General University Information

Contents

The University of Regina
Governance of the University
Governing Bodies
Strategic Plan

kahkiyaw kiwâhkômâkaninawak
All Our Relations

The University of Regina

Founded as Regina College and granted a provincial charter in 1911, the University of Regina became an affiliated junior college of the University of Saskatchewan in 1925, and acquired degree granting status in 1959. The University achieved academic autonomy in 1974.

Set in picturesque Wascana Centre, the largest urban park in North America and designed by noted architects Minoru Yamasaki and Thomas Church, the University is a valued asset to the provincial capital.

Governance of the University 

The University operates under the terms of The University of Regina Act, an act of the Legislature of the Province of Saskatchewan.

Governing Bodies

Convocation is composed of the chancellor, the Senate, all graduates of the University of Saskatchewan at Regina and all graduates of the University and such other classes of persons as the Senate may from time to time determine. Any graduate of the University of Saskatchewan at Saskatoon, as defined by the University Act 1968, may become a member of Convocation of the University of Regina by notifying the University secretary in writing of a desire to do so. Such persons shall also continue to be a member of Convocation of the University of Saskatchewan. In addition, Senate approved that a person be eligible for membership in Convocation if the studies for a certificate or diploma awarded by the University of Regina or the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus, require a prior degree or a minimum of 60 credit hours of degree work. This policy became effective for all awardees commencing with the first Convocation of the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus, Spring 1965. Convocation has power to consider all matters affecting the interests and well-being of the University and to make recommendations thereon to the Senate or to the Board of Governors. Apart from extraordinary meetings which may be called, Convocation normally meets twice annually, in May and October.

The membership of the Senate includes the following persons by virtue of their offices: the chancellors of the University; the president of the University; the vice-presidents of the University; the Deputy Minister of Education; the chair of the Council; the heads of federated or affiliated colleges of the University; the deans or acting deans of faculties that are now or may hereafter be established by the University; such other deans of academic and student affairs and such directors as are nominated by the president and approved by the Senate. Another fourteen members of Convocation representing twelve electoral districts are elected to the Senate by Convocation. The Minister of Education is a member ex officio. Six students of the University are elected to Senate by the students registered in the University. In addition, any professional society, group or organization in the Province that, in the opinion of the Senate, contributes in a significant way to the social, economic and cultural welfare of the Province may, with the consent of the Senate, be represented on that body. The current Senate has representatives from 41 different organizations.

Because of its broad public representation, the Senate has been described as the University's "window on the world." Senate's general area of concern is the academic welfare of the institution and, within this area, it has a variety of duties and powers. Most of the broader issues of academic policy within the University are reserved for Senate approval. In another role, Senate acts as an ultimate court in academic affairs.

The Board of Governors consists of twelve members: the chancellor; the president of the University; six members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council; two members elected by the Senate; one student who shall be the president of the Students' Union; and one member of the faculty, who is elected by members of Council.

The Board is responsible for overseeing the administrative and business affairs of the University. Within the University, the Board has ultimate authority in all matters related to the raising and spending of University funds, and the acquisition and management of University property. The Board has endorsed a strategy of decentralization that encourages fluidity and adaptability within the University structure, and permits adaptation to current and changing needs. The Board appoints the president of the University. The Board also appoints all other members of the staff of the University, subject only to the proviso that no one may be appointed to the teaching staff who has not been recommended to the Board by the president.

The chancellor is elected by the members of Convocation and holds office for three years. The chancellor presides over Convocation, confers degrees and is ex officio Chair of the Senate and a member of the Board of Governors.

The president, who is also the vice-chancellor, is appointed by the Board of Governors, and is the senior academic and administrative official of the University. Broad powers under the University Act make the president responsible for general supervision and direction of all academic and business matters within the University.

The senior legislative body on academic matters is the University Council. Its membership includes: the president and the vice-presidents of the University, the secretary; the registrar; the librarian; the assistant librarian, professional librarians; the deans, directors, professors, associate professors, assistant professors, full-time lecturers, special-lecturers and instructors who are employed by the university or a federated college of the university; and a number of student representatives.

All matters of substance related to the academic affairs of the University must be considered and approved by the Council. It may act either on the recommendation of the duly constituted faculties or upon its own initiative. In all matters reserved under the University of Regina Act for the final judgment of the Senate, the Council is responsible for acting on behalf of the University in framing the necessary reports, proposals and recommendations. It also possesses broad powers in matters of academic discipline. The Executive of the University of Regina Council has been empowered by Council to act on its behalf in all matters with the provision that a decision of the Executive may be challenged by requesting a special meeting of Council. Membership of the Executive of Council provides selection of members in such a way to reflect, largely on a proportional basis, the academic composition of this University.

Disciplines that are related to one another in the broader areas of teaching and research are, for purposes of administration and academic planning, brought together into Faculties. Each discipline, as recognized and described by the Senate of the University, is headed by a department head.

Formal membership of each faculty includes the dean and the teaching members of the various associated disciplines, the president, the vice-presidents, the University secretary, the registrar, the deans of all other faculties, and usually, representatives of other faculties and the Senate. Each faculty, subject to the statutes of the Senate and the general control of the University Council, has charge of all internal matters of scholarship.

The deans are recognized by the University Act as being the chief executive officers of their faculties. They are directly responsible to the president, and, subject to the president's authority (in accordance with the University of Regina Act and the statutes of the Senate), they exercise broad powers of supervision over the direction of academic and administrative affairs within the faculties.

University of Regina Strategic Plan, 2020-2025

Read the plan: All Our Relations: kahkiyaw kiwâhkômâkaninawak.