Principal Daniel Woolf returned to Kingston city council on Tuesday, Jan. 22 to deliver an update on a number of initiatives underway at the university.

The address also provided an opportunity for Principal Woolf to speak about the challenges and successes of the town-gown relationship during his two terms, as well as to highlight to city council the opportunities that lay ahead.

“I have greatly appreciated the collaboration and collegiality we managed to build,” Principal Woolf said. “I, and indeed the entire senior administration at Queen’s, highly value our partnership with the city, and want to remain steadfast partners over the next four years and beyond.”

Highlights of Principal Woolf’s remarks included an acknowledgement of the many partnerships formed between the university and the City of Kingston in recent years – including the Kingston Immigration Partnership, and the Memorandum of Understanding on innovation and talent retention.

“During my tenure, I have been pleased to see the evolution of the Queen’s and Kingston relationship,” Principal Woolf commented. “One that encompasses a broader vision of our shared responsibility for the economic prosperity of our city and region.”

Principal Woolf also noted that the relationship has not been without its challenges, and pointed to the University District Safety Initiative as an example of joint efforts to tell students and the community that unlawful behaviour carries consequences.

“I would also like to offer my thanks to the past councils and senior staff with whom I have worked with during my 10-year principalship,” Principal Woolf said. “I have greatly appreciated the collaboration and collegiality we managed to build.”

The current city council term began on Dec. 1, 2018, and features four first-term councilors – Simon Chapelle, Wayne Hill, Bridget Doherty, and Robert Kiley – in addition to eight returning councilors and second-term mayor, Bryan Paterson.

Principal Woolf’s term concludes on June 30, 2019. Patrick Deane has been appointed as the 21^st principal and vice-chancellor of Queen’s.