Faculty Council

VIU follows a common bicameral governance structure as set out in the University Act that established two chambers.  More information on how this structure is enacted at VIU can be found at gov.viu.ca, including helpful VIU administration organizational charts. 

• The Senate is the senior academic body that oversees all academic activities.  Each Faculty at VIU has two elected Senators and a Dean who represent each Faculty at Senate. 
  • The Senate has a number of Senate Standing Committees that make recommendations on matters such as Curriculum Development/Changes; Governance Practices; Planning & Priorities, etc.  See the Standing Committee list to learn more. Many (but not all) Standing Committees require representatives from each Faculty. 
  • Getting matters before Senate (including any curriculum changes), requires going through Faculty Council. 
• The Board of Governors is the senior governing body with an overall management (revenue/finance/property) responsibility that has key external members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.  Two Faculty members are elected to represent all the Faculties as Board members. 

Section 5.1 of the Bylaws outlines the Powers and Duties of the Faculty Council:

• a) The business of the Faculty Council will not include matters on which the Senate requires a decision from the Faculty as a whole.
• b) On behalf of the Faculty, the Faculty Council shall make recommendations to the appropriate committees of Senate regarding such matters as course and program changes, and requests for new courses and programs.
• c) The Faculty Council shall, on behalf of the Faculty, consider and recommend to the appropriate committees joint-curricular initiatives with other Faculties.
• d) On behalf of the Faculty, the Faculty Council may present reports and petitions to the President, Senate and other areas of the University.
• e) The Faculty Council shall receive, on a regular basis, reports and announcements regarding activities and initiatives within the Faculty and ensure that such activities and initiatives are reported to the Faculty. 
• f) The Faculty Council may, on behalf of the Faculty, form committees as it sees fit for the conduct of its affairs and business, and empower such committees, where advisable, to report directly to the appropriate committee(s) of the Senate.
• g) From time to time, the Faculty Council may make recommendations to the Faculty regarding policies and procedures.
• h) Within the provisions of these bylaws, the Faculty Council may determine the manner(s) in which it will conduct its business.
• i) The Dean, on behalf of the Faculty Council, shall report on the activities of the Faculty Council at the regular meetings of the Faculty.
• j) As the Faculty Council is accountable to the Faculty, any recommendation or decision taken by the Faculty Council or committee formed under 5.1 f) is subject to the review and formal ratification of the Faculty which, if it rejects a recommendation or decision taken by the Faculty Council, will require redress. In the interim between a Faculty Council decision and a ratification vote by the Faculty, a recommendation or decision

Curriculum (Course and Program) Changes and New Courses 

Please see the Curriculum Changes page for information. 

*Indicates ending of second (last) term.

• Faculty Bylaws
• Faculty Council Minutes

For more information on the activity of Faculty Council, please reach out to your Faculty Council representative (see under Membership).

• FAQ on Draft Proposal to Separate Some 1st Year Lecture and Labs. (20220824)