Principles for Kwantlen

The KFA believes the following principles should guide us whether Kwantlen is a college, university college, or university:

Comprehensiveness – Kwantlen has offered and must continue to offer a full range of programs, including trades, developmental, career and academic programs.

Integration of programming – Kwantlen must continue to ensure laddering and bridging so that students can move easily among certificate, diploma and degree programs, gaining credit for preparatory work in each, and ready transfer to other post-secondary institutions.

Community Responsibility – Kwantlen must respond to and meet the needs of the communities it serves in providing access and programs to all citizens.

Academic Freedom – Kwantlen must commit itself to the principles of academic freedom in teaching, scholarship, professional, and institutional activities.

Collective Bargaining – Faculty must maintain the right to free collective bargaining through membership in the Kwantlen Faculty Association.

Teaching – Kwantlen is primarily a teaching institution and student learning is the main focus of faculty. One of Kwantlen’s distinguishing features is excellence in teaching. This focus must continue.

Research and Scholarship – Research and scholarship have always been a part of faculty work – they are not new to Kwantlen. We conduct research in many different forms. Research and scholarship inform teaching, develop curriculum, improve teaching practices, and enhance the knowledge of faculty and students. All faculty members at Kwantlen must be recognized for their scholarly contributions at Kwantlen.

Consultation – Kwantlen Faculty Association, BC Government and Service Employees Union and Kwantlen Student Association representatives must be an integral part of planning for the future of the institution and its governance.

Faculty Autonomy – Kwantlen must commit itself to the maintenance of a shared governance model that recognizes faculty autonomy in educational matters and promotes the full democratic participation of all its members.

Protection for Existing Kwantlen Faculty – No loss of position, rights, or benefits for Kwantlen faculty shall result from any change in name or status.

Pensions – The KFA supports the continued participation of its members in the College Pension Plan.

Support for Faculty – Kwantlen must commit itself to providing sufficient and effective resources to support teaching, research, and scholarly activity. These resources include but are not limited to appropriate support such as adequate private office space, copy centre support, technology, and other clerical support.

Equity – Kwantlen must uphold the equal rights of all faculty and support measures that maintain its structures of equitable compensation and treatment.

Approved by the General Membership
February 23, 2006