Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Program Coordinating Committee records
General material designation
- textual record
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Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title based on the contents of the series
Level of description
Series
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1977 - 1987 (Creation)
- Creator
- Universities Council of British Columbia
Physical description area
Physical description
1.3 m of textual records
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
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Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Universities Council of British Columbia (UCBC) was established under the authority of the Universities Act of 1974 (SBC 1974, c.100). An independent Crown agency, the council served as an intermediary body between the British Columbia government and the three public universitiest. The council also served as an intermediary between the government and the province's non-metropolitan Open University.
The main purpose of the UCBC was to promote the systematic development of post-secondary education and to create public accountability for university expenditures.
The council was composed of eleven members, appointed by cabinet. Council members were not permitted to simultaneously serve as representatives of government, as university employees, or as public servants in the Ministry of Finance or a ministry responsible for universities. Members were appointed for three-year terms and were eligible for reappointment for an additional term.
To facilitate its work, the UCBC established a number of standing committees. The Long Range Planning Committee (which operated as a committee of the whole) concerned itself with long term financial and academic strategies for the four universities; the Program Coordinating Committee dealt with the development of academic programs; the Business Affairs Committee dealt with university budgets; and the Capital Planning and Development Committee advised Council on capital expenditures. From time to time other committees, dealing with such matters as student aid, were appointed. Permanent staff consisted of a Secretary to Council, an academic officer, a financial officer, a research officer, and administrative clerks. A librarian was also employed to look after the council's extensive resource library. The UCBC's offices were located at 805 West Broadway in Vancouver.
In 1987 the government decided to become more directly involved with the allocation of funds to the universities. The UCBC was abolished and many of its responsibilities taken over by the new Ministry of Advanced Education & Job Training.
Custodial history
Scope and content
The series consists of records of the Program Coordinating Committee of the Universities Council of British Columbia. One of four standing committees, the legislated purpose of the committee was to advise and make recommendations to the Council on all matters pertaining to university programs. The role of the committee was to review and make recommendations on proposals for new programs of study at the public universities; to review existing university programs to identify special areas of interest and expertise at each university and to reduce unnecessary duplication; to identify areas for inter-university cooperation; to assist in the coordination of the delivery of distance education; and, to examine the role of the universities in the development of in-service training and re-training for the professions.
The records document the committee’s function of evaluating proposals for new undergraduate and graduate programs at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the University of Victoria, and the Open Learning Institute. The committee numbered each proposal, and these original codes were maintained by the archivist.
Record types include correspondence, memoranda, press releases and clippings, committee resolutions, course/program descriptions, reports, and discussion papers. The records typically include the wording of motions concerning new programs which the Program Coordinating Committee sent to Council. Correspondence typically is to and from the committee, the council, university presidents and vice presidents, and faculty heads and members.
The subject matter of the records reflects the criteria the committee used in weighing the merits of each specific proposed new program of study. For this reason, the records reflect information on the credentials to be awarded to graduates; a description of each new university program; discussion of the need for and objectives of the proposed program; enrolment projections; institutional resources and need (new faculty or administrative staff required); budget required (indirect and direct costs); employment prospects for graduates of the new program; the relationship with other existing programs at BC universities (including duplication); and the results of consultation with the other BC universities and non-university groups, including letters of support for the new program proposals.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Transferred by the Ministry of Advanced Education in 2016
Arrangement
The series follows the arrangement of the creator’s filing system. The creator’s reference codes are based on the year the proposal was created; e.g. 1978 files are coded P-78 (P-78-1, P-78-2, etc.)
Language of material
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
No access restrictions apply
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Consult BC Archives staff regarding use, reproduction and publication
Finding aids
Associated materials
Related materials: Series GR-1701 - Universities Council of British Columbia records
Accruals
Accruals are not expected
General note
Accession number(s): 89-1016
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number area
Standard number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Universities Council of British Columbia (Subject)