Council, three of whom must come from a Yukon First Nations community; and three that reside outside of Whitehorse. Board members are appointed to three-year terms, which may be renewed. The university's board of governors originated as Yukon College's board of governor, and its membership was expanded to include 17 members after the institution became a university. Prior to its reorganization into a university, the institution's academic policies were maintained by the college's Academic Council. However, in 2020, the university senate was created to assume the role of the Academic Council; maintaining academic policies including standards for admission and qualifications for degrees, diplomas, and certificates issued by the university. Members of the university senate includes members from the school's faculty, student body, and administration. The Yukon University Act stipulates that 60 percent of the senate's membership must be made up of faculty members. The university attempts to maintain a senate composition where 30 percent of its membership originates from various indigenous communities across the territory, and Canada; although this is not required under the Yukon University Act. The university is headed by the president and vice-chancellor, who acts as the university's chief executive officer; although the chancellor serves as the ceremonial head of the institution. Karen Barnes served as president and vice-chancellor of Yukon College from July 1, 2011, and as the institution's founding president after it was reorganized into a university. She stepped down from the position on June 30, 2020. In January 2021, she was named president emerita by the Board of Governors. The designation recognizes the outstanding contributions of retired presidents to the university and to the community, including demonstrated excellence, distinguished service, and effective leadership beyond normal expectations. Barnes is the first president emerita of Yukon University. Several retired faculty and deans hold the honorific title professor emerita/emeritus. Mike DeGagné, formerly president and vice-chancellor of Nipissing University in Ontario, began his term as president and vice-chancellor on July 1, 2021, but later resigned 3 months into the job to become the head of Indspire Charity, and was replaced on an interim basis by vice president finance and administration Maggie Matear. On October 6, 2020, Jamena James Allen was announced the new chancellor of the university.. Allen was installed as chancellor in a small, physically distanced ceremony on November 17, 2020. Following in the footsteps of Pierre Berton, T’aaḵú Tláa Pearl Keenan, Ken MacKinnon, Anyalahash Sam Johnston,