| Policy Number: ACAD 105 | Policy Title: Program Advisory Committees |
| Supersedes Existing Policy? Yes | Policy Sponsor: Senior Vice-President Academic |
| Associated Procedure: Yes | Policy Owner: Senior Vice-President Academic |
| Next Review Date: May 2028 | Date Last Approved by the CET: February 26, 2025 |
| Related Documents and Links |
1. Purpose
Loyalist College is committed to ensuring that our academic programs are responsive to the evolving needs of the labour market, community, and industry. Program Advisory Committees (PACs) create essential links between our programs and the sectors they serve by providing strategic advice and insights that inform curriculum development, enhance graduate employability, and uphold the college’s commitment to quality education and innovation. Additionally, the Government of Ontario, through the Minister’s Binding Policy Directive: Framework for Instruction (2023), mandates that each college’s Board of Governors is responsible for ensuring the establishment of Program Advisory Committees for all post-secondary programs offered by the institution.
This policy provides guidance for PACs to ensure that they remain a vital resource in maintaining program excellence, relevance, and responsiveness to the needs of employers, community organizations, and the broader society.
2. Application
This policy applies to all post-secondary programs at Loyalist College. In the event that a non-post-secondary program wishes to create a PAC, it should follow this policy.
3. Definitions
Cluster of Programs: A grouping of smaller or closely related programs may form a joint Program Advisory Committee. The Senior Vice President Academic must approve the formation of joint committees.
Community relations: The collaborative partnerships between the college and local communities, aimed at aligning educational programs with the needs of employers, society, and other stakeholders.
Ex officio: A role or position that is held by someone by virtue of their office or official status, rather than through election or appointment.
Experiential learning: A structured educational approach that integrates academic studies with practical experiences in real-world settings.
Individual PAC Representative: An external member of the Program Advisory Committee who participates as an individual professional, sharing their personal expertise, insights, and perspectives within their field.
Organizational PAC Representative: An external member of the Program Advisory Committee who represents the interests, priorities, and perspectives of their organization. They serve as a conduit for their organization, bringing forward ideas, feedback, and recommendations that align with their organization’s goals, strategies, or needs within the field.
Program Advisory Committee (PAC): Groups of external volunteers who provide strategic advice and insights to ensure that academic programs remain relevant, responsive, and aligned with industry and community needs.
Program: The structured, academic post-secondary courses of study offered by Loyalist College, designed to prepare graduates for careers or further education in specific fields.
Strategic advice: Guidance provided by Program Advisory Committees that focuses on long-term planning and the alignment of academic programs with industry trends and community needs, distinct from operational advice and broader strategic direction for the college as a whole.
4. Policy
Each Loyalist College post-secondary program, or cluster of programs, will have an associated Program Advisory Committee. There will be regular, ongoing communication between the relevant college representatives and the PAC members. This communication serves to ensure shared advisement, cooperation, transparency, and expertise.
4.1 Composition
PACs will normally be composed of volunteer members external to the college, from the perspectives of industry and community who have diverse experiences and expertise. Membership should include broad representation from a range of employers, Indigenous communities, regions served by the college, professional and trade associations, other educational institutions (as appropriate), social and government agencies, and alumni. Members should bring a diversity of perspectives including those of historically marginalized and racialized individuals. External members may include both Organizational and Individual PAC Representatives. College representatives will serve as ex officio members and resource persons to the PACs.
4.2 Mandate
The focus of PACs will be on strategic advice to inform matters of program content and quality, experiential learning, employment of graduates, community relations, and other related matters. PACs are neither administrative nor executive in nature; they do not provide strategic direction to the college as a whole nor are they responsible for the allocation and utilization of college resources. As such, PACs provide advice on:
- the relevance of the program in preparing students for employment in their field,
- opportunities for program development related to current and emerging industry trends, including research and technological advancements,
- strategies for enhancing public and sector-specific awareness of the program,
- experiential learning opportunities for program students,
- changes in sector recruitment and hiring practices and potential employment opportunities for program graduates,
- opportunities for students through bursaries and scholarships,
- knowledge, skills and abilities of graduates working in the field, and
- aligning programs with college priorities.
4.3 Establishment, Ongoing Stewardship, and Dissolution
PACs will be established when a new program is in development, maintained while the program is offered, and dissolved when the program is suspended or cancelled.