As Aurora College continues evolving toward becoming a polytechnical university, a big aspect of the ongoing success will be the effective implementation and operations of the new governing structure. The Academic Council is one of three elements of Aurora College’s new governance model – the others being the Board of Governors and the Indigenous Knowledge Holders Council.
The Academic Council is distinct in that it is composed of solely of Aurora College faculty, staff and students, and deals directly with decisions related to academic quality and standards.
The current Council is made up of 30 members, including 14 elected faculty, three elected staff, three elected students, three ex-officio members, and four members appointed by the College President. It advises the Board of Governors, makes recommendations on all academic matters, and is helping to build the College’s capacity to make academic decisions.
Amendments to the Aurora College Act in May 2022 laid out the framework for the Academic Council as one of the three governing bodies for Aurora College. The first Council came into being in November 2023.
Academic Council Chair, Dave Porter, notes that the Academic Council provides an opportunity for faculty and staff to be engaged in the academic direction of the College. It gives them a more fulsome understanding of what is happening within the institution and how it operates. The Council also provides the ability to make some decisions rather than just recommendations.”
To dat4e, the Academic Council has developed a terms of reference, reviewed several of the College’s processes, and clarified the roles and responsibilities of members.
Membership currently represents different NWT regions, academic programs and a mix of faculty, staff, senior management, and student representatives. The broad range of perspectives, is key to informing solid decision-making by the Council.