Legislated Roles | Board and Senates

Both the Board of Governors and the Senates are governing bodies of the University.

The Board of Governors is responsible for the business of the University – its administration, finances, operations, assets and place in the community – and the integrity of such.

The Senates have a more focused responsibility for the academic integrity of the University, subject to the Board’s involvement where academic matters interface with matters of business and the larger community.

The Board of Governors shall consult with or seek approval from the appropriate Senate(s) as required to fulfill its responsibilities relating to the academic administration of the University, as per the University Act, s.27(2):

(d) in consultation with the Senate(s), to maintain and keep in proper order and condition the real property of the University, to erect and maintain the buildings and structures on it that in the opinion of the Board are necessary and advisable, and to make rules respecting the management, government and control of the real property, buildings and structures;

(e) in consultation with the Senate(s), to provide for conservation of the heritage sites of the University, including any heritage buildings, structures and land of the University;

(f) with the approval of the Senate(s), to establish procedures for the recommendation and selection of candidates for president, deans, librarians, registrar and other senior academic administrators as the Board may designate;

(i) to consider recommendations from the Senate(s) for the establishment of faculties and departments with suitable teaching staff and courses of instruction;

(j) subject to section 29 and with the approval of the Senate(s), to provide for the establishment of faculties and departments the Board considers necessary;

(k) to provide for chairs, institutes, fellowships, scholarships, exhibitions, bursaries and prizes the Board and the Senate(s) consider advisable;

(r) with the approval of the Senate(s), to determine the number of students that may, in the opinion of the Board having regard to the resources available, be accommodated in the University of in any faculty of it, and to make rules considered advisable for limiting the admission or accommodation of students to the number so determined.

FINANCIAL
Board of Governors
Senates
Enter into agreements on behalf of the University | University Act s.27(2)(s) X
Receive from the President, analyze, and adopt the budgets for operating and capital expenditures | University Act s.27(2)(l), s.37(1)(e), s.38.2(4) X X
Set, determine and collect academic and athletic fees, including library fees, laboratory fees, examination fees, etc. | University Act s.27(2)(m) X
Set, determine and pay over fees for student clubs and alumni organizations | University Act s.27(2)(m,n), s.27.1 X
Administer funds, grants, fees, endowments and other assets | University Act s.27(2)(o) X
Pay to municipality a grant (not to exceed municipal taxes, or an amount specified by Minister)| University Act s.27(2)(w) X
Invest University money available for investment| University Act s.57 X
Procure short-term borrowing to meet the expenditures of the University | University Act s.31 X
Borrow money for the purpose of acquiring land for the use of the University, or for erecting, repairing, adding to, furnishing or equipping a building or structure for the use of the University | University Act s.58 X
PROPERTY
Board of Governors
Senates
Maintain and keep in proper order and condition the real property of the University; erect and maintain the buildings and structures; and, make rules respecting the management, government and control of the real property, buildings and structures | University Act s.27(2)(d) X
Acquire land or personal property for the purposes of a university| University Act s.50(1), s.55 X
Mortgage, lease or dispose of University land | University Act s.50(2) X
Expropriate land necessary for University purposes | University Act s.51 X
Provide for conservation of the heritage sites of the University, including any heritage buildings, structures and land of the University | University Act s.27(2)(e) X X
Regulate, prohibit and impose requirements in relation to the use of real property, buildings, structures and personal property of the University, including in respect of noise, activities and events, vehicle traffic and parking, and pedestrian traffic | University Act s.27(2)(t) X
ACADEMIC
Appointments and Faculty
Board of Governors
Senates
Establish procedures for the recommendation and selection of candidates for senior academic administrators, including the President, deans, librarians and the Registrar | University Act s.27(2)(f) X  X
Appoint President, deans, Librarian, Bursar, Registrar, academic staff, officers and employees | University Act s.27(2)(g), s.28 X
Determine members of teaching and academic staff who are members of each faculty | University Act s.37(1)(k) X
Provide for chairs, institutes, fellowships, scholarships, exhibitions, bursaries and prizes | University Act s.27(2)(k) X
Hear appeals concerning suspension of staff members | University Act s.60(3) X
ACADEMIC
Courses of Study
Board of Governors
Senates
Establish or discontinue any faculty, department, course of instruction, chair, fellowship, scholarship, exhibition, bursary or prize | University Act s.37(1)(i), s.38, s.48(2)
X X
Consider recommendations from the Senate concerning establishment of faculties and departments  | University Act s.27(2)(i) X  X
Provide for the establishment of faculties and departments | University Act s.27(2)(j), s.29
X X
Revise courses of study, instruction and education in all faculties and departments | University Act s.37(1)(f) X X
Grant degrees, diplomas and certificates  | University Act s.37(1)(h) X
Provide for the preparation and publication of a University calendar | University Act s.37(1)(n) X
Determine matters regarding examinations  | University Act s.37(1)(d)(s)(t)  X
Enter into agreements with any corporation or society in British Columbia entitled under any Act to establish examinations for admission to the corporation or society  | University Act s.37(1)(r) X X
ACADEMIC
Student Access, Awards & Discipline
Board of Governors
Senates
Set total number of students for the University or its faculties and make rules to achieve these targets  | University Act s.27(2)(r) X X
Determine academic qualifications for admission and in which faculty the applicant will register | University Act s.37(1)(c) X
Determine matters related to geographic access to academic programs | University Act s.37(1)(g)  X
Provide for student loans | University Act s.27(2)(q) X
Recommend the establishment or discontinuance of scholarships, bursaries, exhibitions and prizes  | University Act s.37(1)(i), s.38 X X
Provide for scholarships, bursaries, exhibitions and prizes (University Act s.27(2)(k) X
Award scholarships, bursaries, exhibitions and prizes | University Act s.37(1)(j)  X
Hear final appeal in student disciplinary matters | University Act s.37(1)(v) X
MISCELLANEOUS
Board of Governors
Senates
Rules governing procedure for the transaction of business by the convocation | University Act s.9(1) X
Matters regarding the seal and arms of the University | University Act s.27(2)(p) X
Make rules for the management and conduct of the library; provide for the conservation of heritage objects and collections | University Act s.37(1)(l,m) X
Terms of affiliation with other universities, colleges or institutes of learning, including modification or termination of the affiliation | University Act s.37(1)(u), s.38(1)(2), s.38.2(4) X X
Relations with other post-secondary institutions in B.C. | University Act s.37(1)(w)  X
Rules concerning nominations, elections and voting | University Act s.38.2(4), s.43(1)  X