Peter Stoicheff becomes 11th U of S president

Dr. Peter Stoicheff has officially taken the reins at the University of Saskatchewan.

The former dean of the College of Arts and Science was installed as the 11th president of the university Saturday morning at a ceremony at TCU Place.

He takes over from former president Ilene Busch-Vishniac who was fired in May amid controversy over the controversial cost-cutting Transform US model..

Stoicheff said he won’t use the Transform US model. 

Stoicheff took over from Gordon Barnhart, who was interim president after former president Ilene Busch-Vishniac was fired last May.

When Stoicheff was first announced to take over, he said he was looking forward to featuring more of the school’s fine arts programs, such as the Greystone Theatre.
 
He said he also plans to implement mandatory exposure to aboriginal history at the U of S, either through a course or through some kind of student experience.

“We must become the best place we possibly can be for Aboriginal students and their communities in this province and beyond it,” Stoicheff said.

Starting on Nov. 18 Stoicheff will co-host  a two day national forum to examine how universities can respond to the Truth and Reconcilliation Commission’s recommendations. The forum will be held in partnership with Assembly of Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde and bring together parties from both the university and Aboriginal communities.

Sinclair told a justice commission earlier this month he believes law schools must better educate themselves on indigenous law and how justice was served before Europeans arrived in Canada.

Next month’s forum, called “Building Reconciliation: Universities Answering the TRC’s Calls to Action” will include university presidents, First Nations and Metis leaders, student leaders and aboriginal scholars.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission investigated physical and sexual abuse that occurred in residential schools in Canada over decades.

The new university president also said during his speech that the university has the expertise to make Canada a leader in addressing global challenges particularly around food and water security, infectious disease, and the environment.

With files from the Canadian Press