Academic Plan 2019-2024
Where we’re going with the 2019-2024 Academic Plan—an update
Our 2019-2024 Academic Plan was created with the SFU community and built on the academic plans developed by faculties, their academic units and support services. It outlined the strategies SFU will need to focus on to continue to be a leading engaged university and an active participant in the innovation and dialogue that shapes our future.
A lot has happened in the year that’s passed. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished with everyone’s help. And while we’re looking back with pride, we’re also looking ahead because with your awareness of the work in front of us, we can continue to move this plan forward.
Updates to the five challenges
The following is an update on how far we’ve come. You can click on each of the five challenges below to get an update on that area, or read through the entire update report here.
Challenge 1: Student life, learning and success
To foster a supportive curricular, co-curricular, and physical learning environment that empowers students for life while ensuring timely degree completion.
Review of Student Programs and Services commissioned Keeling & Associates external review
Student Experience Initiative
7 working groups established
Pathways
- Agreement between SFU and Langara College, paving way for Indigenous students to transfer easily
- Indigenous Pathways program and Aboriginal University Transition program review almost complete
- SFU extends its 14-year partnership with Navitas, which operates FIC
- Lifelong Learning exploring pathway into the Beedie School of Business
- Strategic Enrollment Management Council–Non-Credit exploring transitioning between credit and non-credit programming
Improving Course Access
- Implementing Classroom and Course Scheduling policy -Using exam scheduling software to minimize conflicts within exam period.
Challenge 2: Academic quality and curriculum
To embrace a coherent curriculum review with focus on innovative curriculum design and delivery.
Curriculum Reform
- General Education Review begun
- Curricula Review, 55% of departments identified changes aimed at making a positive impact on graduation requirements
Educational goals
Process for defining and assessing educational goals has been set
New programs
Two subcommittees established to review/develop policy and regulations regarding degree completion rates, course access, and new degree/program approval requirements
Assessment of teaching
Two working groups released reports on assessment of teaching:
- Student Evaluation of Teaching and Course Working Group
- Teaching Assessment Working Group
Reconciliation
Launched a number of Aboriginal Strategic Initiatives (ASI), part of SFU’s response to recommendations of the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission and of SFU’s Aboriginal Reconciliation Committee's Walk this Path with Us Report
Challenge 3: Engagement
Strengthen the connection and collaborations between SFU and the world.
Knowledge Mobilization
Knowledge Mobilization Hub established to focus on growing SFU’s culture of sharing knowledge and/or transferring it to end users in its communities.
Carnegie Engagement Classification
SFU is leading the Canadian pilot cohort (16 institutions) of the Carnegie Engagement Classification, which intends to support a process for institutional learning and transformation regarding engagement.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL)
More than 9,000 students participated in SFU Co-op program in 2019, resulting in 4,100 work terms
Challenge 4: Interdisciplinarity
Strengthen the connection and collaborations between SFU and the world.
Knowledge Mobilization
Knowledge Mobilization Hub established to focus on growing SFU’s culture of sharing knowledge and/or transferring it to end users in its communities.
Carnegie Engagement Classification
SFU is leading the Canadian pilot cohort (16 institutions) of the Carnegie Engagement Classification, which intends to support a process for institutional learning and transformation regarding engagement.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL)
More than 9,000 students participated in SFU Co-op program in 2019, resulting in 4,100 work terms
Challenge 5: Faculty renewal
Ensure that academic hiring and career incentives advance excellence in scholarship and creativity, including the discovery of new knowledge and its application, the development of high-quality academic programming and teaching, support services, and engagement with the broader community.
Faculty Renewal
Designed to allow faculties to plan searches up to three years ahead. Special funding provided to encourage hiring Indigenous faculty members.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
Set priorities including: -Engaging in a self-assessment/data-gathering on diversity and inclusion -Developing robust, equitable recruitment, retention, and career progression -Increasing capacity and awareness of EDI opportunities -Enhancing inclusion for everyone. -Developed an EDI resource guide to assist in understanding how to create an equitable, diverse, and inclusive SFU community
Supervision for the 21st Century: Student Experience Initiative
To transform the supervisory relationship of SFU graduate students and faculty members by re-imagining the supervisory relationship within the frameworks of our 21st century educational context. Will culminate in training and critical discussions for faculty members and a comprehensive handbook for students.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
SFU's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is one of the key components of this academic plan. Simon Fraser University is committed to a culture of inclusion and mutual respect.
Aboriginal Reconciliation
SFU’s commitment to decolonization, Aboriginal reconciliation and Indigeneity is embedded in this academic plan as well as the academic plans of the faculties, their academic units and support services. Simon Fraser University is committed to walking the path with our Aboriginal communities and advancing the SFU Aboriginal Reconciliation Council’s calls to action.
The path ahead
This academic plan is a living document and, together with SFU’s strategic research plan, the innovation strategy and the community engagement strategy, supports academic endeavour and charts the institutional priorities and goals over the next five years.
For SFU to remain radical, we must embrace disruption as the new normal. When we transform our learning environments; when we connect to communities and incorporate perspectives; when we break through silos and re-conceive the curriculum – then we can teach, learn, research and engage without boundaries, across distances great and small, in worlds real and virtual.
We need your help. We want to challenge you to think, to feel empowered, to help us set priorities – how we teach, who we hire. Let’s ensure SFU will be the university we want it to be in 2024 and beyond.
How to submit feedback and comments
We welcome your thoughts, feedback and comments on the academic plan. Please submit your comments to acadplan@sfu.ca.