Historical changes in the Canadian university presidency: An empirical analysis of changes in length of service and experience since 1840

Abstract

The number of Canadian university presidents terminated by their Boards of Governors has increased dramatically. Examining this phenomenon requires situating it in its historical context, yet there has been little empirical work. This study examines the total length of service and the average years of experience of presidents at 102 Canadian institutions. The analysis runs from 1840 until 2011 and shows that presidents spend much less time in office than was historically the case. The percentage of women serving in these roles increased during the 1980s reaching approximately 20% in the mid-1990s and has since remained at that level. The recent increase in terminations and early departures are discussed in light of the changing nature of the university presidency.Sommaire : Le nombre des présidentes et présidents d'universités canadiennes dont les conseils de gouverneurs ont mis fin à l'emploi a augmenté considérablement. Pour examiner ce phénomène, il faut le replacer dans son contexte historique, or très peu d'études empiriques ont été entreprises. Cette étude examine la longueur totale du service et la moyenne des années d'expérience des présidentes et présidents de 102 établissements universitaires canadiens. L'analyse couvre la période allant de 1840 à 2011 et montre que les présidents passent beaucoup moins de temps en fonction que par le passé. Le pourcentage des femmes exerçant cette fonction s'est accru pendant les années 1980, atteignant environ 20% vers le milieu des années 1990, puis est resté à ce niveau depuis lors. La récente augmentation des cessations d'emploi et des départs anticipés de présidents universitaires fait l'objet d'un débat à la lumière de l'évolution de la nature de la présidence universitaire.

Chilly Climate 2.0: Women’s Experiences of Harassment and Discrimination in Canadian Higher Education

“…This same report notes that in 2019 women represented 26% of presidencies in Canada, up from 20% in 2015. The number of women at this rank has remained static for close to 30 years (Turpin et al, 2014).…”

The Changing Roles and Qualifications of Canadian University Presidents and Provosts

“…Research in other jurisdictions is necessary in order to clarify the part played by cultural and historical arrangements. In Canada, previous studies have examined the demographics and career ladders of university presidents (Muzzin & Tracz, 1981), their experience and the length of their presidencies (Turpin, De Decker, & Boyd, 2014), and the reasons for their failed first mandates (Cafley, 2015). However, provosts remain conspicuously absent from the Canadian literature on academic leadership.…”

“…Most studies have focused on the implications of this context for university presidents (e.g., MacKinnon, 2014;Paul, 2015). For instance, some research suggests that Canadian university presidents are experiencing shorter tenures (Cafley, 2015), and that their rates of terminations have increased (Turpin et al, 2014). As discussed above, little is known about how the roles of presidents and provosts have evolved under these conditions, as well as what qualifications are required from those occupying these positions.…”