Learning and Events

CAUBO provides a wide variety of professional development offerings for the benefit of its members, including our annual conference, online courses, workshops, and webinars. We also produce a Guide to Communications in a University Context, available online in its entirety. Click here to view a list of on-demand webinars.

Upcoming Events

Online Course - University Culture and Governance - March 8 – June 14, 2023

Thank you for your interest in CAUBO’s online courses. Registration for this course offering is now closed as we have filled all available spaces.

Click here to add your name to a waiting list now. Please be sure to include your full name, title, institution and contact information. You will receive an email offering you priority registration for the next offering of this course.


Course Description

Please note that this course is only offered in English at this time.

This revised course provides a comprehensive overview of university culture and governance. The objective is to help administrators, new and established, to better understand the university context and work more effectively and efficiently within the unique university environment.

Among the longest standing institutions in the world, universities adhere to fundamental principles and values that have been championed by academics from the earliest of times. Those principles and values continue to shape the modern university and contribute to an environment that is substantially different from that encountered in private or public sector organizations. To be effective in a university, it is essential that administrators understand and respect these values and principles and adapt their practices accordingly.

The unique nature of universities and the academic culture impact how administrators work, interact with individuals, consult, bring forward ideas or plans for review or approval and implement new initiatives. They are experienced by all administrators whether in academic units, central services, student services or ancillary services.

This course is a blend of web-based materials and live learning sessions. Through presentations, readings, assignments, and group discussions, this course aims to provide administrators with the ability to take context and culture more instinctively into account in conducting their work. The course will provide participants with a general understanding of:

  • the origin of universities and how this is reflected in the culture and traditions of today’s university
  • the division of roles between the Senate, the Board, and the University President and how this might affect planning and decision-making in academic and non-academic units
  • the unique judicial process that applies to universities and how that influences process development and application
  • collegial governance and its meaning in practice
  • principles and importance of equity, diversity, inclusion, and indigenization (EDII) and how these are integrated into all areas of the university system and culture
  • the federal and provincial influences over universities from a constitutional perspective and funding context
  • the general funding sources of universities for operations, research, and capital/infrastructure
  • principles of academic freedom and their application
  • the academic workload
  • the meaning and implications of the peer review process and principles of natural justice in a university
  • academic values and how they impact routine interactions of academics and administrators

MODULE 1 – The University Context

MODULE 2 – Equity, Diversity, Inclusiveness, and Decolonization: A Required Competency for Effective University Leadership

MODULE 3 – Trends in University Finances and Funding Models

MODULE 4 – Fundamental Academic Principles and Values 

MODULE 5 – Academic Culture and Working Environment 

MODULE 6 – The Relevance of Culture and Governance for Administrators

Target Audience:

  • All individuals recruited from outside of the university sector into mid to senior management positions
  • Individuals aspiring to more senior managerial roles in a university
  • Mid to senior level administrative staff from across the university

UCG Course Schedule Overview

* All times are in Eastern Time (ET)

Subject Date Time
CAUBO UCG – Introduction / Overview Wednesday March 8, 2023 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
CAUBO UCG LLS 1 of 6 Wednesday March 22, 2023 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
CAUBO UCG LLS 2 of 6 Tuesday April 4, 2023 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
CAUBO UCG LLS 3 of 6 Wednesday April 18, 2023 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
CAUBO UCG LLS 4 of 6 Monday May 1, 2023 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
CAUBO UCG LLS 5 of 6 Tuesday May 16, 2023 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
CAUBO UCG Working Group 1 of 2 (Group A) Wednesday May 24, 2023 TBC by group
CAUBO UCG Working Group 1 of 2 (Group B)
CAUBO UCG Working Group 1 of 2 (Group C)
CAUBO UCG Working Group 2 of 2 (Group A) Thursday June 1, 2023 TBC by group
CAUBO UCG Working Group 1 of 2 (Group B)
CAUBO UCG Working Group 1 of 2 (Group C)
CAUBO UCG Case Study Submission Due Date Monday June 12, 2023 By 3:00 PM
CAUBO UCG LLS 6 of 6 Wednesday June 14, 2023 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Time commitment

Participants are expected to commit approximately 45-50 hours to the completion of this course, which includes presentations, readings, course activities, group work and Live Learning Sessions.

Facilitated by:

Christina Sass-Kortsak

Christina Sass-Kortsak has over 35 years’ experience in human resource leadership.  She recently retired after seven years as assistant vice-president, Human Resources at Ryerson University. Prior to that she held similar Human Resources (HR) leadership roles at University of Toronto and within the health care sector. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Queens University.

Since her retirement in 2020, Christina continues to do consulting work within the higher education human resources sector, as well as thoroughly enjoying retired life.

Rosie Parnass

Rosie Parnass is currently a consultant offering HR consulting, facilitation and coaching services to higher education and not-for-profit organizations. Rosie recently retired from the University of Toronto after working there for over 35 years in a variety of functional areas including; student life; career services; human resources; organizational development and learning; and work/life support. As Executive Director, Organizational Learning and Development and Work Life Support, Rosie led a team providing organizational development, career management, mentoring and continuous learning programs that supported the University community. Rosie has presented at many conferences, nationally and internationally and has taught at the University’s School of Continuing Studies. Rosie has also been involved with CAUBO on the Training and Development Committee, and as a facilitator in their on-line course program. Rosie assists CAUBO with their professional development activities including acting as a program consultant for the annual conference and functional seminars. She has also been a facilitator for their on-line courses for the past few years. Rosie has a Master of Education, specializing in Adult Education and Counselling from OISE/UT; has completed the Advanced Program in Human Resources Management from the Rotman School of Management. Rosie is a recent graduate of the Solution Focused Coaching program and has an active coaching practice.

