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Only top-level descriptions Academic Board for Higher Education Universities and colleges--British Columbia
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Records of the Academic Council

  • GR-1524
  • Series
  • 1964-1983

This series consists of the records of the Academic Council and its predecessor, the Academic Board for Higher Education as well as board minutes from the various regional colleges and provincial institutes. This series also includes copies of correspondence outward of the chairman and director of the council, policy papers, research reports, and data books showing funding and enrollment levels in provincial post-secondary institutions.

In 1964 an Academic Board for Higher Education was established by an amendment to the Universities Act (S.B.C. 1963, c. 52). The board was empowered to set academic standards for regional (community) colleges, to assist colleges in securing adequate staff and facilities, and to approve funding for college programs. The board was conducted by a chairman, appointed by cabinet, and functioned under the auspices of the Department of Education. The Academic Board was replaced in 1978 by the Academic Council of British Columbia, a crown corporation which derived its authority from the Colleges and Provincial Institutes Act (S.B.C. 1977, C. 67). The new council was established to coordinate academic, technical, and career programs in community colleges and in other provincially funded training institutes. As well, the council monitored admission and transfer arrangements between colleges, institutes, and universities.

"Colleges", as defined by the 1977 Act, were institutions whose objects were to provide (a) comprehensive courses of study equivalent to those given by a university at the first and second year postsecondary level, (b) postsecondary education or training, and (c) continuing education. "Provincial institutes", though not specifically defined by the Act, referred to institutions which provided occupational or vocational training and which offered programs for continuing education. The Academic Council was abolished in 1983, at which time many of its duties were assumed by the Academic Technical Programs Branch of the Ministry of Education.

Academic Council of British Columbia