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Governance in Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto
October 31, 2013
Emma ThackerGovernance & Policy Coordinator
Louis Charpentier’s presentation “Understanding the University: Governance, Administration and Decision Making.”
Also offered by ODLC:Next session: Tuesday, November 5, 2013
9 am–12 pmwww.odlc.utoronto.ca
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Topics
• What is Governance?• Parts of Governance• Governance—Roles• Graduate Governance
o Quality Assuranceo Consultationo Accountability & Transparency
• Best Practices• Policies & Guidelines• Contacts• References
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What is Governance?
• Shared purpose consistent with the institution’s mission.• Process and practice through which an entity organizes
itself to achieve its mandate. • Concerned with the structures and procedures for
decision-making, accountability, control, and codes of conduct.
• Expressed through legislation, policies and by-laws, and informal norms.
• Goal to achieve peak performance
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Parts of Governance
Effective governance has:
• Structure: e.g., Unicameral Structure, Faculty Council, Delegated Committee systems
• Instruments: e.g., University of Toronto Act (1971); UTQAP (2011); Policy, Regulations, Frameworks
• Process: e.g., Consultative process (also a Principle of Governance)
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Governance—Roles
• Roles in the Facultyo Faculty members, Chairs/Directorso Faculty Council, standing committeeso Chair of Council, Members, Secretary
• Roles at SGSo Graduate Education Councilo Dean, School of Graduate Studies/ Vice-Provost
Graduate Education (dual role)o Vice-Dean, Programso Director, Quality Assurance & Governanceo Coordinator & Officer, Governance & Policy
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Graduate Governance
• Policy, regulations, guidelines • SGS Calendar• New programs• Major modifications• Minor modifications• Program reviews
o Collaborative programso Graduate degree programs
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Principles of Governance• Governing Council—October 2010
• Good governance begins with appropriate disclosure, transparency, and clear lines of accountability between governance and administration.
• Aspects of this framework include: o Membership, Role, Nature of Meetings,
Expectations and Attributes, Identification and Selection, Orientation and Education, Evaluation
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Quality Assurance
• What is Quality Assurance (QA)? • Why is it important?
o Changing landscape in higher educationo Graduate studies is dynamic o QA increases accountabilityo Protection of students and the University reputationo Tool that allows for autonomy, academic freedom
• How is QA linked to Governance? o Governance is a shared process by which QA
functions
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Consultation
• Consultation allows for broad and diverse representation.
• It enriches decision-making by bringing all stakeholders to the table.
• Stakeholder consensus and participation is an important principle—consensus is reached through consultation.
• Examples: working groups, advisory committees, steering committees, process for approval of program modification/new program (UTQAP).
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Accountability & Transparency
• The University is made accountable through transparency, appropriate disclosure of its actions, and communication to both internal and external stakeholders. Governance processes are clear and communicated.
• An example of transparency: Faculty Constitutions and by-laws that clearly lay out the process for all decision-making within the Faculty.
• Another example is the GCT, which hosts all modifications for programs, making change apparent. Lastly, the SGS Calendar has several functions, but is also a tool to ensure transparency for students.
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Accountability & Transparency
Good governance records will:
• Clearly identify the item to be discussed/approved• Provide the item’s jurisdictional information• Indicate the governance path of the proposal• Share any relevant background on the proposal
item, including the previous actions taken; e.g., consultation process, proposal proponents
• Specify what is the recommendation sought by the Council/committee
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Best Practices
• Application of the principles of good governance.• Minute-taking—ODLC offers tutorials.• Online/web access to (non-confidential) governance
documents (agendas, minutes, proposals for consideration, etc.).
• Understanding governance—orientation of governance processes and roles to those involved. E.g., A & S—Intro to Faculty Governance document—plain language.
• Engage in good governance record-keeping.
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Policies & Guidelines
Where to find them:
• Relevant to graduate studies:www.sgs.utoronto.ca/facultyandstaff/Pages/Policies-and-Guidelines.aspx
• Others available from Governing Council:www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Governing_Council/Policies.htm
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Contacts
Emma Thacker [email protected]
Governance & Policy Coordinator
Erin McMahon [email protected]
Governance & Policy Officer
Jane Alderdice [email protected]
Director, Office of Quality Assurance & Governance
www.sgs.utoronto.ca
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References
• Principles of Good Governance, U of T Governing Council 2010
• Mandate of Governance, U of T Governing Council, 2010• University of Alberta, Governance FAQ, 2010 • Chait, Holland and Taylor, “Improving the Performance of
Governing Boards,” 1996.• Shattock, M. “Managing Good Governance in Higher
Education,” 2006. • Principles of Institutional QA in Canadian Higher Education,
AUCC 2013.• Gayle, Tewarie, White, “Governance in the Twenty-First
Century University,” 2011.• Oxford Dictionary—Definition of QA.
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