Consultations

This page has been created to provide information about the consultations undertaken by the Council on Post-Secondary Education. The major responsibilities for consultation appear in The Council on Post-Secondary Education Act.

Consultation Areas and Process

The Council undertakes activities in four broad areas: programs, policy, funding and accountability. The Council’s requirement to consult is outlined in The Council on Post-Secondary Education Act. Below sections of this legislation are quoted and a description of the consultation activity is provided.

It should also be noted that the Council has also scheduled times to meet with interested parties to discuss post-secondary issues during regular monthly meetings of the Council. This approach has been taken with institutional representatives, student organizations and faculty associations. Requests to meet with Council during regular Council meetings have never been turned down.

Programming

• Section 12(b): consult with colleges and universities on policies on specialization and cooperation in the delivery of programs (there is no requirement in Act to consult with students on program issues)

The Council meets with institutional personnel on program matters when the Council believes that it needs additional information and discussion about a particular program. Such meetings have occurred, for example, to discuss music programs proposed by the University of Manitoba and Brandon University, and for athletic therapy programs proposed by the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg.

Consultation also occurs at the staff level between senior Council staff and the senior institutional officers concerned with academic programs.

Policy

• Section 11(b): consult with students, colleges and universities when determining the priorities for PSE
• Section 12(e): consult with students, colleges and universities regarding tuition fee policy

The Council meets with college and university board members and administration during the budget process each fall to discuss priorities for post-secondary education. While students’ representatives on the Boards of Governors/Regents have always had the opportunity to participate, beginning in 2004, the Council meets separately with students’ associations during the annual fall visits to the institutions.

Even though it is not required under The Council on Post-Secondary Education Act, beginning in 2004 the Council also established a process of meeting with faculty associations to hear their perspectives on post-secondary issues.

Policy consultations have taken place with Council members together with staff, and also by Council staff alone (i.e. Council members not present).

Funding

• Section 11(b): consult with students, colleges and universities on the allocation of funding to institutions

The Council meets with college and university board members and administration during the budget process each fall to discuss institutional requirements and the allocation of funding. While students’ representatives on the Boards of Governors/Regents have always had the opportunity to participate, beginning in 2004, Council will meet separately with students’ associations during the annual fall visits to the institutions.

Accountability

• Section 11(e): consult with universities and colleges on accountability requirements

Consultations on accountability have primarily been driven by Council staff meeting with institutional administration because of the technical nature of accountability structures. Typically, a new accountability mechanism is developed by first meeting with senior administration to discuss broad principles and processes. Working groups of institutional staff and Council staff are created to establish the details regarding definitions, census dates, reporting formats and timelines, etc.
Council has shared discussion papers and staff will continue to meet with institutions and students to discuss accountability.

Proceedings

Below are links to documents that contain notes or proceedings from consultation activities undertaken by COPSE.  Note that consultations with institutions regarding institutional budget submissions held in the fall of each year are confidential and are not posted to this page.
Documents are presented in date-order:

2008

• Student Leaders Meeting (August 2008) (51 KB)

2006

• Student Leaders Meeting (March 2006) (19 KB)
• Student Leaders Meeting (May 2006) (19 KB)
• Student Leaders Meeting (July 2006) (18 KB)
• Student Leaders Meeting (August 2006) (19 KB)
• Student Leaders Meeting (October 2006) (18 KB)
• Student Leaders Meeting (November 2006) (26 KB)

2005

• Student Consultation Meeting (January 2005) (39 KB)
• Student Consultation Meeting (August 2005) (27 KB)
• Student Consultation Meeting (September 2005) (26 KB)

2004

• Student Orientation (August 2004) (44 KB)
• Student Consultation Meeting (October 2004) (49 KB)
• Student Consultation Meeting (November 2004) (40 KB)