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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

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Grant MacEwan College

Robbins Health Learning Centre Student Residence

Alberta College Campus

Centre for the Arts and Communications

South Campus

City Centre Campus

Four Campus Model

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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

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Current Baccalaureate Degrees

Bachelor of Arts (8 majors) (BA)Anthropology Economics English HistoryPhilosophy Political SciencePsychology Sociology

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)

Bachelor of Child & Youth Care (BCYC)

Bachelor of Commerce (3 Majors) (BComm)Management InternationalSupply Chain

Approved for deliveryBachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music

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Diploma Degree Post Degree Diploma

Child & Youth Care Child & Youth Care

Business Diploma Degree

Public Relations Human Resources Mgmt.

The MacEwan Architecture

Comprehensive Academic Programming

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A Sample of Changes 2006 - 2007

• Accreditation and Peer ReviewFormal ‘on site’ university reviewers: 24 universities Peer review of proposals: 42 universities

• New Full-Time FacultyCanada US Europe/Australia/Other

Fall 2006 23 4 11Fall 2007 16 6 3

39 10 14

• Two-Year Review of Academic Governance

• New Master Space Plan

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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

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Why consider a different Governance 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)

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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 responsibility for academic integrity and accountability within 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

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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.

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Task Team Formation

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

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Dr. Paul Byrne and Dr. Don Fisher

Dave Kato – Academic Council Louise Rogers - MSA

Dr. Chery Ann Hoffmeyer - Faculty

Robert Seidel - Board of Governors

Justin Benko – Students’ Association

Jerry Zdril – Faculty Association

Margo Baptista – Executive Assistant

Donna-Mae Winquist - MSA

Curtis Smith – Students Association/Board

Dr. Janet Paterson-Weir – Provost/EVPA

Dr. Chaldeans Mensah – Board of Governors

Dr. Susan May, Associate VP Academic

Janna Jorgenson – MSA Lidija Thompson-Ward – MSA

Alan Vladicka – Strategic Planning

Academic Governance Task Team

Dolf Ryks - Faculty

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Task Team Activities

Review Documentation Create Statement of Goals Visit to Malaspina College Create Information Packages Consultations: Academic & College Committees

Schools & Faculties

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Website www.MacEwan.ca/academicgovernance

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Statement of Task Team Goals

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.

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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.

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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

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Student ServicesPolicy

Admissions andSelections

MacEwan Curriculum

AcademicPolicies

Academic Governance

Council

Standing Committees

FacultyDevelopment

(inc. Mentorship)

Animal Care& Ethics

ResearchEthicsBoard

ResearchCouncil

Distance &DistributedEducation

GlobalCollege

TechnologyCouncil

FacultyEvaluation

StudentSuccess

Academic Governance

Council

Sub-Committees

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Roles & Responsibilities of the New Council

Approval 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

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Roles & Responsibilities of the New Council

Approval 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

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Summary of DifferencesAcademic 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

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Academic Governance Council (43 members)

President/CEO (or designate) Provost/Executive VP Academic

Students (5 elected)VP Academic, Student Executive Council

Arts & Science = 1, School of Business = 1Centre for the Arts and Communications = 1

Health & Community Studies = 1

Academic Staff (26 elected)Arts & Science = 8

Health & Community Studies = 8School of Business = 4

Centre for the Arts and Communications = 4Non-Instructional Faculty = 2

Senior Officials (7)Deans/Associate Deans = 4

RegistrarChief Librarian

VP Finance or Director, Financial Services

Board Appointees (3 –elected)Continuing Staff Members (elected) = 2

MacEwan Alumni = 1

Composition

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Other Aspects of the Model

Chair of AGCPresident or designate

Provision For ChangeInitial 3 year review

Ongoing 5 year review

Terms of Office2 years*

(*students = 1 year)

Termination of MembershipWritten notice from AGC Chair or

Absence for 3 consecutive meetings

VacanciesOne annual by-election to replace

AlternatesNot permissible

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Quorum60% of AGC members

of which 60% are faculty

Frequency of MeetingsMinimum of 6 per year

Voting System in CouncilRegular agenda items: Simple majority (50% + 1)

Constitutional changes: 2/3 majority

Code of ConductConsistent with College values

Emphasize accountability and transparency

Other Aspects of the Model(cont’d)

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AGC Executive CommitteeAGC Chair

AGC Vice ChairProvost/Executive VP Academic

Faculty memberStudent member

AGC Secretariat•Conduct elections

•Standing resource for logistical support•Orientation, briefing & training members

•Coordination & support of standing and sub-committees

Standing ResourceAssociate VP Academic

Non-standing ResourcesBy invitation

Other Aspects of the Model(cont’d)

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Other Aspects of the Model(cont’d)

Election Process Conducted by AGC Secretariat

Nominations solicited in April for following yearOnline and paper ballots

Students = Single member plurality (first-past-the-post)Faculty and Staff = Block voting

Nomination ProcessCandidates submit nomination forms to AGC Secretariat

Students = co-signed by 5 full-time studentsStaff = co-signed by 5 members of MSA

Faculty = signed by 5 faculty members fromsame school or faculty