President's report - March Board meeting

Following the release of the B.C. budget and news of sustained operating grants for the public post-secondary sector, we are more determined than ever to honour the province’s investment in SFU by working with students, faculty, staff and the communities we serve to maximize efficiency, advance equity and build a strong economy. We are looking forward to working with the provincial and federal government to realize an inclusive and sustainable future for British Columbians and Canadians.

Administrative updates

2026-27 Budget, 2026-27 Enrolment Plan approved

At this meeting, following fulsome presentations and discussion, the Board approved SFU’s 2026-27 Budget and 2026-27 Enrolment Plan and Undergraduate Admission Targets, the latter of which had been previously approved by Senate.

Thank you to teams across the university who worked to develop both plans in alignment with SFU’s strategy and operating context. While SFU will continue to face financial pressures over the years ahead and there is work ahead to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the university, a balanced budget is expected for 2026-27. SFU’s Enrolment Plan will continue to guide enrolment priorities, responding to stable domestic demand and ongoing challenges in international student recruitment.

Enrolments and recruitment

Domestic undergraduate enrolment

SFU enrolled 19,917 domestic undergraduate PFTEs in 2025/26, modestly exceeding the Senate- and Board-approved enrolment plan. This enrolment level is also 13% above the Ministry funded target of 17,607, which includes 333 new tech seats allocated for 2025/26. 

The university has recently been advised that the tech seats program will not expand further. This is a significant change from earlier expectations that the program would grow to 500 seats. As a result, SFU is now planning for 167 fewer funded seats than anticipated beginning in 2027/28 and beyond.

As mentioned in previous reports, the current over-utilization of funded undergraduate FTEs is well above what is financially sustainable. The new 2025-2030 Academic Plan explicitly addresses this issue, and the 2026/27 enrolment plan, approved by Senate in early March, represents the first concrete step in implementing this course correction. 

International undergraduate enrolment

SFU enrolled 3,185 international undergraduate PFTEs in 2025/26, 1% above the Senate-approved target of 3,165 PFTEs (excluding Co-op). International students now account for 14.5% of total undergraduate FTEs.

In response to policy changes from the federal government, SFU has intensified its recruitment efforts by expanding its agent network, increasing funds for merit-based scholarships and scaling up active marketing campaigns. Despite these efforts, broader external pressures contributed to a 25% decline in international new intakes between 2024/25 and 2025/26. While this result remains above the Senate- and Board-approved target, SFU is projecting a continued decline in total international PFTEs, as larger, older cohorts are replaced by smaller incoming classes.

SFU has received 1,500 Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) for 2026/27, which appears sufficient for planned intake levels, especially as PALs are now only required for undergraduate students. However, a 57% reduction in the federal permit allocation to British Columbia has resulted in a substantial decrease in PALs available to private colleges. This development is of particular concern for SFU, as a majority of international students continue to arrive via transfer pathways, including from Fraser International College.

Graduate enrolment

For 2025/26, actual graduate enrolment represented a 5% shortfall relative to SFU’s enrolment plan but remained stable compared to the previous fiscal year. Total graduate headcounts were 3,823 students, representing a 1% decrease year over year. New graduate student headcount declined more sharply, falling 10%, largely due to reduced intake in Business and Education specialty programs and regular Science programs. 

In 2025/26, SFU received Ministry funding for 2,927 graduate PFTEs (including Co-op) and generated a surplus of 360 PFTEs. Across all graduate programs, enrolment stood 12% above the Ministry’s funded target.

Government relations

The recently released B.C. budget contains some positive signals for the post-secondary sector while we await the outcome of the sector review. Operating grants will remain stable in 2026-27, and SFU received the expected $30.29M in operating funding for the School of Medicine. The Province also allocated $5B in contingencies, which is largely in place to cover the cost of public sector collective agreements that are reached under the Balanced Budget Mandate throughout the fiscal plan.

Importantly, the Province’s “re-pacing” of its capital plan did not impact the delivery timing of ongoing SFU capital projects, such as the new student housing project on the Burnaby campus or permanent School of Medicine facility. Additionally, SFU continues to have productive conversations with the B.C. infrastructure ministry regarding deferred maintenance funding. 

