Office of the President

The Office of President of Simon Fraser University was formally established with the appointment of the first President, Patrick D. McTaggart-Cowan, at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Governors on 10 October 1963. The President took office on 1 January 1964. The original functions of the President were laid out in the Universities Act (SBC 1963 c. 52, ss. 56-60), which stated that the President was the University's chief executive officer, with the duty to "generally supervise and direct the academic work of the University, teaching and administrative staffs, and the officers and servants." Other duties could be assigned to the President by the Board of Governors. The specific powers granted to the President included the authority "(a) to recommend appointments, promotions, and the removal of members of the teaching and administrative staffs and the officers and servants of the University; (b) to summon meetings of a Faculty whenever he may deem it necessary to do so ... and (c) to authorize lectures and instruction in any Faculty to be given by persons other than the duly appointed members of the teaching staff." Further powers included the ability to suspend any student or member of staff, and to deal summarily with any matter of student discipline. The President was to report to the Board of Governors annually on the progress of the University, acted as the chair of the Senate and the Faculty Council, and assumed the role of chairman of convocation in the absence of the chancellor. The powers and duties of the office have generally remained stable. However, over the years, different administrative bodies have reported to the President.