Nursing

FACULTY OF NURSING COUNCIL BYLAWS

1.0 Purpose and Rationale

The Faculty of Nursing Council (Faculty Council) is the senior academic governance body of the Faculty of Nursing, providing a forum for faculty members to exercise self-governance in academic matters. Faculty Council fosters discussion, shares information, approves recommendations from its committees, and makes recommendations related to the Faculty of Nursing to Academic Governance Council.

The decisions and recommendations of the Faculty Council shall be consistent with the philosophies of a learner-centred education, academic excellence and a participatory decision-making organizational culture, in the tradition of faculty-led academic governance.

These Bylaws have been prepared to provide structure and set out the rules for the proceedings of the Faculty Council.

2.0 Definitions

2.1.    Academic Staff: refers to employees of Grant MacEwan University (MacEwan University) whose primary assignment is instruction and/or engagement with academic programming (Academic Governance Council (AGC) Bylaws, 3.0).
2.2.    Ad Hoc Committee: a committee established for a limited time frame to deal with a specific task or issue; will have formal status (including Terms of Reference); reports and recommends to Faculty Council.
2.3.    Bylaws: sometimes referred to as constitution, is a set of rules governing the operations of a formal body.
2.4.    Ex-Officio Member: A member who holds membership by virtue of an office or position he or she holds. Ex-officio members are afforded the same rights as other members, unless specifically stated in these Bylaws (such as whether the ex-officio member is non-voting).
2.5.    Executive Committee: Executive Committee of Faculty Council.
2.6.    Faculty Council: The senior academic governance body of the Faculty of Nursing.
2.7.    Non-Voting Member: A member who participates fully in the activities of the Faculty Council but who does not have the right to vote.
2.8.    Professional Resource Faculty: Counsellors, Librarians, Nursing Laboratory Resource Professionals, Writing and Learning Consultants, and Learning Specialists (AGC Bylaws, 3.0).
2.9.    Quorum: The number or percentage of voting members required to be present to render decisions valid.
2.10.    Support/Supervisory Staff: employees of Grant MacEwan University who are designated as Support/Supervisory Staff (AGC Bylaws, 3.0).
2.11.    Standing Committee: a committee with formal status, unlimited lifespan, and a fixed cycle of membership change and renewal; will report routinely and formally to the Faculty Council.
2.12.    Special Resolution: Amendments to these Bylaws require special resolution at Faculty Council with a two-thirds majority of voting members present and voting.

3.0 Functions

3.1.    The Faculty Council:
3.1.1. Provides a forum for discussion and considers endorsements of relevant academic matters;
3.1.2. Recommends actions on program and curriculum items;
3.1.3.    Reviews and responds to program evaluations and similar reports;
3.1.4. Acts on business brought forward from its committees;
3.1.5. Addresses matters of governance referred to it by other University bodies;
3.1.6. Provides an Annual Report to Academic Governance Council (AGC) for information in September.

4.0 Membership

4.1.    The Faculty Council (voting) is composed of:
4.1.1.    All tenure track, tenured and full-time limited-term academic staff of the Faculty of Nursing including professional resource faculty;
4.1.2.    Up to seven (7) nurse educators elected by Faculty Council for a 2-year term, of which a maximum of 5 are from the Department of Nursing Science and a maximum of 2 are from the Department of Psychiatric Nursing;
4.1.3.    Up to three (3) sessional academic staff, one from each department or centre, elected by Faculty Council for a one-year term subject to renewal for another term, if eligible. Sessional academic staff must teach a minimum of 90 Instructional Hours per year to be eligible to stand for election to Faculty Council;
4.1.4.    Dean of the Faculty;
4.1.5.    Associate Dean(s) of the Faculty and equivalent;
4.1.6.    Director(s) and Academic Coordinator(s) of the Faculty;
4.1.7.    One (1) Librarian or other professional resource faculty external to the Faculty of Nursing, elected as determined by the Faculty Council;
4.1.8.    Two (2) student members selected by The Students’ Association of MacEwan University, preferably one from the Department of Nursing Science and one from the Department of Psychiatric Nursing. One (1) additional Faculty of Nursing student, who is not a member of SAMU, may also be considered for nomination by their department or centre;
4.2.    Ex-officio Members (non-voting):
4.2.1.    President;
4.2.2.    Provost and Vice President Academic, or designate;
4.2.3.    Deans of all other Faculties, Schools, and the University Library or designates;
4.2.4.    University Registrar or designate;
4.2.5.    Director of kihêw waciston, or designate.
4.3.    Other non-voting members may be appointed by the Faculty Council.
4.4.    The majority of the voting membership of the Faculty Council shall be tenure track, tenured and full-time limited-term academic staff of the Faculty.