Amidst the cost containment measures, the Province is creating a $400M B.C. Strategic Investments Special Account that the Province will use to help secure federal government funding. This includes initiatives aligned with SFU’s strategic priorities objectives, including AI and quantum, clean energy and clean tech, life sciences and other areas. 

Overall, the 2026-27 budget recognizes the important role that the post-secondary sector plays in B.C. SFU’s Government Relations team continues to implement its comprehensive advocacy and engagement strategy with government to position SFU to take advantage of new funding opportunities moving into the future.

Advancing strategic priorities

There is work occurring across the university to advance the What’s Next strategic priorities. Several key examples are highlighted below.

Uphold Truth & Reconciliation

• We are experiencing a time of uncertainty and backlash when it comes to truth, Reconciliation and Indigenous rights in B.C. and across the continent. In times like these, it is more important than ever for SFU to hold fast to our commitments to truth-telling and fostering a safe and welcoming place for Indigenous students, faculty, staff and community members.
• We are continuing to pilot the Indigenous Welcoming Procedure with a new custom-built online portal that implements the spirit of the procedure while safeguarding confidential and private information. Now that the procedure is in use, the Indigenous Executive Lead will be working with project leads and legal to develop a companion policy that guides the eventual university-wide application of the procedure. A more detailed update on the pilot and the proposed policy will come to the Board in the months ahead.
• We were excited to see the first investment from the Mastercard Foundation’s $5M grant to support an endowment that will stabilize Indigenous student emergency relief funds within the first two months of 2026. Former Board member and SFU alumnus Denise Williams is working as a project manager to engage with key Indigenous students, faculty and staff on rapid deployment of the remaining funds for lasting impact on SFU’s Indigenous student pathways efforts. We anticipate a more detailed update to the board on this project at the May meeting.
• Meeting, Events and Conference Services (MECS), in partnership with Procurement, has advanced SFU’s Reconciliation commitments by conducting a Request for Proposals to invite Indigenous-owned catering businesses to be included in MECS catering menu options. Four Indigenous caterers—Salmon n’ Bannock, Cedar Feast, Tawnshi and Owl Aboard—have formally joined the roster, with two additional vendors currently in the onboarding process. This initiative supports Indigenous economic inclusion by increasing visibility and access to Indigenous-owned businesses within university-hosted events.
• In January, Indigenous Student Recruitment and Admissions hosted Indigenous Student Preview Day for 140 Indigenous students in grades 8 to 12 in the First Peoples’ Gathering House. The event was designed with a strong community focus, connecting students with current Indigenous students, faculties and campus supports. The day encouraged and inspired students to see themselves at SFU and in higher education through meaningful relational and cultural programming that fostered a strong sense of belonging and community.
  
  

Engage in Global Challenges

• My recent two-week trip to India, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia was highly successful in advancing SFU’s institutional, research, and IndoPacific engagement priorities through participation in the Universities Canada Presidents’ Mission to India, QS India Summit and Canada in Asia Conference, alongside targeted bilateral meetings across the region. The mission strengthened SFU’s visibility among senior government, industry and academic partners and advanced opportunities in shared priority areas such as AI, sustainability, health and talent development. Visits in Malaysia and Indonesia deepened ties with leading universities, explored transnational education and joint programming models and reinforced alumni, diplomatic and recruitment channels. 
• SFU is in the process of recruiting applicants for the Government of Canada’s new Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Program. The program provides up to $6M in annual funding for SFU to recruit internationally based researchers with expertise in eight strategic areas, including those related to SFU research priorities such as AI, quantum and climate innovation. SFU is pleased to have received more than 200 applications, and over the past few weeks hosted visits from 23 of the most outstanding applicants. SFU will submit five nominations for the March deadline and a smaller number for the June deadline, and we look forward to hearing back from the federal government.
• In January, associate vice-president, knowledge mobilization and innovation Elicia Maine joined B.C. premier David Eby on a trade delegation to India for meetings with diplomatic leadership, energy and critical minerals industry leaders and clean energy innovators. During that trip, SFU signed an MOU with the Hydrogen Association of India and deepened its partnerships with leading institutions such as IIT Bombay and IIT Madras.  
• Congratulations to SFU researchers who received more than $4.4M from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to advance health research and health outcomes, as well as two members of SFU’s Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology who were honoured as members of the Order of Canada.
• SFU hosted the inbound UK Compute Mission as part of ongoing collaboration under the UK–Canada MOU on Cooperation in AI Compute. The visit brought senior leaders from the UK’s national compute and research ecosystem to engage with SFU’s research computing, quantum integration and AI for Science communities. Ahead of the compute mission, SFU also hosted the UK Deputy High Commissioner, which laid the groundwork for strengthening SFU’s position as a key Canadian partner.

