)
  • Diana Whalen (Board Rep/Finance Ctte Member)
  • Jeff Alexander (External Rep)
  • Vicki Robertson (External Rep)
  • Vacancy (External Rep)
  • Vacancy (External Rep)

Ex officio (Non-voting) Members:

  • Joël Dickinson (President and Vice-Chancellor)
  • Isabelle Nault (Vice-President Administration)
  • Kelly Gallant (Associate Vice-President, University Relations)

Resources (Non-voting)

  • Cathleen Madgett (Manager, Financial Planning and Control)
  • Anne Thibodeau (Manager, Philanthropy)

 

 

Updated:  Aug 8, 2024

Joint Board/Senate Liaison (JBSL)

The JBSL Committee serves as a means of communication between the Board of Governors and the Senate on matters of common concern, with special reference to the task of linking academic goals and financial forecasts.  View the JBSL Committee’s Terms of Reference for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.  Membership on the Committee includes:

Ex officio (Voting) Members:

  • Tyrone Cotie, Committee Co-chair (Board Chair)
  • Joël Dickinson, Committee Co-chair (Senate Chair)

Appointed (Voting) Members:

  • Vacancy (Board Rep)
  • Heather Hanson (Board Rep)
  • Jeffrey (Jeff) MacLeod (elected by Senate)
  • Gabie Durepos (elected by Senate)

Ex officio (Non-voting) Members:

  • Lori Francis (Vice-President Academic and Provost)
  • Isabelle Nault (Vice-President Administration)

Resources:

  • There are no resources named for this committee. However, the
    Committee may invite members on an ad hoc basis to serve as resource
    persons.

 

Updated: August 23, 2023

Nominating

It is the responsibility of the Nominating Committee to propose governors from the community at large and to propose a slate of officers and Committee Chairs. The Committee is committed to ensuring the diversity of Mount Saint Vincent University’s Board of Governors and will endeavor to source skill-specific representation from Aboriginal people, visible minorities and persons with disabilities. View the Nominating Committee’s Terms of Reference for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.  Membership on the Committee includes:

 

Ex officio (Voting) Members:

  • Amanda Dean, Committee Chair (Past BoG Chair)
  • Tyrone Cotie (Board Chair)
  • Patti Towler (Vice-Chair of the BoG)

Appointed (Voting) Members:

  • TBA (Board Rep)
  • TBA (Board Rep)
  • Nola Sam (Student Rep)
  • Dana Power(Alumni Rep)
  • TBA (Faculty Rep)
  • Myra Freeman (External)
  • TBA(External)

Ex officio (Non-voting) Members:

  • Joël Dickinson (President and Vice-Chancellor)

 

Updated:  Aug 8, 2024

Presidential Evaluation Committee (Ad hoc committee)

The Presidential Evaluation Committee is tasked with evaluating the performance of the President with a view to recommending to the Board of Governors regarding a renewal of current contract.  The Committee endeavors to conduct its review within a two month period and present its recommendation to the Board of Governors at least fifteen months prior to the expiry date of the President’s current term of office.  View the Presidential Evaluation Committee’s Terms of Reference for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.  Membership on the Committee includes:

  • Chair of the Board of Governors (Committee Chair)
  • Chair of HRGC
  • Past Chair of the Board
  • Vice-Chair of the Board
  • Congregation of the Sisters of Charity Representative
  • Board of Governors’ Representative
  • Senate Representative
  • Faculty Association Representative
  • Student Body Representative
  • Management and Professional Association (MPA) Representative
  • MSV Alumni Association Representative

 

Updated: August 23, 2023

Presidential Search Committee (Ad hoc committee)

It is the responsibility of the Presidential Search Committee to identify a candidate for the office of the President and to recommend this candidate of the Board of Governors for approval.  View the Presidential Search Committee Terms of Reference  for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.  Membership on the Committee includes:

 

Ex-Officio (Voting) Members

  • Chair of the Board (Search Ctte Chair)
  • Vice-Chair of the Board
  • Past Chair of the Board
  • University Chancellor

Appointed (Voting) Members:

  • Two additional members of the Board of Governors
  • Three members of faculty, at least one of whom must be a member of Senate
  • One member of the student body
  • One member of the alumni
  • One member of the Management and Professional Administrators (MPA)
  • One member of Management Forum
  • One Dean

Resources 

  • Director, Human Resources

 

Updated:  August 23, 2023

Senior Administrator's Compensation Committee

The Senior Administrators’ Compensation Committee is tasked with establishing policy on compensation for the University’s senior management, which without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes the President and the President’s direct reports, and to approve compensation for the President.  View the SAC Committee’s Terms of Reference for additional information on the composition and responsibilities of the committee.  Membership on the Committee includes:

Ex officio (Voting) Members

  • Tyrone Cotie, Chair (Board Chair)
  • TBC (Board Vice-Chair)
  • Michelle Clare (Chair of Finance)
  • Judith Sullivan-Corney (Chair of HRGC)

Appointed (Voting) Members:

  • There are no appointed members on the committee

Ex officio (Non-voting) Members:

  • Joël Dickinson (President and Vice-Chancellor) **

**  The President of the University serves as an ex officio member of the Committee on matters except those related to her own compensation.

Resources:

  • There are no resources named on this committee

 

Updated: August 23, 2023