Developing an Academic Governance Model for a Baccalaureate College

1. Developing an Academic Governance Model for a Baccalaureate College The MacEwan Process by Jerry Zdril, School of Business Dr. Chery Ann Hoffmeyer, Faculty of Health & Community Studies

2. Grant MacEwan College Four Campus Model Alberta College Campus City Centre Campus Centre for the Arts and Communications South Campus Robbins Health Learning Centre Student Residence

3. Grant MacEwan CollegeAs a Comprehensive College Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • 1971 – MacEwan founded as a public college • 1986 – University Transfer began • 2004 – Mandate to offer undergraduate degrees Student Population Full Time: 11,000 FTEs Total 42,000 annually Programs: 70 Diplomas 4 Applied Degrees 4 Baccalaureate Degrees Corporate Training

4. CurrentBaccalaureate Degrees Bachelor of Arts (8 majors) (BA) Anthropology Economics English History Philosophy Political Science Psychology Sociology Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Bachelor of Child & Youth Care (BCYC) Bachelor of Commerce (3 Majors) (BComm) Management International Supply Chain Approved for delivery Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music

5. The MacEwan ArchitectureComprehensive Academic Programming Diploma Degree Post Degree DiplomaChild & Youth Care Child & Youth CareBusiness Diploma Degree Public Relations Human Resources Mgmt.

6. A Sample of Changes2006 - 2007 • Accreditation and Peer Review Formal ‘on site’ university reviewers: 24 universities Peer review of proposals: 42 universities • New Full-Time Faculty Canada US Europe/Australia/Other Fall 2006 23 4 11 Fall 2007 166 3 39 10 14 • Two-Year Review of Academic Governance • New Master Space Plan

7. The Legislative Framework An amendment to the Provincial Post-Secondary Learning Act: (Section 47) provided colleges and technical institutions in Alberta with the option to establish an alternative form of Academic Council

8. Why consider a differentGovernance Council? MacEwan needs a structure of governance appropriate to a baccalaureate-granting institution In a baccalaureate-granting institution, academic decisions must be made by academics A change in the structure of governance may be necessary for future membership of the college in groups such as Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)

9. The Opportunity • Creates an academic governance structure more reflective of and appropriate to MacEwan and a degree-granting institution • Knowledge-intensive environment: places decisions closer to those closest to the knowledge • Places responsibilityfor academic integrity and accountabilitywithin the Academic Council • Creates recognizable path for accreditation • Identifies one body in the college to consider academic priorities, decisions and outcomes • Defines alignment for college academic committees

10. What is consistent? Academic Council has a significant mandate firmly established and defined in legislation. The alternative council continues to assemble members of the college community to address academic matters.

11. Task TeamFormation In 2006 a task team was formed with representatives from: • Faculty • Staff • Administration • Students • Board of Governors

12. Dr. Paul Byrne and Dr. Don Fisher Margo Baptista – Executive Assistant Dr. Janet Paterson-Weir – Provost/EVPA Dave Kato – Academic Council Louise Rogers - MSA Dr. Chery Ann Hoffmeyer - Faculty Jerry Zdril – Faculty Association Robert Seidel - Board of Governors Dr. Chaldeans Mensah – Board of Governors Justin Benko – Students’ Association Curtis Smith – Students Association/Board Dr. Susan May, Associate VP Academic Donna-Mae Winquist - MSA Janna Jorgenson – MSA Lidija Thompson-Ward – MSA Alan Vladicka – Strategic Planning Academic Governance Task Team Dolf Ryks - Faculty

13. Task TeamActivities • Review Documentation • Create Statement of Goals • Visit to Malaspina College • Create Information Packages • Consultations: Academic & College Committees Schools & Faculties

14. Website www.MacEwan.ca/academicgovernance

15. Statement of Task TeamGoals 1. Collect information related to the transitional processes and outcomes from other post-secondary institutions with experience in changing academic decision-making structures. 2. Conduct literature reviews and samples of higher education academic decision-making systems. 3. Create a framework for consultation within the MacEwan academic community.

16. 4. Present draft recommendations to college committees of the college. 5. Analyze all input. 6. Share results of consultations, draft recommendations, governance model with the college community. 7. Make recommendations to Board of Governors on college academic governance decision-making model.

17. What changes? Council has greater decision-making authority and responsibility Faculty members are the majority members of council This is a shift … to shared governance between the BOG and the alternative council The alternative council has more duties

18. Standing Committees Sub-Committees

19. Roles & Responsibilities of the New CouncilApproval of: • Programs of study • Admissions standards and policies • Provide for the granting of academic credentials, including undergraduate degrees • Rules for academic awards • Policy conditions for student withdrawal

20. Roles & Responsibilitiesof the New CouncilApproval of: • Process for appeals of academic decisions • Consider matters submitted to AGC and provide notice of opinion or action • Recommend to and advise the Board on academic programs and other matters

21. Summary of Differences Academic Council Today Constituent Representation President is standing member Faculty are represented by the FA and members elected by the General Assembly of the FA Recommend programs of study 27 A Shared Governance Council Majority faculty members President and EVPA standing members Faculty will be elected through a process determined by the Board of Governors Formally approve programs of study 43 Composition of Council Members: Election of Faculty Powers and Duties of Council Membership Numbers

22. Composition

23. Other Aspects of the Model Provision For Change Initial 3 year review Ongoing 5 year review Chair of AGC President or designate Termination of Membership Written notice from AGC Chair or Absence for 3 consecutive meetings Terms of Office 2 years* (*students = 1 year) Vacancies One annual by-election to replace Alternates Not permissible

24. Other Aspects of the Model(cont’d) Quorum 60% of AGC members of which 60% are faculty Frequency of Meetings Minimum of 6 per year Voting System in Council Regular agenda items: Simple majority (50% + 1) Constitutional changes: 2/3 majority Code of Conduct Consistent with College values Emphasize accountability and transparency

25. Other Aspects of the Model(cont’d) Standing Resource Associate VP Academic Non-standing Resources By invitation AGC Executive Committee AGC Chair AGC Vice Chair Provost/Executive VP Academic Faculty member Student member • AGC Secretariat • Conduct elections • Standing resource for logistical support • Orientation, briefing & training members • Coordination & support of standing • and sub-committees

26. Other Aspects of the Model(cont’d) Nomination Process Candidates submit nomination forms to AGC Secretariat Students = co-signed by 5 full-time students Staff = co-signed by 5 members of MSA Faculty = signed by 5 faculty members from same school or faculty Election Process Conducted by AGC Secretariat Nominations solicited in April for following year Online and paper ballots Students = Single member plurality (first-past-the-post) Faculty and Staff = Block voting