Make a Difference for B.C.

• Chancellor Tamara Vrooman and I hosted almost 150 guests to celebrate lifelong community impact at the Chancellor’s and President’s Awards Dinner on February 24 at the Diamond Alumni Centre. We were delighted to recognize the contributions of renowned Canadian curator Daina Augaitis and highly respected Elder and Knowledge Sharer Syexwáliya Ann Whonnock from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) with the Chancellor’s Distinguished Service Award and dedicated philanthropists and education champions Divyesh and Charu Gadhia with the President’s Distinguished Community Leadership Award.
• SFU will lead two projects to advance defence and dual‑use innovation in B.C. with new federal funding from PacifiCan. The university received $19.96M, part of a $46.6M investment in a total of five projects to help build the Vancouver Quantum Network—critical infrastructure to position B.C. as a global leader in secure quantum communications. The second project supports the creation of a secure, high-performing computing network led by SFU to train AI models and process sensitive data for both defence and civilian use.
• SFU signed MOUs with three strategic partners to improve innovation and sustainability at the Cedar Supercomputing Centre (CSC). Vancouver-based Moment Energy will used repurposed electric vehicle batteries to provide backup energy for the CSC. District energy company Corix will explore ways to capture and reuse waste heat from the CSC for use within the existing neighbourhood energy system on Burnaby Mountain. And Ontario-based Cerio, which builds sustainable and efficient data centre infrastructure, will collaborate with the CSC to further develop SFU’s AI infrastructure, research and training.The SFU School of Medicine continues to advance strategic priorities and achieve key milestones ahead of welcoming our first cohort of learners in August 2026.
  • Accreditation: Our Family Medicine Residency (PGME) application was submitted in February and is under review. Following SFU’s institutional submission in Fall 2025, we are on track to provide a three-standard update to the Canadian Residency Accreditation Consortium in April 2026, supporting our goal of welcoming our first PGME learners in summer 2027.
  • Admissions: Multiple mini-interviews (MMIs) with 201 candidates occurred across two interview days in March. 
  • Indigenous Perspectives: The Indigenous Council held its inaugural meeting in February, where the draft terms of reference were introduced and are now being refined collaboratively. Planning for Indigenous Panel interviews is being finalized.
  • Program Development: The Year 1 schedule for the Undergraduate MD Program is complete, and planning for Years 2 and 3 will begin shortly. The initial draft curriculum map for the Family Medicine Residency Program has also been completed.
  • Advancement: To date, more than $1.5M has been pledged to support Student Entrance Awards and in‑course Student Awards through the establishment of new endowed funds and annual commitments.
  • Research: The School is co-developing a three-year research plan in partnership with health and academic partners.  Faculty secured several Canadian Institutes of Health Research project grants as co-investigators, and a Health Data Research Network Canada extension grant has been awarded under principal investigator Dr. Kim McGrail. The School is also in the process of hiring for four medical research faculty positions.
  • Technical Operations/Facilities: Construction is underway at Innovation Plaza, the Surrey Engineering building and Podium 1 for 2026–2030 learner spaces. In addition, SFU submitted the detailed development permit application for the permanent School of Medicine at the end of February, marking an important milestone toward the planned 2030 opening. Consultations for the new building design have begun and work is now moving into schematic design.
• SFU’s Dialogue and Engagement unit continues to bring communities together to discuss critical societal issues. Events and activities include:
  • A sold-out Bruce and Lis Welch Community Dialogue, Economics for the People: Inside Inequality, which brought together SFU and broader community members for a timely conversation about the structural drivers of inequality and their implications for public policy and everyday life.
  • This event also marked the launch of When the Map Is Useless: Conversations for a World in Transition, a new multi-year initiative that aims to strengthen civil discourse during a time of transition and exemplifies the priorities of SFU’s Academic Plan by mobilizing scholarly expertise to address complex societal challenges, strengthen democratic dialogue and reflect SFU’s commitment to academic excellence, equity, civic discourse and meaningful impact beyond the university.
  • Engaging more than 8,624 guests during the Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum’s first exhibition season. Over 500 of these were children and families who engaged in free art lessons during Open Studio Saturdays and more than 300 were university students who engaged via exhibition tours, seminars and activities.  
  • SFU’s Clean Energy Canada (CEC) providing timely and strategic knowledge and evidence to the federal government for consideration in decision-making. This includes actively engaging the Canadian public through 13,300+ media mentions in the past four years and background work that informed the federal government’s new electric vehicle initiatives.
  • The launch of a reimagined event series, Ideas in Action—formerly known as the President’s Faculty Lectures. This series will bring together SFU scholars, visiting thought leaders and community members to engage with the most urgent questions of our time and launched with an event called Reimagining the Public University that explored how institutions can respond to current challenges with courage and creativity.

