Understanding the University Context, Governance and Culture for Effective Administration

Title: Understanding the University Context, Governance and Culture for Effective Administration

Start date / End date: Tuesday, April 10 to Friday, June 1, 2012

Summary
 

This course aims to provide administrators with the ability to instinctively take context and culture into account when carrying out their work. The course is delivered using a combination of independent study activities, on-line discussions, group work and digital meetings using a web conferencing system.

Course Schedule and Live Learning Sessions

While most of the learning takes place on the participants’ own time, in order to complete the course participants are required to attend the following Live Learning Sessions. Prior to registering for the course, participants should ensure that they are available at these times. Please note that participants will be assigned to groups during the April 12 Course Introduction.

Time commitment: Participants are expected to commit approximately 25 hours to the completion of this course, which includes presentations, readings, course activities, group work and Live Learning Sessions.

Member fee: $650

* Please note this online course is being offered to CAUBO institutional members only.

Course Delivery Details:

Courses are delivered via Université de Moncton’s web-based Learning Content Management System. 

Course Description:
Among the longest standing institutions in the world, universities adhere to fundamental principles and values that have been championed by academics from the earliest of times.  Those principles and values continue to shape the modern university and contribute to an environment that is substantially different from that encountered in private or public sector organizations.  To be effective in a university, it is essential that administrators understand and respect these values and principles and adapt their practices accordingly. 

The unique nature of universities and the academic culture impact how administrators work, interact with individuals, consult, bring forward ideas or plans for review or approval and implement new initiatives.   They are experienced by all administrators whether in academic units, central services, student services or ancillary services.

This course is a blend of web-based materials and web conferencing sessions. Through presentations, readings, assignments, activities and group discussions, this course aims to provide administrators with the ability to more instinctively take context and culture into account in carrying out their work.  The course will provide participants with a general understanding of:

• the origin of universities in feudal times and how this is reflected in the culture and traditions of today’s university
• the division of roles between the Senate, the Board and the University President and how this might affect planning and decision-making in academic and non-academic units
• the unique judicial process that applies to universities and how that influences process development and application
• the federal and provincial influences over universities from a constitutional perspective and funding context; 
• the general funding sources of universities for operations, research and capital;
• unique nature and funding of academic research
• collegial governance and its meaning in practice
• principles of academic freedom and their application
• the meaning and implications of the peer review process and principles of natural justice in a university
• academic values and how they impact routine interactions of academics and administrators
• the academic workload

This course is intended for:

• All individuals recruited from outside of the university sector into mid to senior management positions
• Individuals aspiring to more senior managerial roles in a university
• Mid to senior level administrative staff from across the university

Online Course Contributors:

Online course materials prepared by:

• David Graham, Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs, Concordia University
• Stephen Jarrett, Legal Counsel, The University of Western Ontario
• Carole Workman, Consultant & former Executive Director, CAUBO & Retired Vice-President, Finance and Administration, University of Ottawa

Online Course Facilitators:

• Julie Stockton, Director, Organizational Development and Learning, University of British Columbia
• Rosie Parnass, Director, Organizational Development and Learning Centre, Quality of Work/Life Advisor, University of Toronto