Principles of Governance

1. When fulfilling its responsibilities as part of the College’s governance or when defining the College’s governance through by-laws or governance policies, the Board is guided by the following governance principles:

a) The distinct and complementary roles of the Board and the President will be clearly defined and respected. At a high level, the Board’s role is to approve the strategic direction of the College (“the ends”), hire the best President to lead the College, establish broad framework policies, monitor the College’s performance and ensure its accountability to stakeholders. The President’s role is to implement the College’s strategic and annual business plans (with broad freedom to determine the means by which strategic goals are to be accomplished), establish operational policies and procedures, assume responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the College, provide effective organizational leadership and demonstrate accountability for the overall performance of the organization.

b) Through establishment of policies, processes, and structures based on the College’s vision, purpose and values, the Board will ensure effective operation of the College and fulfillment of the College’s mandate.

c) The Board of Governors is accountable to students of the College, future needs of employer, the government of Ontario and the communities the College serves by ensuring that the College is effectively and appropriately managed to achieve its established mandate and to provide needed services. The Board will strive to demonstrate accountability for the College’s performance through effective, informative and regular communication to the College and the Community.

d) The Chair of the Board of Governors is responsible for preservation of order and decorum at meetings of the Board and to decide all questions of order. The Chair of the Board of Governors communicates decisions made by the Board.

e) The Board/President relationship is based upon trust and periodic progress reports to the Board to facilitate appropriate monitoring and evaluation.

f) Authority belongs to the Board collectively and does not reside in individual Board members. The Board functions as a team that values the individual strengths of its diverse membership. Debate and the expression of multiple perspectives are encouraged during the decision-making process. Once the Board reaches a decision, all Governors are expected to support the decision.

g) The Governors will act in the best interests of the organization as a whole.

h) The Board will base decisions on the best available evidence/information.

Governance Style

2. It is the intention of the Board to emphasize outward vision rather than internal preoccupation; to encourage diversity of viewpoints; to provide strategic leadership rather than administrative details; to distinguish clearly between Board and staff roles; to emphasize the future rather than the past or present; and to be proactive rather than reactive.

a) In this spirit, the Board will:

i) focus on intended long-term impacts (i.e., Ends) not on administrative or programming means of attaining these ends;

ii) reinforce the need to govern with excellence and to continually develop as a Board;

iii) monitor and discuss on a regular basis the Board’s own process and performance;

iv) accountability for policy development and maintenance, delegating to staff as appropriate.

b) The Board and each of its members will develop a solid understanding of the College’s vision purpose and values; governance; strategic direction and performance, and enforce upon itself/themselves whatever discipline is needed to govern with excellence.

c) A commitment to continuously improve the College’s governance and the Board’s capacity to provide leadership to and stewardship of the College will be supported by ongoing learning, development and evaluation.

d) Delegation of authority by the Board to the President or to a committee of the Board carries with it an obligation on the part of the delegate to provide periodic progress reports to the Board so that the Board can perform its required monitoring, evaluation and accountability functions.

e) The Board speaks with one voice through the Board Chair.

f) A strong ethical policy framework will guide behaviours and decision-making at all levels of the College, including the Board.