Thompson Rivers University
PA-3: Participatory Governance

All students get one vote to participate in the annual democratic election of student representatives on the TRU Student Union (TRUSU), which is the student council governing body, the TRUSU Board of Directors http://www.trusu.ca/governance/elections/ Students are also elected to sit on the three main governance bodies of TRU. Governance at TRU is divided into three bodies responsible for corporate and academic decision-making. The Board of Governors makes decisions on such matters as property development, labour and finance. The Senate and the Planning Council for Open Learning make decisions on such matters as curriculum, credentials, admissions and educational policies. The composition, powers and duties of each governing body are legislated by the Province of British Columbia in the Thompson Rivers University Act. The following is from the TRU Board of Governors webpage: Membership Thompson Rivers University's 15-member Board of Governors comprises the Chancellor, the President, eight persons appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor (two of whom are appointed from among persons nominated by the alumni association), two faculty members elected by faculty, two students elected by students, and one person elected by and from the employees of the University who are not faculty members. (see Part 6, section 19 of The University Act) The Governors' varied backgrounds provide valuable contributions during Board deliberations. Board members bring the views of various constituencies to the Board table, however there are no advocates for any one group. Decisions are made in the best interest of the University. Website for Membership: https://www.tru.ca/board/membership.html The following is from the TRU Senate webpage: At least two student representatives shall serve as voting members on each Council. With the approval of Council, additional students may serve as voting members, up to a maximum of 10% of the voting membership of Council. Where applicable, both undergraduate and graduate students should be represented on Council. Student members must be elected by the students of the Division, through a process managed by Council. The term of office for student members will be one year, but may be extended for additional one-year terms if the incumbent is re-elected. One student is elected to sit on the Planning Council for Open Learning. https://www.tru.ca/board/membership.html

TRU staff representatives can sit on the three main governance bodies of TRU. All staff members on these bodies are elected or appointed by other staff members. Governance at TRU is divided into three bodies responsible for corporate and academic decision-making. The Board of Governors makes decisions on such matters as property development, labour and finance. The Senate and the Planning Council for Open Learning make decisions on such matters as curriculum, credentials, admissions and educational policies. The composition, powers and duties of each governing body are legislated by the Province of British Columbia in the Thompson Rivers University Act. Website for Membership: https://www.tru.ca/board/membership.html

After being elected by other faculty members, TRU faculty representatives can sit on the three main governance bodies of TRU. Governance at TRU is divided into three bodies responsible for corporate and academic decision-making. The Board of Governors makes decisions on such matters as property development, labour and finance. The Senate and the Planning Council for Open Learning make decisions on such matters as curriculum, credentials, admissions and educational policies. The composition, powers and duties of each governing body are legislated by the Province of British Columbia in the Thompson Rivers University Act. Website for Membership: https://www.tru.ca/board/membership.html

The Board of Governors The Board of Governors has a legislated set of responsibilities for directing the affairs of the institution and setting policies in accordance with the Thompson Rivers University Act. The Board is responsible for the management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business, and affairs of the University. Board members represent the local government, educational organizations, private sector organizations and civil society. Board members include: Rick Heney – private sector, Heney is a partner with Fulton & Company LLP with a focus in corporate and business law, and a member and former president of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce; Jim Thompson – private sector, CEO of Plainsman Construction Ltd. local business; Michelle Stanford – private sector, lawyer at Kamloops firm Stanford + Co.; Marilyn Mclean – non-profit organization, lead volunteer for the Kamloops chapter of Special Olympics British Columbia; Barbara Berger – local government, City of Kamloops recreation, social development and culture manager; Sandra Blair – private sector, senior tax manager at Daley & Company Chartered Accountants; Katy Gottfriedson – local government, Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc Councillor; Guenter Weckerle – non-profit organization, Service Projects Director for Williams Lake Rotary Club;Nathan Matthew - educational organization representation, administrator at the Kamloops Residential School in 1975, served as a First Nations representative for provincial education committees and was a founding member of the Kamloops-Thompson school district’s First Nations Education. Stakeholders include local government (including the municipal City of Kamloops, local MLAs, and the provincial government of British Columbia); educational organizations; local businesses; non-government organizations and non-profit organizations. All stakeholders are invited to participate in planning processes through town halls, public surveys, community meetings, visioning sessions, and social media outreach. These engagement processes are outlined in the Campus Master Plan, and the TRU Community Engagement Policy(attached above, reference 2d. Engagement Strategy): TRU is committed to inclusive consultative processes with First Nations and stakeholders in all levels of planning and development across the campus. The policy supports the Thompson Rivers University 2015 Master Plan, the vision and framework for future development and growth, as well as the 2014 Strategic Priorities Plan. 2.Principles c. Stakeholders i. Local government including the municipal City of Kamloops, local MLAs, and the provincial government of British Columbia. ii. Educational organizations iii. Local businesses iv. Non-government organizations and non-profit organizations d. Engagement Strategy i. All Stakeholders are invited to participate in planning processes through Town Halls, public surveys, community meetings, visioning sessions, and social media outreach. ii. The University will use technology for digital engagement. Social media is fundamental to engagement and will be utilized. iii. The University commits to a process of continual improvement and best practices.

Information source (besides website mentioned above): TRU faculty member, who has sat on the Board of Governors committee for many years, Peter Tsigaris. For information about participatory governance in the Campus Master Plan, see VISIONING THE FUTURE CAMPUS on page 21:https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/2013_Campus_Master_Plan31594.pdf.