Task force releases interim report on FNUC

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Those who expected a whitewash when the All Chiefs Task Force on the Future of the First Nations University of Canada Interim Report and Discussion Paper was released on Oct. 19 were in for a bit of surprise. The report was tougher than anyone expected.

The task force had been criticized because it was the creation of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), whose members, or former members, dominate the university's board of governors. The task force members were selected by the FNUC board of governors, and the close ties with the FSIN raised some doubt as to whether an unbiased review could be had.

No recommendations were included in the interim report. The task force will include them in its final report, scheduled for release on Nov. 29. But, after meeting with 250 individuals and accepting 25 written submissions from a variety of interested stakeholders, the task force came to some interesting conclusions.

The report stated that many of those who addressed the task force believed that FSIN Vice-chief Morley Watson, the chair of the FNUC board of governors, "had acted unilaterally and interfered with the day-to-day administration of the university" when he arrived on campus on Feb. 17 and suspended three senior administrators. Two of those administrators were subsequently fired.

Many stakeholders told the task force "the board should not include active politicians." The report noted that the FSIN has already undertaken to de-politicize other entities under its control, such as the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority and the Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation.

The 32-member board of directors, with its reported $600,000 a year price tag, was also an issue addressed in the report.

"Media reports that the present board budget was in excess of $600,000 unfortunately suggested that this entire amount was devoted to board expenditures and honoraria," the report stated.

"However, the 2005-06 budgeted amount for these costs is $75,000 and includes $20,000 for board development."

Even if the cost of the board is less than reported, and there was no evidence to support that in the report, the task force still decided that it was too big.

"The task force has concluded that the board and its pattern of governance should be reformed. The board is larger than is usually recommended for effective governance and individuals appointed to the board should be considered on the basis of the competencies they will bring to the board."

The strongest language in the report was reserved for how the university is being managed.

"A number of issues were raised about the university's administration that deeply concern the task force," the report stated. "Questionable fiscal controls and an outdated accounting system that provides little management support were reported on several occasions. This lack of fiscal control mechanisms may permit individuals to conduct themselves improperly."

Also singled out for mention were human resource practices at the university. Thirteen grievances are currently pending against the university and "personnel policies were either inadequate or not followed," the report said.

Both internal communications between administration and staff and external communications between the university and the media were singled out as sore points at FNUC. Many of the people who spoke to the task force said communications needed to be improved at all levels.

"The task force agrees," the report said.

The fact that the province funds only 20 per cent of the university's operations and leaves the rest to the federal government is not in keeping with how mainstream universities function, the task force reported.

"The fiscal relationship between the university and the province of Saskatchewan and with the government of Canada must be 'matured' into a relationship similar to that between these levels of government and other mainstream universities," they wrote.

The task force also pointed out hat academic freedom was a bedrock of university life and was also a condition of certification imposed by the body that accredits FNUC, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

"The task force believes the issue needs a full airing to clarify what 'academic freedom' means and how it can be protected and encouraged within the unique setting that is FNUC," they wrote.