Planning and Priorities Committee Reports
UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
PLANNING COMMITTEE
REQUEST FOR DECISION
PRESENTED BY: Lou Qualtiere
Chair, Planning Committee
DATE OF MEETING: December 18, 2003
SUBJECT: University of Saskatchewan Policy on Centres
DECISION REQUESTED: That University Council approve the attached Policy on Centres, and that the policy become effective immediately upon approval of Council and the Board of Governors with respect to new centres, and that a transition period be provided with regard to established centres.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL: The Policy on Centres defines a centre and enunciates the policy by which centres at the University of Saskatchewan will be created, supported, monitored and disestablished. The policy also provides for a transition period during which existing centres can be brought into the Integrated Planning process and respond to the new Policy on Centres.
RATIONALE: Development of a revised policy was prompted by:
· Concerns regarding the process for the creation of a centre, which was very time consuming and deemed cumbersome, involving referral to several Committees of Council, and which also did not provide for the creation of non-research centres.
· The Board of Governors concern with the sizeable proportion of the University budget devoted to centres with inadequate reporting, and their disquiet, and that of the Provincial Auditor, regarding accountability and financial liability.
· The expectations of Integrated Planning that all activities would be linked to a reporting structure, and
· The expectation that centres could play an increasingly important role in catering for greater interdisciplinary activity on campus.
The new policy aims at providing a forward-looking and expeditious approach for creating new centres and catering to University objectives, while addressing the areas of concern expressed above.
IMPACT AND RELATIONSHIPS: Implementation of the Policy will simplify the process for creating centres while ensuring that all appropriate consultations have been concluded within Council and with Administration. The integration of Centres with the objectives and strategic direction of the University is envisaged.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES REQUIRED: No additional resources are anticipated as implementation of the Policy simply realigns functions of existing bodies in a more efficient manner.
COMMITTEE COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATION: Development of the Policy has taken two and a half years and has been the subject of extensive consultation. The Budget Committee created a subcommittee in 2001 to examine the operations of centres and was alarmed by the paucity of information, haphazard records, lack of appreciation of the cost to the University and space demands, transparency of operations and similar issues. The Research Committee had no mandate to assess the value of new centres where no research was intended, and the Planning Committee was frustrated by the bottlenecks in bringing these vital entities forward. A joint Committee of the three Committees, Planning, Budget and Research, worked on the first draft of a policy. Work was slow as it was necessary to construct from scratch a listing of what centres did exist, and to identify contacts, interests and needs, relationships and structures. The emergence of Integrated Planning introduced an additional element for consideration, and the arrival of a new Vice-President Research brought a new player into the process. The policy proposal was submitted to Deans' Council and through Dean's Council to a range of centres. Advice received led to a number of adjustments and to meeting with some centres. A revised draft was shared with Deans' Council and the interested centres, and submitted to Planning, Budget and the Research Scholarly and Artistic Work Committees for approval. Senior administration has participated in all stages of development and been party to all discussions. The Board of Governors and Provincial Auditors have been appraised of the proposed policy. The Planning Committee is satisfied that all appropriate bodies have been consulted, and the proposed policy meets the requirements of the University Act and the mandate of Council. Approval of the Policy on Centres is recommended.
ATTACHMENTS:
University of Saskatchewan Policy on Centres 2003
Draft of Centres listed by Type
UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN
POLICY ON CENTRES
As approved by Council, December 2003
PREAMBLE: The University of Saskatchewan encourages the establishment of centres to enhance the academic interests of the University and its faculty in the pursuit of research, teaching, scholarly and artistic work, and to meet the needs of the community at large.Centres are intended to strengthen, coordinate or facilitate scholarly purposes or activities not readily undertaken within the University's departmental and unit structures, and are intended to offer new areas of activity consistent with the University's strategic direction and priorities. The University values the strengths and many contributions of existing centres, and seeks to ensure their ongoing success. To this end and in keeping with good governance, the University has a responsibility to establish the appropriate mechanisms to give assurance of relevance and continued viability in a changing environment, and to acknowledge the high demands for accountability and transparency. The existing policy on centres, developed in 1997, has been revised and updated, to facilitate the creation of centres, protect their integrity, and improve essential communication within the University, required with Integrated Planning and for full accountability. These objectives and terms are fully consistent with the establishment and management of similar entities at other universities in Canada and the United States.
