Online Learning and Degree Programs

Educational Standards Committee

Terms of Reference

“Decisional Mandates” and “Advisory Mandates” refer to the capacity of Senate which can be exercised on the basis of the recommendations of the committee, not to the powers of the committee itself. “Advisory Mandate” refers to section 35.2 (6) of the Act which states “that the Senate must advise the Board, and the Board must seek advice from the Senate, on the development of educational policy.” 

Based on the above, the Educational Standards Commitee has the authority for the following recommendations to Senate:

Decisional Mandates:

1. setting criteria for awarding certificates, diplomas and degrees;
2. setting qualifications for admission to the university;
3. setting policies concerning examinations and evaluation of student performance;
4. setting residency requirements for awarding credentials for courses and programs;
5. setting policies concerning student withdrawal from courses, programs or the university;
6. setting criteria for academic standing, academic standards and the grading system;
7. setting policies and procedures for appeals by students on academic matters; *
8. setting policies on curriculum evaluation for determining whether:
   
• courses or programs, or course credit, from another university or body are equivalent to courses or programs, or course credit, at the university, or
  
• courses or programs, or course credit, from one part of the university are equivalent to courses or programs, or course credit, in another part of the university;

Advisory Mandates:

9. the setting of the academic schedule;
10. setting of educational policies on the qualifications for faculty members;
11. setting of educational policies on the adjudication procedure for appealable matters of student discipline; *

Other:

12. other matters as assigned by Senate.

*These matters may involve the Final Appeals Tribunal Committee.  Membership is defined in Section 9 of VIU Procedure 99.02.001 – Academic Appeals.