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UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA The Chancellor9sRole in Policy Issues at the University of Alberta (1978 to 1982 and 1990 to 1994) Eva M.Cherniavsky 0 A thesis submitted to the Facdty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education in Addt and Higher Education Department of Educationd PoIicy Studies Edmonton, Alberta Fall2000 National Library Bibliothèque nationale 1+1 0fca"ada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services se- bibliographiques The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exc1usive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Li- of Canada to BÏbliotheque nationale du Cana& de reproduce, Ioan, distribute or sen reproduire, prêter, distri'buer ou copies of this thesis in microfonn, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. La forme de micfofiche/nlm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The auîhor retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur cjyi protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial exîracts fkom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son pemiissïon. autorisation. ABSTRACT This study deals with the Chancellor's role in policy issues at the University of Alberta. The research examines the hypothesis that the Chancellor's influence on policy issues is non-existent because the University Senate, over which the Chancellor presides, holds no decision-making power under Alberta legislation. The researcher conducted four in-depth interviews with two former University of AIberta Chancellors (Jean B. Forest and Sandy A Mactaggart) and selected two contrasting periods in tenns of politicai, economic, and administrative environments in order to investigate which, if any, influence on policy issues the Chancellor exerts- directly or indirectly. The study aiso examines whether there is a correlation between the biographical background of an incumbent and his or her specific interest in policy. Furthemore, the study explores the complex interactions of intemal, extemal, and historical forces impacting on policy issues at the University of Alberta. It aiso describes how the two Chancellors dealt with such issues. The research resulted in six specific concIusions and four recommendations conceming the Chancellor's role vis-à-vis policy issues and associated influences at the University of Alberta. THIS THESIS IS DEDICATED TO my son BEPI, without whose persistent proddiig 1 would never have finished this project; NATASHA AND ALEX, who did not quite understand why their old Morn would want to undertake this project but were very good-natured (though perhaps a little embarrassed?) about it; AMANDA, LEWIS, and CHRISTOP= who will one day, I hope, see their Grandma as an inspiration for life-long leaming; and my husband FELK who had to share his printer and, sometimes, his state-octhe-art cornputer with me for many months. ACKNO WLEDGEMENTS WhiIe writing this thesis, I experienced so rnuch kindness, support, and patience fiom those around me that it is dinicdt to name everyone personalIy. However, there are three people to whom 1 am particularly gratefiil. First, there is my supervisor, Professor Art Deane, who has been a constant rock of support. Forever good-natured; never waverïng in his encouragement (even when 1 dawdled beyond belief); and always ready with invaluable advice; he guided me with clear directions and positive reinforcement throughout the entire project. 1 deeply appreciate his fnendship, wise counsel, and forbearance. 1 am equally grateful to the two former University of Alberta Chancellors, who so readily agreed to collaborate with me on this project. The Honourable Dr. Jean B. Forest, who now lives in Victoria, had only recently begun her well-deserved and long overdue retirement £tom the Senate of Canada when 1 approached her. I can only assume that she would have preferred to relax in her enchanting seaside paradise with her beloved husband, Rocky, and her large fmily, instead of reliving the pressures and frustrations of her years as University of Alberta Chancellor. Dr. Sandy A. Mactaggart had also withdrawn fiom public life when 1 contacted him about my project. He spends many months of the year with his wife Cecile in other parts of the world and devotes much of his pastime to special projeas, such as the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, of which he was recently made an Honourary Lieutenant Colonel. 