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• Kwantlen Polytechnic University is a new university in the province to be created through regulation by the Lieutenant Governor as per the recently adopted amendments to BC’s University Act. This will make Kwantlen a full member of the university sector guided by university legislation, which includes institutional authority to grant undergraduate and graduate degrees, a mandate for research and scholarship, and more autonomous governance than exists in other sectors (colleges and institutes).

• Significant changes for Kwantlen include the ability to offer Masters degrees (as opposed to Applied Masters degrees under the College and Institute Act), and “…so far as and to the extent that its resources from time to time permit, undertake and maintain applied research and scholarly activities to support the programs of the special purpose teaching university” (Section 47.1(d) of the University Amendment Act).

• A key differentiating point between the University Act and the College and Institute Act relates to institutional governance. Bicameral governance within a university delineates the fiduciary responsibilities of the Board of Governors from the academic authority of the Senate. Authority under such a governance model is tied to one’s ability to offer cogent, convincing arguments in a collegial, professional environment.
• Importantly, this tradition of university governance is central to a unique yet always changing institution (the University) that has retained a pivotal place in society for over a millennium. Few other institutions can make such a claim.

• University bicameral governance situates more direct authority and responsibility with faculty.  This governance model challenges us to take collective responsibility for answers we develop to critical and strategic questions related to educational issues.

• One of the necessary first steps for the new university will be the creation of a Senate that has authority as outlined in the amended University Act.

• Additionally, the roles for Deans and their Divisions within the university will change as they will have greater independence. Greater authority and responsibility will devolve to faculty, chairs, and deans in a collaborative arrangement.