AUCC

1. AUCC Update on AUCC’s Advocacy and Quality Assurance efforts Presentation to NATVAC Claire Morris, AUCC President October 11, 2007

2. Presentation Outline AUCC advocacy update Objectives for future investments in PSE Trends in Higher Education AUCC's role in quality assurance in Canada Questions?

3. AUCC Advocacy Efforts and Special Projects 2006/07 Federal roles and responsibilities brief Science and technology brief Pre-budget submission Lobbying act changes Strategic Counsel polling on higher education and research Study on foreign credential recognition Trends vol. 1, enrolment

4. AUCC’s work on the S&T Strategy • Brief submitted in February • Taking research to another level • Developing research talent • Getting the right structures and measures in place • 2007 budget acknowledged several elements of the brief • S&T strategy released in May • Achieving knowledge, people and entrepreneurial advantages • Four key principals: promoting excellence, encouraging partnerships, focusing on priorities and enhancing accountability • Follow up implementation

5. AUCC’s Advocacy Approach Focus on providing good information and advice Involve AUCC members in committees to help advise us Work with government of the day Strong relationships with civil service Respect the minority parliament context All party approach in parliament Contact with policy people for each party’s electoral platform Upcoming events of interest will include the Throne Speech, the review of student financial aid and the fall pre-budget hearings

6. 2007 AUCC Pre-budget Submission Committee’s theme this year is the Canadian tax system Countries are competing with each other for top talent Further, the percentage of the population that is working and aged 25 to 65 will begin shrinking It is essential that Canada create the conditions necessary for economic growth through productivity gains Advantage Canada recognized developing a knowledge advantage is essential to meeting these challenges Investments in higher education and university research will drive long term growth

7. 2007 AUCC Pre-budget Submission continued • Five key priorities: • Invest in the four pillars of university research, with particular attention paid to indirect costs • Increase the number of graduate students and young researchers • Attract more international students • Increase university participation through enhanced outreach and increased capacity • Secure long term funding for needs-based, non-repayable student financial assistance

8. Current federal policy on transfers As of 2007/08 the Canada Social Transferis now on a per capita basis Starting in 2008/2009 an additional $800 million per year in the CST for PSE 3 percent annual escalator for CST until 2014 HRSDC Minister to work with the provinces to identify priority areas for investment No enforcement mechanisms Government commits to working with partners to strengthen accountability by reporting on results

9. Objectives for future investments in PSE • AUCC has established 5 broad objectives for PSE investments: • An internationally competitive research effort • More capacity for more students • Providing a quality education • Ensuring access for qualified individuals • Encouraging internationalization and mobility • Both levels of government have previously stated support for these types of objectives

10. Time to work together The time is right for governments and institutions to work together $800 million will be entering the system next year Additional public investments will be required to meet the challenges facing the PSE system AUCC is prepared to play a role in Canada-wide reporting towards mutually agreed upon objectives

11. Trends in Higher Education Trends is a flagship AUCC publication It provides key data for policy making and analysis across the country This year’s edition of Trends was divided into several volumes Trends vol. 1 is on enrolment Major finding is that overall enrolment will significantly increase, though this will vary from region to region Increased labour market demand is key reason for increased enrolment demand Trends vol. 2 is on faculty and will be released in the late fall

12. AUCC’s role in Quality Assurance • Two key ways AUCC plays a role in promoting and enhancing a quality culture in higher education at home • Criteria and process for Institutional Membership • AUCC's “Quality assurance at Canadian universities” website

13. Institutional Accreditation Canada has no national system of institutional accreditation AUCC is not an accrediting body However, membership in AUCC, particularly when combined with appropriate provincial charter, is widely accepted in lieu of accreditation, both in Canada and abroad

14. Membership Criteria • AUCC criteria for membership represents the organization’s collective definition of the fundamental characteristics of a university • Key criteria for Institutional Membership: • Legislative authority; Governance and administrative structures; Mission statement and appropriate academic goals; Scope of academic programs; Commitment to scholarship and research; Academic freedom and intellectual integrity; Size of student body; etc. • As of 2005, AUCC members have been invited to reaffirm their adherence to the membership criteria every five years

15. Membership application process • Applicant institution submits extensive documentation to AUCC • Staff recommendation to AUCC Board on establishment of visiting committee • Visiting committee reviews documentation and holds range of meetings at institution • Recommendation and report of visiting committee to AUCC Board • Membership votes on AUCC Board’s recommendation

16. Impact of AUCC’s approach to membership • Creates strong “stamp of approval” in terms of institutional quality • Growing demand for membership • Ongoing reflection of AUCC Board and Standing Advisory Committee on the Act and By-laws on appropriate application of membership criteria • As Canadian higher education scene becomes more diverse, AUCC must clearly articulate the meaning of membership and its role as a membership organization

17. AUCC’s QA website • Given the need to share information in a proactive way on Canadian QA approach, AUCC formed a working group to: • Articulate principles of institutional QA in Canadian higher education • Devise an institutional survey of all members’ QA policy and practice • AUCC’s quality assurance website www.aucc.ca/qa is a clearing house of information for national and international audiences

18. QA principles • “Principles of institutional quality assurance in Canadian higher education” endorsed by the executive head of each member of AUCC • Central elements: • Quality assurance and improvement • Scope and frequency of reviews • Self-evaluation and peer review • Information to the public

19. Members’ QA approaches • Each AUCC members has its own page which provides information on its institutional QA policy and practice: • Scope • Aspects under review • Actors involved in implementation • Frequency of reviews • Role of professional bodies in accrediting professional programs • Overarching provincial/regional policy framework

20. Impact of AUCC’s QA website • Effective profiling of QA regime in Canadian universities for national and international audiences • Principles and survey have resulted in enhanced quality culture • AUCC more active in monitoring national and international QA developments

21. Concluding thoughts on QA AUCC can make a difference by promoting quality culture within its membership Initiatives that increase transparency of information on QA approaches can stimulate improved quality culture

22. Thank You Questions? www.aucc.ca