ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ

While ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is a world-class research-intensive medical-doctoral university focused on teaching and the pursuit of knowledge, it also has played, and continues to play, a unique role in the life and culture of the city and in the development of the Island of Montreal.

What will ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ look like in ten years? 25 years? 50 years? What kind of facilities will we need when future generations of Quebecers, other Canadians and international students come to ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ to learn and innovate? It is an important and complex question, for the University and for the communities in which we live. While it is difficult to predict the needs of the future, it is possible to lay a solid foundation on which to build.

ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ has begun an ambitious process to lay the groundwork for positive development in the future. The University is engaged in a comprehensive planning exercise that will set its teaching and research priorities going forward and will allocate resources in support of its academic goals. As part of this exercise, the University has begun work on creating a comprehensive vision of the physical development of its campuses for the next 25 to 50 years.

A Task Force has been struck to advise the Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance) on the development of a physical master plan by the spring of 2006. The Task Force will make recommendations and proposals on the development of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's physical environment in a way which will support the University's mission and development, and will benefit and bring value to the surrounding areas and the greater Montreal community.

Among the guiding principles of the Task Force's work are commitment to community, responsible stewardship, maintenance of green space and the integrity of the mountain, and the preservation of heritage architectural assets.

The Task Force will consult widely within the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ and greater communities on a broad range of issues including community life, physical development plans, and other issues.

The mandate of the task force also includes:

• Examination of the teaching, research and support facilities and infrastructure that will be required to support academic and research excellence and development, including emerging disciplines and multidisciplinary programs, in the longer term.
• Enhancement of the unique presence and role of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ within the community and of its partnerships with the community.
• Preservation and enhancement of the architectural character and quality of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ campuses.
• Enhancement of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ's high-quality, accessible, pleasant, safe and secure environment.
• Definition of sustainable development approaches.
• Optimization of the year-round use of the campuses for both academic and community purposes.
• Broad consultation with partners and community members and organizations.

The composition of the Task Force is:

John Gruzleski – Engineering (Chair)
Tony Masi – Deputy Provost
Jacques Hurtubise – Vice-Principal (Research) (Acting)
Janyne Hodder – Vice-Principal (Inter-institutional Relations)
Uli Locher – Associate Dean, Resources and Technology, Faculty of Arts
Suzelle Barrington – Bioresource Engineering
Abraham Fuks – Faculty of Medicine
Bruce Shore – Dean of Students
Michael Richards – Building and Property Committee
Vivian Choy – Student representative
Robyn Wiltshire – Director of Administration, Administrative Offices, Faculty of Science
David Covo – School of Architecture
Chuck Adler – Director, University Planning Office

As a preliminary step in establishing its consultative process, the Task Force wishes to receive input from the greater University community on all aspects of its mandate, and invites interested parties to make written submissions by November 15, 2004. Submissions may be of any length and in either English or French. The Task Force will study all material which it receives and may invite certain parties to meet with it in order to follow up on their viewpoints and ideas.

Written submissions should be sent directly to the chair of the Task Force, either electronically to john.gruzleski [at] mcgill.ca or in hard copy to:

Professor John E. Gruzleski
Faculty of Engineering
817 Sherbrooke St. W.
Room 382
Montreal, QC H3A 2K6