Gazette, 2009-03-19

              S&*
March 19, 2009
Volume 41 Number 11
Publication Mail
Registration No. 40062527
GAZETT
A MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY OF  NEWFOUNDLAND PUBLICATION
[£ER5R!?1
P\%£/    UNIVERSITY
STORY TIME Honorary grad Andy Jones gave
education students a look at the power of storytelling.
GET FIT Allied Health Services put Hydro employees
through a battery of tests to evaluate their fitness.
BY THE BOOK Memorial's authors and editors are
featured in our regular Books at Memorial feature.
BOARD REPORT ON AUTONOMY
RELEASED
THE REPORT ON ISSUES surrounding university
autonomy was released on the university's website
March 10.
The report was prepared by an ad hoc committee of
Memorial's Board of Regents to invite discussion with the
provincial government on strengthening the university's
autonomy.
In accepting the report, the Board of Regents passed a
resolution that it would "seek to engage the Government
of Newfoundland and Labrador in a discussion of the
recommendations."
"I think the report presents
a good starting point for
further discussion with
government"    .^-^^^^^
"I think the report presents a good starting point for
further discussion with government," said Bob Simmonds,
chair of the Board of Regents. "There is no time line associated with that. Those kinds of discussions can happen
over the next weeks and months. With the issues that arose
with last year's presidential search, the university wanted
to open a wide-ranging discussion on where changes may
be contemplated to the governance of Memorial."
Mr. Simmonds was appointed to the Board of Regents
last fall after the report had already been commissioned
and he required some time to review it before its release.
"There has been great interest in this report, and I want
to thank the university community, particularly the Senate
and the Board of Regents, for affording me the time to
review it thoroughly," said Mr. Simmonds, "and for
supporting my suggestion that the report be forwarded to
government in advance of its public release."
"What we're releasing today is the original report of the
committee," he said. "There were no changes made to it
and none contemplated. But it was really important that
we all understood what was in the report so we can engage
in productive dialogue."
Mr. Simmonds recently announced the start of a new
presidential search which will use what he describes as an
open, accountable process. He said a search committee of
the Board of Regents is being appointed. That committee,
aided by the top executive search firm in Canada, Janet
Wright Associates, will consult widely to develop a presidential profile, recruit nationally and internationally,
select a preferred candidate and recommend that candidate for the presidency.
"The process we have defined to undertake this search
is one that respects and reflects the autonomous nature of
Memorial," said Mr. Simmonds. "We are confident that we
will find a world-class candidate."
The full contents of the report of the committee can be
viewed here: www.mun.ca/marcomm/public_affairs/
issues/presidential_search.php.
FIELD OF DREAMS Are you an environmental science student? Do you need to complete a field course to graduate? Why not spend the semester at the Bonne Bay Marine Station
in Norris Point. Find out more on Page 6.
New look for a 25-year tradition
Changing Partners
By Meaghan Whelan
A SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR and a financial whiz
will be honoured by the Faculty of Business at this year's
Partners reception.
Charlie Oliver, CEO of Martek Morgan Finch Inc., will
receive the Gardiner Centre's 2009 Newfoundland and
Labrador Entrepreneur of the Year award in recognition of
his career success. His nominator described him as a "serial
entrepreneur" who has been involved in the establishment
of more than 90 businesses in Newfoundland over the
course of his career.
The 2008 Alumni Honour Award recipient, S. Jane
Rowe, is a commerce graduate with a passion for finance.
Her enthusiasm and business-savvy have helped her
progress through a variety of positions of increasing
responsibility with Scotiabank. Ms. Rowe, who is now the
executive vice-president, Executive Offices with Scotiabank, also remains active in the community.
Ms. Rowe sits on the Board of Directors for Sierra Wireless Corporation, a public corporation listed on both TSX
and Nasdaq exchanges and is a member of the Faculty of
Business Advisory Board.
This year's reception will differ from past years, with
more opportunities for networking and interaction.
"The business community has told me loud and clear
that they want the opportunity to talk to some of our
exceptional students, so this year we're trying something
different," explained Dr. Gary Gorman, dean of the Faculty
of Business.
The reception will start earlier in the evening, at 4:30
p.m., and there is plenty of time for conversation and interaction. The reception will be followed by a presentation
ceremony for the two award winners and organizations
who have reached a milestone in the co-operative education program. Deloitte & Touche LLP, the provincial
Department of Human Resources Labour and Employment and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be recognized
for their commitment to hiring co-op students.
Dr. Gorman is looking forward to recognizing these
individuals and groups.
"The Faculty of Business is fortunate to have such
strong relationships with the local business community,
and Partners is an opportunity to celebrate while also
taking the time to recognize special individuals and groups
who are making a difference within our faculty and
community," he said.
Partners takes place on April 2 at the Sheraton Hotel
Newfoundland. Tickets are available by contacting Wanda
Whelan at 737-2182 or wwhelan@mun.ca.