ASSOCIATION OF ATLANTIC UNIVERSITIES
Prof. Dawn Russell, President and Vice-chancellor, St. Thomas University, Fredericton, N.B., appointed Chair, Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU)

Prof. Dawn Russell, President and Vice-chancellor, St. Thomas University, Fredericton, N.B., has been appointed Chair, Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU).

The AAU is an advocacy organization working on behalf of the region's 16 universities (learn more about the AAU at www.atlanticuniversities.ca).

Prof. Russell will lead the AAU for the next two years.  She was appointed by her colleagues during the AAU Council's recent Fall meeting.

During AAU Council's Fall meeting, university Presidents reported a "positive start" to the Fall semester as well as their institutional and collective commitment to promoting "safer COVID-living" on their respective campuses and local communities.

"By all accounts, students are happy to be back on campus and return to what would be considered a normal' university experience of in-classroom learning, campus residence living and the full-range of activities that make university such a special, life altering experience", said Prof. Russell.

She noted however, "that students, staff and faculty have to be more vigilant than ever at adhering to public health and institutional directives designed to keep our campuses and local communities safe.  To that end, our member universities remain committed to communicating the importance of vaccinations, wearing of masks, social distancing and, regular testing for personal and community health and safety."

The new AAU Chair also noted that campus infrastructure renewal remains the most significant challenge facing universities in Atlantic Canada.  "We are public institutions that drive economic growth, social development and talent attraction across the region.  Government investment is essential to help universities address the growing accumulated deferred maintenance issue if we are to maintain high quality and continue to attract top students, faculty and senior staff to Atlantic Canada."

To learn more about Prof. Russell, please visit: Dawn Russell - St Thomas University (stu.ca)  

The Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) represents the interests of universities across the region, ensuring public visibility for the important role they play in preparing future leaders of our communities, in path-breaking research and innovation, and in contributing to the economic, cultural and social prosperity of life in Atlantic Canada.