Board of Governors

The University of Northern British Columbia operates under the authority of the University Act and is governed by a Board of Governors and a Senate. The Board of Governors is responsible for the management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of the University. The UNBC Board of Governors operates under a set of Board Rules and has established the following Standing Committees and Advisory Boards:

STANDING BOARD COMMITTEES & MEMBERSHIP

* Please note, as per item 12.1 of the Board Rules, if members of the public or members of the University Community wish to make a presentation to the Board, they must submit a written request to the Board Chair via the Office of University Governance at least five (5)business days prior to a scheduled meeting of the Board. The requestor must indicate clearly the subject or issue the person or group wishes to address, and the name(s) and title or position, if applicable, of the intended speaker(s).

The fifteen-member Board consists of: The Chancellor, the President and Vice-Chancellor, two elected faculty members, one elected staff member, two students elected by the Undergraduate and Graduate Student Societies, and eight members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. 

The Act requires that the Board meet at least once every three months. Each year, one of UNBC’s regular quarterly Board meetings is held in one of the regions served by UNBC. The full Board meets on average five times per annum; additionally, a joint workshop on governance issues convenes annually with Senate. See the Board Meeting Dates, Agendas and Minutes.

Service on the Board of a university in British Columbia is voluntary. No remuneration is provided. General information on the role of a Board Member in a Post-Secondary Institution in British Columbia can be viewed at: Orientation for BC Public Post-Secondary Institution Board Members

The Board of Governors receives a Mandate Letter from the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, outlining the respective accountabilities, roles and responsibilities of the University and Government. UNBC 2024-2025 Mandate Letter.  For additional information, see also Reporting Requirements for BC Post-Secondary Institutions and BC Ministry of Advanced Education - Post-Secondary Funding and Accountability Resource Page.

For more information contact the Office of University Governance unbcboard@unbc.ca.

 

Appointment of a University President under the University Act

As per section 27(2)(g) of the University Act, the board has the power to appoint the president if the university and to set their salaries or renumeration, and to define their duties and their tenure of office or employment.

Appointment and Reappointment of the President and Vice-Chancellor Policy

As per section 27(2)(f) of the University Act , the board has the power, with the approval of the senate, to establish procedures for the recommendation and selection of candidates for president.

The UNBC Senate and Board approved process is outlined here.

Search and Recommendation for the Selection of the President and Vice-Chancellor Procedures

Reappointment of Dr. Geoffrey Payne

July 18, 2024

On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am happy to announce Dr. Geoffrey Payne has been reappointed as UNBC’s President and Vice-Chancellor for a second term.

Appointed interim President in February 2020 during the onset of COVID-19, Dr. Payne provided steady and reassuring leadership in guiding the University through uncharted territory. 

His dynamic vision, student-centred approach and enhanced engagement both within the University and across the North have set a strong foundation for his next five-year term, which begins June 28, 2025 and ends June 27, 2030.

The Board embarked on the reappointment process in December 2023, confirming Dr. Payne’s interest in a second term, and struck a 12-member advisory committee in the spring with a mandate to evaluate the President’s performance. Please refer to the Review of the President and Vice-Chancellor Prior to Reappointment Procedures for the full criteria. 

To ensure an informed assessment, the committee sought feedback from across the University community on the President’s performance through interviews and written submissions, formulated a recommendation and developed a report for the Board.

The Board discussed the committee’s report during its closed session meeting in June and approved the committee’s recommendation to reappoint. The committee’s report was shared with the President following the June board meeting.

UNBC has entered a period of stability under Dr. Payne’s astute leadership and is well-positioned to drive forward initiatives and develop partnerships that will further enhance the University’s reputation for academic and research excellence. With an unwavering commitment to supporting students, faculty and staff and an informed and inspired strategic plan in place, Dr. Payne is Ready for his next term!

Both the Board and President are grateful to the University community and the Review Committee for the thoughtful and insightful feedback and recommendations. Key priorities over the next five years include:

  • Actioning the Ready Strategic Plan;
  • Growing student enrolment and improving student retention in a sustainable way that aligns with UNBC’s culture and the Strategic Plan;
  • Acting on Truth and Reconciliation in meaningful ways through collaborative and respectful relationships with Indigenous communities;
  • Ensuring UNBC is a welcoming and safe community with a commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion;
  • Developing a strong and supportive culture that empowers diverse leadership from across the University; and
  • Enhancing government relations and external partnerships.

With this robust foundation in place, the Board looks forward to working with and supporting the President on a successful second term!

Sincerely,

Joel McKay

Chair, UNBC Board of Governors

UNBC President Geoff Payne Contract – Term 2