Fonds

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Affairs of Algoma University College (1976-1977) was appointed by Order in Council (O.C. 616/76) dated March 10, 1976. The Commission's work continued for a period of 20 months during which five weeks of the public hearings were held and four reports were submitted. The Preliminary Report, dated June 30 1976, contained findings relating to public hearings and recommended changes in the structure and personnel of the college. The Seond Report, dated July 30, 1976, set out a series of refelctions upon the administration of the college under the trusteeship recommended in the Preliminary Report. The Third Report, dated June 3, 1977, recommended an extension of the trusteeship; the Final Report was delivered on November 15, 1977. The Commission was headed by John Whiteside, Q.C., O. Ont. He is distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor as well as a founding member of that university's Board of Governors. His numerous public appointments included serving on the Board of Governors of Essex College, Assumption University and numerous other civic boards and positions within the Anglican Church of Canada. Under Whiteside, the Commission was charged with investigating, studying and reporting on: (1) All aspects of the management of Algoma University College bearing upon its effective operation including: (a) the relationship between the Board of Governors of Algoma University College and any and all entities, organizations or elements thereof, (b) the relationship between the Board of Governors of Algoma University College and the Board of Directors of Algoma College Association, (c) the affiliation between and other arrangements existing between Algoma University College and Laurentian University, (d) the means employed in the incorporation of the aforesaid College and Association and the adequacy and propriety thereof. (2) To make recommendations regarding any actions or alterations which may be deemed appropriate for the implementation of any recommendations arising from (1). Mr. Whiteside was in general practice from 1955-75. He was appointed to the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor where he lectured from 1975 to 1990.

The origins of the current Board of Governors may be traced back to the unincorporated Algoma Junior College Association formed in 1960 by concerned citizens interested addressing the lack of post-secondary educational facilities in Sault Ste. Marie. In 1964, on the advice of the provincial Advisory Committee on University Affairs, the Association incorporated as the Algoma College Association and received Letters Patent on October 23, 1964. The Minister of University Affairs approved a proposed affiliation with Laurentian University on February 1, 1965. and the formal agreement with Laurentian University was executed on December 17, 1965. The management and control of Algoma University College was vested in Board of Directors of the Association/ corporation. The Board employed the administrative officers and oversaw college operations. In January 1974, the Board of Directors informally created a Board of Governors of the college and appointed persons to the Board. The management of the college as distinct from that of the corporation was delegated to the Board of Governors; membership included faculty, student, faculty association, and alumni representation. This action was repeated in January 1975 and January 1976; however, although this new Board managed and supervised the college between 1974 and 1976, the Board of Director's actions were without legal basis and contrary to the Ontario Corporations Act. From time to time the Board of Directors had also delegated its authority to its Executive Committee, which was also contrary to Statute. On the advice of Commissioner John Whiteside, QC, the Board of Directors disbanded both the Board of Governors and Executive Committee on June 4, 1976 and resumed management and supervision of the college. On the recommendations of Commissioner Whiteside, the Board of Directors disbanded under Supplementary Letters Patent issued by the provincial government and a Board of Trustees was established to assume all aspects of the management of Algoma College Association and Algoma University College in 1977 with the Chair, Dr. D. G. Howell, acting as college CEO. In 1978, a faculty Trustee, Dr. Robert G. Ewing, was appointed Dean to oversee the daily academic and business matters of the college, as Dr. Howell also lived and worked in Southern Ontario. The trusteeship remained in effect and was expanded to include student, faculty, staff and community members until 1986, when it was re-consituted as the Board of Governors of Algoma University College. As of 2007, the following pieces of legislation govern the Board of Governors: the original Letters Patent dates 23 October 1964 of the Corporation and Supplementary Letters Patent of 24 August 1976, 9 November 1978, 4 September 1986, 7 April 1988 and 2 November 1990. The following persons have been Chairs of the various boards controlling Algoma University College: Lawrence Brown (1965-1974), Dr. J. M. Cameron (1974-1975), John Thompson Stubbs (1975-1977), Dr. D. G. Howell (1977-1985), Gerald E. Nori, BA, LLB (1986-1994), Nicholas J. Hirt, P.Eng. (1994-1996), Sharon M. J. Selkirk, BA, MBA (1996-2000), and C. J. (Bud) Wildman, BA (2000- ).