5.0 Chair and Vice-Chair

5.1.    The Dean will Chair the Faculty Council.
5.2.    The Duties of the Chair include:
5.2.1.    Ensuring that the agenda is prepared and distributed in collaboration with the Faculty Council Executive Committee;
5.2.2.    Presiding over all meetings of the Faculty Council;
5.2.3.    Providing Faculty Council, at each meeting, a detailed report of work undertaken from the Dean’s Office;
5.2.4.    Representing the Faculty Council and acting as liaison with AGC and other Faculty/School Councils.
5.3.    The Vice-Chair of the Faculty Council will be an academic staff member elected from the members of the Faculty Council for a two (2) year term.
5.4.    The Vice-Chair shall fulfill the duties of the Chair in the Chair’s absence and shall assist the Chair in the performance of his/her duties.

6.0 Meetings of the Faculty Council

6.1.    Meeting protocols will be guided by current Robert’s Rules of Order, except where otherwise provided for in the Bylaws.
6.2.    The Faculty Council shall meet at least four times per year.
6.3.    Faculty Council members and other members of the University may bring business to the attention of Faculty Council by writing the Chair(s) of Executive Committee.
6.4.    Notice of meetings, agendas and associated materials shall be sent to members at least seven (7) days in advance of meetings.
6.5.    Meetings will be called by the Chair. In exceptional circumstances a special meeting may be called if a) the Chair considers a matter to be of sufficient urgency or b) a meeting is requested by one-third (1/3) of the membership of the Faculty Council.
6.6.    Quorum is established at 30% of voting Faculty Council members.
6.7.    A member may participate in a meeting of the Faculty Council by means of teleconference, video conference, or other means of communication that permit all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other. A member so participating is considered to be present at the meeting.
6.8.    Motions shall be carried by a simple majority of those voting members present and voting except as specified in 9.3.
6.9.    Under special circumstances an e-vote may be conducted. The Faculty Council Chair may request that a decision be made by use of electronic vote, for which a quorum of Faculty Council members must respond and will be passed by simple majority. The item must be discussed at the next Faculty Council meeting as a matter of record.
6.10.    Meetings of Faculty Council shall normally be open to the University. When a matter deemed confidential by the Faculty Council is to be considered, the part of the meeting concerning the confidential matter may be held in-camera. Material distributed to members for in-camera portions of meetings shall remain confidential. In all instances, discussions at meetings will be consistent with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
6.11.    The Chair may recognize non-members on any matter of business.
6.12.    Minutes of Faculty Council meetings shall be recorded and distributed to members. Minutes of open meetings shall be available to the University.

7.0 Committees of Faculty Council

7.1.    The following committees will be established:
7.1.1.    Executive Committee
7.1.2.    Curriculum Committee
7.1.3.    Research and Scholarship Committee
7.2.    The Faculty Council may strike other standing committees and ad hoc committees as needed to conduct its business.
7.3.    The Terms of Reference of all committees, including membership, mandate and meeting procedures, shall be approved by the Faculty Council.
7.4.    Committees of the Faculty Council are accountable to the Faculty Council. Committees shall report regularly to the Faculty Council.
7.5.    Committees of Faculty Council shall in general follow the same meeting procedures as the Faculty Council.
7.6.    In circumstances where a matter cannot be delayed until the next regular meeting, and where a special meeting of Faculty Council cannot be called, the Executive Committee may act on behalf of Faculty Council.
7.7.    A membership roster will be prepared and updated each year. Attendance at Faculty Council meetings will be registered, formally, by a member’s signature. Members of Faculty Council who are unable to attend a meeting should provide regrets to the secretary of Faculty Council at least twenty-four hours in advance.

8.0 Department Councils

8.1.    Each Academic Unit in the Faculty of Nursing will create a Department Council that is subsidiary to Faculty Council.
8.2.    The Terms of Reference of a Department Council will be determined by that Academic Unit and approved by Faculty Council.

9.0 Review of Faculty Council Bylaws

9.1.    The Faculty Council Bylaws, including composition of the Faculty Council, shall be reviewed within three years following the establishment of the Faculty Council, and every five years thereafter.
9.2.    At least three weeks written notice of proposed amendments to the Bylaws is required.
9.3.    Amendments to these Bylaws shall require a Special Resolution of Faculty Council as defined in 2.12.
9.4.    Following approval by the Faculty Council, amendments to the Bylaws are subject to approval of the Academic Governance Council.

