Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Lakehead University’s Board of Governors fulfils its governance, oversight, and public accountability duties through leadership and delegation in strategic planning, financial stewardship, ethical integrity, and risk management regarding the university's objectives and purposes, assets, and affairs. The by-laws and regulations of the Board of Governors ensure representation from students, faculty and staff.

The Senate is responsible for the educational policy of Lakehead University including academic decisions about programs, course content, and conferring degrees. The Senate has approximately one hundred voting members, with the majority being faculty members and deans.  Membership also includes student representatives. 

Lakehead University also has the Ogimaawin Indigenous Education Council (OIEC), which was founded on the original Native Advisory Committee and constituted into its present form in response to the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training - Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy (AETS) in the early 1990s. AETS is an initiative to increase access for Indigenous students in Ontario's universities and colleges. OIEC membership consists of organizations from the surrounding Indigenous community that sit in an advisory capacity to the President's Office. The OIEC by-laws outline the composition of the Council, which includes two Indigenous students.  The OIEC has representation on the Lakehead University Board of Governors and Senate.

Lakehead University recognizes the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU)  as a democratic organization governed directly by the students.  Through referendums held at both the Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses, students elect an executive committee and board of directors to represent student interests and inform service and support needs through LUSU.

Any student who enrolls in at least one course at Lakehead University is automatically a member of LUSU, and has an equal opportunity to inform union decisions.

The Lakehead University Student Union serves as a means of advocating for student interests, organizing events, providing support services and fostering a sense of community on campus

Additional Resources:

• LUSU Governance
• LUSU Constitution 

Lakehead University strives to facilitate world-class collaboration, innovative research and partnerships with stakeholders locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.  To fulfil its goals and objectives articulated in Lakehead University’s Strategic and Academic Plans, the University considers a coherent and collaborative management approach to engagement activities crucial for seizing opportunities to enhance the profile and reputation of the institution.

The Ogimaawin Indigenous Education Council (OIEC) was founded on the original Native Advisory Committee and constituted into its present form in response to the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training - Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy (AETS) in the early 1990s. AETS is an initiative to increase access for Indigenous students in Ontario's universities and colleges. OIEC membership consists of organizations from the surrounding Indigenous community that sit in an advisory capacity to the President's Office. The OIEC by-laws outline the composition of the Council, which includes two Indigenous students.  The OIEC has representation on the Lakehead University Board of Governors, and Senate.

The President's Advisory Council on Economic Development for Simcoe County advises the President of Lakehead University of opportunities within the regional economic development ecosystem with a focus on strategic partnerships with local communities, municipalities, businesses and industry to support innovation, economic development and the creation of highly skilled job-seekers in Simcoe County.

Further, the Social Media Policy and Brand Guidelines Policy, provide guidance to the University community in engaging stakeholders. Lakehead University’s External Sponsorship Policy is used to identify and connect the university with target audiences in ways that reinforce meaningful and positive perceptions of the institution by engaging the community, supporting the brand, increasing student enrolments, and exploring new opportunities and partnerships. These policies set guidelines by informing, listening, responding and engaging with stakeholders in a common voice and approach.

The following principles underpin these policies:

• Engagement activities are to be conducted in a highly ethical and collaborative spirit in line with the University’s values as noted in the Employee Code of Conduct,  Student Code of Conduct and Lakehead University’s Conflict of Interest policies

• Members of the Lakehead University community conducting engagement activities conduct themselves as ambassadors for the entire University and are not to bring the institution into disrepute

• Careful consideration must be given to the external sharing of information about the University to ensure that such information is appropriate, accurate and is not shared where it is commercially sensitive or in breach of data privacy and protection legislation.

All members of the University community involved in managing internal and external relationships while representing the university should comply with these policies.

Lakehead University invites local stakeholders and community members to engage in meaningful dialogue and actively participate in the university’s decision-making process through a series of open public meetings conducted throughout the year. 

The Lakehead University Board of Governors permits deputations from interested parties by appointment during open meetings of the Board of Governors in accordance with the procedures set out in the Board of Governors Deputation Policy. Deputations are intended to provide the opportunity for individuals and organizations to express their interest in and views on specific matters directly to the Board.

All Senate meetings are open to observers, guests and the public except where the Senate has resolved by a majority vote to move in camera for the consideration of sensitive, personal or confidential business. If any member of the public would like to speak or present at a Senate meeting, they must contact the University Secretariat at least eight business days prior to the meeting to be considered for the meeting agenda. 

The Ogimaawin Indigenous Education Council serves as an advisory council to the President and a channel for communications between Indigenous peoples and the University respecting issues which affect Indigenous post-secondary education.  Meetings are open to the public and consist of student, faculty and staff representation, along with Indigenous Elders and knowledge keepers.  

The President's Advisory Council on Economic Development for Simcoe County advises the President of Lakehead University of opportunities within the regional economic development ecosystem with a focus on strategic partnerships with local communities, municipalities, businesses and industry to support innovation, economic development and the creation of highly skilled job-seekers in Simcoe County. 

Bribery and corruption are unequivocally unethical and impermissible actions, directly contradicting our core values and the principles outlined in our Employee Code of Conduct,  Student Code of Conduct and Lakehead University’s Conflict of Interest policy.

Members of the university community must uphold these principles by:

• Acting lawfully, ethically and in the university and public interest

• Not tolerate behaviour that is illegal, unethical or breaches human rights

• Not participate in corrupt practices and have a zero-tolerance policy for bribery or corruption in any form by any party

• Follow high standards of ethical conduct

Members of our university community will conduct themselves in a manner consistent with university policies, protocols, procedures and regulations as well as in compliance with all federal, provincial and municipal laws, including human rights codes and policies. 

