Faculty Governance

Governance is the processes and practices through which an entity organizes itself to achieve its mandate. It is concerned with the structures and procedures for decision-making, accountability, control and codes of conduct. It is expressed through legislation, policies and by-laws, and informal norms. The goal of effective governance is a robust organization that achieves peak performance and is accountable to the people it serves.

The University of Alberta governs itself with a bi-cameral governance structure, as set out in the Alberta Post-Secondary Learning Act. The Board of Governors has authority for business governance and the General Faculties Council (GFC) has authority for academic governance.

The GPS Council is established by the Post-Secondary Learning Act, and operates under delegated authority from the General Faculties Council. The GPS Council:

  • Approves minimum University standards on all aspects of graduate education, including minimum admission standards, time limits for the completion of program milestones, and residency requirements
  • Approves graduate policy
  • Approves the creation of all new graduate credentials and new graduate programs, including graduate programs under the Shared Credential Policy
  • Deals with any other such matters as are brought to it from time to time by the Vice-Provost and Dean, GPS.

Learn more about governance