Office of General Counsel and University Secretariat
The Office of General Counsel and University Secretariat manages and supports the bicameral governance system in accordance with legal requirements and obligations, the Post-secondary Learning Act, the bylaws of the Board of Governors and General Faculties Council, and accepted governance best practices.
While maintaining a neutral role within the governance system, the governance members of the Office of General Counsel and University Secretariat actively support effective oversight, decision making and accountability. This is accomplished through providing support and guidance to the governing bodies, their committees and to the Executive Team on all governance, policy, and operational issues that might affect the institution.
The Office of General Counsel and University Secretariat serves as the repository for information on all matters relating to these governing bodies, and their respective committees. In addition, the Office of General Counsel and University Secretariat provides leadership and expertise in the areas of governance; privacy, information and records management; legal services; legislative compliance; safe disclosure; and risk management.
About the General Counsel and University Secretary
Amy Nixon is Mount Royal University’s first General Counsel and University Secretary. Reporting to the President, with a dotted-line responsibility to the Chair of the Board of Governors, she is a member of the Executive Team responsible for governance, legal, risk, privacy, safe disclosure and information management functions.
She is responsible for ensuring there is effective liaison among the decision-making bodies and the Executive Team. She ensures the university community receives timely, accurate, and objective information, advice, interpretation and application of policy. She also serves on numerous University committees.
Amy started working at Mount Royal University in 2011 as Legal Counsel and then Senior Legal Counsel. Following, she served as Chief of Staff to the President, University Solicitor, and General Counsel previous to her current role. Amy has been in the role of General Counsel and University Secretary since 2021.
Amy is a strong legal professional with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from The University of Calgary, is an active member of the Law Society of Alberta and holds a Governance Professionals of Canada Designation (GPC.D).
Governance
The Office of General Counsel and University Secretariat is responsible for the effective operation of the University’s bicameral system of governance. We manage the governance of the University by providing advisory and administrative support to the Board of Governors, General Faculties Council, and their standing and ad hoc committees. We are committed to good governance principles and practices.
Information, Records Management and Privacy
The Information Management and Privacy (FOIP) Office is responsible for the implementation and administration of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) at Mount Royal University. We provide awareness training and resources to the University community to support compliance with FOIP and ensure the protection of personal privacy for our community members. Our office also coordinates, and responds to, access to information requests for University records as well as addressing privacy concerns and complaints. In addition, we provide advice and support on issues related to the collection, use and disclosure of personal information. We help units to manage information and records effectively, which includes the coordination of the disposal of University records. We develop institutional policies on records management and data governance. Information and Records Management also provides training and advice on records classification, retention, organization and indexing.
Insurance
The Office of Risk Management is responsible for obtaining and managing the corporate insurance program for the University. This includes notifying our insurers of any potential claims.
Legal Services
The Office of General Counsel handles all legal matters generated by activities of the University, by offering legal advice to accountable University leaders, and manages external legal counsel.
Legislative Compliance
The Office of General Counsel and University Secretariat stewards the University’s reporting of legislative compliance requirements to the Board of Governors.
Policy
The Policy Advisor is responsible for supporting the overall policy decisions of the Board of Governors and the General Faculties Council by providing the General Counsel and University Secretary support in overseeing and stewarding the University’s policy framework and providing advice on policy matters to executive and senior leadership and other internal stakeholders.
Risk Management
The Risk Management team stewards a risk management framework which provides a consistent approach to ensuring that risk is considered when decisions are being made at all levels of the organization. Risk Management is integrated into all key activities.
Safe Disclosure
The Office of Safe Disclosure provides a range of services related to equity, human rights, discrimination and other safe disclosure concerns. Students, staff, faculty and all other members of the Mount Royal community are all welcome to access these services.
General Counsel and University Secretary, Amy Nixon, leads the Office of General Council and University Secretariat. She is a member of MRU’s Executive Team and is a resource to both the Board and General Faculties Council.
Executive Assistant, Améline Guillot, provides administrative support to the personnel in the Office of General Counsel and University Secretariat and the Board of Governors.
Assistant University Secretary, Board, Kathy Homer, is a governance professional who assumes responsibility for University governance and lead responsibility for the Board. She serves as a resource and provides support to the Board and its committees and the University Honours Committee.
Assistant University Secretary, GFC, Sheena Jensen, is a governance professional who serves as the primary resource to the General Faculties Council and its committees.
Associate General Counsel, Benjamin Hall, strives to be a trusted advisor to the University's senior leadership. He leads the University's Risk and Privacy functions and provides legal advice in numerous areas of the University's operations.
Information Management Coordinator, Mary Cheung, provides Records and Information Management Services to the Executive Offices.
Information Management and Privacy Advisor, Jeremy Duffin, advises business units on Information Management best practices and governance. He is also responsible for processing access to information requests from both internal/external requestors in accordance to the legal requirements under the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act.
Lead Risk Analyst, Kim Cousineau, is responsible for supporting the design and implementation of the Enterprise Risk Management program and Emergency Management structures and processes, as well as collaborating on risk and emergency response-related initiatives across campus.
Manager, Risk and Insurance, Curtis Desiatnyk, is responsible for implementing the University Risk Management framework and building a risk awareness culture across the organization. His role includes the oversight and design of Enterprise Risk Management, Emergency Management, as well as implementation of all insurance programs, working closely with insurers, adjusters and legal counsel.
Paralegal / Contract Administrator, Colleen Taylor, creates, reviews and revises agreements and templates. She also assists the Office of General Counsel in non-contract matters, including providing immigration letters of support, assembling Legislative Compliance reporting and drafting response to access to information requests.
Policy Advisor, Alison Whiting, oversees and stewards the University’s policy framework and provides advice on policy matters to executive and senior leadership and other internal stakeholders.
Safe Disclosure Advisor, Feden Abeda, is the primary engagement point and referral to services for a range of equity, human rights, discrimination and other safe disclosure concerns brought forward by students, faculty, staff, and other members of the university community, within the limits of confidentiality.
Senior Counsel, Kait Carey, provides legal advice with respect to any and all legal risks facing the institution. She is the Designated Officer under Mount Royal's Protected Disclosure (Whistleblower) Policy.
Contact Us
For all inquiries, please email the Office of General Counsel and University Secretariat at secretariat@mtroyal.ca