Important Updates to our Association

We want to share a number of exciting changes that mark the beginning of a new chapter for our association. As approved at our 2025 Annual General Meeting, these updates reflect our growing scope and evolving role in supporting university board governance across Canada.

A New Name for a Broader Vision

To better reflect the complexity of governance within Canadian post-secondary institutions, we are changing our name to the Canadian University Governance Association (CUGA). This new name acknowledges the broader dimensions of governance that our members navigate and the expanding work of our association in that space.

Enhancing Communications and Connection
We are moving to manage our own listserv, which will allow us to create issue-specific discussion groups and build a searchable archive of member questions and shared practices. This change is designed to make it easier for members to connect with peers and access collective knowledge year-round.

Expanding Professional Development Opportunities
While our annual in-person meeting remains a cornerstone of our community, we will be expanding our online offerings, including seminars and workshops on key governance topics throughout the year. These virtual events will provide greater flexibility and access to development opportunities for board members and governance professionals alike. 

Recruiting for an Executive Director
To support this evolution, we will be hiring our first Executive Director, who will help lead us into this next phase of development. This role will provide dedicated leadership and continuity for our programs and initiatives, while strengthening our capacity to serve members.

Revised Membership Fee Structure
To support these enhancements, and following approval by the membership at the AGM, we are raising our membership fees for the first time in several years. We are also introducing a tiered fee structure based on institutional FTE enrollment, to help ensure fairness and sustainability in our funding model.

Our inaugural tiered fee structure is based on full-time equivalent (FTE) student status based on numbers reported to Universities Canada:

• Up to 15,000 FTE students -- $1,000;
• More than 15,000 FTE students - $2,000

Memberships will continue to be “institutional” allowing membership access to any individuals from your Offices or governing boards as identified through your Secretariats.

  If you have any questions about your invoice or about the changes indicated, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Jodie Gallais, Board Chair, Canadian University Governance Association. jodie.gallais@uleth.ca

We remain committed to providing a space where university board members and governance professionals can connect, learn, and support one another. These changes are grounded in that commitment and in our shared belief in the importance of good governance for strong institutions.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement. We look forward to the future — and to building it with you.