As Laurentian University faces financial woes, the university’s Senate has tasked a couple of its subcommittees with looking at the size of the university’s administration.
A motion on the matter was brought forward at the Oct. 20 Senate meeting by Ali Reguigui, a professor in the university’s Études Françaises program.
Reguigui presented his comments almost entirely in French, but a written rationale for his motion states that given the university’s financial situation (i.e. a projected $7.4 million shortfall for its 2020-21 budget) it becomes evident that Laurentian University is over-administered.
There is a contradiction between its administrative size and its size in terms of the number of students, said written documentation provided along with the motion.
The number of associate vice-presidents, faculties, deans, departments, administrative directors is an obstacle to efficiency and creativity, said the documentation.
The motion’s preamble also said that over the last decade several programs have experienced a significant decrease in academic complement, thus affecting the quality of the programs offered.
It also said that during the same period, the administrative sector of the academic sector has become more complex and “hypertrophied” (meaning excessive growth).
The motion eventually passed by the Senate tasks the Academic Planning Committee (ACAPLAN), in consultation with the University Accounts Committee, with reviewing the administrative structure “so as to reduce its size and increase its efficiency.”
Recommendations are to be presented at the April 2021 Senate meeting for decision.
Senate speaker David Vares warned that there are some limitations to what the Senate can do when it comes to making recommendations on cutting down on administration.
Laurentian University, along with most other universities in Canada, operates under what’s called a “bicameral” structure.
That means financial decisions are made by the board of governors, and decisions about academic programs are made by the Senate.
University administration (at least senior administration) is appointed by the board of governors based on recommendations by the university president.
But Laurentian president Robert Haché said in his opinion, more junior administration is actually under the purview of the Senate.
“My understanding is in fact the Senate does have the authority over faculties, departments and programs, which is very much included in this motion,” he said.
“To make the distinction, looking at the terms of reference of ACAPLAN, that is very explicitly stated in their terms of reference.
“Managing the academic administrative structure at the faculty level and down is absolutely within the mandate of ACAPLAN.”
Senate’s mandate ends when you get to the level of associate vice-presidents and deans, who are by and large appointed by the board of governors, Haché said.
“I think there is lots of important work that ACAPLAN can do,” he said. “I really applaud the enthusiasm for having ACAPLAN engage in that work, because I think it is something that we do need to do as a university.”
