U of S Council Approves Virtual College Structure

Posted October 22, 1999


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 22, 1999 99-10-17-OTHER

U of S Council Approves Virtual College Structure

Using "association and flexibility" as the key organizational principles, the University of Saskatchewan Council yesterday approved the governance structure for virtual colleges at the university. Virtual colleges are intended to facilitate the development of programs that cannot be adequately supported by existing college structures, while permitting faculty and students throughout the university to participate in interdisciplinary programs of teaching, scholarship and research.

Unlike the formal administration of other colleges on campus, virtual colleges will be informal administrative units whose developments will be monitored by Council. Although the programs may grow or shrink over time, virtual colleges at the U of S will have no permanent academic personnel, no permanent physical "home", and no permanent support staff. Faculty members will become associates of the virtual college but will also hold appointments in other colleges. Students may take courses offered and enroll in programs sponsored by the virtual college, but must maintain enrollment in one of the University's regular colleges.

The virtual college will have as leadership a Designated Dean, responsible for programs and resources; a Director, responsible for curriculum and necessary changes to programs; and an executive committee to assist the Dean and the Director in development and direction of the virtual college.


For more information, please contact:

Ron Cuming, Chair of Council
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5883