Task force recommends changes at FNUC

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The task force struck to look into problems at the First Nations University of Canada has released its final report, calling for a streamlined board of governors, greater accountability, improved communications, more involvement from Elders and more supports for students. The report was released on Nov. 29 during a special session of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) legislative assembly held in Saskatoon.

The task force was created in July to conduct a review of the university's operations following months of controversy marked by numerous staff firings and resignations. Allegations were made that FSIN interference in the university's operations were threatening academic freedom within the institution and possibly the future of the institution itself. The task force was co-chaired by FNUC professor Del Anaquod and Muskeg Lake First Nation Chief Harry LaFond. Other members included former Lac La Ronge Chief Harry Cook, past University of Saskatchewan president George Ivany, Regina lawyer Merrilee Rasmussen, Elder Ken Goodwill and student advisor Karri-Lynn Paul.

The troubles for the university began in February when, after receiving complaints of financial improprieties involving senior administrative staff, the board of governors commissioned a forensic audit. Three staff members were suspended, two of whom were fired following completion of the audit. Audit results were handed over to the RCMP.

In the weeks that followed, the deans of FNUC's Saskatoon and Regina campuses were fired and the vice-president of academics resigned, saying the university's current administration made it impossible for her to do her job.

During the review process, the task force consulted with representatives from a number of stakeholder groups, including the FNUC board of governors, FNUC faculty, staff and students, the Saskatchewan Indian Education and Training Commission, the University of Regina, the University of Saskatchewan, the deputy minister of Saskatchewan Learning, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, the University of Regina Faculty Association, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, university Elders and tribal councils.

The task force's final report includes a number of recommendations aimed at improving the way the university is governed. It suggests the FNUC board of governors, which currently has 32 members, should be decreased in size to no more than 12 members. This would serve to cut down on the cost associated with running the board, which had a budget of more than $600,000 for this fiscal year.

Steps should also be taken to create a board that is more at arms length from First Nation politics, with members chosen based on what they can bring to the board rather than choosing representatives from specific organizations. This, the report states, would help the university to guarantee academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

The task force recommends the streamlined board be made up of six members at large nominated by the FSIN Saskatchewan Indian Education and Training Commission and appointed by the chiefs in assembly, with no more than two of the six being chiefs and none being members of the FSIN executive. Currently the board of governors is chaired by FSIN Vice-chief Morley Watson.

The balance of the board would include one student elected by the university's student associations, one representative elected by the university's academic council, two alumni elected by the alumni association, the university president, serving in an ex officio capacity, and two Elders-kehte-ayak, or keepers of the ceremony-who would also sit in an ex officio capacity and whose role would be to bring a cultural component to university gatherings. There would be no representatives from the provincial or federal governments or from the University of Regina or University of Saskatchewan on the restructured board.

The report also highlights some of the problems with management pracices at FNUC raised during the consultation process, including lack of fiscal controls and hiring of staff outside of the formal recruitment and selection channels. The first step to addressing these problems, the task force suggests, is appointment of a permanent president. The university has been operating under an interim president since former president Eber Hampton resigned in June. The new president should be appointed for a five-year term, and the board should undertake an evaluation of the president's work on an annual basis.

Part of the reason the situation at the university became so volatile, the report suggests, is due to the lack of communication about the initial staff suspension that occurred in February. "Few, if any, faculty and staff knew at the time with certainty what had occurred or why and there was virtually no reliable information available about the actions of the board of governors or senior administration," the report states. "This vacuum has been filled by rumour, innuendo and suspicion. The faculty, staff and students deserve complete, transparent and timely communications about university developments."

The report recommends that, in order to help the university heal from its recent troubles, the board of governors begin formal communications with university faculty, staff and students, explaining why the staff members were terminated, what the role of the board of governors and senior administrative staff were in the terminations, and what follow up actions have been and are being taken. It suggests that the board of governors and university administration develop a plan to promote healing under the guidance of Elders, and that overall improvements be made to both internal and external communications.

The report also includes a number of recommendations aimed at improving accountability, including requiring FNUC to table its annual report with the FSIN chiefs in assembly each year, regular reports to the board by administration, hiing of a "fully qualified and accredited" internal auditor who would report regularly and directly to the board, establishment of staff recruitment and hiring policies that "are open, fair and transparent and that limit employment of the spouse, children, siblings or parents of senior administration officials."

The task force also recommended an annual community assembly during which the university would provide a report on the university initiatives and consult with those present regarding future plans as a way to strengthen the relationship between the university and the First Nation community.

The report suggests the university review it fiscal relationship with the provincial and federal governments with an eye to increasing the amount of money flowing from the province in light of Saskatchewan's growing Aboriginal population. Recommendations were also made regarding improving efforts to recruit new students and providing more supports to help students be successful, including creation of an alumni association to allow former students to continue to contribute to the university.

The FSIN chiefs in council are expected to deal with the task force report and recommendations at the next legislative assembly slated for February 2006.