Institutional Governance & Organization
Campus Leadership
The University of Lethbridge will be Canada’s destination for all who seek a comprehensive, liberal education-based university that promotes a diverse and inclusive environment and inspires research-informed teaching and learning, creative discovery, scholarship, professional endeavour, experiential opportunities, and community engagement.
The President has general supervision over and direction of the operation of the University [Post Secondary Learning Act (PSLA), Section 81 (3)]. The President provides leadership to generate and sustain an academic and administrative vision of what the University should be that optimizes the development of the University. The President ensures the University's objectives are achieved and the University’s quality and future is assured.
The President is responsible for carrying out all of the duties required in the capacity as President & Vice-Chancellor with General Faculties Council (GFC), the Senate, the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association, other employee groups and the general public, as well as working closely with the Board of Governors. The President's primary responsibility is to lead the University in an ethical, responsible, sustainable manner.
The Provost and Vice-President (Academic) reports directly to the President and is the senior vicepresident. The Provost is the Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Academic Officer of the University of Lethbridge and acts as the President’s delegate as required. As Chief Operating Officer, the position is responsible for institutional planning and administration in all aspects of the academic operations involving students, academic and support staff, alumni, members of the governance committees, and staff associations.
As the Chief Academic Officer, the position leads the conceptualization, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of academic programs and services. As senior Vice-President, the Provost co-leads, with the President, a team of Vice-Presidents, as well as a senior management team including Deans and senior administrative officers.
The provost is responsible for providing leadership, oversight, and direction across a broad spectrum of University operations including: institutional planning and administration in all aspects of university operations academic program maintenance, development, implementation, and quality assurance enrolment management and student support services resource allocation budgeting and reporting in collaboration with the Vice-President (Finance and Administration).
The Deputy Provost reports directly to the Provost & Vice-President (Academic) the Deputy-Provost, broadly supports the work of the Office of the Provost, including support across all the Faculties and Schools. The Deputy-Provost plays a vital role in the support of new program development and institutional academic initiatives, including the oversight of academic quality assurance, Institutional Analysis, International, the Teaching Centre, Agility, and the Calgary Campus.
The Vice-President (Finance & Administration) reports directly to the President and works in collaboration with the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the Vice-President (Finance and Administration) is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the University of Lethbridge.
The Vice-President (Finance & Administration) plays an integral and leadership role in the achievement of the University of Lethbridge vision by overseeing the provision of responsive and accessible institutional services. In collaboration with the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) provides leadership in resource allocation, budgeting and reporting in support of strategic priorities.
The Vice-President (Research) reports directly to the President and works in collaboration with the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the Vice-President (Research) serves as the external and internal advocate for the development and promotion of the University’s research programs.
The Vice-President (Research) is the primary spokesperson for the University on research matters and policy and is responsible for providing innovative leadership for the full spectrum of the University’s research activities, raising the profile of research within the immediate and larger communities, and developing and enhancing effective liaison with external organizations, funding agencies, business, industry and other post-secondary institutions.
The Vice-President (External Relations) reports directly to the President and works in collaboration with
the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) as well as the Vice-President, Research. This role is responsible for developing and advancing a cohesive strategy for engagement and philanthropy at the University, with leadership spanning alumni relations, fundraising and donor relations, external relations information services, and community engagement.
By leveraging strategic planning and prioritizing key initiatives, the Vice-President fosters collaboration with marketing and communications teams to ensure an integrated approach. They work closely with the University community to design and execute comprehensive fund development and alumni engagement programs aimed at strengthening relationships with key constituents. The Vice-President also engages the Board of Governors, the President, and other senior leaders to achieve the University of Lethbridge's ambitious goals for fundraising and community engagement.
Institutional Governance
The University of Lethbridge governs itself with a bi-cameral governance structure, as set out in the Alberta Post-Secondary Learning Act. The Board of Governors has authority for business governance and the General Faculties Council (GFC) has authority for academic governance. The Senate is also defined within the Post-Secondary Learning Act, and it is the duty of a Senate to inquire into any matter that might benefit the university and enhance its position in the community.
University Secretariat
The University Secretariat (Governance) Office supports the bi-cameral governance bodies the Board of Governors and General Faculties Council and Statutory Deans' Council (advisory to both) by ensuring the organizational processes are efficient and effective and the institution (students, faculty and staff) and community (through supporting the work of the Senate) are well-informed and prepared to support the Strategic Plan of the University of Lethbridge.
The Board of Governors (Board) of the University of Lethbridge is a body established by the Post-secondary Learning Act (Act) of Alberta. The Board shares governance responsibilities with General Faculties Council, the senior academic governing body. The Board decides any question that arises regarding the powers and duties of any officer, employee, or body of the University, where not specifically identified in the Act. The final decision on the question rests with the Board.
The primary role of General Faculties Council is to be responsible for the academic affairs of the University, subject to the authority of the Board of Governors, in accordance with Section 26 of the Post-Secondary Learning Act.
As indicated within the Post-Secondary Learning Act 27 (1), each university must have a deans’ council. The deans’ council is an advisory body to the president of the university, the board and the general faculties council and has the powers, duties and functions that are delegated to it.
It is the duty of a Senate to inquire into any matter that might benefit the University and enhance its position in the community.