Senate Program Evaluation Committee (SPEC)

It ensures that programs under review are aligned with the University’s mission and objectives regarding academic planning and the student experience, and it supports faculties in maintaining the quality of programs offered. 

ESTABLISHMENT

The terms of reference of the Committee were adopted on November 17, 2025, by Senate resolution 2025-2026.16.

Status

The Committee is a standing committee of the Senate.

Powers and Functions

Working with the Director of Program Evaluation, the Committee ensures that all aspects of quality assurance that are assigned to it in the IQAP are implemented during the process of cyclical program review. Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Committee is responsible for:

• Reviewing Self-Evaluation Reports submitted by academic units to ensure all necessary elements identified in the IQAP are present;  
• Advising academic units/faculties in the preparation of Self-Evaluation Reports that are optimal for external review;  
• Approving short lists of candidates for the position of external reviewer, ensuring all candidates possess the required qualifications, as per the IQAP;  
• Reviewing and approving Final Assessment Reports and Implementation Plans, which list: strengths and challenges of programs under review; recommendations of external evaluators, academic units, Deans, and the University; and academic unit’s responses to these recommendations;  
• Reviewing and approving Progress Reports and Follow-up Reports, which include details on fulfillment by academic units of plans and actions contained in the approved Implementation Plans;  
• Making recommendations to the Senate concerning changes to the Committee’s terms of reference.

MEMBERSHIP

Members

The Committee is composed of the following members:

1. the Director of the Office of Program Evaluation;
2. two regular, full-time professors from each faculty, nominated by the Executive Committee of the Senate on recommendation of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs, for a three-year, renewable term, and two regular, full-time professors from Saint Paul University, nominated by Saint Paul University for a three-year, renewable term;
3. two full-time members of the student body, one graduate and one which has successfully completed at least the first year of an undergraduate program, nominated by the Executive Committee of the Senate on recommendation of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs, for a two-year term.  

Chair

The Director of the Office of Program Evaluation serves as Committee chair.

MEETINGS

Convening

The Committee will meet as often as required to fulfill its mandate, as convened by the Chair.

Quorum

Six members of the Committee constitute a quorum.

Voting

All motions require a majority vote of members present. The Chair votes only in the event of a tie.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

The Committee reports annually to the Executive Committee of the Senate.

SECRETARIAT

Secretariat services are provided by the Office of Program Evaluation.