Dean of Queen’s Smith School of Business resigns

David Saunders, the former Dean of the Smith School of Business, has resigned, according to a letter from Queen’s University Principal and Vice Chancellor Patrick Deane.

The letter, sent out to all members of the Smith School of Business community on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, explains that Saunders handed in his resignation today. Saunders has been the Dean of the Smith School of Business since July of 2003.

“Today, I accepted the resignation of Dean David Saunders of the Smith School of Business. Dean Saunders has stepped down from his role as Dean effective immediately. He will now begin a well-deserved administrative leave, returning to his faculty position in 2023,” Deane said in the letter.

“I would like to thank Dean Saunders for his significant contributions to Queen’s over his sixteen years heading up the Faculty.  Under his leadership, the Smith School of Business has expanded its innovative programming and grown its reputation as one of the world’s pre-eminent business schools.”

According to the Smith School of Business, Saunders oversaw the expansion of both the Toronto and Kingston campuses, as well as the renaming of the School after a $50 million gift from Stephen J.R. Smith.

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank all members of the Search Committee who have been assisting me with the search process. Their time and dedication to what has been a contentious search process is greatly appreciated. At this juncture, I have decided to place the work of the Committee on hold. I am appointing Teri Shearer, our Deputy Provost (Academic Operations and Inclusion) and Smith faculty member, as Interim Dean as of today. Teri will assist the Faculty temporarily in David’s absence and until a more permanent Interim Dean is appointed. I expect to make this announcement within the next month,” the letter continued.

“Today, I will also engage the services of an external consultant to conduct a full review of the Faculty which will include an assessment of climate, strategy and resources within Smith. I believe this is necessary to ensure the future success of the Faculty, including appointment of the next permanent Dean. Feedback collected up to this point on the Faculty as part of the search process will help inform the external review. This important work will be undertaken over the coming months and more details on this process will follow in due course.”

Kingstonist will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as new information becomes available.