Higher Education in British Columbia - Structure and Governance

Structure and Governance

The provincial government is responsible for higher education in British Columbia. It enacts legislation regarding the establishment, management, and operation of post-secondary institutions. The government also provides leadership and support for post-secondary education. As part of this support, the government manages the overall funding and program co-ordination for the public and private post-secondary education systems, as well as the provincial student financial aid programs for eligible students. In addition, it is responsible for intergovernmental issues, performance accountability, data management and analysis, and policy related to transitions within the post-secondary education system.

To maintain the quality and accreditation of higher education in British Columbia, the government passed legislation titled the Degree Authorization Act that established criteria for when either a private or out-of-province public institution applies for consent to provide degree programs or use the word “university” in British Columbia, or new degree programs are proposed by British Columbia’s current public post-secondary institutions. A Degree Quality Assessment Board established in 2002 works with the government on reviews and makes recommendations to the Minister on institution applications.

Higher education institutions in British Columbia have particular mandates and serve specific community needs. They are able to decide how to achieve their mandate and deal with the various levels of administrative details with regard to operations, faculty, staff, and students.

Research universities such as the University of British Columbia (Vancouver and Okanagan), University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University, and the University of Northern British Columbia, operate under a bicameral structure composed of a Board of Governors and a Senate. Teaching intensive universities, such as Thompson Rivers University and Royal Roads University, colleges and institutes each have a Board of Governors, but instead of a Senate they have a council (e.g. Academic Council). In addition to those bodies, Thompson Rivers University has a Planning Council and Royal Roads University has a Program and Research Council. Before the legislation of the "College and Institute Act" in 1996, these institutions used to follow a form of governance based on administrative or governing board authority. When the new act came into effect, the bicameral governance permitted faculty to play a role in board governance in a senate-type body where before decisions were made by administrators and board members.

Private career and college institutions fall under the auspice of the Degree Authorization Act, but only if they provide degrees or call themselves “university.” Institutions that offer only diploma or certificate programs are legislated by the Private Career Training Institutions Act, and have to register with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA). This self-regulating agency is governed by a board of appointed industry representatives and the board’s responsibility is to provide information and consumer protection to the students of registered institutions and to establish standards of quality that must be met by its accredited institutions.