Academic Council

Background

In the fall of 2007, a task group of academic representatives was assembled to review and renew the mandate of the Academic Council. The goal of the review was to strengthen the academic voice at Durham College and provide an effective mechanism to assist the Vice President, Academic with evidence-based, academic decision-making.

Purpose/Mandate of the Academic Council

The Academic Council will be advisory to the Vice-President, Academic and will provide a vehicle for the faculty cohort to be consulted and provide input on significant academic matters. In support of Durham College's vision and mission, the Academic Council will promote a collaborative culture; contribute positively to planning and decision-making processes; and provide a forum for stakeholder discussions and debate on strategic, policy and procedural matters as they relate to the academic enterprise.

The Academic Council's main roles are to advise and lead in the development, communications and implementation of academic vision, standards and processes at The College in partnership with the Vice President, Academic. The areas of mandate will include:

• The Academic Plan
• Academic processes related to new program development and program renewal;
• Consistent curriculum framework for all programs;
• Academic policy, practice and procedures;
• Continuous quality assurance mechanisms to ensure and monitor academic quality and excellence.

Academic Council will:

• Keep the best interests of our students and the teaching and learning partnership at the centre of all activities.
• Create the college academic vision
• Promote and champion the implementation of the academic directions stated in the Strategic Plan Initiatives and Directions (2007-2012)
• Ensure ongoing college-wide communication of academic direction, policy and processes.
• Provide leadership to ensure quality, relevance, currency and consistency of curriculum in all programs and courses.
• Consult both internally and externally.
• Ensure that Council members are well informed about both internal and external initiatives.
• Ensure fiscally responsible decision-making.
  

Council Membership (2008-2009)

Academic Council is a cross-functional team composed primarily of faculty with student leaders and College staff representation. The composition of Academic Council will represent all major program areas, shall be no less than sixty (60%) percent faculty and will include

Co-Chairs	Faculty		Kevin Dougherty
	Vice President, Academic		Judy Robinson
Secretary			Sue Coulter
MEMBERSHIP	VOTING	REPRESENTATIVES
Students	Student Association	2	Amy England Greg Snow
Faculty	School of Applied Science, Apprenticeship, Skills Trades and Technology	2	Bruce Trieselmann Glenn Coady
	School of Communication, Language & General Studies	2	Kathy Kirkby TBA
	School of Career Development & Continuing Education	1	David Smith
	School of Justice & Emergency Services	2	Joanne Paterson Nicole Zwiers
	School of Business, IT & Management	2	TBA TBA
	School of Health & Community Services	2	Jean Jackson Chris Harris
	School of Media, Art & Design	2	Paul Welsby Rob Aloe
Campus Library		1	Trish Johns-Wilson
Registrar		1	Paul Bishop
Innovation Centre		1	Chris Hinton
Student Services		1	Willona Blanche
Dean		1	Judy Spring
Associate Dean		1	Nancy Martin
Support Staff - Academic School		1	TBA

Terms of Reference

1. Beginning in January 2008, membership will be a two year term, renewable for a maximum of an additional term for faculty, upon request and/or recommendation of the Council or constituent group.
2. No more than fifty (50%) percent of the membership shall turn over in any one year to ensure consistency.

3. Academic Council will meet every month for two hours, or as determined by Council members (September to June).

4. All members represent a particular constituent group and there is a strong expectation that the views of the group be represented in the decision-making processes.

5. Members are expected to implement two-way communication strategies with their constituent group.

6. Academic Council operates within a consensus decision-making model, but in circumstances where consensus cannot be reached, an 80% majority vote with a quorum committee will enact a recommendation. Quorum is 50 percent of the voting membership, plus one.

7. Annual review mechanisms will be implemented in the May/June period in order to assess the effectiveness of the initiatives and functioning of Academic Council.

8. Minutes will be recorded at each meeting and approved minutes will be circulated electronically to the members and all stakeholders at The College. Minutes will be circulated to all students by the student representatives. A Vice President, Academic website will be established where minutes of Academic Council and all academic models, standards, processes, policies and procedures will be housed.

9. The focus of all dialogue and decision-making at Academic Council will reflect the best interests of students, teaching and learning, and success at The College.

10. The selection of Academic Council members will be an election process where:
a. Academic Council members will be nominated and elected by the individual schools.

11. If there are insufficient representatives from a School an Academic Councillor at large may be elected as follows: Interested faculty will apply to Academic Council and selected by a sub-committee of Council.

12. Decisions and recommendations from Academic Council with significant financial implications will go to the Academic Leadership Team for final approval. Academic Council will have the opportunity to make presentations to ALT to represent its decision.

13. Academic Council faculty representatives will receive complementary time on the SWF. Time will be credited for faculty to consult with their constituent group, to prepare for and attend Academic Council and related activities.

14. Consistent attendance and participation is extremely important and substitutes are not allowed. If a member misses two or more meetings in a semester, a replacement may be sought.

15. The Terms of Reference are negotiable and open to review by Council as required. All elements of this document are a formation of the Academic Council. An annual review, regular revisions and updates of this document are part of the regular function of Academic Council. A motion to amend must be tabled and carried to make a change.


Reporting and Deliverables

Notice of meetings, agendas and meeting minutes will be made widely available to the Durham College community.

The advice and counsel provided will be taken under consideration in the final decision making process by the Durham College Leadership Team.