Where we’re going with the 2019-2024 Academic Plan—an interim update

A plan is only as good as what people do with it. And when it comes to SFU’s 2019-2024 Academic Plan, we’ve all been doing a fair bit.

We invite you to take a look at our interim update to the 2019-2024 Academic Plan, and see how your area is contributing.  

A lot has happened in the past year. This interim update highlights some of the progress we’ve made towards accomplishing each of the five challenges in the plan. For example:

• The Student Experience Initiative established seven working groups, made recommendations, and their progress is ongoing.
• We signed an agreement with Langara College, paving the way for Indigenous students to transfer more easily.
• In the Curricula Review, 55 per cent of departments identified changes that will make a positive impact on graduation requirements.
• More than 9,000 students participated in SFU’s co-op program in 2019, resulting in 4,100 work terms.
• The Accelerated Master’s Program allows eligible undergraduate students to take graduate courses and to count them toward their bachelor's degree and an SFU master's degree. Now available in various disciplines.
• Faculty Renewal now permits faculties to plan searches up to three years ahead. Special funding encourages the hiring of Indigenous faculty members.

In 2022 we will produce a formal progress report that includes more information about the faculties.

We created the 2019-2024 Academic Plan in collaboration with the SFU community, and developed it in consultation with faculties, their academic units, and support services. It outlines the strategies SFU will need to follow to continue to be a leading engaged university and an active participant in the innovation and dialogue that shapes our future.

“As you’ll see, we’ve collectively taken action on all of the major challenges we set for ourselves,” says Jonathan Driver, vice-president academic and provost, pro tem.

“Most of the initiatives involved numerous employees, students and faculty members, as leaders, participants and advisors. In addition, local and university-wide committees and other governance structures, such as Senate, have taken the steps needed to implement and operationalize recommendations. I thank everyone who has helped with these important projects.”

We welcome your feedback on how your area is contributing to the five challenges in the 2019-2024 Academic Plan so we can consider your initiatives for the next update.

Please email: acadplan@sfu.ca

What we’ve accomplished so far.

Want to know more? Read the complete update.