The Algoma University Faculty Association (AUFA), formerly the Algoma University College Faculty Association (AUCFA) is a member of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA). AUFA's original constitution was adopted on November 20, 1967; it has been revised in 2000, 2003, and 2005. As a member organization of the OCUFA, AUFA seeks to maintain and enhance the quality of higher education in Ontario, and to advance the professional and economic interests of teachers, researchers, and librarians in Ontario universities. With the OCUFA, the AUFA works to ensure that the views of its members are communicated to government policy makers, the public, and those concerned with the quality and accessibility of post-secondary education. The current AUFA President is Professor Noni Boyle (Fine Arts); past presidents have included Dr. Richard J. Bazillion (History), Dr. Lloyd Bannerman (Philosophy), and Dr. Cheryl Reed-Elder (Psychology), Dr. Istvan Imre (Biology), and Dr. Linda Burnett (English).

The Arthur A. Wishart Library is the sole library for Algoma University College. The university's librarian position was the third position hired by the Board of Governors in 1966, following the hirings of the principal and the registrar. The library reports to the Office of the Academic Dean. During the period 1998-2006, the Office of the Academic Dean acted as the de facto Library Director. The following individuals have held the position of University Librarian, Chief Librarian, or Library Director: Jean Eckmier (1966-1969); Iain J. Bates, MA, ALA (1969-1977); .Diana C. Kertland-Aurandt, BA, BLS, MA (1977-1981); Dr. Richard J. Bazillion, MALS (1981-1991); Susan Scott, BA, MLS (1991-1992); Patricia V. Burt, BA, MLS (1993-1998); Dr. Linda Sorenson (1998-2000) [acting]; Dr. Jong S. You (2000-2003) [acting]; Dr. Arthur H. Perlini (2003-2006) [acting]; and Ken Hernden, BA, MLIS (2006-).

Gladys H. McNeice (1892-1978) was a regional historian and author from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Beginning in 1956, Ms. McNeice began investigating the history of the Ermatinger Old Stone House and the family of its builder, Charles Oakes Ermatinger Sr (1776-1833). Ermatinger was a fur trader, merchant, partner in the North West Company, farmer, militia officer and Justice of the Peace. The Ermatinger Old Stone House was built in 1814; it is the oldest stone building northwest of Toronto. In 1957, the house received national designation by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. As a result of the efforts of Gladys McNeice and the City of Sault Ste. Marie, the City purchased the house in 1965 to rescue it from further ruin. It was her initial interest in the preservation and restoration of the residence that led her to research Ermatinger and his family. McNeice's Ermatinger MSS was not complete when she passed away in June 1978. She left the completion and publication of her manuscript to Dr. Ian Brown (former Principal and History professor at Algoma University College) and Ms. Frances Heath with the cooperation of McNeice's daughter, Mrs. Mary Warner. "The Ermatinger Family of Sault Ste. Marie" by Gladys H. McNeice was published in 1984.

John Ferris (1910 –) was a civic and labour leader in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Ferris was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan but grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. Ferris began working in the Labour movement in the 1930s. In 1931 he formed a union of unemployed and marched on Sault Ste. Marie's city hall to demand additional relief money. He worked on lake freighters and became involved in the Canadian Seaman's Union. In 1940 he began work at Algoma Steel and was elected chief steward in 1941. In 1942 Ferris became involved with the Algoma Steel workers joining the United Steelworkers of America (USWA). Ferris served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1943-1945, after which he returned to Algoma Steel and was elected Vice President of USW Local 2251 in 1946. He served as Treasurer in 1956 and President from 1958-1962 and 1964-1973, when he was named Honourary President of the local. Ferris also served as Alderman for Ward 4 from 1957-1973 and then was re-elected in 1976. He seved on a variety of City Council committees and on the Transportation Commission. In 1974, Ferris was awarded the Medal of Merit by the City of Sault Ste. Marie to recognize his contributions to the community. Ferris wrote a history of trade unionism in Algoma in 1951 titled, "Algoma Industrial and Trade Union development," and he was project leader for the book "50 Years of Labour in Algoma: Essay's on Aspects of Algoma's Working Class History," in 1978. Ferris also served on boards of the Algoma Fall Festival Association, the Children's Aid Society, James's St. Mall, as well as the River Front Phase 2 Committee. He was also a member of the Canadian Authors Association. Finally, he was a member of the Board of Management of the District of Algoma Homes for the Aged, as well as the Board of Governors of Algoma University College.

