New UoGuelph President committed to comprehensive focus for institution

In an interview with the Guelph Mercury, new University of Guelph President Franco Vaccarino emphasized his intention to maintain the institution’s comprehensive focus, even in the wake of its strategic mandate agreement with the provincial government. “Our comprehensiveness is critical to our future … we need all those areas firing on all cylinders and working together in fresh and exciting ways,” he said. He acknowledged that the institution is going through what he described as a “tough” period—the Mercury notes that UoGuelph is facing a $24 M deficit—but added that while fiscal stability will be crucial if the university is to be prepared to capitalize on future opportunities, fixating too narrowly on fiscal challenges can detract from “serious planning for those moments of opportunity that will emerge.” Kelly Meckling, President of the UoGuelph Faculty Association, noted that Vaccarino’s commitment to comprehensiveness may “require push back” against the province. She also said that with “so many transitions in the administration,” many in the university community are still waiting to hear about what will happen with proposed cuts. Guelph Mercury