WATERLOO — Over the past decade, Wilfrid Laurier University has experienced unprecedented growth, expanding its facilities at its main campus in Waterloo, while opening others in Brantford, Kitchener and Toronto.

And another location could be in its future, as Laurier continues to explore the possibility of constructing another satellite site in Milton.

Growth typically ushers in new challenges, and issues that have arisen between the various campuses have been dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

It’s time, says university president Max Blouw, to establish a “Laurier federation”, an overarching governance model which will serve the university now and in the coming years.

“We need, at this point in our growth, to address this in a way that really envisions our future,” he said. “We need a way to integrate the decision-making as one institution.”

Blouw has established a task force on multi-campus issues which will present recommendations to the university community, including the board of governors and the senate. Its work is expected to continue into the fall.

A number of potential issues have already been identified by David Docherty in his role as senior adviser on multi-campus initiatives.

For instance, universities must have a single board of governors, but the provincial universities’ act doesn’t say there can’t be more than one senate, Blouw said.

The task force could determine that “different senates might be appropriate for different campuses,” he said.

While Waterloo remains the main campus, Brantford has been growing rapidly, Blouw said. “We need to ensure the Brantford campus has appropriate representation on key bodies” such as the board and senate.

Other issues could revolve around how student services and academic programs are delivered at the different facilities.

Blouw said he’s pleased Laurier has these challenges to deal with, as it speaks to the university’s growing diversity and reach.

“That vibrancy is absolutely to be celebrated,” he said.

bdavis@therecord.com