Dossier 28-04 - Minutes of Meetings of the Board of Governors, June 18, 2020

According to "Active, Dynamic Governance: A Statement of the Role and Responsibilities of the Board of Governors of Trinity Western College" (revised 1982) the Board of Governors is legally responsible for the administration and general activities of TWU. The Board has four general functions which include:
1) Appointment or recall of the President
2) Establishment of University policy
3) Representation for public and community relations
4) Financial support.

Specific responsibilities of the Board, as the University's primary policy-making body, include:
1) Approval of changes or additions in objectives and major programs
2) Authorization of capital expenditures
3) Authorization for the disposal of assets
4) Approval of borrowings and other plans to finance the University operations
5) Establishment of controls essential to the protection of the rights and interests of contributors, the church, the staff, the faculty, the alumni, and the students
6) General (external) supervision of the University's Business, Academic, Student, Public Affairs, Seminary matters, approval of faculty hiring and faculty tenure
7) Establishment and revision of Constitution and By-Laws
8) Approval of long-range plans
9) Fixing charges and tuition/residence fees

As of August, 2002, five major committees operated within the Board of Governors:
1) Academic Committee
2) Business and Finance Committee
3) Student Life Committee (formerly known as Student Development Committee)
4) Development Committee (formerly known as University Advancement Committee)
5) Enrolment Committee (previously part of the University Advancement Committee which included the Seminary Committee)

The School for Canada Committee (January - June 1961) oversaw the early stages of the establishment and development of TWU. This committee was renamed the Trinity Junior College Committee (July - October 1961). The Governing Board of TJC held its first meeting on November 28, 1961. Initially, the Board of Governors consisted of nine members elected by the Evangelical Free Church of America, and was structured into three committees: an Academic Committee, a Finance Committee, and a Student & Personnel Committee. In 1976 a fourth committee, the Public Affairs Committee, was added. It was renamed the Development Committee ca. 1981.

In June 1979 the Board approved the election of 3 additional members, followed by 3 more in 1980. This brought the total number of elected board members to 15. In January 1982 the Board of Governors approved President Neil Snider's recommendation to create a 21 member board comprised of 15 members elected by the Evangelical Church of America and 6 members appointed by the elected board. When the Evangelical Free Church of Canada separated from the Evangelical Free Church of America in 1983 the Board of Governors underwent another change. It was determined that the Evangelical Free Church of America and the Evangelical Free Church of Canada would each elect 7 members to the Board of Governors and together those 14 elected members would appoint 7 additional members. Around this time the terms of office for Board members were amended to three years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms being served.

According to an overview provided by Ken Lawrence (archives files, undated) in 1990 "the role of the Board was redefined to focus on three areas of responsibility: fiscal responsibility; sharing in the establishment of creative vision; and responsibility for maintaining institutional integrity through its mission. In 1992 a fifth committee was added to the Board structure" and others were renamed. "The five committees are now: the Academic Committee; the Seminary Committee; the Business & Finance Committee; the Student Life Committee; and the University Advancement Committee. The Executive Committee was defined as the Board Chairman and the Chair of each of the five committees. In 1997 the Board was again enlarged to include the President of the TWU Alumni Association as an Ex Officio member. Also, the Chairman of the TWU Foundation was added as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board."

Initially the Board of Governors convened semi-annually with additional meetings called if necessary. In 1983 the Board decided to meet three times a year with meetings held in September/October, January/February, and April/May with additional meetings called if necessary. All Board members are asked to serve a three year term. The terms for the elected members begin in September and the terms for the appointed members begin in January.

During its November 2004 meeting, "the Board approved a number of by-law amendments ... to reflect the increased size of the Board – now 25 members (7 elected from EFCC, 7 elected from EFCA, and 11 appointed) plus 4 ex-officio members. (Source: Highlights of the TWU Board of Governors’ November 2004 Meeting distributed via email by Glen Forrester, Nov. 23/04)

TWU is governed by a Board of Governors to which the President's Cabinet reports. The board is comprised of distinguished Christian leaders from across Canada and the United States. TWU is moving to adopt a Carver Policy Governance model for the Board of Governors and the institution.
(Source: http://www.twu.ca/governance/board/ accessed September 20, 2008) As of this date, twenty individuals were identified as Board members.

As of November, 2008, the Board was officially comprised of twenty members, but steps were being taken to down-size to a total of thirteen members.
In May 2009, the Board was comprised of fifteen members, including President Raymond.

TWU has adopted a Carver Policy Governance model for the Board of Governors and the institution. The move toward Policy Governance has been a thorough process involving in-depth consultation with a wide variety of stakeholders.
Transition Process:
Aug 2006 - Board Governance Committee received orientation to Policy Governance from John and Miriam Carver in Atlanta.
Mar 2007 - TWU began working with an external coach in transitioning to Policy Governance.
Aug 2006-Aug 2007 - TWU consulted with stakeholders throughout Canada on Ends Policies.
Nov 2008 - The Board began to operate according to Policy Governance principles.
Source: http://www.twu.ca/governance/board/policy-governance.pdf

The University Senate was established in 2008 by directive of the Provost
Source: https://intranet.twu.ca/twusenate/Organizational%20Documents/Historical%20Senate%20Documents/Senate%20Intro.pdf