Rector’s Report to Board of Trustees Nicholas Francis May 4th, 2012 rector@queensu.ca

This has been a year of hard work, but a very rewarding one at that. The Office of the Rector is

well on its way to restoration after a brief hiatus. It has been amongst a priority to rebuild relationships

between this office and others in our community. I must give thanks to the past student leaders who

have given me their time and guidance on accomplishing this initiative. The connection to our alumni is

part of our unique culture at Queen’s and I am beyond grateful for the support of my predecessors.

Attendance and active participation in student politics and engagement with the community has been

on the forefront of my agenda this year. The profile of the office has also begun to rise, as I had an influx

of students through the year contact me or enter my office during open door hours for advice and

support. My hope is to continue to improve on the profile at events during orientation week 2012, as

well by sustaining active participation in the community.

Along with involvement in the political systems on campus, I was invited to speak at a number of

events including: mental health events, orientation events, and residence high tables where I had

opportunities to share stories about the importance of balance and getting involved while at Queen’s.

Through speaking and attending different events this year, I have been in contact with a variety students

who had a range of concerns and ideas for how we can improve our community.

Two initiatives that I would like to highlight where my office was able to support the students

organizing them were “Project Chickpea” and “Women’s Worth Week”. The first initiative, “Project

Chickpea” aimed to serve the stressed students in libraries on campus by delivering them healthier food

options. The students behind this project raised awareness on campus about living healthier lifestyles,

while at the same time fundraising for mental health services on campus. The second initiative,

“Women’s Worth Week” aimed to raise awareness about mental health issues that women experience,

especially those relating to self-esteem. The effort was extremely well received on campus and landed

the organizer with a front-page article in one of this year’s Journal issues. The organizers were

overwhelmed with the great attendance and feedback from other students. There were also a good

number of male volunteers, which was said to add significant support for female students dealing with

stigma attached to self-esteem issues.

Aside from a year full of excitement and new developments, the 2011-2012 academic year

brought its fair bit of challenges. Many of you were probably directed to the Alma Mater Society

Executive’s op-ed in the last issue of the Journal. The concerns that the outgoing executive shared with

our community must be addressed. We should use their letter as a point of reference for how to

improve communication and collegiality within our community.

As we move forward we are still dealing with the obstacles of responding to the Coroner’s

recommendations and the repercussions that they are having on students. It is important that as the

university and student leaders review issues such as the Campus Alcohol Policy and Non-Academic

Discipline systems, both parties are respectful to each other and to the due processes by which to

conduct these reviews. Discussions between the Principal and I about these issues have begun and my

hope is that we can continue to foster a new environment with further cooperation between

administrators and student leaders.

As we move closer to convocation season, I feel the excitement building in anticipation for the

celebrations to begin! Those convocations have nothing to do with me, as they are to honour those

students who have completed their degrees and will be either moving further into academia or out into

the world beyond. However, I cannot help but appreciate the opportunity given to me as the rector to

sit on stage amongst the Chancellor and Principal and share this experience with an incredible bunch of

students. During the Fall Convocations last semester, I reflected on the experience as I walked to the last

one. I thought to myself, “if this were my last time walking through the Queen’s campus as a student,

how would I feel right now?” This question helped me to understand a deeper meaning behind our

convocation ceremonies and my appreciation for them as increased.

The event has been perfected down to every last detail and the folks working in the registrar

office deserve a round of applause for all the hard work they put in. After attending a few different

convocations aside from the ones we do here at Queen’s, there is one very clear thing I have learned:

Queen’s has the best convocation ceremony. The experience is that of a “grown-up” orientation week

event, full of vibrant tradition and smiles.

Princeps Servusque Es,

Be a leader and a servant,

Nick Francis