University of Victoria
EN-13: Community Stakeholder Engagement

The Community Engagement Framework for campus land use planning and development projects represents a committment to working with community stakeholders to successfully implement campus developments that advance the university's academic mission. The framework provides for a consistent methodology to be used to determine the overall approach and to implement effective engagement programs. Engagement plans provide clarity about the specific engagement techniques that are to be included in work plans, their sequencing, key audiences and the timing of activities.

The community engagement framework is a guiding document that provides clarity on what types of engagement processes and activities will be used in the successful implementation of land use planning and capital projects at UVic. It provides for the university to proactively seek community stakeholder input and address concerns that are raised, where feasible within UVic’s mandate. UVic hosts a program, University 101 and 102, that offers free, non-credit, academic courses to people in the community whose economic and social circumstances normally pose obstacles to university education. The program is supported by a wide variety of departments and offices across campus and the community including private donations. See: http://web.uvic.ca/uni101/.

From the UVic Community Relations website, a list of community stakeholders with whom the university regularly meets and consults with (http://www.uvic.ca/external/community/uvic-in-the-community/index.php): Cadboro Bay Residents Association Camosun Community Association Community Association of Oak Bay Gordon Head Residents’ Association Mt. Tolmie Community Association North Henderson Community Association Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association City of Victoria - City Hall District of Oak Bay - Municipal Hall District of Saanich - Municipal Hall Township of Esquimalt - Municipal Hall District of North Saanich - Municipal Hall District of Saanich - Municipal Hall City of Colwood - Municipal Hall District of Highlands - Municipal Hall District of View Royal - Town Hall Town of Sidney - Municipal Hall District of Sooke - Municipal Hall District of Metchosin - Municipal Hall City of Langford - Municipal Hall Chamber of Commerce Community Social Planning Council Leadership Victoria Victoria Foundation United Way of Greater Victoria A University - Community Association Liasion Committee is also in place to provide for regular meetings with representatives from the resident associations in close proximity of the campus to exchange information on topics of mutual interest.

UVic prepared a " Better Neighbours report and worked with community stakeholders to develop a community engagemetn framework after concerns with elements of the university’s planning for its new Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) were resolved. The subsequent collaborative process used to develop a community engagement framework in 2012 helped UVic and community stakeholders better understand each other’s concerns and objectives. The framework addresses impacts of concern, and demonstrates that the greater the level of impact, proximity to neighbouring communities and inconsistency with the Campus Plan and zoning bylaws, the greater the need to engage community stakeholders. It has been utilized for several new capital projects and intiatives on campus including a campus bike centre development, an addition to the Continuing Studies Building and a campus cellphone service improvement project. In 2014, UVic will be updating its Campus Plan, providing direction for the physical development of the campus over the next decade. As future capital projects move forward, there will often be a need to engage community stakeholders to identify and address issues. UVic is committed to using the framework for designing, gaining feedback and executing context-appropriate and effective engagement programs.

In 2012 UVic published a planning document that outlines the framework for community engagement entitled, "Engaging with Our Neighbours: A Community Engagement Framework for Campus Land use Planning & Development Projects" (see: http://www.uvic.ca/assets2012/docs/pdfs/UVic-Engagement-Framework-Dec-13-2012_v1.pdf). The framework is a guiding document that provides clarity on what types of engagement processes and activities will be used in the successful implementation of land use planning and capital projects at UVic. It is the successful result of extensive effort over a period of seven months by the university, community representatives, municipal planning department staff, resident association members, the UVic-Community Association Liaison Committee and other stakeholders. UVic also has a Community Relations department that builds and maintains links between the university and its various external communities through outreach activities, sponsorships, memberships in local organizations (e.g. Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce) and regular meetings with local community associations, municipalites and other stakeholders in the region. See: http://www.uvic.ca/external/community/index.php. UVic hosts a program, University 101 and 102, that offers free, non-credit, academic courses to people in the community whose economic and social circumstances normally pose obstacles to university education. The program is supported by a wide variety of departments and offices across campus and the community including private donations. See: http://web.uvic.ca/uni101/. UVic's Institute for Studies and Innovation in Community-University Engagement has signed an MOU with the United Way of Greater Victoria that supports the Engaging Neighbours initiative, the University 101 program (see above) and six Issue Papers on core United Way priority areas.