University Governance

Bicameral Governance

Most Canadian universities are governed by a two-tiered bicameral system – the Board of Governors and the Senate. The Board of Governors has responsibility over financial and administrative matters. Senate has authority over academic affairs.

Brandon University Act (1998)

The Brandon University Act (1998) delineates the responsibilities of the two bodies within Brandon University – the Board of Governors and the Senate. The Board of Governors has overall responsibility for the University and may determine all matters of University policy except those specifically assigned to the Senate by the Brandon University Act. Senate is responsible for the academic policy of the University. Copies of the Act are available from the President’s Office.

Board of Governors

The Board of Governors is a collective representing the entire community (both internal and external of the University). As a collective, the Board of Governors is responsible for ensuring the financial stability of the institution and for seeing that the overall plans of the institution are consistent with the institution’s mission, mandate, values and financial resources.
The Board of Governors consists of the following members:

• the Chancellor of the University;
• the President of the University;
• one alumni of the University elected by the Alumni Association;
• two members of the Senate elected by the Senate;
• two students appointed by the council of the Brandon University Students’ Union who are members of that council;
• ten persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, two of whom are students.

Contacts:

Director, Office of the President
Ms Katie Gross
Extension 477
grossk@brandonu.ca

Administrative Assistant
Ms Kristen Fisher
Extension 714
fisherk@brandonu.ca

Board of Governors Website:
http://www2.brandonu.ca/Administration/Governors/

Senate

The Senate deals with academic matters, including such things as initiating new academic programs, initiating changes to academic programs, setting admissions standards, determining the criteria for graduation, and the disciplining of students.

The Senate consists of the following members:

• the Chancellor of the University;
• the President of the University;
• the Vice-President (Academic & Research);
• the Vice-President (Administration & Finance);
• the Deputy Minister of Education & Training;
• the Dean of each Faculty or School;
• the Director of Educational Technology;
• the Co-ordinator of the BGS Program;
• the University Librarian; the Dean of Students;
• one member appointed by the Board of Governors;
• one representative elected by each Faculty or School;
• six Professors or Associate Professors;
• two Assistant Professors or Lecturers;
• one Professional Associate;
• eight students elected by the student body;
• the University Registrar (Secretary of Senate).

Contact:

University Registrar
Dr. Lawrence VanBeek
Extension 310
vanbeekl@brandonu.ca

Administrative Assistant
Ms Kim Fallis
Extension 751
fallisk@brandonu.ca

Senate Website:
http://www2.brandonu.ca/administration/senateoffice/

Relationship between the Board of Governors, Senate, and Administration

The Act envisages a division of power between the Board and the Senate. The Board of Governors holds the University in trust for the Province of Manitoba. Responsibilities for maintaining this trust include: selection of a president, monitoring his/her performance, providing guidance to the University via its policies, and often delegating authority to the administration.

Senate is responsible for a wide variety of decisions pertaining to matters of an academic nature. Generally speaking, all other matters, including those of an academic nature that require approval by the Board following a recommendation from Senate, are ultimately dealt with by the Board.

Although the Act appears to give the Board final authority on matters of an academic nature, it does not contemplate a review by the Board of academic decisions of the Senate in which matters for which it has the power to determine.

When developing long-term plans, it is the responsibility of the Board to make sure that the academic directions and priorities of the institution are taken into consideration, that financial resources are available, and that the institution is capable of fulfilling commitments undertaken.

The Administration handles the daily affairs of the institution, both academic and non-academic. The President, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the institution, serves as a member of the Board and as the Chair of the Senate and is the link between the two governing bodies. It is the responsibility of the administration to implement and monitor the policies of the institution and to keep the Board and Senate informed.

Board committees are sub-committees of the Board comprised of Board members and senior administrators. The Board committees facilitate the running of the Board, the development of University policy, and the review of recommendations brought forward from various constituencies.