The St. Mary's River Marine Society (established 1977, formally established by constitution and bylaws in 1978) is an organization dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the Great Lakes. Membership in the Society is open to anyone interesting in shipping. Objectives of the Society include publishing a journal (the "Anchor Line") containing historical and current information on the Great Lakes; assisting and promoting, managing, and maintaining the Museum Ship "Norgoma"; assisting and developing a Marine Museum; and furthering the knowledge of the Great Lakes and other waters of the world through various means advisable to the organization. The Society has four (4) officers elected from its Board of Directors, namely a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and a Secretary. The Board of Directors comprises nine (9) elected members including officers. The officers are elected from the Board, and the Board is elected by general election of the whole Society, two directors being elected each year for a three (3) year term. The initial steering committee for the Society in 1977 comprised Frank Prouse (interim Chairman), Bill Penfold, Randy Johnson (interim Secretary), Larry Peterson, John Meadows, Ron Harrison, Irwin (Buck) Longhurst (interim Treasurer), Ted Vince, Capt. Archie Hodge, Paul Belanger, and Capt. Graham Grattan. The first Board of Directors elected under the Society's constitution comprised: Paul Belanger, Jim Franz, Ron Harrison, Randy Johnson, Buck Longhurst, John Meadows, Skipper Manzzutti, Frank Prouse, and Gar Sims. The first officers were Frank Prouse, President; John Meadows, Vice-President; Randy Johnson, Secretary; and Buck Longhurst, Treasurer.

John Abbott, PhD was a history professor at Algoma University College from DDDD to DDDD. He taught at the university for over 30 years, specializing in the history of the Sault Ste. Marie region. With Dr. Graeme S. Mount of Laurentian University, Abbott published "The Border at Sault Ste. Marie" (1995) and "The History of Fort St. Joseph" (2000) , which is a sweeping look at Fort St. Joseph. The authors examine the natural forces that made this island's location strategically significant; why and how the British authorities built the fort; and the life of the inhabitants of Fort St. Joseph.

Dr. Arthur Perlini (1962- ) is the Academic Dean and an Associate Professor of Psychology at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Perlini was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Ontario. He received his Master’s degree in 1987 and Ph.D. in 1991, from Carleton University, in Ottawa Ontario. During this time, Perlini undertook advanced training in experimental psychology under the tutelage of Dr. Nicholas P. Spanos at the Laboratory for Experimental Hypnosis at Carleton University. He has authored a number of papers in experimental psychology, in the field of social psychology, including the study of deception. His research interests have focused on the generic problems of experimental methods in psychology and the objectification of subjective experience. His tenure at a small liberal arts university has compelled him to broaden his teaching and research areas considerably. His current research interests are on the effect of visual cues (e.g., age, attractiveness, symmetry, ethnicity) on perceptions of others. In addition to his commitment to research, he has both personal and research interests in teaching and learning. Representative publications include "Eyewitness Misidentification: Single vs Double-Blind Comparison of Photospread Administration", "Emotional Intelligence in the National Hockey League", "Social Influence, Desirability and Relationship Investment: The Effect of Resourcefulness and Sexual Permissiveness", "Resourcefulness and Social Desirability Trait Ascriptions of Males: An Evaluation of Age and Sex" and "Hypnotic Deafness: A Cross-Paradigm Analysis".