Academic Governance
Academic Leadership
The senior academic leadership of Lansbridge University consists of the Chief Academic Officer, the Academic Council and Committee Chairs. It is structured according to three principles:
- Clarity of reporting lines
- Delegation of decision-making
- Faculty, staff, student, and advisory board consultation
Chief Academic Officer – Dr. Jane Gravill
The Chief Academic Officer is responsible for the overall academic leadership, student recruitment, admission and retention, academic programs, faculty policy and procedures, and for strategic developments in academic programs. The Chief Academic Officer is responsible for planning and implementing academic programs including curriculum, student instructional support, and faculty recruitment, teaching, research, and institutional service.
Academic Council
The Academic Council’s responsibilities include:
- Review of curriculum, subject matter, methods of instruction and admission standards for courses and programs.
- Oversight of the University’s research and program development activities.
- Review, evaluation and oversight of the teaching/learning process.
- Establishment of requirements for degree completion and academic progress and confirmation that those requirements have been achieved.
The Academic Council is also responsible for advising and making recommendations to the Board of Directors through the President on academic affairs and issues, and approving:
- Academic programs.
- Proposals for new programs and courses.
- Review and evaluation of programs and educational services.
- Policies concerning library and resource centers.
- Consultation with community and program advisory groups concerning the institution's educational programs.
- Policies on faculty member qualifications.
- Policies concerning examinations and evaluation of student performance.
- Criteria for admission, academic standing, academic standards and the grading system. Criteria for awards recognizing academic excellence. Policies and procedures for appeals by students on academic matters.
Led and chaired by the Chief Academic Officer, the Academic Council has responsibility for policy decision-making in the areas of curriculum and instructional support, faculty development, academic policy, and student affairs.
The Academic Council is comprised of seven members: four faculty members (three of whom are Chairs of the Academic Committees), selected University staff and the Chief Academic Officer. The members of the Academic Council are appointed by the Chief Academic Officer for a term of one year.
Committee Structure
Reporting to the Academic Council are the following four standing committees which meet a minimum of three times during the September to August academic year:
Curriculum and Instructional Support Committee
The Curriculum and Instructional Support Committee is responsible for 1) maintaining quality academic programs through an ongoing review and improvement process, 2) instructional support by maximizing student learning opportunities, and 3) library and instructional resources, including informational technology support.
This Curriculum and Instructional Support Committee is comprised of four members: The faculty chair, two faculty members (selected by the Chief Academic Officer) and the Courseware Development Manager. The Chief Academic Officer serves in an ex-offico capacity.
Faculty Development Committee
The Faculty Development Committee is responsible for 1) faculty reviews and evaluations, 2) faculty instructional development, 3) faculty research, 4) online teaching improvement process, and 5) faculty teaching and research recognition.
This Faculty Development Committee is comprised of four members: The faculty chair, two faculty members (selected by the Chief Academic Officer) and the Courseware Development Manager. The Chief Academic Officer serves in an ex-offico capacity.
Academic Policy and Institutional Effectiveness Committee
The Academic Policy and Institutional Effectiveness Committee is responsible for 1) educational policies and procedures (course changes, deletions, new course additions, program changes, new programs, etc.) 2) transfer credit policies and procedures, 3) program resources, 3) program mission, goals, and outcomes, 4) faculty credentials, 5) faculty handbook, and 6) institutional planning and effectiveness.
The Academic Policy and Institutional Effectiveness Committee are comprised of five members: The faculty chair, two faculty members (selected by the Chief Academic Officer), the Courseware Development Manager, and the Admissions Officer. The Chief Academic Officer serves in an ex-offico capacity.
Student Affairs and Admissions Committee
Student Affairs and Admissions Committee is responsible for 1) student policy and procedures, 2) admissions criteria and procedures, 3) student retention, 4) student recognition and awards, and 5) alumni programs and support.
This Student Affairs and Admissions Committee has four members: The faculty chair and two faculty (selected by the Chief Academic Officer), along with the Admissions Officer.
Policy regarding Academic Committee Participation
Academic committees are required to meet no less than 3 times per academic year (Sept to August). Committee Chairs receive an annual stipend to act in their role as leader of their respective committees. This commitment involves: ensuring key items of the Committee’s respective responsibility are discussed, communicated and enacted upon; ensuring the Committee meets at least three times per academic year, preparing relevant agenda items, scheduling meeting times, and ensuring minutes of the meeting are recorded and distributed to the Committee for feedback. Committee meeting minutes are stored on our Lansbridge University main server for access when needed, and for record maintenance purposes.
Committee members, other than Lansbridge University staff and the Chief Academic Officer, are paid a small fee for each committee meeting.