VIU Scenery

Committees

As approved May 25, 2022 by the Committee of the Whole Board, the board standing committee structure has moved from seven committees to four, as follows:

Summary

This information is intended to be a quick reference to the mandate and composition of Vancouver Island University’s Executive Committee (a standing committee of VIU’s Board of Governors). It is not intended to replace or supersede the Committee’s Board approved Terms of Reference, or any policy or by-law of the Board. The reader is encouraged to refer to the Committee’s Terms of Reference for a comprehensive discussion of the Committee’s key responsibilities.

Mandate, Delegated Authority, and Key Responsibilities

The Executive Committee is an advisory committee of the Board. Except as described below, the Committee has no authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board, unless specifically delegated the authority to do so by a resolution of the Board.

Pursuant to the Committee’s Terms of Reference, the Committee has the delegated authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board in order to address matters that arise between regularly scheduled meetings of the Board that, in the Board Chair’s discretion, require immediate attention.

In addition to the authority described above, the Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its strategic oversight responsibilities by assisting and advising the Board with:

  • developing strategic priorities of the Board, including setting: (i) the annual agenda of items for the Board, (ii) the annual schedule of meetings for the Board and its standing committees, and (iv) the annual work plans for the Board and its committees
  • overseeing the annual evaluation of the Board and its committees
  • providing recommendations to the Board respecting the striking of ad hoc special committees of the Board, in order to assist the Board its strategic goals and priorities
  • advising on matters related to the President, including recruitment, selection, evaluation, and reappointment, as applicable

In addition, the Committee assists the Governance and Policy Committee with the development, review, and evaluation of policies, procedures, and by-laws of the Board, as requested or assigned by the Governance and Policy Committee from time to time.

Committee Membership

The Committee is comprised of the Board Chair, the President, and such other Board members as selected by the Board Chair.

Executive Committee Terms of Reference

Summary

This information is intended to be a quick reference to the mandate and composition of Vancouver Island University’s Governance and Policy Committee (a standing committee of VIU’s Board of Governors). It is not intended to replace or supersede the Committee’s Board approved Terms of Reference, or any policy or by-law of the Board. The reader is encouraged to refer to the Committee’s Terms of Reference for a comprehensive discussion of the Committee’s key responsibilities.

Mandate and Key Responsibilities

The Governance and Policy Committee is an advisory committee of the Board and has no authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board, unless specifically delegated the authority to do so by a resolution of the Board.

The Committee assists and advises the Board on matters related to Board governance and the development and review of Board policies, procedures and by-laws, including:

  • developing and maintaining Board governance documentation
  • overseeing search, nomination, and appointment processes for Board members, the Chancellor, and the Board Chair
  • developing procedures for and overseeing Board education and development
  • developing protocols for Board communication
  • overseeing the development and review of Board policies, procedures, and by-laws, including, where appropriate and based on subject matter expertise, assigning the development and review of certain policies, procedures, and by-laws to other committees of the Board

Committee Membership

The Committee is comprised of the Board Chair, the President, and such other Board members as selected by the Board Chair.

At least one member of the Committee will be an elected Board member, and at least one member of the Committee, in addition to the Board Chair, will be an appointed Board member.

Governance and Policy Committee Terms of Reference

Summary

This document is intended to be a quick reference to the mandate and composition of Vancouver Island University’s Human Resources Committee (a standing committee of VIU’s Board of Governors). It is not intended to replace or supersede the Committee’s Board approved Terms of Reference, or any policy or by-law of the Board. The reader is encouraged to refer to the Committee’s Terms of Reference for a comprehensive discussion of the Committee’s key responsibilities.

Mandate and Key Responsibilities

The Human Resources Committee is an advisory committee of the Board and has no authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board, unless specifically delegated the authority to do so by a resolution of the Board.

The Committee assists and advises the Board on human resources and employment related matters, including:

  • providing strategic direction and recommendations to the Board on matters relating to working conditions;
  • providing strategic direction and recommendations to the Board on matters relating to labour negotiations and labour relations;
  • advising the Board on compensation philosophies and benefits for employees;
  • advising the Board on employee engagement, retention, and succession planning strategies and initiatives;
  • making recommendations to the Board on bargaining mandates;
  • reviewing, evaluating, and recommending tentative settlement and collective agreements with employee groups to the Board;
  • providing strategic oversight to the Board on matters relating to employee discipline, grievances, litigation, and other employee related disputes;

In addition, the Committee assists the Governance and Policy Committee with the development, review, and evaluation of all human resources and employment related policies, procedures, and by-laws of the Board, as requested or assigned by the Governance and Policy Committee from time to time.

Committee Membership

The Committee is comprised of the Board Chair, the President, and such other Board members as selected by the Board Chair. Other than the President, only appointed Board members will be eligible to sit on the Committee.

Human Resources Committee Terms of Reference

Summary

This document is intended to be a quick reference to the mandate and composition of Vancouver Island University’s Finance, Audit and Facilities Committee (a standing committee of VIU’s Board of Governors). It is not intended to replace or supersede the Committee’s Board approved Terms of Reference, or any policy or by-law of the Board. The reader is encouraged to refer to the Committee’s Terms of Reference for a comprehensive discussion of the Committee’s key responsibilities.

Mandate and Key Responsibilities

The Finance, Audit and Facilities Committee is an advisory committee of the Board and has no authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board, unless specifically delegated the authority to do so by a resolution of the Board.

The Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its strategic oversight responsibilities by assisting and advising the Board on matters related to:

  • financial planning
  • financial oversight
  • financial reporting and accountability
  • internal and external audit processes (including the annual selection of the external auditor)
  • legal, statutory, and regulatory compliance
  • risk management (financial and otherwise)
  • management of the University’s real property, facilities, and infrastructure

In addition, the Committee assists the Governance and Policy Committee with the development, review, and evaluation of all financial, facilities, and risk-related policies, procedures, and by-laws of the Board, as requested or assigned by the Governance and Policy Committee from time to time.

Committee Membership

The Committee is comprised of the Board Chair, the President, and such other Board members as selected by the Board Chair.

At least one member shall be an elected member of the Board, and where possible, all Committee members shall be financially literate.

Finance, Audit and Facilities Committee Terms of Reference