Blog posts by Andrew Petter

It’s been ten years since I became president of Simon Fraser University. Now, as my term in office...

Throughout my time as pres-archiveident of SFU, I have never ceased to be impres-archivesed by the...

As the weather turns warmer, I regret that we cannot gather as we normally do for the President’s...

While we may not be able to come together for the annual staff BBQ this year, we’re keeping the BBQ...

Simon Fraser University has been ranked 34th in the world for innovation and seventh in the world...

Sunday June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, part of National Indigenous History Month...

This is Anne Giardini’s last week as SFU Chancellor, a role she has performed magnificently since...

On behalf of the entire Simon Fraser University community, I offer heartfelt congratulations to...

I am thrilled that Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO of Vancity Credit Union, has been named Simon...

Not even a global pandemic could stop the Indian Summer Festival from celebrating its tenth...

All of us at Simon Fraser University offer our gratitude to our front line employees who are...

With the summer semester beginning this week, I am thinking of our students, faculty and staff who...

Welcome to the summer semester at Simon Fraser University – a semester unlike any we have...

The positive and resourceful manner in which members of the Simon Fraser University community have...

At this time of crisis, with the lives of so many in our community disrupted, it is especially...

In my latest video update, I discuss the special working group that Jon Driver, VP Academic and...

With alarming speed, COVID-19 has turned our world upside down. For many students it’s been an...

Graduates can take part in expanded, in-person convocation ceremonies this fall or in spring...

The social distancing required to combat the COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to the effects...

We are living through an extraordinary moment. Seemingly out of the blue everything has been turned...

Anxiety levels in British Columbia have increased markedly in response to rising numbers of...

March 8 is International Women’s Day – a day to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of...

A commitment to sustainability is an underlying principle of Simon Fraser University’s Strategic...

The Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) has made the difficult, but wise,...

Pink Shirt Day, which falls on Wednesday, Feb. 26, reminds us of our individual and collective...

Black History month calls upon us to reflect upon the systemic marginalization of black voices and...

The outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in understandable anxieties about the...

India is the world's largest democracy with a significant economic and geopolitical presence, and a...

SFU has made it our mission to be an engaged university defined by our dynamic integration of...

Simon Fraser University is committed to creating supportive campus communities in which...

What will drive Simon Fraser University’s change-making potential in this new decade? Innovation...

We have all been moved by the devastating loss of life in Iran last week – a tragedy that resulted...

Happy New Year. I hope you had a joyful and rejuvenating holiday, and are ready for what promises...

As the Fall semester comes to a close and we all look forward to a well-deserved break, I want to...

The countdown is on. It’s just over 100 days until Simon Fraser University has the honour of...

Sadly, gender-based discrimination and violence remain major issues around the globe, ones that...

Students and many others at Simon Fraser University rely on public transit for safe and reliable...

Rankings are often looked to as a measure of a university’s reputation and success. With this in...

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” - George Santayana Memory is...

Simon Fraser University has had longstanding relationships in Latin America, and last week I had...

Simon Fraser University’s United Way Campaign – a Fall tradition – gets underway this week, and I...

The 2019 federal election may be behind us, but this is no reason to let up on our commitment to...

There’s a great meme going around at the moment: Voting. One hundred percent more effective...

Fall Convocation is a special time of year at Simon Fraser University. The flags are flying...

When it comes to voting, recent history confirms that we are ready. In the 2015 federal...

Simon Fraser University is dedicated to fostering a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion...

Simon Fraser University’s graduates are our greatest contribution to the communities we...

I hope your school year is off to a great start. And thanks to all those who participated in our...

Welcome to the start of a new academic year at Simon Fraser University. I hope you had a great...

As we head into the first long weekend of the summer – and a well-deserved break for many – I’d...

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to recognise and celebrate the diverse and...

Convocation is a special time at Simon Fraser University – the skirling of the bagpipes, the...

From June 3 to 6, delegates from around the world will converge on Vancouver as part of...

It was an audacious decision that brought Simon Fraser University into the heart of...

Simon Fraser University was thrilled this week to officially open a state-of-the-art...

Information is fundamental to a well-functioning society. However, in this age...

This Friday, Simon Fraser University will confer its 2019 President’s Distinguished Community...

Simon Fraser University is privileged to have been chosen lead host for the 2020 Asia Pacific...

March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. As the tragic...

March 8 is International Women’s Day – a day both to celebrate the achievements of women and to...

Thanks to all those who sent me kind comments following the announcement that I would not be...

Last week, Vice President Research and International Joy Johnson and I were accompanied by Business...

Simon Fraser University is committed to creating healthy campus communities where our students,...

Would you like to enhance your resume and your university experience at the same...

Welcome to a new year and a new semester at Simon Fraser University. I hope you had a relaxing...