Western University president says he won’t seek third term
LONDON, ONT Amit Chakma, whose goal was to increase Western University’s international influence but who attracted unwanted attention with a controversial pay deal, will not seek a third term as president.
“Having served as president since 2009, Dr. Chakma believes that periodic leadership renewal is a healthy, time-honoured practice of any great institution,” Hanny Hassan, chair of Western’s board of governors, said in a statement released Thursday.
Hassan, who couldn’t be reached for comment, praised Chakma for informing the board of his intention to leave so it has time to consult the Western community about the qualities and experience his replacement will need.
Chakma’s term ends June 30, 2019.
Hassan said Chakma and his leadership team have put the university in a financially sound position. Western’s “Be Extraordinary” fundraising campaign is close to its goal of $750 million and its endowment is $678 million — more than double what it was in 2009.
The enrolment of first-year international students has quadrupled since 2009, and more women have been appointed to senior leadership roles at Western, Hassan said.
“Under Dr. Chakma’s leadership, Western has strengthened its academic reputation by attracting top students, scholars and researchers from across Canada and around the globe.”
Stephen Pitel, head of Western’s faculty association, said his dealings with Chakma have been positive.
“We’ve had ... I would characterize it as a good relationship,” Pitel said. “I’ve had the benefit of having a series of informal meetings with him over the last year.”
Chakma came under heavy fire in 2015 when it was revealed he was paid $967,000 in salary and taxable benefits in the previous year. The double-pay deal angered faculty and students and nearly led to a vote of non-confidence by the school’s senate.
Chakma skipped a year of pay as a way to give back half of the $967,000 he received in 2014.
Pitel said the incident touched off a broader debate on campus about executive compensation.
“That was quite a significant and serious event in the life of the university. It clearly can’t have helped the university’s reputation,” Pitel said.
“We have moved forward. My sense has been that the president has worked to be more actively engaged across many sectors of the campus.”
Pitel said the report into the salary kerfuffle gives some “good guidance” for Western moving forward.
Asked about Chakma’s legacy, Pitel said the president’s work with the school’s endowment has been invaluable. “That’s something he’s put a lot of energy into,” he said. “There’s no question we’ve made progress in growing the endowment.”
As for the qualities Chakma’s replacement should possess, Pitel said he or she should be a positive leader and a champion for the institution who sets a tone of openness and collaboration and encourages cross-pollination across the different disciplines on campus.
“It’s a remarkably difficult job,” he said.
A presidential search committee will be struck in January.
Only one Western president since 1967 has stayed longer than two five-year terms, school records show.