Transform the SFU Experience

• February was Black History Month, marking three decades since Black History Month was officially recognized in Canada. SFU celebrated Black excellence throughout the month of February including Community Kitchens, a dinner event at the Dining Commons, an exploration of the historical and cultural significance of Hogan’s Alley and an institutional Black History Month event with Dr. Wisdom Tettey, chair of the Scarborough Charter Inter-Institutional Forum and president and vice-chancellor of Carleton University. February also marked the opening of Simon Fraser University’s Black Student Centre, a newly renovated and dedicated space created to support SFU’s diverse Black community.
• With weeks to go in SFU’s fiscal year, the Advancement and Alumni Engagement team has already surpassed its fundraising goal for 2025/26 and is on track to once again achieve its most successful fundraising year ever. As of March 2, 2026, AAE has raised an estimated $59.55M+ / 108% of its $55M goal for FYE2026 (compared to $53.39M+ raised for the same period last fiscal).
• I joined Erin Morantz, Vice-President, Advancement and Alumni Engagement (VPAAE) to thank more than 60 internal partners at the second annual SFU Faculty and Staff Donor Recognition Event. The event recognizes the generous support of SFU colleagues and the meaningful impact of their philanthropy for our students and the future of the university. During 2025, SFU faculty and staff donors contributed an estimated $3.3M in funding to support initiatives across SFU.
• SFU Communications & Marketing continues to support the university’s enrolment priorities through a robust digital marketing campaign that supports awareness and reputation-building of SFU among prospective students and their influencers (e.g. family and school counsellors). This ongoing campaign, launched in October 2025, has reached nearly 12 million impressions and raises awareness of SFU’s student experience and innovative academic programs through student testimonial videos.
• SFU Food has introduced GA Robotics beverage technology to modernize campus food and beverage services. Robotic beverage machines, capable of preparing more than 100 customizable drinks, are now available 24/7 in the AQ and Dining Commons vending area, with additional locations under review. This initiative expands convenient, technology-enabled service options and enhances the on-campus experience for students, faculty, staff and visitors.
• All SFU courses have successfully transitioned to Canvas Cloud, completing the university’s Learning Management System migration. The project moved SFU from a self-hosted, open-source Canvas platform to the vendor-hosted Canvas Cloud, mitigating growing security and reliability risks, strengthening data protection and compliance, improving system performance and provided enhanced teaching tools to support innovation and grading efficiency.
• The Payroll Synchronization Project has been completed, aligning salaried and hourly pay periods into a single bi-weekly schedule. This initiative ensures employees are paid for time worked within the same reporting cycle, improving compliance, payroll accuracy and reporting integrity. The project enhances the pay experience for more than 7,000 staff and reduces administrative burden while addressing long-standing inefficiencies and overpayment risks. Thank you to SFU employees for their patience and understanding during the transition period.

Sincerely,

Joy Johnson
President & Vice-Chancellor
Simon Fraser University