Shuniah Building

Reports and Resources

Academic Council Update: September 2025 to June 2026

Over the past year, Academic Council engaged in a wide range of discussions and presentations, including:

  • Academic Operating Plan - priorities and progress related to program planning, academic quality, student retention and graduation, teaching and learning, and Strategic Enrolment Management
  • Centre for Teaching & Learning (CTL) - faculty development, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), innovative teaching practices, instructional technology and faculty supports
  • Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (IRAP) - implementation, Indigenous Learning Outcomes, faculty supports and embedding reconciliation across academic activities
  • Artificial Intelligence in teaching and learning - development of the College AI Strategy, responsible and ethical AI use, governance, privacy, academic integrity and AI fluency
  • Generative AI Best Practices Guide - for faculty, staff and students
  • Student recruitment and Strategic Enrolment Management - international and domestic recruitment, admissions, student supports, outreach and enrolment strategies
  • Program planning and program mix - enrolment, financial sustainability, labour-market alignment, program pathways, partnerships and future programming opportunities
  • Faculty Annual Performance Review - redesign and planned implementation of the faculty evaluation process
  • Student Success Week - purpose, scheduling and consistent academic expectations
  • Common Hour scheduling - opportunities to support student engagement, professional development and College activities
  • Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) refresh - modernization of foundational teaching development, including UDL, accessibility, Indigenous learning and AI
  • Strategic Plan and future Academic Operating Plan alignment - Academic Council's role, priorities and accountability

Policies Reviewed

Academic Council reviewed or considered the following academic policies and procedures:

  • Program Re-admission Policy & Procedure
  • Honorary Credential Policy & Procedure
  • Program Development Policy & Procedure
  • Prior Learning Assessment (PLAR) Policy & Procedure
  • Writing Tests at Alternate Times Policy & Procedure
  • Course Evaluation and Grading Policy & Procedure

Subcommittee Updates

Transforming Teaching & Learning Subcommittee

  • Continued collaboration with the Centre for Teaching & Learning (CTL).
  • Provided faculty perspectives and feedback on professional development, faculty best practices and the Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) refresh.
  • Supported Lunch & Learn/Bite-Sized professional development sessions.
  • Assisted with Academic Showcase planning.
  • Contributed to development of the College’s Artificial Intelligence strategy.
  • Supported development of resources promoting the responsible use of AI in teaching and learning.

Academic Success Subcommittee

  • Continued to focus on student retention, persistence and academic success.
  • Worked to improve the Early Alert Referral (EAR) process.
  • Supported implementation of the Student Profile to improve cross-departmental communication.
  • Collaborated with Institutional Research to strengthen the use of student data and survey feedback.
  • Promoted Best Practice Guides and Program Handbooks.
  • Began exploring Annual Program Review data to identify opportunities for targeted student supports.

Program Review & Quality Assurance Subcommittee

The Program Review and Quality Assurance Subcommittee had a highly productive year, strengthening quality assurance and continuous improvement across the academic program lifecycle. The committee’s new name reflects its expanded role and alignment with institutional and provincial quality assurance requirements.

  • Achieved 100% completion of all scheduled Comprehensive Program Reviews (CPRs) and completed 17 Annual Program Review (APR) Validation Letters.
  • Launched a new Quality Assurance website, improving access to QA resources, processes, timelines and documentation.'
  • Supported completion of the CQAAP Self-Study Report and the three-day external site visit involving faculty, students, graduates, PACs, leadership and support areas.
  • Continued to refine and align CPR, APR and other QA processes, improving consistency, efficiency and integration with academic planning.
  • Looking ahead to 2026–2027, eight CPRs are underway, with continued focus on CQAAP recommendations, updated QA resources and communications, and strengthening continuous improvement processes.

Previous year updates: