Report of the Task Force on Principles for Institutional Partnerships
In August 2024, the Task Force on Principles for Institutional Partnerships (TFPIP) was created to recommend principles to ensure a consistent and transparent approach to partnerships across the University in alignment with our vision, mission and values.
The TFPIP is pleased to share its final report and recommendations.
Thank you to the students, staff and faculty who attended the feedback forum and to those who submitted recommendations to our open call for online feedback. Please email the Task Force at taskforce-partnerships@uwaterloo.ca if you have any questions.
Task Force membership
Thanks to members of the Task Force for the time, care and work they devoted over the past several months to the development of this report. We also wish to thank the resources across campus for the help and support they provided to this important work.
Members:
- Christiane Lemieux - co-Chair – Faculty
- Ian Milligan - co-Chair – Faculty
- Suman Armitage – Staff
- Jennifer Clapp – Faculty
- Samantha Meyer – Faculty
- Bessma Momani – Faculty
- Maia Norman – Student
- Josh Neufeld – Faculty
- Catherine Rosenberg – Faculty
- Michael Saunders – Student
- Andrew Thompson – Staff
A resource group, which includes administrators from various units across the university, supported the work of the task force.
If you have any questions about the task force, please email taskforce-partnerships@uwaterloo.ca.
Mandate
- Reviewed the University's existing policies and procedures related to institutional partnerships;
- Conducted an environmental scan of work being done on institutional partnerships by institutions, such as peer universities in the U15, as well as other international approaches; and
- Developed a set of principles that will ensure a consistent and transparent approach to institutional partnerships that reflect institutional values.
Reporting and communication
The final report with recommendations has been submitted to the President and will be shared with the Board of Governors and broader University community. Any proposed development or revision of policies or guidelines will follow the appropriate governance pathways.
Background
The University of Waterloo engages in partnerships through many of its portfolios. These include, for example, corporate partnerships, co-operative education, advancement, international research, and international academic experiences. The offices that manage these partnerships, both individually and in some cases collectively, have developed principles and processes for such partnership engagements. The Task Force on Principles for Institutional Partnerships will connect into this existing work and will also be supported by advisors who manage partnerships and subject matter experts from across the University community, including relevant support units.
The University of Waterloo engages in ongoing discussions around our institutional partnerships in accordance with our community and institutional values. The Vice-President, Research & International provides regular updates on new institutional research partnerships through standing reports to Senate.
In addition to reviewing the principles and practices that currently exist across the University, the Task Force explored the development of an overarching set of institutional principles to provide our community with clear and consistent guidance on engaging with institutional partners. This was done through wide consultation with the University community.
Task Force on Social Responsibility in Investing
Get information on the Task Force on Social Responsibility in Investing.