Oct. 31, 2025
Starting in September, Okanagan College’s Education Council implemented their renewed academic governance structure. The updated governance structure is intended to streamline curriculum development and move the responsibility for curriculum development to each academic portfolio. The Dean or Director sets a curriculum proposal review process for their respective program area. Having a Dean or Director lead process reflects the uniqueness of program areas and ensures that proposals submitted for approval meet Education Council expectations of quality.
Following their development, curriculum proposals are now submitted through Education Council’s newly established Integrated Curriculum Committee (ICC). Once endorsed by the ICC, proposals move forward to Education Council.
"As we launch our renewed governance structure, Education Council remains committed to empowering each program area to develop curriculum that reflects academic excellence at Okanagan College. The changes are designed not only to clarify processes, but to foster more collaborative curriculum development. I want to thank our faculty, instructors, staff, and Education Council members for their support throughout this transition. It is your engagement that will shape our shared academic future." – Jillian Garrett, Education Council Chair
Updates to the governance structure include:
New committees
Integrated Curriculum Committee (ICC): Reviews curriculum and transfer agreement proposals ensuring alignment with institutional standards and academic priorities prior to Education Council review. The Committee ensures proposal submissions meet academic standards before making a recommendation to Education Council.
Academic Governance Committee (AGC): Focused on academic standards and effectiveness, the AGC supports the identification, review and recommendation of policies in alignment with the College’s strategic plan.
Provisional Approvals Committee (PAC): Provides an expedited, one-time-only approval of curriculum and transfer agreements by application to the Committee. Proposals will be considered where there is a rationale for expedited approval outside of regular Education Council review timelines. This Committee ensures time-sensitive proposals maintain academic quality and expectations while accommodating external implementation deadlines.
Why it matters
The renewed structure aims to:
- Provide clearer information and expectations for curriculum timelines and approvals
- Support faculty and staff by offering streamlined processes for curriculum proposals
- Strengthen our program mix and academic policies in alignment with institutional goals and academic standards
"The recent updates to our Education Council governance structure provide a foundation for a future where academic innovation and excellence can thrive. The structure fosters a culture of collaboration across program areas to fully participate in the curriculum development process. I am grateful for our faculty, instructors, and staff, whose commitment to innovation and academic excellence will build a more agile, transparent, and responsive academic environment for our communities.”– Dr. Samantha Lenci, Provost & Vice President Academic
For questions about the updated structure, please reach out to the Education Council Governance Administrator or see the Education Council webpage for more information.