A letter to the Carleton community

November 23, 2006

Source: Carleton University
http://www.carleton.ca/cu/aboutus/executive/president-news-20061123.html

I am deeply honoured that the Board of Governors has appointed me President and Vice-Chancellor pro tempore. I am totally committed and passionate about our University and its future. I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that the University is moving forward on all fronts and in accordance with the plans we have put together at the beginning of this academic year. But first I would like to comment on the extraordinary events of recent days.

No doubt you have many questions regarding the change in leadership. Dr. Atkinson tendered his resignation to the Board of Governors after both sides agreed and concluded that it was in the best interests of the University. While I was not privy to the issues involved and I see no point in speculating on them, I will comment on two reports that have appeared recently in the media in relation to this event.

The first report stated falsely that Carleton University faces troubled labour relations. We have completed during the past few weeks new collective agreements with three bargaining units on campus. In each case, the negotiating teams worked hard in order to reach a fair settlement that addresses the needs and aspirations of their members. The successful conclusion of these rounds of negotiations provides full evidence that we are all united in our commitment to advance Carleton and we all have the best interests of the institution and our students in mind. I have every confidence that our faculty, contract instructors and teaching assistants are committed to providing the highest quality of education and research. There has not been a single interruption in the smooth functioning of our University and in the learning and research activities of our vibrant and dynamic campus.

The second report raised concerns about a recent magazine publication on university ranking. As you are aware, Carleton University, along with 25 other leading Canadian universities, chose not to participate in the magazine survey and did not provide any institutional data for the ranking issue. Our position is clear in that we do not give any consideration to an arbitrary ranking exercise that is based on discredited methodology and fabricated data.

Carleton University is committed to excellence in research, teaching, community service and to the advancement of knowledge. We are determined to move forward with a progressive agenda to improve the quality of education and services to our students. There are currently many initiatives underway to enhance our academic programs and offerings in the humanities, arts and social sciences, public policy, international affairs, business, science, and in the engineering and design fields. We have ambitious plans to expand our graduate studies and research programs. We are also looking forward to the addition of a major new building on campus that will provide state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities to our professors and students.

Over the past few days I had the opportunity to meet many prominent citizens of our community and several members of our Board of Governors. We at Carleton University are both fortunate and honoured to have the support and commitment of many great women and men of our community who feel passionate about Carleton University and who take pride in our impressive achievements over the years. Equally impressive is the support we have from over 100,000 alumni who proudly wear their Carleton credentials and whose generosity and continued involvement have been an integral part of our continued success.

I have total confidence and trust in the competence and the commitment of all members of our University to continue our progress and realize our mission.

Samy Mahmoud
President and Vice-Chancellor, pro tempore