Approved by Academic Governance Council
June 8, 2018 (motion AGC-07-06-08-2018)

2019-2020 Meetings

August 26, 2019
September 13, 2019
October 10, 2019
November 1, 2019
December 6, 2019
January 6, 2020
February 14, 2020
March 2, 2020
April 6, 2020
May 11, 2020

2018-2019 Meetings

August 22, 2018
October 17, 2018
November 30, 2018
March 18, 2019
May 2, 2019

2017-2018 Approved Minutes

September 8, 2017
October 3, 2017
December 1, 2017
January 30, 2018
March 15, 2018

2018/19 MEMBERS

TERMS OF REFERENCE

September 22, 2016

1. Mandate

1.1. This committee will focus on the operations of Faculty Council.

2. Responsibilities

2.1. To set the agenda for meetings of Faculty Council and to ensure that relevant background material is available to Faculty Council members prior to meetings.
2.2. To make decisions on behalf of Faculty Council in the event of an emergency or the inability of Faculty Council to meet in a timely manner.
2.3. To make decisions on behalf of Faculty Council in matters specifically delegated to it by Faculty Council. Decisions made by the Executive Council on behalf of Faculty Council shall be reported to Faculty Council at the next scheduled meeting.
2.4. To consider all major reports to be submitted to Faculty Council prior to distribution to Faculty Council.
2.5. To consider and report on policy matters relating to Faculty Council.
2.6. To review the committee structure of Faculty Council as required and make recommendations for the consideration of Faculty Council.
2.7. To review Faculty Council bylaws as required. 2.8. To seek nominations for Faculty Council committees and university wide committees.

3. Accountability

3.1. The Executive Committee is accountable to Faculty Council.
3.2. In the circumstances referred to in Sections 2.2 and 2.3, the Executive Committee shall possess all power and authority of Faculty Council.
3.3. The Executive Committee may not contravene any policy of Faculty Council.
3.4. Decisions of the Executive Committee as referred to in Section 2.2 are subject to review and confirmation by Faculty Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

4. Composition

4.1. All Executive Committee members shall be members of Faculty Council.
4.2. The Executive Committee shall consist of the following:
4.2.1. Chair of Faculty Council
4.2.2. Vice-Chair of Faculty Council
4.2.3. Four voting academic staff members of Faculty Council; at least one from the Department of Nursing Science and at least one from the Department Psychiatric Nursing.
4.2.4. Associate Dean
4.3. The Chair of Faculty Council shall serve as the Executive Committee Chair.
4.4. The Vice-Chair of Faculty Council shall serve as the Executive Committee Vice-Chair.

5. Term of Office

5.1. Members shall serve two-year terms, except for those serving by virtue of their positions. Initially, some members may be selected for three-year terms to provide for ongoing renewal of membership over time. Membership will be staggered to ensure appropriate balance and to maintain continuity.

6. Operations of Committee

6.1. The Committee shall meet at least once before each regularly scheduled Faculty Council meeting.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Approved by Faculty Council: FN-03-08-22-2018

Mandate:

1.1 Review and recommend to Faculty of Nursing Council all new program proposals, current program changes, and recommended program suspensions and closures tabled by the Department Councils.
1.2 Review, monitor, and make recommendations to Faculty of Nursing Council relating current curriculum quality based on the quality dimensions of relevance, accountability, relatedness, and uniqueness.

2. Responsibilities:

2.1 Examine and make recommendations to the Faculty of Nursing Council regarding proposals for, Ministry-approved and Institution-approved, new programs and significant changes to existing programs and recommend their endorsement, as appropriate, to Faculty of Nursing Council.
2.2 Receive, review, and recommend to Faculty of Nursing Council program suspensions and terminations.
2.3 Review evidence that proposed departmental and centre curricular development or revision activities have emerged from departmental and centre planning processes; is aligned with mission, mandate, strategic directions, and academic policies; and meets high quality standards consistent with relevant external bodies.
2.4 Liaise with departmental and centre(s) curriculum committees to facilitate and receive feedback from other academic areas and service departments on curricular matters.
2.5 Refer curriculum matters affecting academic policy to the Faculty of Nursing Council.
2.6 Publish forms, guidelines and timelines to assist in the carrying out of its work.
2.7 Consult with other program and curriculum issues as required.

