Health Professions Programs Committee — Terms of Reference

Purpose and Authority

The purpose of this committee is to:

Recommend to the Faculty Executive Committee undergraduate-level health professions program decisions requiring Full Faculty and Senate approval.
Through the Faculty Executive Committee, recommend to the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Graduate Curriculum Committee (GPSGCC) graduate-level health professions program proposals requiring GPSGCC approval and Senate approval.
Present substantive changes to graduate-level health professions programs, including new courses, major curricular changes, and changes requiring material increase in resources, to the Faculty Executive Committee for consultation and endorsement before formally recommending them to the GPSGC.
Facilitate cross-program planning and coordination of teaching, learning, and research initiatives to support shared interests and address shared issues.
Establish, implement, and report on work plans for interdisciplinary initiatives, under the guidance of the Associate Dean, Health Professions.
Liaise with the Graduate and Postdoctoral Education Committee regarding issues shared across all graduate programs.

Scope

The scope of this committee is focused on the following entry-to-practice health professions programs:

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)
Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
Master of Science in Genetic Counselling (MSc GC)
Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology (MSc SLP)
Master of Science in Audiology (MSc AUD)
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences (BLMSc)
Bachelor of Midwifery (BMW)

While representatives from other graduate-level programs are welcome to participate in this committee, their formal pathway for approvals is through the Graduate and Postdoctoral Education Committee.

Composition

This committee is made up of ex officio and appointed members.

The Faculty of Medicine’s commitment to equitable and diverse membership on its committees and advisory councils guides its nomination and selection process.

Voting Members

Ex-officio

Associate Dean, Health Professions (chair) (1)
Executive Associate Dean, Education (1)
Senior Director, Education Programs and Services (1)
Head, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy (1)
Head, Department of Physical Therapy (1)
Director, School of Audiology and Speech Sciences (1)
Director, Division of Midwifery, Department of Family Practice (1)
Program Co-Directors, Master of Genetic Counselling, Department of Medical Genetics (2 sharing one vote)
Program Director, Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (1)

Appointed

One undergraduate Health Professions student (1)
One graduate Health Professions student (1)

Non-voting Members

Ex officio

Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, or delegate (1)

Guests may be invited to join specific meetings or portions of specific meetings at the chair’s discretion.

Appointment Process

Ex officio members are members by virtue of their administrative appointment.

Appointed members are appointed by the Dean through the annual process initiated by the Dean’s Office.

Term

Ex officio members are members as long as they hold their administrative appointment.

Appointed members are members for a one-year term and are eligible for renewal.

Chair

Chaired by the Associate Dean, Health Professions.

Meeting Schedule and Administration

Normally meets approximately every two months and at the call of the chair.

All members are expected to attend all meetings in person or via videoconference or phone.

A staff member from the Office of the Associate Dean, Health Professions will capture meeting minutes. Minutes will be circulated to all members.

Records will be maintained in accordance with the UBC and Faculty of Medicine records retention procedures.

Quorum and Decision Making Process

Quorum consists of 50% plus one of voting members.

Decisions are typically made by consensus. When consensus does not emerge, decisions will be made by vote, requiring 50% plus one of voting members present to pass.

Lines of Accountability and Communication

This committee:

Presents an annual report summarizing the year’s activities to the Faculty Executive Committee.
Seeks input from the Department Heads and School Directors Committee before presenting recommendations to the Faculty Executive Committee, as appropriate.
Makes recommendations to the Faculty Executive Committee for decisions related to undergraduate-level health professions programs.
Makes recommendations to the Faculty Executive Committee on substantive changes to graduate-level health professions programs, including new courses, major curricular changes, and changes requiring material increase in resources, for consultation and endorsement before formally recommending them to the GPSGC.
Makes recommendations to the GPSGC for decisions related to graduate-level health professions programs.
May delegate responsibilities to subcommittees and/or ad hoc groups to make recommendations on, or conduct, specific aspects of the committee’s mandate.
Shares relevant information with leadership of all in-scope programs.
Maintains close communication and collaboration with the Graduate and Postdoctoral Education Committee.

Representatives of this committee liaise with other academic and administrative committees and advisory councils, as needed.

Responsibilities