| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 46.21 |
| Liaison | Chris Gardner |
| Submission Date | Aug. 23, 2022 |
Douglas College
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.25 / 3.00 |
Does the institution have formal participatory or shared governance bodies through which the following stakeholders can regularly participate in the governance of the institution?:
| Yes or No | |
| Students | Yes |
| Academic staff | Yes |
| Non-academic staff | Yes |
A brief description of the institution’s formal participatory or shared governance bodies:
For Students - Douglas Students' Union
The Douglas Students’ Union (DSU) is a student-run and student-funded non-profit that offers advocacy, services and activities on campus to support you during the student body at Douglas College. The DSU is a non-profit society incorporated under the BC Societies Act, and governed by a set of bylaws.
The DSU advocates to make education affordable and accessible. Their services include an extended health and dental plan, locker rentals and an emergency food bank service. Campus activities range from clubs and events to volunteer opportunities.
The DSU is a member of the BC Federation of Students and is governed by a 15-person Board of Directors elected annually from the Douglas College student body. The DSU operates on both the New Westminster and Coquitlam campuses but is a separate organization from the College.
More information on the DSU can be accessed at: https://www.thedsu.ca/
For Academic Staff - Douglas College Faculty Association (DCFA), the British Columbia Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU) and the Standing Faculty Committees
Douglas College Faculty Association
The Douglas College Faculty Association (DCFA) has represented Douglas College faculty since 1971 (the College admitted its first students in September 1970). The DCFA operated as a Society until 1975 and then also became certified under the Labour Relations Act as the official bargaining unit for instructors, counsellors and librarians.
The DCFA represents regular and contract faculty in collective bargaining of salaries, benefits, and working conditions. The DCFA also represents faculty on issues affecting their work, including appointments, evaluation, benefit plans, workload, professional development, and working conditions.
The Collective Agreement between Douglas College Faculty Associated and the BCGEU can be accessed at: https://psea.bc.ca/sites/default/files/agreements/Douglas_DCFA_Faculty_April_1_2019_to_March_31_2022.pdf
Standing Faculty Committees
Douglas College Faculty also have a number of Standing Faculty Committees that provide opportunities for formal participation in governance bodies. Those committees include the following:
- Admissions Advisory Committee
- Curriculum Committee
- Educational Excellence Committee
- Educational Policies Committee
- Programs Committee
More information on the Standing Committees, including Terms of References, can be accessed at: https://www.douglascollege.ca/about-douglas/governance/education-council/standing-committees
For Non-Academic Staff - British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU).
Douglas College support staff are represented by the British Columbia Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU), which includes a collective bargaining unit that includes representation at all levels.
The Collective Agreement between Douglas College Support staff and the BCGEU can be accessed at: https://psea.bc.ca/sites/default/files/agreements/Douglas-BCGEU_2019-2022.pdf
Highest Governing Body (for Part 2 and 3 of this credit) - The Douglas College Board
The Douglas College Board acts on behalf of the public and oversees the affairs - including property, revenue and expenditures - of the College, performing functions consistent with the College and Institute Act which the Board considers advisable for the proper administration and advancement of the College.
The Board focuses on policy and strategic leadership rather than administrative detail. It develops and maintains a clear distinction between Board and presidential roles. The Board meets seven times annually, between September and June, and holds a strategic/educational retreat each year. Each regular Board meeting date represents more than one distinct meeting: the evening begins with an Open Session meeting, followed by a Closed Session meeting attended by senior management. The evening concludes with an In Camera Session meeting, generally limited to Board members.
The composition of the Douglas College Board is legislated under Part 3, Article 9 of the College and Institute Act, and includes:
a. eight or more persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council
b. one person on the faculty of the institution and elected by the faculty members
c. two students elected by the students
d. one person who is part of the support staff and elected by the support staff
e. the President
f. the Chair of the Education Council
Elected and appointed Board members share the same duties and responsibilities. With the exception of the President and the Chair of the Education Council, who serve as ex officio members, each College Board member has one vote on the Board
Total number of individuals on the institution’s highest governing body:
Number of students representing their peers as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
Number of academic staff representing their peers as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
Number of non-academic staff representing their peers as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
Number of women serving as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
Percentage of official members of the highest governing body that are women:
Website URL where information about the institution’s highest governing body may be found:
Does the institution host or support one or more formal bodies through which external stakeholders have a regular voice in institutional decisions that affect them?:
A brief description of the campus-community council or equivalent body that gives external stakeholders a regular voice in institutional decisions that affect them:
Number of people from underrepresented groups serving as official members of the institution’s highest governing body.:
Website URL where information about the institution’s governance structure is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.