DRAFT Memorandum of Understanding Draft date: June 27, 2013 Official submission deadline: October 31, 2013

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1 DRAFT Memorandum of Understanding Draft date: June 27, 2013 Official submission deadline: October 31, 2013 The following is a draft memorandum of understanding between the University of Alberta and Ministry of Enterprise and Advanced Education, scheduled for submission to the ministry on October 31, In preparation for final submission, this draft will be circulated widely (through Colloquy, IdeaScale, and ) to members of the U of A community for their consideration and comments. This period of consultation will remain open until the end of August. A second draft of the MOU will then be prepared for presentation and discussion at General Faculties Council on September 16, Following that, the final version of the MOU will begin to proceed through the full bicameral governance process, culminating at the Board of Governors meeting on Oct 18, 2013, when it will be presented for final approval. Preamble This Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Alberta (Government) and the University of Alberta (U of A) is an agreement regarding respective accountabilities, roles and responsibilities, including strategic priorities. This MOU applies equally to both parties and does not create any legal or binding obligations on the parties. This MOU builds upon the productive and positive working relationship between the Government and the U of A. The Government and the U of A share a commitment to ensuring high quality post-secondary education that fosters collaboration and innovation to build a strong economy and a diverse society, with a high quality of life and citizens engaged in the political, social and cultural life of the province, country, and world. The Government is committed to ensuring that Albertans have the opportunity to enhance their social, cultural and economic well-being through participation in an accessible, responsive and flexible post-secondary system. The Government is responsible for setting the legislative, regulatory and public policy frameworks within which post-secondary institutions operate. Created by the University Act, 1906 of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Alberta, the University of Alberta is a board-governed, publicly-funded university that operates as a Comprehensive, Academic and Research Institution under the authority of Alberta s Post- Secondary Learning Act. The U of A is responsible for fulfilling its mandate, mission, and vision as set out in its approved Mandate Statement and Mandate and Roles Document (to be reviewed on an annual basis and amended as required in collaboration with the Minister). The University and Government will work in partnership to provide education for Albertans that includes a broad range of perspectives in an open, thought-provoking environment, and to ensure that research and the application of new knowledge flourish in Alberta. The government understands and supports the University s responsibility for leadership in research and education

2 at provincial, national, and international levels. The Government respects principles of academic freedom and administrative autonomy, and acknowledges that a free and open academy is a vital safeguard for a democratic society. Campus Alberta System (The following is placeholder text. The final text for this section will be determined in discussion and consultation with all 26 presidents of Campus Alberta institutions. Although provisional, comments are still welcome.) Founded by the first act of the provincial legislature, the University of Alberta is the province s oldest, largest, and most comprehensive post-secondary institution. As the flagship, the U of A plays a leading role in Campus Alberta by collaborating with other Alberta institutions, responding to vital community relationships at every level, and giving a national and international voice to Alberta innovation. The U of A supports and promotes the Campus Alberta goals of an accessible, affordable and high-quality post-secondary education system that fosters discovery, creativity, social awareness, entrepreneurship and collaboration. Continue to work with Campus Alberta partners to increase access and better serve learners, achieve efficiencies, leverage expertise, and maximize available resources. Continue to develop a transfer system with seamless pathways for lifelong learning. Continue to refine the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfers. Continue to collaborate with school boards, high schools, and other partners to identify additional opportunities such as dual credit offerings, to increase participation rates in post-secondary education and training programs, particularly related to Aboriginal learners and other underrepresented groups. Participate in Campus Alberta Strategic Directions Committee meetings and Alberta Council of Post-secondary Education meetings. Continue to partner with government and other institutions on establishing the strategic technology directions for Campus Alberta as well as implementing collaborative initiatives. Alberta s CARI institutions (The following is also placeholder text. The final text will be composed in conjunction with the other CARI institutions. Comments are still welcome.) Offer a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs across the range of foundational, applied, and professional programs. Prepare of highly qualified graduates (bachelors, masters, PhDs, and post-doctoral fellows) for citizenship, employment, and leadership in all sectors of Alberta s society. Attract scholars of international reputation to Alberta, including undergraduate and graduate students, post- doctoral fellows, staff and faculty. Are sole providers of graduate education, as such educate, mentor, and train graduate students and post-doctoral fellows to be next-generation high-level knowledge workers, academic leaders, and entrepreneurial innovators at home in, and able to create networks across, a globalized knowledge-based society. 2

