Dear Colleagues,

I would like to thank all the students, staff and faculty whom have facilitated such a smooth transition in my new role as Dean of Arts and Science at Queen's University. I have spent the last eight months meeting departments, student groups, senior academic and non-academic leaders, attending internal and external events, and participating in numerous planning groups as we engage with and participate in the changing local, provincial, national and international landscapes in the post-secondary sector.
 
As we continue to support our excellent undergraduate and graduate academic and experiential learning experiences, engage with faculty renewal, and transition budget attribution, I will be restructuring the Dean's Office to best facilitate these efforts.
 
On July 1, 2018, the following change will be made to the Associate Dean portfolios:
 
Vice-Dean and Faculty Relations:
Dr. Gordon E. Smith, February 1, 2018 - June 30, 2020 
  • responsible for all items pertaining to faculty from hiring to renewal, appointment of Department Heads, and work with the QUFA Collective Agreement.
Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning:
Dr. Jill Atkinson, July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2020  
  • responsible for oversight of University's Quality Assurance Processes with FAS, experiential learning, curriculum and learning outcomes.
Associate Dean, International: Dr. Richard Ascough, July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2020
  • responsible for ensuring implementation of University's Comprehensive International Plan (QUCIP).
Associate Dean, Graduate Studies: Dr. Lynda Jessup, July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2021 (administrative leave 2019-2020)
  • responsible for enhancing and the integration of graduate education in the FAS and ensuring that graduate enrolment targets are met as set out in Strategic Mandate II.
Associate Dean, Research: Dr. Nicholas Mosey, July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2020
  • responsible for facilitating research intensification.
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies: Dr. Johanne Bénard, July 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
  • oversight and implementation of undergraduate academic regulations, recruitment and undergraduate student support.
Sharon Regan will return from leave 2018-2019 and assume her role as Associate Dean.
 
With these changes in portfolios, the following will hold:
  • equity, diversity and indigeneity will permeate all portfolios;
  • a call for an Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies (possible change in name and responsibilities) will be released May 1, 2018 for a start date of January 1, 2019;
  • there will be no reporting of academic units to assigned Associate Deans, Department Heads and other colleagues will follow up with designated area Associate Deans;
  • as Associate Dean portfolios become available, internal searches will be conducted for the positions;
  • Associate Deans will report to the Dean and administrative staff will report to the Executive Director, Finance and Operations;
  • clear descriptions of Associate Dean portfolios and an updated organizational chart will be available on July 1, 2018; and
  • transition of International, Teaching and Learning, Research and Graduate has begun and will continue through the July 1 start date.
We hope that this new configuration will provide more clarity, deliberation, and vision to move forward on the many strong practices in play and new ones on the horizon.  
 
At this time, we also have an important staffing announcement as well. It is with regret, respect and enthusiasm that we announce that Steve Tanner, our Executive Director of Finance and Administration, will be taking on a new role as the Executive Director, Finance and Administration in the Office of the Vice-Principal, Finance and Administration commencing April 1, 2018. 
 
Steve has provided strong navigation skills to the Faculty of Arts and Science as the Faculty moved through understanding and implementing the budget allocation model over the past four years. We are now beginning to benefit from his financial and human resource skills.  In addition to Steve's business expertise, our entire community of faculty, staff, and students have benefited greatly from his steady hand, calm presence, innovative thinking and good judgement.  We are also the beneficiaries of Steve's knowledge and insights about infrastructure, both from his former role in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and in Arts and Science, experience that has been invaluable in materializing stronger relations with central services.
 
From all of us, Steve, thank you for providing sound judgement, creative solutions, and a strong commitment to making the university the best place it can be - financially and on a human scale.
 
We are initiating a search for Steve's replacement and hope to have someone in place as soon as possible.  Effective April 1 and until Steve's successor is hired, Cormac Evans will oversee the Finance and Administration portfolio.  Please contact Cormac on any matters that you would normally address with Steve and continue to approach Cormac for the items related to his current role as Director, Strategic Initiatives.
 
Sincerely
Barbara Crow, PhD
Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science