Standing Committees

Standing committees are appointed by the Board of Governors to oversee and advise on  specific areas pertaining to the University’s administration and governance. A majority of the Standing committee’s members and its Chair must be Members of the Board, unless otherwise determined by the Board. All committees are accountable to the Board of Governors.

The Board has constituted the following committees to assist in the conduct of its affairs.

Campus Culture Oversight Committee
Executive Committee
Governance and Appeals Committee
Finance and Audit Committee
Human Resources Committee
Development, Fundraising, and External Relations Committee
Property and Asset Management Committee


Campus Culture Oversight Committee

The Campus Culture Oversight Committee was established on November 28, 2023 by the Board of Governors to monitor the implementation of the University’s initiatives, including the development of an Action Plan, to cultivate and maintain a healthy work and study environment on campus.

Members

Ms. Carolyn Simpson, Chair
Mr. Shreesh Agrawal
Dr. Christian Lacroix
Dr. William Montelpare
Ms. Mary Robinson
Dr. Ajay Sahajpal
Mr. Nabeel Zafar

Duties and responsibilities

To assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for:

  • Reviewing plans for and monitoring implementation of the recommendations resulting from the UPEI Review
  • Monitoring the health of the workplace for faculty and staff
  • Monitoring student wellbeing.

Executive Committee

Members

Ms. Shannon MacDonald, Chair
Mr. Steve Bellamy
Dr. Greg Keefe
Mr. Alex MacBeath
Dr. William Montelpare
Ms. Perlene Morrison
Ms. Carolyn Simpson
Mr. Brian Thompson

Duties and responsibilities

  • Oversee the governance of the University
  • Propose new Board member nominees to the Board
  • Receive and review the University’s strategic plan for recommendation of Board approval
  • Establish a process to assess the effectiveness of the Board, its committees and individual members.

Governance and Appeals Committee

Members

Mr. Brian Thompson, Chair
Ms. Karen Creighan
Dr. Gary Evans
Dr. Greg Keefe
Ms. Kristi Kelly
Dr. Christian Lacroix
Ms. Shannon MacDonald
Ms. Mary Anne McMahon

Duties and responsibilities

Make recommendations to the Board on:

  • The structure of the committees of the Board;
  • The implementation of governance principles, policies and guidelines;
  • The development and recommendation to the Board of any amendments to the existing Code of Conduct; Conflict of Interest; or confidentiality policy or agreements;
  • The identification and evaluation of the principal risks faced by the University and approval of the Risk Registry at least on an annual basis;
  • The process for evaluating the effectiveness of the Board and its committees;
  • The desired skills matrix for the Board, based on which the Executive Committee will review the board composition annually;
  • The assessment and reporting of any gaps or deficiencies, as well as strengths, in the University’s system of governance;
  • The carrying out of all orientation and ongoing training sessions of new and existing members of the Board.

Finance and Audit Committee

Members

Mr. Alex MacBeath, Chair
Ms. Karen Creighan
Ms. Kristi Kelly
Ms. Camille Mady
Ms. Mary Anne McMahon
Ms. Mary Robinson

Duties and responsibilities

  • Perform such duties as may be required by applicable legislation and regulations, including those of the University Act. R.S.P.E.I.
  • Assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities for:
    • Financial accounting and reporting process
    • Oversight of the annual operating and capital budgeting process
    • Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relating to financial disclosure, including Board approval of new financial administration policies
    • Independent audit process, including recommending the appointment and assessing the performance of external auditors
    • Internal audit function, the internal auditor’s mandate, activities and performance
    • Identification and monitoring of principal risks that could impact the financial sustainability of the organization and
    • Internal controls and the University’s information systems.
  • Perform such other duties as may form time to time be assigned by the Board.

Human Resources Committee

Members

Ms. Perlene Morrison, Chair
Ms. Lynn Ellsworth
Dr. Greg Keefe
Ms. Shannon MacDonald
Mr. Don MacKenzie, K.C.
Ms. Pam Montgomery
Ms. Carolyn Simpson

Duties and responsibilities

  • Provide assistance to the Board in relation to the Board’s oversight role with respect to University human resources and compensation matters.

Development, Fundraising, and External Relations Committee

Members

Mr. William Montelpare, Chair
Ms. Kateri Coade
Dr. Greg Keefe
Ms. Shannon MacDonald
Ms. Camille Mady
Ms. Pam Montgomery

Duties and responsibilities

  • Provide assistance to the Board in relation to the Board’s oversight role with respect to building the reputation and image of the University, enhancing the University’s endowment resources, growing the University’s fundraising capabilities and communicating effectively with all University constituents.

Property and Asset Management Committee

Members

Mr. Steve Bellamy, Chair
Ms. Lynn Ellsworth
Mr. Peter Hayes
Dr. Geraldine Johnston
Dr. Greg Keefe
Ms. Shannon MacDonald
Mr. William Waterman

Duties and responsibilities

  • Review and recommend approval of updates to the University’s Campus Master Plan
  • Review and recommend approval of the University’s annual capital budget
  • Provide specific approval of capital projects in excess of $ 1,000,000 in advance of project commencement and Board approval
  • Establish long term financial sustainability criteria to ensure future operating affordability of new and existing University infrastructure assets
  • Ongoing review of real asset preventative maintenance and asset replacement policies and reviewing of annual preventative maintenance budgets
  • Oversee University initiatives on energy management, campus sustainability, environmental compliance and other real estate relevant matters
  • Review ongoing real estate valuations and monitoring emerging real estate and ancillary opportunities
  • Assume other assignments as delegated by the Board of Governors