University of Saskatchewan
PA-3: Governance

University Council includes one elected student representing each college and each affiliated federated college. University Council oversees and directs the university's academic affairs. The President of the University of Saskatchewan Students' Union (USSU) sits on the Board of Governors which oversees and directs all matters respecting the management, administration and control of the university’s property, revenues and financial affairs.

The President of the University of Saskatchewan Students' Union (USSU) is elected by the undergraduate students and sits on the Board of Governors during his/her term.

Student members on University Council help oversee and direct the academic affairs of the University. The President of the Students' Union sits on the Board of Governors to help oversee and direct all matters regarding the management, administration and control of the University's property, revenues and financial affairs. Recently students have had instrumental role in a number of initiatives, including: the establishment of fall reading week, a new sexual harassment policy, budget re-allocations and the construction of the Gordon Oakes – Red Bear Student Centre.

There is opportunity for staff members to be elected from the public to the Senate, however they are not members of Senate in their role as staff. In 2007, a Senate Round Table on Outreach and Engagement was created to support, lead, and move forward the University’s outreach and engagement activities. Four staff members whose duties are related to outreach and engagement sit on the Senate Round Table. The Senate is composed as follows: the present and former Chancellors, the president and vice-presidents of the university, the Minister of Advanced Education, the Deputy Minister, principals of federated and affiliated colleges, deans or acting deans of colleges, and such other deans of academic and student affairs and such directors as nominated by the president and approved by the Senate, 14 electoral district members, 14 members-at-large, six undergraduate students, one graduate student, and representatives of professional societies, groups or organizations in the province which in the opinion of the Senate contribute in a significant way to the social, economic and cultural welfare of the Province and have a demonstrated interest in furthering the goals of higher education and research at the university.

There is opportunity for staff members to be elected from the public to the Senate, however they are not members of Senate in their role as staff. In 2007, a Senate Round Table on Outreach and Engagement was created to support, lead, and move forward the University’s outreach and engagement activities. Four staff members whose duties are related to outreach and engagement sit on the Senate Round Table.

Organizational mission, vision and/or goals: Documents like the Integrated Plan include extensive consultation with the campus community, through mechanisms like Community Hall Meetings and Blogs. New policies, programs or initiatives: The Office of Sustainability was the driver for the university’s Energy and Water Conservation Policy, as well as other new programs and initiatives. Strategic and long-term planning: Documents like the Integrated Plan include extensive consultation with the campus community, through mechanisms like Community Hall Meetings and Blogs. Existing or prospective physical resources: Some capital projects include consultation with the staff and faculty that will use the facilities. Budgeting, staffing and financial: May vary from unit to unit in terms of level of consultation around these issues. Prioritization of programs and projects: A recent initiative to determine ways to reduce the university’s budget provided a number of opportunities for all staff to contribute comments and ideas.

University Council oversees and directs the university’s academic affairs. University Council includes two elected members from each college and affiliated and federated college (one of whom may be the dean), two librarians, one of whom may be the university librarian and 54 elected faculty.

Faculty members representing each college are elected to the University Council by members of the college. One faculty member is elected to the Board of Governors by members of the General Academic Assembly.

"The University Council oversees and directs the academics affairs of the University, including granting degrees, diplomas and certificates, granting scholarships, prizes, fellowships, bursaries and exhibitions, approving all academic programs, new programs and program deletions, authorizing the board to establish new colleges, schools, departments, endowed chairs and institutes, prescribing methods and rules for evaluating student performance, disciplining students for academic dishonesty and hearing student appeals, prescribing qualifications for admission, setting the academic schedule, reviewing library policies, making recommendations on physical and budgetary plans for the university, making recommendations on any other matters it considers to be in the interest of the university The Board of Governors oversees and directs all matters regarding the management, administration and control of the University's property, revenues and financial affairs.