News

Stevenson cautiously optimistic at end of term

By David Proctor

Michael Stevenson delivered his personal reflections upon his 10 year tenure as president of SFU last Wednesday during his final annual President’s Open Forum. In his speech, he described his account of the previous decade, the university’s current state, and the future challenges that SFU will face after his departure. Overall, he expressed optimism for the future, tempered by expectations of a rough next couple of years.

Stevenson began by emphasizing the successes in diversification and expansion that the university has seen during his tenure, adding that SFU regularly receives large research grants and major awards as an employer. He indicated that improvements in SFU’s physical infrastructure constituted major successes. He also commented that, “for all the stupidity of such devices,” SFU’s distinction as Canada’s number one comprehensive university in Maclean’s annual university rankings is a reflection of the high quality of the university.

He emphasized that for all of the successes the university has seen during his presidency, “credit really lies with the faculty, staff, and students.”

When it comes to the student experience of SFU, however, Stevenson stated, “I have reason to be most disappointed, and students likewise.” One of his goals when beginning his presidency was to improve student life through curriculum reform, student services and support, and extracurricular reports. Although he does not feel that the student experience at SFU is on par with his hoped-for standard, he feels that progress has been made, and that the university has a “record of attention” to the issue.

The primary future challenge that Stevenson pointed to was, as it has been in recent years, the university’s ongoing funding challenges. He criticized a public grant system that does not take into account inflation of such expenses as salaries and performance-based raises.

“Salaries and benefits [aren’t] recognized in public sector grants . . . one reason for the pickle we’re in is us — that is, employees. We are all part of the problem,” said Stevenson. Other sources of inflation that are not reflected in grant formulas that he identified included increasing infrastructure costs, operating costs such as IT, and public policy changes such as the requirement to become carbon-neutral this year.

“These [financial] pressures are huge,” said Stevenson. “We really are up against a wall.” He suggested that over the next three years, the university would need to cut around 10 per cent of its expenses through organizational change and cost reduction. “It is tough. It is strenuous. It is an awful strain. But it is not so bad,” he said, elaborating that he feels that it is still possible for SFU to thrive under financial strain.

Despite his prediction for tough years ahead, Stevenson says that he sees great cause for optimism. He explained that as the effects of the global recession fade, additional funding for the university will become available, and that “we must continue to do whatever we can to ensure that SFU is at the front of the line when funding comes back.”

He expressed optimism that his successor, Andrew Petter, will be able to use his experience in provincial politics and great academic success to partially relieve the pressures, noting that Petter is “far better prepared than I was when I took this office.”

Stevenson’s optimism was tempered by his prediction of tough years ahead, but he asserted that the university community must accept these challenges. “We are part of a society — we are not entitled to be relieved of history. We need to bear some burden.”