The University recognizes creation of centres as indicative of the vitality, creativity and inventiveness of the academic community, and supports such enterprise to the fullest extent possible. For the purposes of orderly functioning this policy sets out definitions and principles for the creation, monitoring and review of centres. Companion Guidelines to assist in streamlining the processes involved will be developed to support and assist all University of Saskatchewan centres.
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> 1.0 Definition of a Centre
The University currently hosts a variety of centres, variously known as centres, institutes, units, organizations, networks, or programs, including incorporated entities.
For purposes of this policy, a centre is a formally structured organization which is not a division, department or college, but which is established within or in conjunction with the University of Saskatchewan, for the pursuit or support of: scholarly, artistic, scientific, or technological objectives; teaching; or outreach.
This should include, but not necessarily be limited to 1) performing disciplinary or multi-disciplinary research, teaching, scholarly or artistic activity; 2) offering new curricular and extra-curricular educational opportunities; 3) demonstrating or stimulating research, scholarly, artistic or business opportunities; 4) providing outreach activities.
2.0 Accountability
Each Centre must have a clear line of accountability to a Dean or Vice-President.
Type A Type A centres are those that are organizationally part of one college, and report to a Dean, and do not involve substantial resources. These centres involve activities that complement and enhance the work of primarily one college, and could involve multi-disciplinary and multi-faculty work. The activities of such centres should be congruent with approved College Plans and would be established with the Dean's endorsement and Council approval. Responsibility for funding of these centres rests with the college. (Informal association of faculty that have no claim on tangible resources, but use the University name or facilities should make known their objectives to the relevant dean.)
Type B Type B centres are those that involve activities beyond the scope of a single college and/or involve significant resources and will require the endorsement of the Deans involved, the appropriate Vice-President (usually the Vice-President Research) and Provost's Committee on Integrated Planning (PCIP) before seeking the approval of Council. These centres are organizationally part of the University and are subject to University management and control, reporting to a designated Dean or an appropriate Vice-President (usually the Vice-President Research).
Type C Type C centres are centres that are incorporated and legally distinct from the University, and which have academic/research implications for the University. These centres must have the authorization of the Vice-Presidents and secure Council approval before being recommended to the Board of Governors. These centres may be either a cooperative relationship involving the sharing of resources, or a landlord-tenant relationship, reflecting the academic interest of the University in the centre's activities and recognizing the University's community obligation to promote the greatest community use of its faculties and resources. These centres will report on their academic and research activities to a Dean to the extent possible, and/or to an appropriate Vice-President. A financial report must also be provided to the Vice-President (Finance and Resources) for the Board, and all legal requirements of incorporated entities met.
Type D Type D centres are legally incorporated entities, established to support the activities of the University, but which have no academic focus. Such centres may be proposed by a college or administrative unit, and their establishment would require the approval of the Vice-President Finance and Resources, PCIP and the Board of Governors. Type D centres would report on an annual basis to the Vice-President Finance and Resources and through that office to the Board.
3.0 FinancingThe financial support of a centre should be based on at least medium-term (3-5 years) financial support by government, community, industry and /or the University. The financial viability should not be based solely on a short-term grant or contract.
The cost structure of a centre should be identified, including such items as administrative and infrastructure support, IT, multimedia and Library costs.
The responsible Dean or Vice-President of a centre should be aware of its budget plans, and in seeking additional donations the centre should be aware of and be consistent with the University's fundraising plan, coordinating fundraising needs with the University
4.0 Management
All University centres must have a management structure (manager or management board and /or a named executive officer). The scale of the management structure will be dependent on the category type of the centre and may range from a single individual to a highly structured board.
5.0 Reporting Requirements
Type A, B and C centres shall report at least annually to the responsible Dean or Vice- President.
