By Tamsin McMahon
The upcoming review of Ryerson president Claude Lajeunesse’s performance will give students, faculty and staff a chance to say what they think of him.
Lajeunesse chose this year, his fourth in a five-year contract, to be his review year.
A 13-member review committee consisting of representatives from Ryerson staff, faculty, students and alumni is trying to get students to provide feedback on the president by placing an ad in this week’s school newspapers.
“We want a wide representation from the Ryerson community,” said Dale Patterson, head of the review committee and chair of Ryerson’s board of governors.
Patterson said the committee will determine if Lajeunesse’s contract will be renewed for another five years. His contract allows him to return for a second term after he is reviewed.
The review committee sent letters to staff, faculty and student groups last week to let them know of the review process, but missed the deadline to place an ad in last week’s papers.
The committee is asking for input on whether the president has provided leadership and vision for the school, and whether he can continue doing so in the future.
Students have until Monday, Oct. 26 to voice their opinions on Lajeunesse in writing or through e-mail.
Lajeunesse, who left his post as president and CEO of the Association of Universities and Colleges Canada to become Ryerson’s president, was hired in 1994. Part of his mandate was to get more private funding for a school heavily dependent on government financing.
He was also chosen to improve Ryerson’s image as a viable university — the school became a university in 1993 — and to work with Ryerson’s student council.
The review committee plans to see how well Lajeunesse has done in these duties and decide whether he will return in the future.
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