Université de Sherbrooke
PA-3: Participatory Governance

Université de Sherbrooke’s students are represented by two associations through which their rights may be exercised and hence, take part to the institution’s governance. The first, named "Fédération étudiante de l'Université de Sherbrooke (FEUS)", represents undergraduate level students while the second, named "Regroupement des étudiants de maitrise, de diplôme et de doctorat de l'Université de Sherbrooke (REMDUS)", represents graduate level students. Representatives from these two associations are elected by student members during general assemblies. These representatives have reserved seats at the University Assembly, the Board of Governors, the Academic Council, the Research Council and the University Council. The University Assembly and the Board of Governors are the institution’s two highest governing bodies. In addition, these student representatives sit on other institutional committees such as those which mandates led to the development of the seven sustainable development strategies.

Three categories of employees (staff and non-supervisory staff) are each represented by their respective associations/unions. They are: 1. The Université de Sherbrooke’s Senior (managerial) Staff Association (ACPUS) 2. The Université de Sherbrooke’s Support Staff Union (SEESUS) 3. The Université de Sherbrooke’s Administrative and Professional Staff Association (APAPUS A & B) Representatives from each of these associations/unions are elected by their respective members and have reserved seats at the University Assembly, the Board of Governors, the Academic Council, the Research Council and the University Council.

Teaching employees (i.e. lecturers), faculty and researchers all have respective representations at the University, including the following: 1. The Université de Sherbrooke’s Faculty Union (SPPUS) 2. The Université de Sherbrooke’s Faculty of Medicine Clinical Teaching Faculty Association (APECFMUS) 3. The Université de Sherbrooke’s Lecturers Union (SCCCUS) Representatives from each of these three associations/unions are elected by their respective members and have reserved seats at the University Assembly, the Board of Governors, the Academic Council, the Research Council and the University Council.

The University defines itself as an open, committed and responsible community that responds to the needs of society and contributes to its development. It is an essential affiliate in social, environmental, economic and cultural development, particularly for the City of Sherbrooke. Since 2004, the City of Sherbrooke and the Université de Sherbrooke have been bound by a Framework Agreement (Protocole-cadre), a written and formal protocol, which purpose, in a spirit of collaboration, relates to the willingness of the parties to meet, discuss, propose and coordinate their actions and resources in a complementary manner with a view to carrying out innovative and promising projects for the benefit of both and the interests they represent (i.e. community, residents). The Framework Agreement identifies areas of common interest on which both parties determine the objectives pursued, the conditions and procedures for achieving them and the timetable for their implementation. Here are some examples of areas of common interest: Local and regional development; Development and accessibility of real estate assets; Culture, leisure, sport and community life; Land-use planning and environmental protection; Sustainable development and sustainable transportation; Co-management of sports, cultural or community facilities. With respect to the co-management of Mont-Bellevue Park (co-owned by the University), there is one project currently underway and originating from the Framework Agreement (i.e. pertaining to land-use planning and environmental protection) which demonstrates the commitment of involving the community into the decision-making process pertaining to it. In order to better protect this high-quality natural environment, it is jointly that the Université de Sherbrooke and the City of Sherbrooke held citizen consultations in the fall of 2018 in order to obtain local residents’ views on the matter, to integrate the visions and recommendations from the Park territory users into the reflection process. These consultations led to the establishment of an Alliance, bringing together users, citizens and experts, for the creation of the “Mont-Bellevue Park Nature Reserve”. This committee, this community task force, was given the mandate to make recommendations related to the project (e.g., future requirements and orientations, future development, etc.) to the Park owners, namely the Université de Sherbrooke and the City of Sherbrooke. Through such a participatory process, not only institutional decisions consider the interests of all in a very tangible way but also enables community empowerment. https://www.parcmontbellevue.com/alliance The City and the University recognize each other as privileged affiliates. As such, they wish to expand their efforts and actions in the pursuit of a common goal, namely to meet the needs of the university community AND the citizens of the City of Sherbrooke, and that, in a collaborative and sustainable way.

External stakeholders’ representatives (ex. educational institutions, government and municipal authorities and various organizations) have reserved seats at the University Assembly and the Board of Governors. More specifically, at least one person from socio-economic organizations or institutions, or from the education and health sectors sits on these two bodies. Moreover, a person designated by the Minister responsible for university level education in Québec also sits on these bodies. It may be added that during the strategic planning process, the University involved the entire university community as well as its external stakeholders. This process has engaged existing institutional bodies that will see to apply the orientations and selected action priorities as determined within the 2018-2002 Strategic Plan. As part of their work, members involved in the various projects that make up the strategic plan collected ideas, comments and suggestions from the University’s internal and external stakeholders. Consultations were conducted through online surveys, meetings and workshops. https://www.usherbrooke.ca/planification-strategique/demarche/