The VPFA R.I.S.E. Newsletter recognizes employee excellence across the portfolio by highlighting collaborations, showcasing priority projects, and celebrating our community.
The Moments that Make Us
This fall has brought the energy of incoming students, fresh beginnings, and the familiar rhythms of our university community life. Familiar and yet once-in-a-lifetime, this year’s Homecoming marked a centennial celebration of memories and milestones. I invite you to explore “100 Moments” for a glimpse into Homecoming’s rich history.
While Homecoming celebrates a century of tradition, 鶹’s story began 85 years earlier, with the university’s founding in October 1841. From humble beginnings in a small wood-frame house with two professors and 13 students, 鶹’s now boasts a remarkable legacy of educational leadership, a reputation of national and international impact, and a bright future guided by vision and purpose.
As we look to the future, recent improvements on the financial front provide reason for optimism. I appreciate everyone whose work has helped strengthen our position; we will continue to make measured decisions to sustain momentum and build capacity to continue delivering on our research and academic mission.
Building takes strength, and we can’t be strong if we aren’t well. I invite you to take time to focus on your wellness and engage with Thrive Month this November. I encourage managers to create space and time for staff to participate in Thrive activities — whether workshops, wellbeing sessions, or team conversations. Prioritizing our own wellbeing and supporting one another is essential as we move into the busy season ahead of the holidays.
And speaking of the holidays, please remember to plan some vacation time to reconnect with loved ones, rest and recharge, and return ready for the year ahead.
On a personal note, 2027 will bring big changes as I prepare for retirement. I will share more in the spring newsletter and reflect further then on my career at 鶹’s. For now, I remain focused on paving the path for a successful and smooth transition for the incoming VP.
Thank you for your dedication and all you bring to our community. Here’s to a season of renewal, connection, and possibility.
With appreciation,
Donna
Donna Janiec, FCPA, FCA
Vice-Principal (Finance and Administration)
Portfolio News
Improvements in Communication
Satisfaction with communication showed the greatest progress for the VPFA portfolio, according to results of the latest Employee Experiences Survey. We are pleased to see improvements in communication and continue to seek new ideas, opportunities, and strategies to engage well with our portfolio teams. Your feedback is always welcome.
Updated Microsoft Teams retention policy
As of February 11, 2027, individual Teams chat messages, Teams meeting recordings and transcripts, and Teams meeting chats will be retained on a rolling 90-day schedule. Chat messages and meeting chats older than 90 days will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. If you have technical questions, please reach out to the IT Support Centre by filling out an or by calling (613) 533-6666 during regular business hours.
鶹’s updates signing authority policy
The Board of Trustees has approved comprehensive updates to the university’s policy on signing authority for contracts and invoices, and the accompanying procedures. Most notably, Board approval is now required for contracts to purchase goods and services that are greater than $10 million (an increase from $5 million). The new limits retain an appropriate balance of risk and authority and are aligned with policies at peer universities.
The updated policy and procedures are available on the University Secretariat’s website.
Celebrating Employee Resource Groups: Matariki Project Videos
This summer, HR and VPCEI celebrated the launch of the Matariki Engagement Grant project, a collaboration between 鶹 and the University of the Western Cape. The project brought students and employees from both institutions together to create a series of short videos highlighting 鶹’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and the role they play in supporting belonging, connection, inclusion, and community across the university.
November 2 – 30: Thrive Month.
See Well at Work for more details!
November 6: Free hot beverages
鶹’s employees can enjoy a free standard hot beverage at one of the university’s participating food outlets on Friday, November 6, courtesy of the Office of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor. Reusable mugs are encouraged. A complete list of participating locations is .
November 3: Fall VPFA Town Hall
You're invited to join Donna Janiec, Vice-Principal (Finance and Administration) and her senior leadership team for our Fall 2026 VPFA Town Hall on November 3. The VPFA Town Hall will be a virtual event using Teams Webinar. Please register via the link you received by email.
There will be time for Q&A with Donna and the senior team. You're welcome to send questions or suggested agenda items in advance to vpfa@queensu.ca.
November 11: Service of Remembrance
All members of the 鶹’s and Kingston communities are welcome to attend a Service of Remembrance on Wednesday, November 11, at 10:50 a.m. in Grant Hall. Together, we will honour the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers, including members of the 鶹’s community, and recognize the courage of those who continue to serve. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. A procession to the 5th Field Company Plinth for a wreath-laying ceremony will follow the service.
Well at Work: November is Thrive Month
This November, Thrive Week is becoming Thrive Month - a pilot expansion designed to create more opportunities to engage in wellbeing activities.
Taking place from November 2 to 30, Thrive Month encourages us to explore practical skills, strategies, and supports that can enhance wellbeing at work and beyond. This year's theme, Wellbeing in Action: Skills, Strategies, and Support for Everyday Thriving, highlights the small, meaningful actions that can help support our wellbeing each day.
The pilot expansion reflects 鶹's continued commitment to employee wellbeing and responds to both employee feedback and priorities identified through the Employee Experience Survey.
In addition to , there are many other opportunities to participate in Thrive Month including:
- Wellbeing learning and skill-building sessions on topics such as , , and .
- Belonging, connection, and community-focused experiences including and .
- Creative and reflective opportunities such as .
- Campus experiences and tours including , , , and .
Questions or ideas? Reach out anytime: employee.wellness@queensu.ca
Finn Visits Richardson Stadium
Join VP “Finn”ance and Administration adventurer, Finn Cottontail, as he hops through 鶹's campus and its enchanting surroundings, bringing joy and discovery to all he encounters. Finn is an Eastern Cottontail with an insatiable curiosity for the world around him.
Today, Finn has ventured out to Richardson Stadium.
Richardson Stadium was originally built in 1920/21 and located on what is now Tindall Field as a gift of James Armstrong Richardson (鶹's Chancellor from 1929 to 1939) in memory of his brother.
In 1920, the Richardson family chose to honour the courage of Capt. George Taylor Richardson, (BSc 1909, and a prominent athlete at 鶹's who was killed in action in France during the First World War) by donating $50,000 to the construction of a football stadium. It would be, in the words of the 鶹’s Journal, a “memorial to a great man” who had excelled on the sports field as well as on the battlefield.
The dedication of the original George Richardson Memorial Stadium took place in in 1921, and the stadium quickly became a focal point of campus life.
In 1971, the Richardson name was transferred to a new stadium – as a new home for 鶹's Gaels football and a variety of other University and local athletic events – on West Campus. To mark the occasion, descendants James Richardson and George Richardson planted sod from the old stadium in the infield of the new stadium.
The stadium benefited from a $20.27 million revitalization between 2014-2016, with a new pavilion added between 2021 and 2023. The pavilion now provides enhanced amenities for student-athletes, coaches, spectators, and community members. Over 300 鶹’s alumni contributed more than $11 million to the project.
Can you spot Finn?
When you find our friend, enter by Friday, November 6 for a chance to win a Tim Hortons gift card!