1 believe that he, too, would have prefened to leave the aggravations of his Chancellor years in a far corner of his memory bank rather than revive them in his mind. Both Dr. Forest and Dr. Mactaggart shy away hmpublicity and have never, to the best of my knowledge, participated in a similar project about their past expenences at the University of Alberta 1cannot niffciently express my gratitude to both of them, but 1 want them to know that 1 will never forget their kindness, wisdom, and generosity in heiping me complete thk study. A sincere th&-you dso goes to the six professon who heIped me design my Inte~ewGuide last year @rs. Brook, Colfett, Greenwood, Hodysh, Kreber, and Scott) as welI as former University of Alberta President, Dr. Myer Horowitz, and former Vice- President (Academic), Dr. Peter Meekison, for taking their valuable time to review my inte~ewmatrix and send me their insightful comrnents. Of course, there were many others to whom 1 wish to express my thanks: the members of my supe~sorycornmittee; all those professors who taught me the courses that led up to this thesis; and Brian McDonald, Eom whom I leamed so much over the years and who reviewed a nuciai chapter of this thesis. Debbie, you were always there as the incredibly efficient, and consistently cheerfùl, link between Dr. Mactaggart and myselc 1 would have missed many a deadline without you! Thank you, Maureen and Marilyn, for so eEciently transcribing the interview tapes for me. Let me not forget Ian and Kevin, who rescued me so many times when 1had cornputer problems. Last but not least, I thank rny family-especially my beloved grandchildren-for putting up with my pre-occupation during this past year. Though 1 thoroughly enjoyed writing this thesis, my only regret was that 1 had to give up countless hours with ail of you. I promise 1 will spend more time with you again fkom now on because time spent with you is the most precious of dl! 1 secretly hope that my darling Amanda, who at eight years is an avid reader of books, will read this thesis some day, as will my other grandchildren. Then, when they enter university, they will know a little about policy and politics in academia. Little Jamie, 1 indude you, too. Study hard, and never give up! Thank you dl, and God Bless! Contents Page Chapter 1: Introduction 1. Project Background 2. Research Problern 3. Significance of the Research 4. Assumptions 5. Delimitations 6. Limitations 7. Definitions 8. Acronyms Chapter II: A Review of Related Literature 12 1. Policy Formulation and Implementation in Higher Education 12 2. Govemanceat the University ofAlberta 13 a) nie Generai Famlties Council (GFC)-The Role of the President 15 b) The Board of Governon-The Role of the Chair 17 C) The Senat-The Role of the Chancellor 19 3. The EEect of Extemal Forces on Policy Formulation at the University of Alberta a) Govemment Intervention b) Politicai Factors C) Economic Influences 4. Historical Influences on Policy Formulation 5. B iographical Issues a) Reconciling Sources and Objectivity b) Biography as a Form of History c) The Enigma of Personality Chapter DI: Methodology Design Sefection of Subjects Letter of Intent Ethics Issues Intewiew Guide-Testing Process Approval by Ethics Review Committee First Interview of Subjeas Transcription of Fira Interview Tapes ApprovaI of First InteMew Tratl~~ptsby Subjects Second Interview of Subjects Transcription and Approval of Second InteMew Tapes AMIysis Endorsement of Information and Quotations Provideci by Subjects Chapter IV: Issues of University Policy-The Expenences of Two Leaders in Higher Education 44 1. The Honourable Jean B. Forest, OC, UD, DD a) Biographical Background b) Political and Economic Conditions during Tenn of Office (1978-82) c) Policy Issues: Goals, Challenges, Influences, and Results dun'ng ChancelIorship 2. Sandy A. Mactaggart, OC, AOE, MBA, UD a) Biographical Background b) Political and Economic Conditions during Term of Ofice (1 990-94) c) Policy Issues: Goals, Challenges, Influences, and Results during Chancellon hip Chapter V: Cornparison of Findings 1. Similarities 2. Differences Chapter VI: Review and Summary 1. Conclusions 2. Recommendations Re ferences Appendices: Appendix A. 1: Letter of Intent (to Dr. Jean B. Forest) Appendix A.2: Letter of Intent (to Dr. Sandy A. Mactaggart) Appendix B: Survey Matrix-Worksheet Appendix C: Interview Guide (Fint Inte~ew) Appendk D.1 : Interview Guide (Second Interview: Dr. Jean B. Forest) Appendix D.2: Intewiew Guide (Second Interview: Dr. Sandy A. Mactaggart) Appendix E. 1: Permission to Use Quotations (fiom Dr. Jean B. Forest) Appendk E.2: Permission to Use Quotations (fiom Dr. Sandy A Mactaggart) P~iectBackground During my twenty-five years of employrnent at the University of Alberta, I was fortunate to interact with, and observe, many senior administratoa in office. I became intrigued with the ability of most of these dedicated men and women to adopt drastically new lifestyles and take on challenging tasks in areas with which they had previously been unfamiliar. Scholarly scientists and academic educators ainied into formidable administraion as university presidents; hard-pressed business executives and community leaders volunteered their time to chair the Board of Governon; and lawyers, politicians, and entrepreneurs made significant contributions to the world of higher education as chancellors of a large post-secondary institution.

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