President statements

Following an extensive external recruitment process, Simon Fraser University is pleased to announce the permanent appointment of Francesca Hennigar as SFU general counsel.

An accomplished academic advocate, Dean, Canada Research Chair, and administrator with a strong track record of success, SFU welcomes Dr. Dilson Etcheverry Rassier as Provost and Vice-President Academic. Dr. Rassier will begin on August 15, 2023.

Following the announcement that SFU has no place to play in NCAA football, the university heard the strong desire to find a way forward for football from student-athletes, alumni, and the football community. Acknowledging that there are many challenges to address and a commitment to try to find a solution together, SFU also announced in April that the university would appoint a special advisor to review options and search for a sustainable way forward.

The Board of Governors and SFU’s executive team received feedback last year through several mechanisms, including SFU: What’s Next? discussions, that there is a need for more communication from SFU’s leadership about how and why decisions get made.

I am saddened to share that we are announcing the end of SFU’s varsity football program. Simon Fraser University is incredibly proud of our long football history, student-athletes, coaches and alumni.

SFU has accepted the return of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws awarded to Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond in 2016.