Program Advisory Committees (“PAC”) are one of the Justice Institute of British Columbia’s (“JIBC” or the “Institute) chief means of providing advice on currency and relevance to JIBC programs and have long been recognized as an effective means to facilitate input from our larger community. The purpose of this policy is to establish consistent criteria and standards for the establishment and ongoing support of JIBC PACs.
JIBC is committed to high quality education and training that is responsive to the employment context, forward-looking, and reflective of current and best practices to best support learner outcomes. One of the cornerstones of JIBC’s educational Programs is a strong connection to the employment and community sector each Program serves. PACs assist the Institute to most effectively meet this commitment and provide a forum for individuals with specific expertise to advise JIBC on the development and maintenance of Programs.
- JIBC shall establish a PAC for a Program or a Cluster of Programs to assist the Institute in:
establishing and maintaining Programs’ relevance and currency to the needs of the communities served by the Institute; - providing advice on current and future Program trends and changes that may impact curriculum and the employability of well-trained and educated graduates;
- opportunities for collaborative research partnerships with stakeholders and community organizations; and
- providing recommendations concerning entrance requirements, standards for Programs or services, curriculum content, work integrated and experiential learning and other components of the learning situation for curriculum revisions and new Programs, with the exception of Programs mandated by external regulatory bodies.
For any Program under consideration that requires Board approval under Policy 3306 Program Completion and Credentials, an ad hoc PAC will be established to examine its feasibility and recommend whether the Institute should develop and implement the proposed Program. The ad hoc PAC terminates upon reaching a decision concerning the proposed program, or upon appointment of a regular PAC.
This Policy applies to all JIBC credential Programs as defined in Policy 3306 Program Completion and Credentials, or a Cluster of Programs, or an area of study for which a PAC is deemed by the Institute to be appropriate. Where a Cluster of Programs contains both Board approved and Program Council approved programs, the PAC will follow the requirements for Board approved programs.
Board – The Board of Governors of the Institute.
Cluster of Programs – Two or more Programs that are related by specialization and share significant common curriculum, structure, and strategic alignment.
Dean – The administrative head of a JIBC School.
Program – A collection of courses, practica and evaluation activities that have been identified as requirements for a credential, or a collection of courses aggregated to meet the business practices of the institution.
Program Council – Committee to which the Board has delegated some of the functions and responsibilities of an Education Council, as described in the Program Council Terms of Reference.
Composition
Membership of each PAC should be balanced, diverse and inclusive, reflecting the diversity of JIBC’s community and incorporating the broadest range of qualifications, skills, experiences, and perspectives. This includes specifically individuals with knowledge of Indigenous ways of thinking, being, doing, and relating to further leaning about Indigenous cultures and cultural traditions and practices, and their relationship to justice, public safety, and health.
Board Approved Programs
- Each PAC normally consists of a cross-section of 6-12 voting members who have direct interest in, and diverse experience and expertise related to, the profession or discipline addressed by the Program or Cluster of Programs.
- Voting members include PAC members who are external to the Program and the Institute. Alumni may be voting members but, where possible, should not hold a majority of voting seats of the PAC.
- Each PAC will also include up to five non-voting members, including but not limited to:
- the Dean of the School in which the Program is housed (or delegate);
- one program director and/or program manager representing the Program or Cluster of Programs;
- one faculty member from the Program or Cluster of Programs; and
- one student from the Program or Cluster of Programs.
Program Council Approved Programs
- Each PAC normally consists of a cross-section of 6-12 members who are external to the Program and the Institute and who have direct interest in, and diverse experience and expertise related to, the profession or discipline
addressed by the Program or Cluster of Programs. - Alumni may be members but, where possible, should not hold a majority of seats of the PAC.
- Each PAC will also include up to five internal members, including but not limited to:
- the Dean of the School in which the Program is housed (or delegate);
- one program director and/or program manager representing the Program or Cluster of Programs;
- one faculty member from the Program or Cluster of Programs; and
- one student from the Program or Cluster of Programs.
Mandate
- PACs shall provide advice on:
- the relevance of the Program in preparing students for employment in the field/sector;
- opportunities for Program development related to current and emerging industry trends, including research and technological advancements; changes in sector recruitment and hiring practices;
- strategies for recruiting students and enhancing public and sector-specific awareness of the Program;
- experiential learning opportunities for Program students;
- potential employment opportunities for Program graduates;
- obtaining support for students through bursaries and scholarships;
- gathering information on knowledge, skills and abilities of graduates working in the field; and
- the Program review process as required.
Procedures
Procedures related to the establishment and operation of a PAC under this Policy are in Procedure 3312-001 Program Advisory Committees.