Richard J. Van Loon
Encyclopedia
Richard Van Loon is a former Canadian civil servant and ex-president of Carleton University
in Ottawa
, Ontario
.
Van Loon was the first president of Carleton who was also a Carleton alumnus. He got his bachelor of science
in chemistry there in 1961, as well as an MA
in 1965. He completed a PhD in political studies at Queen's University
in 1968, and for several years he taught that subject at Queen's, Carleton and the University of Ottawa
.
His career in the federal civil service has included stints in the Department of Energy and the Treasury Board
. He has been an associate deputy minister of the federal departments of Health
and Indian Affairs. source
When he was appointed president of Carleton in August 1996, Van Loon inherited a school $12.9-million in debt whose enrolment and retention rates were beginning to decline. The "open-door" admissions policy of one of his predecessors, William Edwin Beckel
, had earned Carleton a reputation as "Last Chance U," but his immediate predecessor, Robin Hugh Farquhar
, had managed by the end of his term to get Board and Senate approval for an increase in admission standards. Consequently, during Van Loon's first two years in office, although Carleton's accumulated deficit ballooned to almost $30 million, its entrance averages rose and he organized a massive faculty restructuring to focus on two core academic strengths: public affairs and high-technology programs. Van Loon's cutbacks also phased out several humanities and foreign-language departments, which aroused large but short-lived protests by the faculty, and by the end of his presidency the University's debt was just under $20 million.
At the recommendation of Carleton's athletic department, Van Loon made the controversial decision to shut down the university's football program in March 1999.
In 2001, Van Loon was appointed for a second term by Carleton's board of governors. During this term, he helped administer a $280-million construction boom to prepare for the arrival of Ontario's double cohort of high-school graduates. By the time his second term ended in July 2005, Carleton's $30-million debt had been almost cut in half. source
Van Loon's successor was David W. Atkinson
, formerly president of Brock University
.
Van Loon is co-author of Academic Reform: Policy Options for Improving the Quality and Cost-Effectiveness of Undergraduate Education in Ontario
(with Ian D. Clark
and David Trick
, 2011).
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
.
Van Loon was the first president of Carleton who was also a Carleton alumnus. He got his bachelor of science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in chemistry there in 1961, as well as an MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in 1965. He completed a PhD in political studies at Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
in 1968, and for several years he taught that subject at Queen's, Carleton and the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
.
His career in the federal civil service has included stints in the Department of Energy and the Treasury Board
Treasury Board
The Treasury Board is the Government of Canada's only statutory Cabinet committee and is responsible for the federal civil service much of the operation of the Canadian government. Among its specific duties are negotiating labour agreements with the public service unions and serving as Comptroller...
. He has been an associate deputy minister of the federal departments of Health
Health Canada
Health Canada is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for national public health.The current Minister of Health is Leona Aglukkaq, a Conservative Member of Parliament appointed to the position by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.-Branches, regions and agencies:Health Canada...
and Indian Affairs. source
When he was appointed president of Carleton in August 1996, Van Loon inherited a school $12.9-million in debt whose enrolment and retention rates were beginning to decline. The "open-door" admissions policy of one of his predecessors, William Edwin Beckel
William Edwin Beckel
William Edwin Beckel is a Canadian academic and former president of Carleton University in Ottawa and the University of Lethbridge in Alberta. He was an early proponent of the use of television as a university teaching medium....
, had earned Carleton a reputation as "Last Chance U," but his immediate predecessor, Robin Hugh Farquhar
Robin Hugh Farquhar
Robin Hugh Farquhar is a Canadian academic and former university administrator. He was President of The University of Winnipeg from 1981 to 1989 and President of Carleton University from 1989 to 1996....
, had managed by the end of his term to get Board and Senate approval for an increase in admission standards. Consequently, during Van Loon's first two years in office, although Carleton's accumulated deficit ballooned to almost $30 million, its entrance averages rose and he organized a massive faculty restructuring to focus on two core academic strengths: public affairs and high-technology programs. Van Loon's cutbacks also phased out several humanities and foreign-language departments, which aroused large but short-lived protests by the faculty, and by the end of his presidency the University's debt was just under $20 million.
At the recommendation of Carleton's athletic department, Van Loon made the controversial decision to shut down the university's football program in March 1999.
In 2001, Van Loon was appointed for a second term by Carleton's board of governors. During this term, he helped administer a $280-million construction boom to prepare for the arrival of Ontario's double cohort of high-school graduates. By the time his second term ended in July 2005, Carleton's $30-million debt had been almost cut in half. source
Van Loon's successor was David W. Atkinson
David W. Atkinson
David William Atkinson is a Canadian academic and President of Grant MacEwan University. He is the former president of Kwantlen Polytechnic University and two Ontario universities, Brock University in St. Catharines and Carleton University in Ottawa....
, formerly president of Brock University
Brock University
Brock University is a comprehensive university located in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Brock offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs that include co-op and other experiential learning opportunities to an enrolment of over 17,000 full-time students.The enabling legislation is...
.
Van Loon is co-author of Academic Reform: Policy Options for Improving the Quality and Cost-Effectiveness of Undergraduate Education in Ontario
Academic Reform
Academic Reform: Policy Options for Improving the Quality and Cost-Effectiveness of Undergraduate Education in Ontario is an upcoming book co-authored by Ian D. Clark, David Trick and Richard J...
(with Ian D. Clark
Ian D. Clark
Ian D. Clark, CM is a Professor of Public Policy at the University of Toronto, a former Canadian civil servant and former president of the Council of Ontario Universities....
and David Trick
David Trick
David Trick is a former Ontario civil servant and university administrator.Trick’s career in the Ontario Public Service included Assistant Deputy Minister-level positions in Postsecondary Education and Finance. He also worked in the fields of intergovernmental affairs, economic development, labour...
, 2011).
Further reading
- "Richard Van Loon: A president on the move," The Charlatan, March 24, 2005.
- "A fond farewell," Carleton University Magazine, Spring 2005, last accessed July 22, 2006.