Reporting will include activities and accomplishments, finances and budget/business plan for the coming year.
Type D centres will report as require by the Board of Governors
6.0 Review of a Centre
Each centre will be subject to systematic review in a form appropriate to its activities, as determined by the Dean or Vice-President to whom it reports.
7.0 Integrated Planning
Each centre will be involved in Integrated Planning through the units with which it interacts, with the centre plan, usually as part of a College Plan, conveyed by the responsible Dean or Vice-President.
8.0 Standing Subcommittee of Planning on Centres
A standing Subcommittee on Centres will be created.
- To facilitate the creation of new centres
- To monitor adherence to the Policy
- To develop and review the Policy and Guidelines
- To oversee the disestablishment of centres
- To maintain a list of active centres
9.0 Implementation and Transition
Upon approval of this policy, it will become effective immediately with respect to proposals for new centres
Early implementation of the new policy for existing centres is necessary to assist in Integrated Planning and to satisfy the legal requirements of the institution's auditors and the expectations of the Board of Governors to exercise its stewardship obligations.
A transitional period is envisaged to establish the appropriate category for each centre and to ensure full integration into the planning initiatives and thrust of the academic enterprise, as well as to provide the opportunity to benefit from resources available.
10.0 Guidelines
Guidelines shall be developed by the Standing Subcommittee on Centres to facilitate the implementation of this Policy.
Guidelines adopted by the Board of governors on June 12, 2001, currently exist regarding Type D incorporation.
DRAFT (December, 2003)
NOTE: The following list is work in progress, and is neither complete nor definitive.
CENTRES
Listed by Type
Type A
Alvin Buckwold Centre
Applied Psychiatric Research
Cameco Multiple Sclerosis Neuroscience Research Centre
Cardiovascular Risk Factor Reduction Unit
Centre for Distributed Learning
Centre for International Business Studies
Centre for School-Based Learning
Centre for Second Languages
CIBC Centre for Agricultural Enterprise
Eighteenth Century Studies
Engineering Computer Centre
Humanities Research Unit
Institute for Computer and Information Technology
Institute of Society and the Humanities
Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies
Native Law Centre
Neuropsychiatric Research Unit
Nutritional Resource and Volunteer Centre
Peter Nikoforuk Innovative Teaching and Learning Centre
Prairie Feed Resources Centre
Prairie Region Health Promotion Research Centre
Reproductive Biology Research Unit
Saskatchewan Cancer Control Research Unit
Saskatchewan Educational leadership Unit
Saskatchewan Heart and Stroke Foundation Epidemiology Unit
Saskatchewan Institute on the Prevention of Handicaps
Saskatchewan Land Resource Centre
Saskatchewan Neuroscience Network
Saskatchewan Pediatric Auditory Rehabilitation Centre
Saskatchewan Process Philosophy Research Unit
Saskatchewan Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Satellite Centre
Saskatchewan Stroke Research Centre
Social Research Unit
Subatomic Physics Institute
Transportation Centre
Tuberculosis Control/Research Centre for the Elimination of Tuberculosis
Type B
Animal Resources Centre
Canadian Agricultural Energy Use Data and Analysis Centre
Canadian Co-operative Wildlife Health Centre
Centre for the Study of Agriculture, Law and the Environment
Centre for the Study of Cooperatives
Community-University Institute for Social Research
Crop Development Centre
Diefenbaker Centre
Indigenous Peoples Health Research Centre
Institute for Health and Outcomes Research
Institute of Agricultural, Rural and Environmental Health
International Centre for Governance and Development
Prairie Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Integration
Saskatchewan Drug Research Institute
Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre
Toxicology Centre
Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Organization (VIDO)
Women's Studies Research Unit (WSRU)
Type C
Prairie Diagnostic Services Inc.
Prairie Swine Centre Inc
Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre Inc
Saskatchewan Legal Education Society Inc - ?
SPHERU Inc
Western Beef Development Centre Inc
Type D
Agricoll Research Investments Inc
CLS Inc
Pharmalytics Inc
Tricoll Services Inc
U of S Technologies Inc
621602 Saskatchewan Ltd
