The Archives of Board of Governors of Dalhousie University: A Guide
Collection Number: UA-1Collection processed and finding aid created by Laurena Fredette, August 2006
Finding aid edited and electronic version prepared by Kathryn Harvey, January 2007
Collection Level Description
Title: Board of Governors of Dalhousie University fonds
Dates: 1819-2005
Extent: Approx. 13.2 metres of textual records
Dalhousie University’s first Board of Governors was based on the Board of Trustees formed by Lord Dalhousie in 1818 to oversee the building and establishment of his new college. Consisting of members from the Nova Scotia government and local religious leaders, these trustees formed the basis of the seven member Board of Governors incorporated in 1821.
Today’s Governors continue to act as trustees. The Board of Governors’ sphere of responsibility encompasses the entire university although it is primarily concerned with the university’s mission, assets, and advocacy. Although the Board of Governors is the university’s senior governing body, it works with the Senate and President of Dalhousie to manage university affairs. The Senate is responsible for the internal regulation and policies of the university while the President manages the general administration of the university.
Since its incorporation, the administrative structure of the Board has undergone many changes. For example, the original Board was dissolved in 1840 and reformed to facilitate the growth of the new college; further changes were made in 1848. In 1863, an “Act for the Regulation and Support of Dalhousie College” replaced all earlier statutes regarding the Board. Significant changes to the Board were also made under the 1935 Dalhousie Act which changed the way members of the Board were appointed. This Act also attempted to create a closer working relationship between the Senate and the Board of Governors.
Today, the Board of Governors has a membership of twenty-six people; they serve three year terms and meet on a monthly basis. The President of Dalhousie, the Mayor of Halifax, and the Chair of the Senate are ex-officio members of the Board. Students, alumni, and faculty are also allocated seats on the Board. The Board of Governors has eleven internal committees dedicated to specific areas of university affairs ranging in subject matter from staff relations to pension investments. In 1935 an Executive Committee was formed which has the power to act as the Board, in most regards, between meetings. The Steering Committee of the Board of Governors consists of the Chair, the Vice-Chair(s), the President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, and any other member appointed by the Board.
Past chairs of the Board of Governors include Lord Dalhousie (1818-1820); James Kempt (1820-1826); M. Wallace (1826-1836); Sir Colin Campbell (1836-1840); Lord Falkland (1840-1848); Sir William Young (1848-1885); Sir Adams G. Archibald (1885-1893); John Doull (1893-1900); John F. Stairs (1900-1905); Thomas Ritchie (1905-1908); George S. Campbell (1908-1929); G. Fred Pearson (1929-1932); Hector McInnes (1932-1938); James McG. Stewart (1938-1942); Lieutenant-Colonel K.C. Laurie (1942-1957); Brigadier H.V.D. Laing (1957-1959); Donald McInnes (1959-1968); A.G. Archibald (1981-1986); W. Struan Robertson (1986-1991); George C. Piercy (1991-1993); Allan C. Shaw (1993-2001); and James S. Cowan (2001-)
Over the years Dalhousie University’s Board of Governors has included many notable Nova Scotians including Joseph Howe, Charles Tupper, R.B. Bennet, and W.S. Fielding.
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Dalhousie University Calendars.1865/1866 - 2006/2007.
Harvey, D.C. An Introduction to the History of Dalhousie University.1938.
Senior Administration.(n.d.). Dalhousie University. 13 June 2006 <http://senioradministration.dal.ca/sr_admin_1100.html>
Waite, Peter B. The Lives of Dalhousie University. 2 vols. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1994, 1998.
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Fonds donated to the Archives by the Board of Governors’ Office in several accessions since the 1970s.
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Further accruals are expected.
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This fonds consists of materials created and collected by Dalhousie University’s Board of Governors and its various committees. Documents reflect all aspects of the Board’s sphere of responsibility and include correspondence with members and outside individuals and agencies; meeting minutes and agendas; reports created or reviewed by the Board; annual reports; financial documents which include ledgers, budgets, statements, and other materials; officer lists; orientation packages for members; and various other materials related to the overall management of the university and its assets.
Finding aid available onsite.
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Dalhousie University Calendars contain the names and positions of all Dalhousie board members. See the Calendar of 1907-1908 for a list of all board members prior to 1908 beginning on page 157.
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In camera session documents closed.
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[Identification of item], Board of Governors of Dalhousie University fonds, UA-1, Box [box number], Folder [folder number], Dalhousie University Archives and Special Collections, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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