Board of Governors 2013/14 update

The University of Victoria Board of Governors is one of two primary governing bodies of the university (the other being the UVic Senate). The board is responsible for the management, administration and control of the property, revenue and business affairs of the university.

The board consists of the chancellor, the president, two elected faculty members, one elected staff member, two students elected from the university’s undergraduate or graduate student societies and eight members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. A chair and vice-chair are elected annually to one-year terms.

This fall sees several changes in the leadership and membership of the Board of Governors. Erich Mohr was elected to succeed Susan Mehinagic as chair, and Beverly Van Ruyven was elected vice-chair. The board also welcomes two new order-in-council appointed members, Ida Chong and Tracy Redies, as well as one new student member, Emily Rogers.  Lucia Heffelfinger Orser returns for a second term, having been re-elected by members of the student societies.  In addition, President Jamie Cassels joins the Board as an ex officio member.

“Having been a student at UVic and having served on its board since 2010, I know what a terrific university this is and am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the board this year,” says Dr. Mohr. “I look forward to working with President Cassels, my other Board colleagues and the other members of the university community.” 

More information about the board, including the roster of current members, the meeting schedule and minutes from past meetings: www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/governors/

New members of the Board of Governors 2013–14

JAMIE CASSELS, QC

President and Vice-Chancellor

Cassels, QC is the University of Victoria’s President and Vice-Chancellor.  He was Dean of UVic Law from 1999 to 2001 and from 2001 to 2010 served as UVic’s Vice-President Academic and Provost.  Cassels is a renowned and dedicated scholar, teacher and educational leader. He has received numerous awards, including a 3M National Teaching Fellowship. Additionally, Professor Cassels is a member of the Bar of British Columbia and has frequently been asked for legal advice and guidance on issues of public importance. He holds a BA in law and philosophy from Carleton University, an LLB (bachelor of law) from the University of Western Ontario and an LLM (master of law) from Columbia University.

IDA CHONG

Order-in-council appointee

Chong first entered public life as a municipal councilor in Saanich (1993–1996) and director at the CRD (1995–1996). Most recently, she served as MLA representing the constituency of Oak Bay-Gordon Head (1996–2013). She has been minister responsible for 10 different portfolios including Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation; Community, Sport and Cultural Development; Science and Universities; Healthy Living and Sport; Advanced Education; Minister responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative, Seniors and Women’s Issues. In addition to her role as Minister she served on the Cabinet Committee for Climate Action and 12 years on BC’s Treasury Board. A professional accountant, she is a fellow of the Certified General Accountants Association.  For nearly 20 years, she was senior partner in a practice based in Saanich catering to small and medium-sized enterprises.

TRACY REDIES

Order-in-council appointee

Redies is President and Chief Executive Officer of Coast Capital Savings Credit Union. She holds a BA with a double major in Economics and Asian Studies from the University of Victoria and an MSc in Business Administration in International Trade and Finance from the University of British Columbia. She received a Distinguished Alumni award from the University of Victoria’s Faculty of Social Sciences and was recognized during UVic’s 50th anniversary celebrations as one of 50 Alumni Who Made a Difference.  A four-time recipient of WXN’s Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award and past inductee into the Top 100 Hall of Fame, Redies is on the Board of Governors for Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures and the Business Council of British Columbia. She is a director of the C.D. Howe Institute and Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation.

EMILY ROGERS

Elected student member

Rogers is completing the final year of her Bachelor of Child and Youth Care degree at the University of Victoria. She served as the Chairperson of the University of Victoria Students’ Society in the 2012–2013 academic year and is currently serving her third term as a Student Senator representing the Faculty of Human and Social Development. Rogers has extensive volunteer, community organizing and government relations experience, and she is particularly passionate about mental health awareness and advocacy. Rogers will be serving a one-year term as one of the two student representatives on the Board of Governors for the upcoming year.