Message from leadership Joffre Mercier, Vice-President, Research
LEADERSHIP
Thomas Dunk, Provost and Vice-President, Academic
2016-17 Annual Report
4
Brian Hutchings, Vice-President, Administration
Brock is special. Every day of every week, our faculty and staff are working to develop and deliver world-class pedagogy, research and services to our valued students, communities and colleagues. One of the top priorities in our strategic plan is to make this a preferred place to work and study, so when Brock was recognized this year as one of Hamilton-Niagara’s top employers, it was a direct reflection of the commitment and quality of our people. We continue to prepare our students for future careers, develop high-calibre researchers and embrace experiential learning through co-op placements, volunteerism and research that gets integrated into communities in Niagara and around the world. And we keep investing so we can help Brock people achieve even more success: • This past year alone, we embarked on the Brock LINC project. This twostorey, 41,000-square-foot innovation launch pad will significantly enrich the student experience with digital innovation space and enhanced commercialization activities. • And over at the Goodman School of Business, work has begun on a visionary project to transform the existing footprint and add nearly 30,000 square feet of new purpose-built space to better connect students, entrepreneurs, researchers and businesses. • We are also advancing environmental sustainability. The Brock DEEP project is a major upgrade to our co-generation power plant that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 per cent and let us produce our own power at a cost three times cheaper than purchasing hydro from the grid. • In planning for the future, this year we also worked with the Ontario government to craft Brock University’s revised Strategic Mandate Agreement, a detailed and comprehensive document that identifies our strengths and priorities as well as key programs we would like to expand. Community engagement is another cornerstone of Brock, and 2016-17 was another great year for our collaborations. Our researchers dedicate much energy to benefiting local and global partners in a wide scope of important disciplines, from viticulture, health care and government services to resource sustainability, child development, sport management and data analytics. These are just a few of the sectors where Brock University, through its people, is having a positive impact. Financially, Brock achieved a significant milestone this year in developing the first balanced budget to be presented to the Board of Trustees in a decade. This came after our dedicated staff combined to help the University mitigate a looming deficit last year and emerge with a surplus. Their efforts also led to an encouraging symptom of fiscal health, as Brock’s credit rating was nudged up slightly to A (High) by Dominion Bond Rating Agency. It is heartening to see evidence that we are making progress, even as we continue striving to deliver sound fiscal management and active stewardship in support of the University’s teaching, research and community engagement mission. And finally, we must also acknowledge our Board of Trustees and Senate for their leadership, commitment and support as the University strives to remain a leader in an ever-evolving world of higher education.