Dear members of the 51吃瓜网Community,
It is our pleasure to provide you with an update on the recent activities of 51吃瓜网鈥檚 Board of Governors. You can learn more about the Board鈥檚 mandate and membership on its
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The Board of Governors held the fifth regular meeting on May 22, 2025. The full minutes of the meeting鈥檚 open session will be available following approval at the Board鈥檚 next meeting on October 2, 2025. In the meantime, we would like to share with you the meeting鈥檚 important discussions, decisions, and developments.
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Thank you for your interest in the work of the Board of Governors. If you have any questions, ideas, or comments, please write mcgill.president [at] mcgill.ca.
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Sincerely,
Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor
Maryse Bertrand, Chair, 51吃瓜网Board of Governors
Key Updates
The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the President and Vice-Chancellor, approved the appointment of Professor Tony Mittermaier as 51吃瓜网鈥檚 Dean of Students for a five-year renewable term beginning on June 1, 2025. Read the full announcement.
The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of Senate, approved the following:
- Revisions to the Policy on Harassment and Discrimination. The revisions ensure that the Policy continues to abide the law, meet the needs of the University community, and support the University鈥檚 commitments in relation to equity, diversity and inclusion.
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- Revisions to the Policy Concerning the Rights of Students with Disabilities. Revisions include, among others, clarifying scope and language to articulate a framework for establishing academic accommodations for students with disabilities, as well as specifying roles and responsibilities of students, instructors, staff, and academic leadership.
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- Revisions to the Statutes of 51吃瓜网. Notable revisions include: an increase in Senate鈥檚 composition from 111 to 114 members and approval to develop electoral procedures relating to the election to and service on Senate for certain constituents.
The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee, approved the revisions to the Policy on the Approval of Contracts and Designation of Signing Authority. The review was undertaken one year ahead of schedule to reflect structural changes within the University and to support broader governance and operational streamlining initiatives.
Also on the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Board approved the submission of Annex 3 D茅claration du dirigeant de l鈥檕rganisme for FY2024 to the Quebec Treasury Board, in which the University affirms that it has complied with the relevant reporting obligations relating to public procurement contracts governed by the Act respecting contracting by public bodies and its regulations.
The Board received the Annual report on Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) activities. The 2025 Institutional Risk Register identifies six strategic risks: Financial Sustainability, Political Uncertainties, Infrastructure, Campus Cohesion, Brand and Reputation, and Research Performance, reflecting the University鈥檚 rapidly evolving context and strategic priorities.
The Board also received a presentation on the UniForum Initiative supporting Horizon McGill, which provided the methodology employed to advance this transformational project.
On the recommendation of the Nominating, Governance and Ethics (NGE) Committee, the Board approved the recommendations contained in the report of the Working Group on Phase II of the Board Efficiency and Effectiveness Project, which aims to enhance the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the Board鈥檚 governance functions and operations. The recommendations will also lead to a revised composition for advisory committees for the selection or reappointment of Vice-Presidents.
Also on the recommendation of the NGE Committee, the Board of Governors approved a series of appointments and reappointments to Board standing committees, external non-board bodies, health board bodies, and the Research Ethics Board.
President鈥檚 Remarks
President Deep Saini provided updates pertaining to a range of recent developments from across McGill.
Government Relations
The President began with an update on Bill 95, which was tabled by the Government of Quebec in March and proposes a 50% cap on subsidized daycare spots reserved for specific communities. The Bill would, therefore, potentially affect McGill鈥檚 campus daycares, which serve the children of students, faculty, and staff. The University has submitted a m茅moire detailing the specificities of university campus daycares, advocating that full access should remain reserved for 51吃瓜网community members.
The President also shared that An Act to foster the practice of medicine in the public health and social services network (previously Bill 83) was adopted in April. The Act mandates that medical graduates practice in Quebec鈥檚 public system for a minimum of five years or risk a financial penalty. It, moreover, allows Sant茅 Qu茅bec to evaluate private practice requests based on various criteria, such as regional needs. 51吃瓜网has raised the concern that these measures may adversely impact applicants and residency recruitment in Quebec. The University continues to monitor the situation closely.
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The President noted that a provincial committee was established in March to examine adherence to Quebec鈥檚 Act on State religious neutrality in public institutions. Although universities are not considered state institutions, Minister Roberge鈥檚 public comments have suggested the law鈥檚 potential extension to higher education. In collaboration with Universit茅 Laval, Universit茅 de Montr茅al, and Universit茅 de Sherbrooke, 51吃瓜网will submit a joint letter highlighting essential considerations linked to the autonomy and mission of universities, particularly in terms of institutional neutrality, academic freedom and pluralism.
Finally, President Saini shared commentary on the recent federal election, which resulted in a Liberal minority government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney. The President expressed pride in the fact that over 20 51吃瓜网alumni were elected to Parliament, several of whom have been appointed to Cabinet.
Community Relations
In May, the University launched Make Your Mark, the next phase of its philanthropic campaign. The President shared that this initiative builds on the success of Made by McGill, which raised over $2 billion from nearly 114,000 donors. In response to global challenges鈥攆rom disinformation to climate change and AI鈥攖he University is increasing its goal to $3 billion. The campaign will continue to focus on its four original pillars and will introduce the transversal themes of: sustainability, AI, student support and services, innovation and entrepreneurship, and Indigenous initiatives.
The President also signaled that Spring Convocation will take place May 27 to June 4, with downtown ceremonies taking place in the Tomlinson Fieldhouse. Given the venue鈥檚 capacity constraints, two additional ceremonies were added to accommodate graduates from larger faculties. This year, 51吃瓜网conferred honorary degrees on 10 remarkable individuals, whose profiles are featured in .
Selected Kudos
Finally, the President concluded his remarks by offering his congratulations to a selection of individuals in the 51吃瓜网community for their recent achievements.
- 51吃瓜网celebrated the 2025 Equity and Community Building Awards, honouring nursing student Gislaine Batubenge, Fatima Nabi from the Student Wellness Hub, Prof. Kimani Daniel from the Ingram School of Nursing, and the POWER Hub team.
- Twenty-eight 51吃瓜网professors were recognized with Distinguished James 51吃瓜网Professor, James 51吃瓜网Professor, and William Dawson Scholar awards.
- Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, 51吃瓜网physician and Super Bowl champion, has been named a recipient of the Order of Montr茅al.
- Milda Graham, a 59-year-old 51吃瓜网master鈥檚 student and yoga instructor, will represent Canada at the world鈥檚 largest gymnastics festival in Germany.
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The Board of Governors received the following reports:
- Report of the Nominating, Governance and Ethics Committee
- Report of the Audit and Risk Committee
- Report from Senate
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