Call for Nominations – Advisory Committee for the Dean, Faculty of Music (PDAD&C #70)

To:         Faculty, Students, and Staff, Faculty of Music
Principals, Deans, Academic Directors and Chairs
From:    Cheryl Regehr, Vice-President & Provost
Date:    May 6, 2020
Re:         Call for Nominations – Advisory Committee for the Dean, Faculty of Music (PDAD&C #70)


On June 30, 2021, Professor Don McLean will complete his term as Dean of the Faculty of Music. Professor McLean is not eligible for reappointment.

As Dean of the Faculty of Music, Professor McLean has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to artistic and academic excellence in music creation, performance, education, and research. Under his leadership, the Faculty has established itself as a leading comprehensive music school that combines excellence in professional musical training with unique interdisciplinary research opportunities, including programs in Music and Health Studies and Music Technology & Digital Media. The implementation of the Strategic Academic Plan 2016–2021 has significantly stabilized the Faculty’s financial position, fostered increased engagement with professional arts and community organizations in the city, built interdisciplinary research and teaching partnerships across the university, and raised the international profile of the school. Work with the Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association (FMUA) and the Faculty of Music Graduate Students’ Association (MGSA) has improved student experience and finances, and administrative restructuring has led to distributed leadership and productivity growth. Professor McLean also established a Faculty of Music Advisory Council that is helping the Faculty realize its ambitious advancement goals in support of students, programs, and infrastructure. Several capital projects have moved the Faculty towards a space master plan and renewed facilities, notably the new recital hall in the 90 Queen’s Park project, technical upgrades to MacMillan Theatre and Walter Hall, and renovations to spaces for teaching and learning at 90 Wellesley Street West and the Edward Johnson Building. During his tenure as Dean, Professor McLean has helped shape the Faculty’s future as a global leader for innovative teaching and ground-breaking interdisciplinary research.

In accordance with Section 60 of the Policy on Appointment of Academic Administrators, I am writing to call for the nominations of individuals to serve on the Committee that will advise on the appointment of a Dean.

The Policy mandates the composition of the Advisory Committee as follows:

  • The Vice-President and Provost (Chair);
  • Three to five members of the teaching staff of the Faculty;
  • One to three students of the Faculty;
  • The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies or representative;
  • A librarian, where appropriate;
  • Two or three other qualified scholars from within or outside this University, but outside of the Faculty;
  • In addition, the Committee may include an alumnus/a, a member of the administrative staff, and a senior member of the appropriate professional community.

The Advisory Committee will begin meeting in the coming months. Nominations for the Committee should be submitted to the Office of the Vice-President & Provost by May 20, 2020, via the online form.

Questions about this search process may be directed to Assistant Provost Archana Sridhar at archana.sridhar@utoronto.ca.