3 Foster, conduct, disseminate, and commercialize research and creative activity, both pure and applied, within and across all the major program areas at an internationallyrecognized level of excellence. Attract and leverage resources and talents through provincial, national, and international research partnerships with other academic institutions, business, governments and public agencies, actively transferring new knowledge, creative works, innovations, and inventions to Alberta, Canada, and the world. Partner in social, cultural and economic development, fostering research, scholarship and creative activity that support leading global enterprise and citizenship for Albertans. Provide the professional labour force and knowledge generation vital to Alberta s economic well-being and future economic diversification. The University of Alberta The University of Alberta s fundamental mandate is to offer a broad range of outstanding learning and research programs that prepare citizens and leaders who will make a difference and fuel a continuous flow of discovery and innovation. The university attracts scholars of international reputation; collectively, these talented people foster, conduct, and disseminate research and creative activity, both pure and applied, within and across all the major program areas at an internationally-recognized level of excellence. Providing provincial, national, and global leadership in a knowledge driven economy and society, the U of A: Attracts scholars of international reputation (undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, staff and faculty) to foster, conduct and disseminate research and creative activity, both pure and applied, within and across all the major program areas at an internationally recognized level of excellence. Engages in nationally and internationally recognized research and creative activity that produces qualified graduates as well as advances in knowledge, social and technological innovation, and public policy. Transfers new knowledge and creative activity to Alberta, Canada and the world for the public good, through various means including, where appropriate and feasible, the commercialization of intellectual property. Collaborates with other Campus Alberta institutions, government, industry, and the nonprofit and cultural sectors to sustain a knowledge-driven economy, enhance the public good, and create societal benefits. Elevates the province s national and global profile by building top-level international partnerships and by transferring made-in-alberta ideas and innovation to the global community and marketplace. In a dynamic, integrated, and sustainable learning and research environment, the University of Alberta: Provides access to comprehensive, diverse, competitive, innovative, and high quality learning opportunities that result in internationally respected credentials, including bachelor s, master s, and doctoral degrees, university certificates and diplomas. 3

4 Ensures this access to a broad and diverse demographic of undergraduate and graduate students, including international students and those from rural, Aboriginal, francophone, and other underserved communities in Alberta. Offers, develops, and renews programming that prepares students for global citizenship and employment in local, national, and international organizations, businesses, institutions, and industries; meets the demands of students with various interests and aspirations; and responds and is relevant to social and economic shifts in society. Creates, in partnership with Campus Alberta institutions, laddering opportunities from high school to post-secondary study to lifelong learning and professional development. Strives to attain and maintain student-to -professor and undergraduate-to-graduate student ratios comparable to peer research-intensive, medical-doctoral public institutions. The U of A provides undergraduate and graduate learning experiences that are distinguished by: A balanced, interdisciplinary academy, with excellent arts and sciences programs that are foundational to and interconnected with excellent professional faculties. Student choice in pursuing degrees in programs and disciplines relevant to their talents, interests, and professional aspirations. Participation in original, ground-breaking research, scholarship, discovery, and creative activity that creates new knowledge, drives innovation and invention, and addresses global challenges. Access to faculty instructors and researchers who are acknowledged leaders and inspired mentors in their research fields. Opportunities for international experience through study abroad, internships, and work experience. A rich co-curricular slate of programs, clubs, activities, etc. which is largely studentdriven and thus is a genuine reflection of diverse student communities, interests, passions, and activities. Innovative curricular and co-curricular programming that inspires, fosters and supports student leadership, entrepreneurship, and global citizenship. A comprehensive range of student services to ensure that students are fully supported from admission through to convocation and are able to successfully achieve desired academic outcomes. University of Alberta Governance Practice effective, independent governance that complies with the Post-Secondary Learning Act, Public Agencies Governance Framework, the Alberta Public Agencies Governance Act (APAGA) (once the Act is proclaimed), and the approved Mandate and Roles Document. Provide ongoing professional development and training of board members. Continue to comply with government expense disclosure policies. Maintain student participation in governance. 4

5 The Government The Government is responsible for setting the legislative, regulatory and public policy frameworks within which post-secondary institutions operate. In order to meet these responsibilities and support the institution s achievement of its roles and responsibilities as outline in its mandate, the Government will: Provide the institution with annual operating and capital funding allocations. Provide broad policy direction and confirmation of general frameworks/principles to the institution, within which the institution may establish/apply specific policies/processes. Consult with and advise the institution of the government s strategic priorities, decisions, and public policy that may impact the institution. Consult with and advise the institution of performance targets, objectives, and expectations that may impact the institution. Ensure Board appointments are filled in a timely way. Support the Board s autonomy, ability to fulfil its obligations, and its delegation of authority. Closing still to be developed. 5