Late Friday afternoon, Laurentian University's board of governors announced it has hired Dr. Robert Haché as the school’s 11th president and vice-chancellor.
Haché is currently vice-president of research and innovation at York University, and has experience in leading university research and innovation activities, LU said in a news release. He's also the former associate vice-president of research at the University of Calgary and vice-dean of research for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa.
“He will assume the position on July 1, 2019, for a five-year renewable term, succeeding Dr. Pierre Zundel who has been serving in this capacity on an interim basis since August 2017,” the news release said.
“The board of governors is very pleased to welcome Dr. Haché to Laurentian University,” Jennifer Witty, chair of the Laurentian University board of governors and presidential search/selection committee, is quoted as saying in the release.
“He is a strong visionary with a stellar track record in both academia and management. Under his leadership, Laurentian will be well positioned to build on its foundation of success over the last decade.”
Of Acadian background, the bilingual Haché holds a BSc from McGill University and a PhD from Queen’s University, both in biochemistry. He has 29 years of experience as an academic, including more than 20 years as an academic leader, the release said.
A molecular and cellular biologist and biochemist, Haché has received numerous research grants and awards from such organizations as the Canadian Institute for Health Research, the National Cancer Institute of Canada and the National Science and Engineering Research Council for his research projects on steroid hormone action and DNA damaging agents.
“Dr. Haché brings a deep understanding of interdisciplinarity, the critical importance of the arts in post-secondary education, and building a culture of engagement, innovation and success in large collaborative projects and programs,” Witty said in the release. “In developing the culture of engagement at York, he has paid particular attention to inclusiveness and a focus on Indigenous ways of knowing. He is a strong supporter of the Laurentian University Native Education Council.”
He's arriving at a time when the student population has increased from 6,000 to more than 8,500 students in recent decades, while the average entry grade continues to climb. Laurentian is home to the award-winning Northern Ontario School of Medicine and has led the province for seven of the last eight years with the highest post-graduation employment rates in Ontario, the release said.
“I am excited to join Laurentian University as it emerges as a national leader,” Haché said in the release. “I cannot wait to begin working with students, colleagues and communities to build on Laurentian’s successes, to strengthen and to build new partnerships through academia and industry, and to lead the University to national and international recognition.
“Laurentian University’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan is impressive. It is committed to strengthening the foundation of knowledge in higher education and research to offer an outstanding university experience in English and French with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. My priority will be to pursue this vision and engage all disciplines – from the arts to science, education, management, health and much more – in achieving our ambitions and developing our incredible potential together.”
The late Friday announcement of Haché's hiring comes a day after the union representing faculty at the school blasted LU for a lack of transparency in giving “special deals” to administrators.
While the union pointed to four examples, the most high profile is that of current Health Sciences North CEO Dominic Giroux. When he left for HSN in 2017, the former LU president negotiated the right to return to the university – the union describes it as permanent unpaid leave – at any time as a full professor, as well as a full year off with pay should he return.
“It is another sign of how the corporate model is becoming increasingly prevalent in our universities,” LUFA President Fabrice Colin is quoted as saying in the release. “These sweetheart deals are shocking given the university’s deficit and the administration’s demands for cutting services and staff.”
In addition to announcing its new president, the board of governors also thanked interim president, Dr. Pierre Zundel.
“He has provided excellent leadership and guidance for Laurentian University and will continue in this capacity with the board’s full support until Dr. Haché’s appointment takes effect,” the release said.
