Claude Lajeunesse (born 1941) is a Canadian engineer and corporate executive. Since 30 November 2007, he has been the president and chief executive officer of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada.[1] He is the former president and vice-chancellor of Concordia University in Quebec.

Claude Lajeunesse
Claude with grandson Lucas.
7th President and Vice-Chancellor of Ryerson Polytechnic University
In office
1995–2005[a]
Preceded byTerry Grier
Succeeded bySheldon Levy (as President of Ryerson University)
President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University
In office
August 1, 2005 – October 31, 2007
Preceded byFrederick Lowy
Succeeded byMichael Di Grappa (interim)
Personal details
Born1941
Quebec City, Quebec
SpouseNicole Lajeunesse
ChildrenMarc, France, Pascale, Francois, Christine and Nathalie
Alma materÉcole polytechnique de Montréal, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Career

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Claude Lajeunesse was born in Quebec City, received a Master of Science degree in 1967 in Nuclear Engineering and a PhD in 1969. He is a member of the boards of TD Meloche Monnex, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, the Montreal Board of Trade, and the Canadian Liver Foundation, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec.

From 1995 until August 2005, Lajeunesse was president and vice chancellor of Ryerson University. Prior to this, he was CEO of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. He was appointed to serve a five-year term as the president and vice-chancellor of Concordia University in Montreal beginning 1 August 2005, but left this post on 31 October 2007 due to conflicts with the Concordia board of governors.[2]

Criticism and public perception

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Lajeunesse has been criticized for "corporatization"[3] of the universities he has headed by emphasizing part-time labor, raising tuition fees,[4] and union busting.[5]

At both Ryerson and Concordia, Lajeunesse's first acts included giving himself a 50% pay raise, and increases of 20-50% for his immediate entourage.[6] Lajeunesse defended these changes as bringing parity with other universities in Canada. However, unions were critical, as their membership had gone without wage increases for five years, and the university's offer of a 2.5% increase did not address parity or even the cost of living increase.[3]

References

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  • President Claude Lajeunesse installation speech, Oct. 21, archived from the original on 2007-10-29
  • Statement from President Claude Lajeunesse on his resignation from Concordia..., archived from the original on 2007-09-25
  • Concordia News : Claude Lajeunesse appointed President of Concordia University (2005)
  • Concordia News : Claude Lajeunesse steps down as President of Concordia University (2007)
  • The Eye Opener (Ryerson University): Bye, Claude. You won't be missed (2007)
  • The Eye Opener (Ryerson University): Ex-Rye head resigns from Concordia (2007)
  • The Link (Concordia University): Concordia university president resigns (2007)
  • The Link (Concordia University): Faculties demand answers about Concordia president’s resignation (2007)
  • Macleans's : Leaving Concordia (2007)

Notes

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  1. ^ Ryerson Polytechnic University became Ryerson University in 2002, during Lajeunesse's term as President

Citations

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  1. ^ Aerospace Association appoints new CEO Archived June 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ News@Concordia: Claude Lajeunesse steps down as President of Concordia University Archived September 25, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b Curran, Peggy (April 16, 2007), "Concordia Incorporated", The Montreal Gazette, archived from the original on October 26, 2012
  4. ^ Valiante, Giuseppe, Lajeunesse says students agree to increased tuition, archived from the original on February 23, 2007
  5. ^ Curran, Peggy (February 15, 2007), "Union protests against $35,000 stipend", The Montreal Gazette
  6. ^ Don, McHoull (August 14, 2006), Raking it in, archived from the original on 2007-09-27
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Academic offices
Preceded by President and Vice-Chancellor of Ryerson University
1995–2005
Succeeded by
Preceded by President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University
2005–2007
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Peter Boag
President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada
Nov. 30, 2007
Succeeded by