It is with regret that Dr. Martin Singer and Brock University announce a joint decision not to proceed with Dr. Singer’s appointment as Brock University’s Acting Provost for the 2016-17 academic year.

Dr. Singer is a respected Canadian academic leader who had retired in 2015 after a career of more than 40 years as a professor at two distinguished Canadian universities, more than 20 of them as dean and provost.

Earlier this year he was approached by Brock’s then-incoming president, Wendy Cukier, about serving as Brock’s Acting Provost during what would have been Dr. Cukier’s first year in office. In June 2016, Dr. Singer’s appointment as Brock’s Acting Provost was approved by the Board of Trustees. However, the Aug. 29 announcement that Dr. Cukier would not be Brock’s next President significantly changed the context of, and expectations for, the Acting Provost position.

It is our shared view that Brock’s Acting President should have the ability to choose the Acting Provost for 2016-17, with a bias toward someone who is thoroughly familiar with the Brock context and culture.

Signed,

Dr. Martin Singer
Brian Hutchings, Acting President and Vice-Chancellor, Brock University