Research & Scholarly Activities Committee

Delegated Authority from the Senate

The Committee does not have delegated authority from the Senate. 

Responsibilities

The Research and Scholarly Activities Committee is responsible for:

• Maintaining, in cooperation with the Vice-President Academic and the Research Ethics Board (“REB”), a general overview of the overall state of research and scholarly activities at the University;
• Considering and providing advice and recommendations to the Senate on academic matters related to research at the University, including but not limited to:
  • the research and scholarly priorities at the University;
  • the nature of research and scholarly activities at the University;
  • the allocation of University resources to research and scholarship, including funding, services, and infrastructure;
  • University policies and procedures related to research and scholarly activities, including proposed revisions to Policy No. 5003, “Scholarly Activity,” and Policy No. 5020, “Research Ethics”; and
  • the research and scholarship environment, infrastructure, funding, and other issues which, in the opinion of the Committee, have an impact on research and scholarship at the University;
• As required, considering, and providing advice and recommendations to the Senate and other University bodies on the:
  • forms of support needed to maintain excellence in research and scholarship; and
  • planning and operation of research and scholarship events and initiatives.
• Considering and providing advice and recommendations on REB reports;
• Ensuring that:
  • proposed University policies and procedures (and amendments thereto) related to research and scholarly activities are consistent with the mission, vision, and goals of the University;
  • University policies related to research and scholarly activities at the University have been subject to appropriate review and consultation with members of the University community; and
  • exemplary research and scholarship at the University is celebrated through public recognition and dissemination.
• Acting in an advisory and consultative capacity to support the development and execution of University-wide strategic plans;
• Meeting or consulting with other Senate committees as required on matters of mutual interest;
• Establishing such subcommittees as needed to fulfill their responsibilities, as well as reporting mechanisms for these subcommittees; and
• Other duties as assigned by the Senate.

Notwithstanding the above, the REB is an independent body, and nothing in the Committee’s Terms of Reference should be interpreted to limit the ability of REB to review and make decisions on the ethical acceptability of research and to do so without undue influence or interference.

Committee Membership

The Committee meets on an as-needed basis, with a minimum of two meetings per year; meetings are usually closed. For any questions, please contact the Senate Secretariat at senate@ucanwest.ca.