3. Accountability:

The committee is a standing committee of Faculty of Nursing Council.

4. Composition:

The Curriculum Committee will be composed of at least the following or their named alternates:

The Dean or designate.

Up to eight (8) individuals from the Faculty of Nursing, of which a majority will be faculty members.

In addition to the 8 members one (1) student member may also be added to thecommittee.

A majority of the members will be faculty members.

The chair will be selected from the committee by the Dean.

The Committee has the discretion to invite resource persons to the Committee as non-voting members.

5.0 Terms of Office

Except for Members serving by virtue of position, Members shall serve three-year terms and membership will be staggered, in order to maintain continuity.

6.0 Appointment to the Committee

After calling for volunteers from each department and centre within the Faculty of Nursing and in consultation with the Dean’s Leadership Team, the Dean will appoint faculty to the Faculty of Nursing Curriculum Committee to ensure operational representativeness of the committee.

7.0 Quorum

Dean, or designated alternate, and 50% of current members. Although the student member has voting privileges, this member does not count towards quorum.

8.0 Operations of Committee

1. There will meet a minimum of two meetings per academic year.
2. The Committee Chair will provide a report and submit recommendations as required for the Faculty Council’s consideration.
3. Members who are not in attendance for more than two meetings without an excused absence will be retired from the Committee.
4. Members may assign an alternate in their absence. Alternates are expected to review the agenda package in advance of the meeting and vote on the member's behalf.
5. Members may participate in meetings via any means that facilitates real time interaction.
6. The Office of the Dean will provide support and coordination for the Committee.
7. The Committee will consult with other areas of the University (Office of the Registrar, Student Services, Facilities) as appropriate.
8. The Committee may strike sub-committees as required to do its business.
a. Sub-committee membership can be comprised of Curriculum Committee members and/or other faculty/staff.
9. The Committee shall operate in a manner consistent with the Faculty of Nursing Council's Bylaws.
10. The Committee will submit an Annual Report and Workplan to Faculty of Nursing Council for approval.
11. The Committee shall ensure a record of all decisions and discussions of the Committee is maintained in good order.
12. Meeting notes shall be included as an information item on Faculty of Nursing Council Agendas.

Review Framework

The following principles guide the work of the Faculty of Nursing Curriculum Committee:

• The standards for nursing education are set to reflect excellence;
• The review process is designed to lead to ongoing quality improvement towards standards of excellence in nursing education
• Educational outcomes are related to the development of the learner

Faculty of Nursing Curriculum Committee members base recommendations on four overarching quality dimensions relevance, accountability, relatedness, and uniqueness.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The purpose of the Research & Scholarship Committee is to support and promote multiple forms of faculty research & scholarship. The committee encourages and values research and scholarly activity in the areas of discovery, integration, application, and teaching and learning.

1. Mandate

1.1. To review and coordinate all aspects of research funding allocated by the Faculty of Nursing.
1.2. Support internal and external collaboration to enhance opportunities for research and scholarly activity.
1.3 Profile faculty and student research and scholarly activities.

2. Accountability

2.1. The Research & Scholarship Committee is a Standing Committee of the Faculty Council.
2.2. The Committee Chair(s) will provide an annual report to the Faculty Council once each year and submit recommendations as required for the Faculty Council’s consideration.

3. Responsibilities

3.1. Develop and administer processes for receipt, adjudication of applications, and notification of applicants regarding adjudication decisions for available funds internal to the Faculty of Nursing.
3.2. Report and make recommendations to Faculty Council on matters related to research and scholarly activity.
3.3 Raise awareness of internal and external funding and resources allocated by the Faculty of Nursing faculty and students for research, scholarly and creative activity.
3.4 Produce and distribute the annual Faculty of Nursing Research, Scholarship and Community Engagement publication.
3.5 Coordinate annual research & scholarship events of the Faculty of Nursing.

4. Membership

4.1 The Research Committee shall consist of the following voting members:
4.1.1 Chair(s) of the committee will be selected by the members of the committee.
4.1.2 Up to eight (8) individuals with broad representation from the Faculty of Nursing.
4.1.3 Dean /Associate Dean Faculty of Nursing as ex-officio.

5. Term of Office

5.1 Members shall serve two-year terms, except for those serving by virtue of their positions. Terms may be renewed.

6. Decision Making

6.1 Decisions shall be made by consensus.

Approved by Faculty Council: 12-01-2017