U of G president Charlotte Yates retires

University of Guelph president and vice-chancellor Charlotte Yates is retiring from her position, effective today.

The U of G announced the retirement this morning in a news release. They would provide no further comment.

Yates had been off on leave since August.

She came to U of G in 2015 as provost and vice-president academic. Then became interim president and vice-chancellor in 2020. In 2021, she was appointed president and vice-chancellor.

“The decision to leave my role as president of the University of Guelph is a difficult one as I have loved my time here and been proud to serve as the first woman president of this great institution. Working with the faculty, staff, students, donors and alumni has been a particular highlight. After the tumultuous last five years of university affairs, however, it is time for me to step aside for someone else to take the helm,” said Yates, in a press release.

She started as interim president and vice-chancellor during the pandemic and inherited financial pressures from external factors that were years in the making, said in the release.

When it was announced in August 2021 by the then chair of the board of governors, Shauneen Bruder, Yates was to serve a five-year term.

During her time as president she helped develop a new strategic plan called Our Time. Yates modernized the university's operations, eliminated the structural budget deficit, invested in faculty and staff success, and embraced digital solutions for innovation, said in the release. 

“On behalf of the board of governors, I extend our deepest gratitude to president Yates for her leadership and dedication to U of G,” said Brown Andison, in the release. “Under her guidance, we have achieved remarkable milestones and fostered a community of inclusivity and academic excellence.”   

Other things of note was Yates led the president’s task force on student mental health, expanded the university's veterinary school, secured government funding for university’s partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, enabled the future expansion of the Lang School of Business and Economics, and more.

During her time she saw the launch of the university’s Indigenous initiatives strategy called Bi-Naagwad: It Comes Into View. Yates started the president’s advisory committee on anti-racism. 

By leading the university she also helped achieve fundraising, and the university raised more than $150 million, the news release said.

There will be a celebration for Yates’ retirement and more details about the reception will be made available later.

When her leave of absence was announced Aug. 26 on the U of G website, it stated: “Out of respect for Dr. Yates’ privacy, we are not sharing further details and ask that you refrain from contacting her while she is on leave.”

There will be a formal search for a new president and it will begin in the coming weeks. Rene Van Acker will be the interim president.