Academic governance

Several groups meet regularly to provide the university with advice, guidance and assessment on academic activities, programs and research, schools, leadership, enrolment and quality.

Academic Council

Royal Roads University’s Academic Council is mandated to:

  • develop educational policies applicable to all Royal Roads University programs
  • outline criteria and priorities for the development of new and existing programs based on the RRU Academic Portfolio Plan
  • periodically review the RRU Academic Portfolio Plan and recommend changes
  • review all programs to ensure they meet the criteria and standards consistent with the RRU Academic Portfolio Plan
  • provide the Board, through the President, with advice pertaining to the establishment or discontinuance of programs, faculties, schools and academic or research centres at the university

The Academic Council meets every two months, or as required to carry out council business. It also has these standing committees:

  • admissions committee
  • awards committee
  • curriculum committee

Program and Research Council

The Program and Research Council meets four to six times a year. It advises the Board of Governors on priorities for:

  • program priorities
  • research priorities
  • program objectives
  • desirable learning outcomes

School Advisory Councils

Our advisory councils are critical to the success of the Royal Roads applied program mandate. They provide guidance and advice on strategic and operational issues related to each school and its programs.

Each council is designed to reflect a diversity of academic and professional expertise, which is one of the key features of our degree programs.

Council members help us maintain the innovative nature of our degrees. They also help us revise our program offerings as industry needs, instructional practices and scholarship evolve.

The insights and expertise of council members are our invaluable link to the "real world."

Our school advisory councils:

Academic Leadership Team

Monthly Academic Leadership Team meetings update members on the status of priorities and projects within the academic portfolio and beyond.

The meetings offer an inclusive and consultative forum to discuss issues. They provide an opportunity to review and update academic regulations, process and planning. They also share and review information on current initiatives.

The main goal of the group is to ensure timely, transparent and consistent communication across the portfolio.

Regular meetings help members better understand the interconnectivity between key elements within the portfolio, and their impact on students, staff and faculty.

Scheduled on the first Wednesday of every month, the core group includes the VPA and senior leaders in the academic portfolio.

The extended group meets monthly on the third Wednesday. It includes the core group plus representatives from the program areas, student and academic services, and other key stakeholders from across the portfolio.

Strategic Enrolment Management

Strategic Enrolment Management meetings provide a data-based integrated cross-functional planning forum. The group advises on strategy and execution around the student-centred continuum cycle that includes recruitment, retention, marketing and alumni engagement. It focuses on proactively pursuing opportunities, building strengths and mitigating risks.

Scheduled on the third Wednesday of every month, meetings alternate between the core and extended groups.

The core group focuses on strategic issues. It includes all executive vice-presidents, deans, and multiple associate vice-presidents and directors. They represent student and academic services, admissions and registrar, business development, marketing, recruitment and alumni relations, international collaboration and development, finance, and business planning and performance.

The extended group focuses on execution and tactical issues. It includes the core group, school directors and key managers who directly impact the SEM cycle.

Quality assurance

Our university’s Academic Quality Assurance Policy and Academic Programs Policy help make sure all our academic programs keep continuously improving. The BC advanced education ministry’s Degree Quality Assessment Board audited our programs in 2017. View the audit results summary.