The Queen’s Law Strategic Planning Committee, formed in January, enters the next phase of its work today with the release of a discussion paper and the launch of a consultation process. 

The context for this planning process has changed dramatically in the last number of months. “As we plan the next chapter in the story of Queen’s Law, we face challenges and opportunities that seem wholly unprecedented and at times overwhelming,” says Dean Mark Walters. 

In the introduction to the discussion paper, Dean Walters provides as examples the disruption caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, but also the ways in which the public discourse on race and racism is evolving in fundamental ways. “As disorienting as the challenges facing society are today,” he says, “this may be a good moment to pause and to reflect upon what role a university law school should play in a time of change – to ask how we will improve upon our contributions to legal education and legal research, and how in the process we may better perform our responsibilities in shaping the next generation of leaders in our society.”

He’s inviting all members of the Queen’s Law community to participate in a consultation process for the school’s Strategic Plan 2021-25. This plan, he says, will provide direction for all community members, past, present, and future. “Our strategic plan will communicate our vision to those who aspire to join our Faculty as students, researchers, teachers, and staff; to alumni who wish to maintain their relationship with Queen’s Law; to the wider university; to the legal profession; and to Indigenous, national, and international communities.”

The consultation process begins with the release of a discussion paper drafted by a Strategic Planning Committee that includes faculty, students, administrators and alumni.  

“At a most abstract level, the committee welcomes feedback on whether there should be one defining question for our Faculty’s next five years, similar to 2014’s question of increased JD enrolment that charted Queen’s Law’s trajectory over the previous five years,” says committee co-chair Professor Ashwini Vasanthakumar. “There may be no such singular defining question at this time. We face an uncertain financial horizon, confront important questions about the role of legal education in a modern law school, and are renewing our commitments to reconciliation and equity, diversity, and inclusion.”

Vasanthakumar’s committee co-chair, Professor Grégoire Webber, adds, “For consultation on this strategic plan, we set out three possible key pillars: the role of a Queen’s legal education; enhancing research excellence; and funding our mission.”

The first of three phases of the consultation process will take place over the next several weeks. “At this time, we are looking for wide-ranging input on some general directions that will inform a first draft of the Strategic Plan,” says Webber. “We hope to meet with as many of you as possible.”

Given the challenges of meetings amid the pandemic, the committee is exploring various remote options to consult with stakeholder groups. These options will be announced shortly. Community members may also participate in the first phase by completing an online survey by October 13.  

After preparing and sharing a first draft of the strategic plan, the committee will host a second round of consultations in phase two with a view to bringing a revised draft to Faculty Board for approval in the winter 2021 term.  

Throughout the consultation process, the Strategic Planning Committee welcomes feedback, comments, and any resources deemed helpful. Committee members may be reached by email at any time.

Complementing the strategic planning process will be the work of other committees that are also representative of the Queen’s Law community. Dean Walters established these other committees to conduct targeted analyses of issues relating to the Faculty’s building name, to anti-racism, and to truth and reconciliation. Consultation processes for the latter two will be announced shortly. 

To read the Strategic Planning Discussion Paper and to learn more about the process and committee membership, please visit our Strategic Framework 2021-2025 website.