With university Senate non-confidence votes in the rear-view mirror, attention now turns to Justice Stephen Goudge and his external review of the university’s presidential compensation practices. Western’s Board of Governors requested the review April 1 in its original statement on President Amit Chakma’s 2014 pay.
In Terms of Reference announced today, the Board outlined three main areas where they seek answers from Goudge, including:
- Are Western University’s presidential compensation practices (including, but not limited to, salary, benefits and post-service provisions) in line with those of peer institutions?
- Does the Board of Governors have the appropriate accountability and reporting mechanisms in place with respect to executive compensation? If not, what other mechanisms should be in place and/or what amendments to our current processes might be appropriate?
- Is a contractual provision that grants a year-long administrative leave at 100 per cent of salary for each term in line with university presidents’ contracts offered by peer institutions? Is a provision that permits salary to be paid in lieu of taking a leave in line with presidential contracts offered by peer institutions? In satisfying the contractual provision for an administrative leave for a sitting president in each term, what options are appropriate with respect to such leaves between terms?
In these terms, the Board remained true to the original spark that set off the firestorm – the March 27 revelation that Western’s university president was paid $924,000 (plus $43,244.88 in taxable benefits) in 2014. That number made him the fourth-highest paid public servant in Ontario, and highest paid university president.
Since, the debate spread to other concerns about the president, as well as the operation of the university. This review, however, does not concern those latter issues.
“The Board recognizes that Justice Goudge’s review, which has a specific focus on compensation and the Board’s processes with respect to compensation, may not fully respond to some of the concerns raised by the Western community,” Board members wrote in their introduction to the terms. “The Board is committed to a transparent and accountable governance structure that is responsive to the needs of the institution. To this end, following Justice Goudge’s report, we will continue to work with campus leadership including faculty, staff, students, and alumni to strengthen and improve campus governance.”
The terms did not define a timetable for the review’s completion.
Although 90 days has been considered a target by many, much of the timing falls to Goudge, who has yet to design his process to best answer the posed questions. Until the university community knows how Goudge will go about his review, it will be difficult to determine how long it will take, explained University Secretariat Irene Birrell.
Once finished, Goudge will deliver the report to the Board chair, who will release it to the community soon afterward.
While the findings are non-binding, both parties have promised to be responsive to what is discovered.
“We expect that Justice Goudge will conduct this review in a fair, open and transparent manner and we will make his report public following its submission to the Board,” Board members wrote. “Upon receipt of the report, the Board also commits to responding to any recommendations Justice Goudge may provide as part of his review in a comprehensive, open and timely manner.”
Chakma made similar assurances to dictate his future based on the judge’s findings as well.
“The Board of Governors is pleased the Honourable Stephen Goudge has agreed to conduct this review,” Board Chair Chirag Shah said Wednesday morning “He is highly respected and we look forward to receiving his report.”
Goudge earned a BA (Political Science/Economics) from University of Toronto in 1964, an MSc (Economics) from the London School of Economics in 1965 and a law degree from U of T in 1968. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1970.
He was appointed as a judge of the Court of Appeal of Ontario in 1996 and retired from the bench in April 2014. Today, he serves as counsel to Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP in Toronto.
Goudge is best known to the public for leading the Inquiry into Pediatric Forensic Pathology in Ontario in 2008. During that time, he helped shape the use of pediatric forensic pathology related to its practice and use in investigations and criminal proceedings. Following its completion, he was cited as a model of how to lead an efficient, effective, fair and successful public inquiry. Many of his recommendations have since been implemented.