NSCAD University Facilitator Named

University academic and administrator Daniel O'Brien will help Nova Scotia College of Art and Design explore its options to make the university financially sustainable.

On Dec. 13, the province said it would appoint a facilitator after it and the university jointly accepted Howard Windsor's report on NSCAD University.

In his role as facilitator, Mr. O'Brien will help identify, assess and evaluate opportunities for collaboration. This may lead to the development of specific agreements. He will also work with NSCAD to oversee the curriculum review and space utilization study. He will provide regular progress reports to the deputy minister of Labour and Advanced Education.

"We are fortunate to have an expert in organizational governance and an academic leader such as Dr. O'Brien agreeing to take on this task," said Minister of Labour and Advanced Education Marilyn More.

"There is much to do between now and March 31. Building on the work that has been done by Howard Windsor, Dr. O'Brien's broad range of expertise will be a tremendous resource to both government and NSCAD as a much more in-depth look is taken at the various options available to the university to achieve financial sustainability."

Mr. O'Brien was president and vice-chancellor of New Brunswick's St. Thomas University for 16 years and the acting president of the Atlantic School of Theology for 2011. He was appointed chair of Capital Health's board of directors in February.

Previously, he was at Dalhousie University for 21 years, where his responsibilities included teaching and research, and serving as director of the School of Social Work and associate dean of the Faculty of Health Professions.

He has worked with many regional, national and international post-secondary educational associations and sat on several not-for-profit boards. In 2007-08, he led the task force that recommended significant changes to the governance structure of the Canadian Medical Association. In 2007, he chaired a panel that made recommendations about teacher education programs in the province. In 2008, he completed a four-year term as chair of the board of governors of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton.

Nova Scotia College of Art and Design is expected to deliver a plan to Ms. More by March 31, outlining what steps the university will take to become sustainable.