Lakehead University’s Responsible Investment Policy ensures that the University exercises its fiduciary duty in its Restricted Internal Funds and Trust and Endowment Funds.  In alignment with the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI), this policy incorporates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, ensuring investment and financial decisions are made in the best interests of the university aligned with our codes of conduct and commitments against corruption and bribery.

The Supply Chain Code of Ethics ensures that all members of the university involved with purchasing or other supply chain-related activities must act, and be seen to act, with integrity and professionalism. Honesty, care and due diligence must be integral to all supply chain activities within and between organizations, suppliers and other stakeholders. 

Lakehead University’s Free Expression Policy commits to "the ability to examine, question, investigate, speculate and comment on any issue without reference to prescribed doctrine, [and] ... the right to critique and contest views expressed on campus".  This agreement and policy provide both research and teaching freedoms for junior and senior academics.

Further, commitments to academic freedom are outlined in Article 15 of the Collective Agreement between Lakehead University and the Lakehead University Faculty Association, which also aligns with Universities Canada Statement on Academic Freedom.

Additional Resources:

Lakehead University is a member of Universities Canada, an organization which represents Canadian universities at national and international levels.  Universities Canada advocates on behalf of Canadian universities to government bodies, policymakers, and other stakeholders to influence policy decisions related to higher education funding, research, innovation, and other areas that impact universities and their students.

The Office of Government Relations at Lakehead University plays a vital role in facilitating communication, collaboration and advocacy between the university and various levels of government.  The primary responsibility encompasses a range of activities aimed at advancing the interests of the university within the public policy and legislative landscape.  Their activities include:

• Advocacy and Lobbying
• Policy Analysis and Strategic Planning
• Relationship Building
• Legislative Engagement

Cultivating productive relationships and strong lines of communication with the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (Queen’s Park) and the Federal Legislature of Canada (Parliament Hill) is essential and is achieved by working with all parties including ministers, parliamentarians, political staff and senior bureaucrats.

Researchers at Lakehead University are also active contributors to various initiatives that provide expert advice and policy guidance to governments at the local, regional and national levels.

University-City Partnerships to Solve Local Challenges:

CityStudio Thunder Bay is led by Lakehead University in collaboration with Northern Ontario School of Medicine University, Confederation College, and the City of Thunder Bay. CityStudio is an innovative, collaborative educational model that connects students, academia, and local governments to address urban challenges and co-create solutions for sustainable, livable cities. More information on these initiatives can be found here and here.

Innovation Hub in Orillia to Support Local and Regional Economies

A partnership between Lakehead University, the City of Orillia and the Orillia Area Community Development Corporation has created an innovation hub to bring together individuals, entrepreneurs, researchers, community partners and government in Simcoe County.  More information can be found here.

Justice for Victims of Sexual Assault:

Dr. Jodie Murphy-Oikonen, Dr. Karen McQueen and Dr. Lori Chambers of Lakehead University explore police officers’ experiences responding to cases of sexual assault.  Their research reveals that many officers feel unprepared to handle sexual assault cases, negatively impacting survivor interactions.  The findings suggest that improving training and support for officers could enhance both their response to victims and the overall justice process for survivors.  More information can be found here.

Mino-Waabandan Inaakonigewinan (Seeing Law in a Good Way) Indigenous Law & Justice Institute:

The Mino-Waabandan Inaakonigewinan (Seeing Law in a Good Way) Indigenous Law & Justice Institute is an academic research unit to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #50, which calls for the creation of Indigenous law institutes to support access to justice for Indigenous people and to revitalize Indigenous laws.  More information on current research projects can be found here.

Lakehead University actively provides outreach, general education, upskilling and capacity-building initiatives to policymakers and lawmakers on a variety of topics.  This work is completed through collaboration on various research and outreach projects. 

Examples of  outreach, general education, upskilling and capacity building include:

• Advancing Calls to Action through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• National food policy and food security
• Indigenous law and justice
• Freshwater protection and water security
• Indigenous mental health and health equity
• Climate change education

Lakehead University’s commitment to knowledge dissemination extends beyond our academic community, and we actively collaborate with policymakers to facilitate informed decision-making and policies that address societal challenges.  

Lakehead University actively engages in policy-focused research in close collaboration with various government departments.  Lakehead’s policy-focused research has informed governments at local, regional (provincial), national, and international levels.   Our commitment to advancing policy-focused research in collaboration with government departments can be in Lakehead University’s Research Plan.

Examples of policy-focused research informing government:

• National food policy and food security
• Freshwater protection and water security
• Indigenous mental health and health equity
• Progress towards sustainable development goals
• Canada and the crisis of global democracy
• Building better and stronger homes

Lakehead University’s Freedom of Expression Policy articulates the "commitment to free expression to examine, question, investigate, speculate and comment on any issue without reference to prescribed doctrine, [and] the right to critique and contest views expressed on campus." Lakehead will not attempt to limit the access of university community members to ideas or opinions that they disagree with or find offensive.  

There are numerous 'safe' spaces accessible across campus, facilitated by diverse groups and student centres. These spaces offer opportunities to openly discuss challenges without fear of judgment.  Among these spaces are:  the Indigenous Awareness Centre, Gender Equity Centre, Pride Central, and the Multicultural Centre.

Additional Resources:

• Indigenous Students' Resource Centre
• Pride & Gender Equity Centre
• Multicultural Centre