McMaster's incoming president says it's important to be 'prudent financially' and hear student concerns

McMaster University's newly announced president, Susan Tighe, says the Hamilton institution is well positioned despite the sector's financial troubles. 

The university announced the appointment of Tighe following a board of governors meeting on Oct. 24. In July, Tighe will succeed outgoing president David Farrar, who in January announced his departure. 

CBC Hamilton spoke with Tighe about how she plans to address several issues affecting McMaster, including financial challenges, calls for the school to divest from Israel and student mental health.

Concern over fewer international student permits

In January, Farrar told CBC Hamilton that a cap on international students — which was in discussion at the time — would be a "loss" for McMaster, which then had about 32,000 students in total, about 5,000 of them international students.

Since then, the federal Liberals have reduced the number of international undergraduate study permits by 35 per cent between 2023 and 2024. In September, the government reduced permits another 10 per cent, from 485,000 to 437,000. On Oct. 25, the Ontario government announced it would effectively bar international students from medical schools beginning in fall 2026.

Tighe said international students "bring a really diverse perspective" and do important research. She said it's unclear how many will get to go to McMaster next year, since there is "still quite a bit up in the air," when it comes to how reductions will be implemented. 

Earlier this month, the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) said the federal changes cost universities in the province $300 million this school year and could go over $600 million next school year.

"While we recognize the federal government had to address the bad actors that recklessly increased international student enrolment without the necessary supports, this has resulted in significant collateral damage to universities," COU president Steve Orsini said in a public statement.

He added that despite new funding from the province, universities have "significant financial challenges" due to factors including inflation and tuition freezes, with 10 facing more than $300 million deficits for the 2023-2024 school year.

"McMaster continues to be prudent financially," said Tighe, the school's chief budget officer.

She said the university is breaking even and passing provincial benchmarks for financial sustainability.

She added that McMaster will continue to push for policy changes to help universities.

The BDS debate on campus

The morning before McMaster announced Tighe's appointment, its board of governors heard a presentation urging the institution to divest from companies with ties to Israel. Students and faculty at many post-secondary institutions have demanded their schools adopt boycott, divest and sanctions (BDS) strategies targeting Israel over its military campaign in Gaza. 

McMaster's board said it would hear the presentation to deepen understanding. It did not make any commitments or motions following it.

When asked if BDS is on the table, Tighe responded: "What I'll say is we will continue to listen to the community."

She said it's "always helpful" for leaders to hear from students and that McMaster has a new process to "allow stakeholders from across campus" to offer input on investments. According to the McMaster website, community members can use a new form to submit feedback. 

WATCH How the process of divestment would look:

What is divestment?

7 months ago

Duration 6:00

Protesters at universities across Canada and the U.S. are demanding an end to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza amid a growing humanitarian crisis — and want their schools to divest from companies they say profit from the conflict. But what does the process of that divestment look like?

The board of governors also heard a presentation from a Jewish students group, Hillel McMaster, advocating against a BDS strategy, which the presenters said is antisemitic. Three students said they had experienced antisemitism on campus, including social exclusion, intimidation and being spat on.

Tighe said the university monitors the campus very carefully and follows up when someone "crosses the line." 

"We have to be compassionate and empathetic with all members of the community, recognizing that we are an academic institution and we need to hear different points of view. That's how we learn," she said. "But they have to be presented in a way that is safe [so] people feel welcome to voice their different opinions."

Rebuilding community on campus

Tighe also shared her perspective on improving campus culture, which the McMaster Students Union president has said suffered since the pandemic, with students becoming disconnected.

"It's been hard coming out of COVID," Tighe said. "We do need to rebuild the community."

In addition to providing education, Tighe said, she wants McMaster to support students' development and growth. She said that could involve encouraging faculty to hire students so they can work on campus.

She said student engagement is especially important given the seemingly high rate of mental health challenges students face. 

She noted that faculty and instructors are encouraged to take training on how to help students with their mental health, and said the university is partnering with clubs and student groups to promote mental health services offered by McMaster. 

Tighe said she has two daughters in university — one of whom is at McMaster — so "I know exactly how it is for these undergrad students." 

A civil engineer by training, Tighe said she started her career in construction working on Highway 407 in the early '90s.

"I think that really catapulted me to be able to do research and teach in unique ways."