Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 73.23
Liaison Michael Chapman
Submission Date Dec. 8, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Nova Scotia Community College
PA-3: Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Christabell Pinchin
Secretary, Board of Governors
President's Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Do all enrolled students, regardless of type or status, have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies (through direct participation or the election of representatives)?:
Yes

A brief description of the mechanisms through which students have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:

All students have an opportunity to participate the NSCC Board of Governors. There are two seats available for student board members.


Is there at least one student representative on the institution’s governing body who was elected by peers or appointed by a representative student body or organization?:
Yes

A brief description of student representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:

Candidates interested in running in the elections will nominate themselves. The nominee will complete an Online Nomination Form, which is used as the official entry on the Official Slate of Candidates. The entry provides each candidate with the opportunity to express their views and reasons for running.

A Nomination Support Form will also be completed and submitted. This form bears the signature of the campus principal and faculty member, and is intended to confirm that a discussion has taken place with the potential nominee’s faculty and principal regarding the time commitment necessary to act as a Board Member.

Each Candidate is also responsible for arranging a telephone (or in-person) meeting with the Secretary of the Board. This meeting will give candidates a chance to review the Election Guidelines prior to the Campaigning Period.


Do students have a formal role in decision-making in regard to the following?:
Yes or No
Establishing organizational mission, vision, and/or goals Yes
Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives Yes
Strategic and long-term planning Yes
Existing or prospective physical resources Yes
Budgeting, staffing and financial planning Yes
Communications processes and transparency practices Yes
Prioritization of programs and projects Yes

A brief description of the formal student role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:

The Board of Governors of the Nova Scotia Community College is responsible for guiding the strategic agenda of the College to assist the College in meeting its responsibility for “enhancing the economic and social well-being of the province by meeting the occupational training requirements of the population and the labour market of the Province”. (Section 52, Community Colleges Act)

The primary function of the Board of Governors is to determine (governing) policies with respect to the organization, administration, and operation of the College, and to ensure the business and affairs of the College are conducted in accordance with good Governance practices and with the Community Colleges Act. (Section 63(c) & (d), Community Colleges Act)

The Board is responsible for the appointment of the President as well as the determination of the terms and conditions of employment of the President. The President is the Chief Executive Officer of the College and is responsible for the general management and direction of the College including the policies, programs and services of the College, the business affairs of the College, and other matters that may be delegated to the President by the Board. (Section 60(1) & (2), Community Colleges Act)

The Board, through its own processes, i.e. meetings, committees, and through drafting of governing policies “steers and guides” the College in its strategic directions. The Board approves the priorities and objectives set by the College.

The Board is also responsible for evaluating the performance of the College to ensure that it is attaining its stated objectives. This is achieved through the formation of governing policies and planning. While policies may originate from within the organization, it is the Board that has the ultimate power to adopt and require adherence to Board (governing) policies. Strategies for implementation of policy, i.e. the way that policies are translated into action, are the responsibility of the professional staff of the College.

Although not its primary role, the Board has a community relations role. Board members should be able to explain to others in the community what the College is doing, in what direction it is going, and why it has chosen a certain direction or set of priorities.

Individual Board members represent all people of Nova Scotia and no particular interest, community or constituency.

The Board is required to approve all College property purchases. As an example, the Board is currently reviewing the purchase of a property adjacent to the Pictou campus, in support of a major construction project that is currently underway.

The Board is responsible for providing guidance and approval of the College's Strategic Plan. Currently the Plan is being updated as part of it's five year cycle.

All board members have the opportunity to participate on a sub-committee. The sub-committees are as follows:
Programs Committee
Governance Committee
Finance, Audit & Risk Committee
Executive Committee
Nominating Committee
Succession Committee


Do all staff, regardless of type or status, have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies (through direct participation or the election of representatives)?:
Yes

A brief description of the mechanisms through which all staff have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:

The Board of Governors is the governing body of the Nova Scotia Community College and establishes the policy direction for management and control of the College. The Board of Governors membership includes three Staff Representatives (Academic, Administrative, and Support).


Is there at least one non-supervisory staff representative on the institution’s governing body who was elected by peers or appointed by a representative staff body or organization?:
Yes

A brief description of non-supervisory staff representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:

As indicated above, the Board of Governors is the governing body of the Nova Scotia Community College and establishes the policy direction for management and control of the College. The Board of Governors membership includes three Staff Representatives (Academic, Administrative, and Support).

Candidates interested in running in the elections will nominate themselves. The nominee will complete an Online Nomination Form, which is used as the official entry on the Official Slate of Candidates. The entry provides each candidate with the opportunity to express their views and reasons for running.

A Nomination Support Form will also be completed and submitted. This form bears the signature of the nominee and the senior supervisor, and is intended to confirm that a discussion has taken place with the potential nominee’s faculty and principal regarding the time commitment necessary to act as a Board Member.

Each Candidate is also responsible for arranging a telephone (or in-person) meeting with the Secretary of the Board. This meeting will give candidates a chance to review the Election Guidelines prior to the Campaigning Period.


Do non-supervisory staff have a formal role in decision-making in regard to the following? :
Yes or No
Establishing organizational mission, vision, and/or goals Yes
Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives Yes
Strategic and long-term planning Yes
Existing or prospective physical resources Yes
Budgeting, staffing and financial planning Yes
Communications processes and transparency practices Yes
Prioritization of programs and projects Yes

A brief description of the formal staff role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:

All members on the Board have the opportunity for equal decision making responsibilities. Board roles, and some examples, are provided in the above sections.


Do all faculty, regardless of type or status, have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies (through direct participation or the election of representatives)?:
No

A brief description of the mechanisms through which all faculty (including adjunct faculty) have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:

As mentioned previously, the Board of Governors is the governing body of the Nova Scotia Community College and establishes the policy direction for management and control of the College. The Board of Governors membership includes three Staff Representatives (Academic, Administrative, and Support).


Is there at least one teaching or research faculty representative on the institution’s governing body who was elected by peers or appointed by a representative faculty body or organization?:
Yes

A brief description of faculty representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:

As per other all board members, as described in previous sections.


Do faculty have a formal role in decision-making in regard to the following?:
Yes or No
Establishing organizational mission, vision, and/or goals Yes
Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives Yes
Strategic and long-term planning Yes
Existing or prospective physical resources Yes
Budgeting, staffing and financial planning Yes
Communications processes and transparency practices Yes
Prioritization of programs and projects Yes

A brief description of the formal faculty role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:

All members on the Board have the opportunity for equal decision making responsibilities. Board roles, and some examples, are provided in the above sections.


The website URL where information about the institution’s governance structure is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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