Principal Woolf sets priorities for his third year

September 2011

Negotiating collective agreements with all of the university's bargaining units and working towards a positive labour relations environment at Queen's top the list of Principal Daniel Woolf's key objectives for 2011-2012.

As of September 1, the university and several employee groups have ratified six agreements. These include:

• multi-year contracts with the Queen's University Faculty Association (QUFA) representing faculty, librarians and archivists;
• three locals of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing library technicians, technicians and a number of employees in Physical Plant Services, Residence Operations and Athletics & Recreation;
• a first contract with graduate teaching assistants and teaching fellows;
• a first contract with the nurses in the Queen's Family Health Team;
• first contract negotiations with post doctoral fellows, general staff and academic assistants are expected to begin in the coming months.

Special efforts will be made to connect with and bolster a sense of community among staff and faculty as negotiations are concluded and labour agreements are reached.

Continuing progress on financial stabilization and cost control – while maximizing what provincial funding is available – is another strategic priority for the Principal. Revenue-generating ideas outside the traditional funding box will be assessed, and those with the greatest potential will be implemented.

A third key objective is to conclude the Academic Planning exercise.  A Senate Task Force report is expected to be presented in the fall.  An operational scheme for implementing the Academic Plan's goals and aspirations will follow, led by new Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Alan Harrison.

Other priorities for the Principal include:

• Continuing to build Campaign momentum through increasing his time commitment to Queen's philanthropic activities, including outreach and relationship building with alumni and friends, in order to support academic and institutional priorities.
• Targeting government advocacy and institutional relations activity by enhancing engagement with the provincial and federal governments, and with university advocacy groups (e.g. COU, AUCC, U15). Specific areas of focus include research funding and increased teaching space.
• Furthering internationalizationthrough trips to Germany  and potentially China and Southeast Asia. A coherent and comprehensive plan for internationalization will be developed and will include strategies for attracting more international students to campus.
• Rebuilding internal relationships through continued outreach to the campus community.  Staff career development and training will be areas of focus with the dual benefits of building workplace satisfaction and improving skills.
• Leveraging our reputation and building the Queen's national and international profile by highlighting Queen's contributions to our communities, the country and the world.