The following letter to the Brock community was submitted by Scott Henderson, Chair of Senate:

This message, adapted from my forthcoming report to Senate, should resonate with the entire Brock community.

This has been a less than straightforward start to the academic year, and it is clear that Brock University faces challenges in the coming months. How we respond to those challenges, and how we demonstrate sound leadership, is critical both in terms of the messaging coming from University governance, and in terms of the role we all play in protecting and enhancing the reputation of the University.

Many of us at Brock serve in multiple roles, and can have a number of affiliations. It can be difficult to cast these aside when doing something such as serving on Senate, but this is something we need to do. The decisions we are asked to make are in support of the greater good of Brock University. While faculty representation purposely has a majority on Senate, in acknowledgement of our long-term investment in the University’s academic direction, every decision made is not solely for the benefit of faculty but rather for the protection and enhancement of Brock’s broader academic mission. This mission remains at the core of all that we do here at Brock.

Senate representatives are elected from all Faculties, allowing for representation from diverse programs. Once serving, Senators do not represent a set constituency. They serve to bring wisdom and perspective of their varied disciplines, but not to advocate for a particular Faculty, unit or organization on campus. They are there to advocate for the University, to look out for the interests of all of us. The reputation of the University is our reputation, as researchers, teachers, students and staff, and in these currently testing times it is incumbent on all of us to remember that this is the case. Universities actually thrive on critical enquiry, but it is vital to do so respectfully. Our work and our reputation are not enhanced by dissent or by creating disruption because we do not agree on a course of action.

There has been a concerted effort in recent years to enhance relationships between Brock’s two governing bodies, the Board of Trustees and the Senate. It is at the point where we do have meaningful consultation on key issues, even beyond what is required by the Faculty Handbook or the Brock University Act. People may not always be aware that members of both bodies volunteer their time to serve the University, and that each member brings their own particular expertise to the table.  All of us, on both governing bodies, share a mutual concern regarding the success and continued improvement of the University. This does not mean that we all agree on how we achieve this goal, but we do need to respectfully recognize that it is a goal we share.

In recent weeks, Senate has been consulted by the Board about the appointment of an Acting President. How the Board responds to that consultation is important to us. Yet we have to recognize the meaning of the term ‘consultation’. Consulting does not mean always getting one’s way, it means having one’s perspectives, opinions and ideas considered and hopefully incorporated. Both Senate and Board welcome input from all members of the Brock community on this important issue. A call has gone out to the Brock community, seeking feedback and nominations for the role of Acting President. This level of consultation is unprecedented, and it is hoped that the Brock community will respond to this invitation and become part of the process. The more voices we hear, the more that our governing bodies can understand the desires of everyone at the University.

Nobody wins if we operate in an atmosphere of mistrust, least of all our students, both graduate and undergraduate. The Board has accepted the recommendations made by Senate regarding an extension of the current Acting President until Sept. 30, and has issued the requested call for nominations to be considered. These are welcome developments. In the meantime, the business of the University carries on. Research is conducted, classes are prepared and taught, students continue to learn both inside and outside the classroom, and the work of faculty and staff continues.

I invite all members of the Brock community to engage with us on issues regarding the positon of President, and on other issues as we move forward. I am sure that I speak for both Senators and Board members in saying that we recognize the trust you have put in all of us to make decisions that will continue to make Brock a preferred place to work and to study.

Once the Board has made a decision on the Acting President, I urge all of us to get behind that person and provide the support they will need to succeed. There has been much positive development at Brock in recent years, and as we see the work that has started outside of Taro Hall, providing a long awaited expansion of the Goodman School of Business, we know that this is simply the beginning of more positive times ahead.

Ideally, we will all look to the future and not dwell on the past.

Scott Henderson is an Associate Professor in the Department of
Communication, Pop Culture and Film