The most recent U of G Board of Governors meeting was held April 22. Below are key highlights from the meeting. A full synopsis of the meeting is available on the University Secretariat’s website.
Responsible Investing – Divestment from Fossil Fuels
The Board approved a recommendation to divest from fossil fuel companies in its endowment portfolio. U of G is among the first universities in Canada to make such a commitment. More information is available in an April 22 news release.
Related changes to the Statement of Investment Beliefs were also approved. The statement is a high-level declaration of the purpose of the endowment fund and the values underlying its governance, investment processes and market beliefs.
Student and Other Fees Approved
The Board of Governors approved tuition fees for 2020-21 as well as certain non-academic student fees and ancillary fees. These fees were approved in advance of the annual budget in order to comply with internal and external deadlines.
The University has put additional supports in place for the Spring 2020 semester to aid students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Arrangements for the Fall 2020 semester are being developed and will be announced later in the summer. For more information, see the University’s COVID-19 webpage.
Student Financial Support Annual Report
Financial aid is key to the success of U of G students. In 2018-19, the University allocated $46.9 million to students through scholarships and bursaries. Student support is funded by a mix of University operating dollars; donated funds, which have specific terms and conditions on their use; and government aid. These funds support international and Canadian students. The Student Financial Support Annual Report provides a broader view of student financial support at the University.