Dear Members of the Brock Community,
I am writing to share an important step forward in our collective journey to ensure Brock University’s institutional autonomy and position the University to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.
As the Provost and I have detailed previously in letters to the community and to our governance bodies, universities across Ontario are under immense pressure, grappling with questions of financial sustainability while facing structural impediments to cost- cutting. I have heard repeatedly at meetings of Universities Canada and the Council of Ontario Universities that public trust in higher education is waning, with a growing disconnect between the vital role universities play in society and how they are perceived by governments and the public.
Earlier this year, Brock underwent a comprehensive external financial and governance review that was mandated and supported by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities’ Efficiency and Accountability Fund. The financial review, conducted by KPMG, resulted in 72 recommendations. An implementation plan for these recommendations has been developed and approved by the Board of Trustees, as required by the government. Further communications on these recommendations and the implementation plan will be shared with the community in the coming weeks.
The governance review, conducted by experienced university governance experts, offered a candid and constructive assessment of our current governance practices and culture. It also provided a clear roadmap for how we can enhance our shared governance system to better serve our academic mission, our students, and the broader community.
The governance review affirms many of Brock’s strengths: a committed Board of Trustees, a Senate that has stewarded important academic decisions, and a dedicated administration working to implement our strategic and academic plans. It also identifies serious challenges—particularly in the relationship between the Board and Senate, the need for greater clarity of roles, and the importance of fostering a culture of trust, transparency, respect, and collaboration.
Acting on these recommendations is essential; particularly as the government moves forward with the Protect Ontario by Cutting Red Tape Act, introduced in June 2025, that proposes changes to governance at universities. As we consult with government and continue to review the recommendations, it will require courage, collaboration, and a shared commitment to institutional renewal. It will also require the Senate, Board, and Administration to work together in new ways.
We are at a pivotal moment. Despite our unwavering commitment to hands-on learning, impactful research, innovation, and serving our community, we face significant limitations. Our capacity to pursue grants, launch capital projects, and enhance the student experience is being stretched thin. These are not just operational concerns— they are existential ones. With a strong and dedicated leadership team, a renewed strategic plan, and a community that cares deeply about Brock’s future, we have a unique opportunity to build a more effective, inclusive, and accountable governance system, which will contribute to a more sustainable future for Brock as an institution.
Given that these recommendations affect our entire governance structure, I am sharing the full report with the Brock community to provide transparency and awareness of the enclosed findings and recommendations. It was undertaken with an understanding of the urgent need for action and focused on supporting positive change at Brock. As the President of Brock University, I take the findings seriously and view the recommendations as meriting careful consideration. I know from several recent meetings with the government that they are taking the review seriously too.
I have initiated a working group that will bring together Board, Senate and University leadership to identify recommendations that impact both governing bodies and develop a plan to jointly address them. Recommendations in the report that are specific to the Board or Senate will be prioritized and reviewed by the respective governance committees this Fall.
We are committed to open and transparent communication on next steps as it relates to the financial and governance reviews, and the implementation of the various recommendations. As I mentioned at the start of this letter, further communications on the financial sustainability part of the Efficiency and Accountability Review, as well as updates on the budget, will be provided in the coming weeks.
Together, we can chart a sustainable and ambitious future for Brock University. But we must begin today.
With urgency and resolve,
Dr. Lesley Rigg
President, Brock University
