ESTABLISHMENT
The terms of reference of the Committee on the Evaluation of Graduate Programs were adopted on April 6, 2020 by Senate resolution 2019.2020.060.
Status
The Committee on the Evaluation of Graduate Programs (the Committee) is a standing committee of the Senate.
Powers and Functions
Under the authority of the Senate, the Committee is responsible for the proper conduct of graduate program cyclical reviews as per the Institutional Quality Assurance Process (IQAP) approved by the Senate. It ensures that programs under review are aligned with the University’s mission and objectives regarding academic planning and the student experience and supports faculties in maintaining the quality of programs offered.
Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Committee is responsible for:
- Ensuring that programs are reviewed according to the schedule set by the Office of Quality Assurance (OQA), based on the requirements of the Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance and the guidelines set in the IQAP;
- Examining the self-evaluation reports produced by academic units/faculties in order to ensure that they align with the requirements of cyclical reviews as set out in the IQAP;
- Ensuring that the self-evaluation reports clearly identify program objectives and associated learning outcomes, degree level expectations and their alignment with admission practices;
- Advising academic units/faculties in the preparation of self-evaluation reports that are optimal for external review;
- Selecting the external reviewers from a list provided by the Faculty;
- Preparing a report, on behalf of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs, addressed to the appropriate dean and academic unit chair, identifying program strengths and challenges, recommendations issued during the entire review process as well as external reviewers’ recommendations;
- Indicating in the progress and follow-up reports the necessary measures for the implementation of recommendations issued from the review, on behalf of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs and addressed to the appropriate dean and academic unit chair;
- Recommending specific actions to be taken for maintaining or improving the quality of programs reviewed;
- Making recommendations to the Senate concerning changes to the Committee’s terms of reference.
MEMBERSHIP
Members
The Committee is composed of the following members:
1. the director of the Office of Quality Assurance;
2. one regular, full-time professor from each faculty, nominated by the Executive Committee of the Senate on recommendation of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs, for a three-year, renewable term, and one regular, full-time professor from Saint Paul University, nominated by Saint Paul University for a three-year, renewable term;
3. one full-time graduate student, nominated by the Executive Committee of the Senate on recommendation of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs, for a two-year term. The student’s main role is to survey students from programs under review, gather their comments regarding program improvement and report to Committee members.
Chair
The Director of the Office of Quality Assurance serves as Committee chair.
MEETINGS
Convening
The Committee will meet as often as required to fulfill its mandate, as convened by the Chair.
Quorum
Six members of the Committee constitute a quorum.
Voting
All motions require a majority vote of members present. The Chair votes only in the event of a tie.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The Committee reports annually to the Executive Committee of the Senate.
SECRETARIAT
Secretariat services are provided by the Office of Quality Assurance.
