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
www.MacEwan.ca
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
www.MacEwan.ca
Grant MacEwan College
As 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
www.MacEwan.ca
Current Baccalaureate
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
www.MacEwan.ca
The MacEwan Architecture
Comprehensive Academic Programming
Diploma
Degree
Post Degree
Diploma
Child & Youth Care
Child & Youth Care
Business Diploma
Degree
Public Relations
Human Resources Mgmt.
www.MacEwan.ca
A Sample of Changes
2006 - 2007
• Accreditation and Peer Review
Formal ‘on site’ university reviewers:
Peer review of proposals:
• New Full-Time Faculty
Canada
Fall 2006
23
Fall 2007
16
39
US
4
6
10
24 universities
42 universities
Europe/Australia/Other
11
3
14
• Two-Year Review of Academic Governance
• New Master Space Plan
www.MacEwan.ca
The Legislative Framework
An amendment to the Provincial PostSecondary Learning Act:
(Section 47) provided colleges and
technical institutions in Alberta with
the option to establish an alternative
form of Academic Council
www.MacEwan.ca
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)
www.MacEwan.ca
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
www.MacEwan.ca
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.
www.MacEwan.ca
Task Team Formation
In 2006 a task team was formed with
representatives from:
• Faculty
• Staff
• Administration
• Students
• Board of Governors
www.MacEwan.ca
Academic Governance Task Team
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
Dolf Ryks - Faculty
www.MacEwan.ca
Task Team Activities





Review Documentation
Create Statement of Goals
Visit to Malaspina College
Create Information Packages
Consultations: Academic & College Committees
Schools & Faculties
www.MacEwan.ca
Website
www.MacEwan.ca/academicgovernance
www.MacEwan.ca
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.
www.MacEwan.ca
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.
www.MacEwan.ca
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
www.MacEwan.ca
Standing Committees
Sub-Committees
Student
Success
Academic
Policies
Student Services
Policy
Academic
Governance
Council
Faculty
Development
(inc. Mentorship)
Animal Care
& Ethics
MacEwan
Curriculum
Faculty
Evaluation
Technology
Council
Academic
Governance
Council
Research
Ethics
Board
Admissions and
Selections
Global
College
Research
Council
Distance &
Distributed
Education
www.MacEwan.ca
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
www.MacEwan.ca
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
www.MacEwan.ca
Summary of Differences
Academic Council Today
A Shared Governance Council
Composition of Council Members:
 Constituent Representation
 President is standing member
Majority faculty members
 President and EVPA standing
members
Election of Faculty
 Faculty are represented by the FA
and members elected by the
General Assembly of the FA
 Faculty will be elected through a
process determined by the Board
of Governors
Powers and Duties of Council
 Recommend programs of study
 Formally approve programs of
study
Membership Numbers
 27
 43
www.MacEwan.ca
Composition
Academic Governance Council (43 members)
President/CEO (or designate)
Provost/Executive VP Academic
Academic Staff (26 elected)
Arts & Science = 8
Health & Community Studies = 8
School of Business = 4
Centre for the Arts and Communications = 4
Non-Instructional Faculty = 2
Students (5 elected)
VP Academic, Student Executive Council
Arts & Science = 1, School of Business = 1
Centre for the Arts and Communications = 1
Health & Community Studies = 1
Senior Officials (7)
Deans/Associate Deans = 4
Registrar
Chief Librarian
VP Finance or Director, Financial Services
Board Appointees (3 –elected)
Continuing Staff Members (elected) = 2
MacEwan Alumni = 1
www.MacEwan.ca
Other Aspects of the
Model
Chair of AGC
President or designate
Terms of Office
2 years*
(*students = 1 year)
Provision For Change
Initial 3 year review
Ongoing 5 year review
Termination of Membership
Written notice from AGC Chair or
Absence for 3 consecutive meetings
Vacancies
Alternates
One annual by-election to replace
Not permissible
www.MacEwan.ca
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
www.MacEwan.ca
Other Aspects of the Model
(cont’d)
Standing Resource
Non-standing Resources
Associate VP Academic
By invitation
AGC Executive Committee
AGC Secretariat
AGC Chair
AGC Vice Chair
Provost/Executive VP Academic
Faculty member
Student member
•Conduct elections
•Standing resource for logistical support
•Orientation, briefing & training members
•Coordination & support of standing
and sub-committees
www.MacEwan.ca
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
www.MacEwan.ca