David Farrar reflected on his presidency at McMaster University, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, carbon-zero footprint initiatives and connecting with the McMaster community
On Jan. 16, 2024, it was annouced through DailyNews that David Farrar will be stepping down from his position as McMaster University’s president in 2025. The Silhouette spoke with Farrar to gain insight on his decision and his long career at McMaster.
Before coming to McMaster, Farrar was previously was provost at the University of British Columbia. Farrar initially returned to eastern Canada in 2017 because he planned to retire.
“[I] moved back to this part of the world because I was going to retire. [I] had acquired some land in the area and my partner and I were looking to build a house. McMaster had issues finding a provost and were looking for a provost and asked me if I would take that role on,” said Farrar.
Farrar shared that as president he couldn’t easily choose his favourite aspect of the role. He noted a highlight of his role is developing an academically stimulating environment that encourages faculty to excel and engaging with the McMaster community.
Farrar also shared that he enjoyed engaging with McMaster history and developing relationships with integral members of McMaster community. In 1969 the medical school at McMaster introduced the problem-based learning model. This method of learning provided students with a set of information and encouraged them to work through the information with their classmates.
“I would say the first and maybe the most interesting part of the job for the first couple of years was getting to know McMaster. I'm getting to know its long history. McMaster is an amazing university. It is a research powerhouse but it's also fundamentally changed the way students learn,” said Farrar.
I would say the first and maybe the most interesting part of the job for the first couple of years was getting to know McMaster. I'm getting to know its long history. McMaster is an amazing university. It is a research powerhouse but it's also fundamentally changed the way students learn.
David Farrar, president, McMaster University
However, along with the many of the rewarding moments at McMaster, there have also been challenges. Farrar noted that navigating funding in particular has been difficult. Farrar shared that McMaster is currently in a good financial position, but still is impacted all the same by the gross underfunding for Ontario post-secondary institutions.
Farrar has spent his time at McMaster to optimize the current budgets to provide the community with maximum resources.
“Dealing with the financial pressures and wanting to support both the student learning environment and the research environment, in a constrained budget model, was challenging. That was a lot of the time I spent in the first year to two years, was getting to know the budget model and looking for ways that the university can get the most out of the resources that it has,” said Farrar.
As he wraps up his time as president, Farrar shared that he has always imagined that when he steps down the university is set to continue to grow and improve. Farrar noted the resiliency of McMaster faculty throughout the unforeseen pandemic and highlighted the significant research contributions by the Health Sciences faculty. Farrar is certain that the excellence in research and education will continue to flourish through all of the faculties at McMaster.
“In many ways, all any of us want to do who take these jobs on is leave the place better than we found it. . .You're trying to move the university forward. We have really refocused on some big areas, both from the perspective of the research that we're doing [and] also the learning environment,” said Farrar.
In many ways, all any of us want to do who take these jobs on is leave the place better than we found it. . .You're trying to move the university forward. We have really refocused on some big areas, both from the perspective of the research that we're doing [and] also the learning environment.
David Farrar, president, McMaster University
Farrar shared that he hopes the university meets its goal of becoming carbon-zero, through the initiative Net Zero Carbon Roadmap. It is something he has prioritized in his presidency because he believes achieving this goal will send the message that it is feasible for others.
Farrar shared that, as per the tradition of president appointment, there is a council that will begin to seek out the next president. This council is composed of people that are selected by the Board of Governors and Senate. The selected individuals will begin to meet in June 2024.
“The colleagues that I've talked to all seem to say something between six and eight years was the sweet spot in these jobs. Then it's time to turn it over to somebody else who brings in a new set of passions and wants to move the university forward as well. So I think it is a natural time in the role to step down,” said Farrar.
As he reflects on his career and prepares for his retirement in June 2025, Farrar expressed that he loves McMaster and his role within the university has been immensely rewarding.
Students are advocating for change, now McMaster needs to listen to them
C/O Lewis Parsons on Unsplash
By: Alexandria Peacock, Contributor
This past Friday over 175 students participated in the McMaster Climate Strike. The goal of the strike, aside from raising awareness about climate change, was to push for divestment here at McMaster University. McMaster currently invests about $22 million into fossil fuel companies, which are the leading greenhouse gas emitters.
On March 4, McMaster President David Farrar released a statement asking the Board of Governors to create a concrete plan for divestment within a specified timeline. This demand for a clear timeline and action plan for divestment was the primary goal of the McMaster Climate Strike. The strike was endorsed by several faculty societies and the McMaster Students Union which represents over 20,000 undergraduate students.
The demand for change is clear. We are well aware that climate change is the biggest threat of the 21st century and that action needs to be taken now and not in some vague future. If this strike has shown us anything, it is that the students are prepared to fight for change. So why has it taken this long for the university to commit?
If this strike has shown us anything, it is that the students are prepared to fight for change. So why has it taken this long for the university to commit?
According to a representative from Mac Climate Advocates, one of the many clubs here at McMaster which seeks to raise awareness about climate change, the Board of Governors has yet to respond to the strike. It may have only been a week since the strike, but the issue of divestment is not new. In fact, discussions concerning McMaster’s investments in the fossil fuel industry have been ongoing for the past five years.
Although the Board has recognized the need for divestment, they have yet to commit to any concrete plans on how this is to be achieved. It’s disheartening to see that our school, which is supposed to empower students to speak up and foster an environment in which we feel that our voices are heard, has chosen to ignore our demand for change.
McMaster claims to be committed to creating a “brighter world” and it is evident that the students of this school are more than capable of carrying out this legacy. But while we have the power to demand change, it is those who run this institution that are in the position to actually do something about it.
McMaster claims to be committed to creating a “brighter world” and it is evident that the students of this school are more than capable of carrying out this legacy. But while we have the power to demand change, it is those who run this institution that are in the position to actually do something about it.
I am proud to be part of a community of impassioned students capable of inspiring so many others. Last week’s strike is only one of many strides made by students here at Mac to combat climate change.
The fight for divestment did not begin nor does it end with this strike. According to a representative from Mac Climate Advocates, the McMaster Climate Strike team will continue to raise awareness about this issue and put pressure on the administration until they commit to a legitimate and achievable plan for divestment.
As cliché as it may sound, we are the future and I am glad to know that our future will be led by dedicated and passionate students that continue to fight for a better world. I can only hope that the Board would agree with me.
