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.
Implementation plan
The report outlines general principles and recommendations to the University from the Task Force.
The following is a summary of implementation plans to address the recommendations in the report:
| Recommendation | Responsible Body | Update | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
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1. All units managing partnerships should adopt processes that integrate the proposed principles, with clear accountability and documentation requirements. |
The Institutional Partnerships Operations Group (IPOG) (incl. senior leaders from Advancement, Communications, WatSPEED, Research, Co-Operative Education, International). |
April 2025: IPOG will receive the report and discuss next steps. May/June 2025: A granular work plan will be developed, noting how their processes can adapt. |
July 2025: The community will be updated on the progress of this recommendation |
|
2. The University should establish a clear and transparent process for reviewing partnerships. |
To operationalize a “trigger mechanism” for reviewing partnerships, a new committee will be established with faculty, staff, and student representation. Such a body may be modelled on the President's Advisory Committee on Freedom of Expression and Inclusive Engagement. |
March 2025: Specific recent international issues to be identified as triggers. |
April 2025: Consultation with Council of Academic Leaders. July 2025: Announcement of new body. |
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3. The University should review and update, as necessary, University policies relevant to the formation, review, and management of partnerships and related agreements, as well as those relevant to partnership activities on and off campus, to incorporate and ensure observance of these principles. |
The IPOG group will take the lead on reviewing relevant policies, to then work with Secretariat on the process of policy revision and updating. Consider development of a Statement on Institutional Partnerships informed by the Principles identified by the Task Force. |
April/May 2025: Working with IPOG to identify needed changes. | September 2025: Announcement of policy revision workplan. |
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4. A work plan and accountable senior leader are necessary to oversee the implementation and accountability of these principles and recommendations. |
Ian Milligan (AVP, Research Oversight & Analysis; Task Force co-chair) has been named the accountable senior leader. Charmaine Dean (VP, Research and International) is the executive sponsor and provides oversight. As the work plan develops, an implementation body will be constituted, likely the standing body established for recommendation #2. |
March 2025: This workplan will be provided on the website. | We commit to regular updates of the workplan. |
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5. The University should ensure equitable access when prioritizing and enacting institutional partnerships. |
IPOG, as noted above, will be responsible to build these principles into their processes and procedures. |
April 2025: IPOG will receive the report and discuss next steps. May/June 2025: A granular work plan will be developed, noting how their processes can adapt. |
In July 2025, the community will be updated on the progress of this recommendation. |
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.
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