Finding our Niche: VIU's Niche as a Regional Teaching University
The University Act identifies VIU as “a special purpose, teaching university that serves a geographic area or region of the province.” It provides “adult basic education, career, technical, trade and academic programs leading to certificates, diplomas and baccalaureate and masters degrees.” Further, it provides “so far as and to the extent that its resources from time to time permit . . . applied research and scholarly activities to support the programs of the special purpose, teaching university” (10: 47.1).
The preceding helped to inform the discussions around the Academic Plan that took place last year. As you know, the Academic Plan incorporated considerable institutional conversation, was endorsed by Senate and the Board of Governors and is now our frame of reference for much of our academic planning. The Academic Plan identified VIU’s Purpose:
As a leader in providing high-quality learning, Vancouver Island University supports the well being of the people of Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia by promoting a high quality of life for their communities through commitment to student success, community engagement and associated scholarship.
VIU’s Core Values were identified as: learning, discovery, engagement, achievement, diversity, celebration, and sustainability. The Academic Plan identified five key Objectives: 1. Student learning, engagement and success; 2. Academic community; 3. Program quality; 4. Community engagement; and 5. Institutional effectiveness.
While the University Act and Academic Plan provide significant direction for academic planning and development, broader questions and issues suggest that our institutional community should examine VIU’s place within the special purpose, teaching university model in British Columbia. For instance, VIU has developed a strong reputation as evidenced in NSSE, our geographic location is unique when compared to most other BC PSE institutions, our history and culture as a College with a highly regarded trades component sets us apart from many other institutions, competition for students is increasing, available traditional student numbers are decreasing, government financial support continues to decrease, and global, national, and regional cultural, economic, environmental and social issues continue to frame post secondary education.
Goals:
- Explore VIU within the context of the preceding;
- Identify an appropriate focus for VIU within the preceding context;
- Determine a ‘place’ for VIU within the foregoing that sets VIU apart and provides support for the identification of a ‘niche’ within the context of BC post secondary institutions.
Key Questions to be answered:
- How does VIU create an identity that separates itself from other similar institutions?
- How is that identity informed by the preceding discussion?
- How can such discussions make VIU more resilient, viable and stable?