FREE Webinar - University Governance in Canada: Navigating Complexity - March 30, 2023, 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET

* Please note that this webinar will be offered in English and is open only to employees of Canadian universities and colleges.

Date and Time: Thursday, March 30, 2023, 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Target Audience: All senior administrators interested in this issue.

Understanding how universities are governed, and the principles, practices, and relationships that underscore these complex processes, is essential for those who play administrative roles within these institutions. In this webinar, Julia Eastman and Glen Jones will discuss the history, developments, and challenges of university governance in Canada. Their presentation will highlight the findings they outlined in their recent book University Governance in Canada: Navigating Complexity (co-authored with Claude Trottier and Olivier Bégin-Caouette).

Their study provides an overview of university governance, draws on six detailed case studies of universities in five provinces, discusses key differences in provincial coordination and institutional governance practices, and locates Canadian university governance within an international context. The presenters will also discuss some of the key governance challenges facing Canadian universities.

There will be opportunities for interaction during the webinar via a Q&A session that will follow the presentation. This 90-minute webinar is intended for all senior administrators interested in this issue.

This CAUBO PD activity may count towards credits for accreditation programs and designations in your field. Visit the CAUBO website for more details.

Take note that registration will close at 8:00 PM ET on March 29, 2023.

Presenters:

Julia Eastman
Adjunct Professor, Gustavson School of Business
University of Victoria

Julia Eastman writes, speaks and advises on university governance in Canada, drawing on her extensive experience in the field. She is Adjunct Professor in the Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria, where she served as University Secretary from 2005 to 2018. Prior to that, she held various administrative positions at Dalhousie University. She holds a BA in Political Economy from the University of Toronto, a MA in Political Studies from Queen’s University and a PhD in Higher Education from the University of Toronto. She is lead author (with Glen Jones, Claude Trottier and Olivier Bégin-Caouette) of University Governance in Canada: Navigating Complexity, based on a comparative case study of the governance of six major universities across the country.

Glen Jones
Ontario Research Chair, Postsecondary Education Policy and Measurement, Professor of Higher Education, and Director, Centre for the Study of Canadian and International Higher Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
University of Toronto

Glen A. Jones is the Ontario Research Chair in Postsecondary Education Policy and Measurement, Professor of Higher Education, and Director of the Centre for the Study of Canadian and International Higher Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. His research interests include higher education governance, policy, and academic work. He has co-edited several books and received numerous national and international awards for his research, including an honorary degree from the University of Manitoba.

Workshop Postponed - Lessons Learned from the Pandemic: Planning, Governance and Operational Insights

Please note that we have postponed this workshop that was originally scheduled for March 23, 2023 in Toronto until the fall.

We will update CAUBO members with new dates when they become available. Keep a close eye on your email and on the CAUBO webpage for updates!

If you have already registered, the events team will reach out to you in order to process your refund.

Thank you for your understanding.

Regards,

The CAUBO Team


CAUBO Workshop POSTPONED:
Lessons Learned from the Pandemic: Planning, Governance and Operational Insights


Three years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that COVID-19 was a global pandemic. Since then, daily life has been upended in countless ways. As we are now regaining a degree of normality, CAUBO’s Lessons learned from the pandemic: Planning, Governance and Operational Insights Workshop will seek to reflect on lessons learned and provide insights to ensure that we are collectively better prepared to face long-lasting and highly disruptive events.

The Workshop will cover the following topics:

  • Crisis management governance structures: major challenges encountered, areas of most significant debates, right-sizing, and the evolution of governance structures throughout the pandemic
  • Communications during a pandemic
  • Documenting and evolving emergency and business continuity plans throughout the pandemic and beyond
  • Roundtable discussions touching on an array of operational topics such as:
    • Safety and security, research operations, hazards stemming from home offices
    • Academic governance, food and housing services, human resources issues
  • Building and sustaining a resilient and engaged workforce

This workshop will provide an opportunity to learn from your peers, share tips and tools and experiences to take back to your institution and support your emergency preparedness.

VIEW THE PRELIMINARY AGENDA

Join us for CAUBO 2023 in Toronto! - May 8-10, 2023

Join us for CAUBO 2023 in Toronto!
The conference website and registration are now live!

From May 8-10, 2023, the CAUBO Annual Conference returns in person to TorontoPlease note: These dates are about five weeks earlier than usual, so mark those dates in your calendar now!

If you’ve been waiting to hear more about CAUBO 2023, you can visit the conference website now and get an overview of the conference schedulefull programregistration rates, and review the FAQ section.

Looking forward to having you join us in-person for CAUBO 2023!

Can’t make it to Toronto but want access to the educational sessions from the conference? Check out the on-demand ticket that will give you access to all available plenary and concurrent sessions for a limited time post-event.

 

Other Events of Interest

As events become available, CAUBO will provide updated listing of professional development events hosted by other organizations that CAUBO members may find to be of interest. These listings are submitted by the hosting organization and are not endorsed by CAUBO. If you are hosting an event that you would like to see listed here please contact CAUBO’s Professional Development Coordinator Kristine Serjak at kserjak@caubo.ca.

In an effort to expand professional development opportunities, CAUBO has partnered with NACUBO and its Eastern chapter, EACUBO, to offer reciprocal member pricing on events. Visit www.nacubo.org for a list of upcoming events. If you see an event you’d like to participate in, contact the Communications and Membership Coordinator for the appropriate discount code.

 

Earn Accreditation Credits from CAUBO Professional Development

Members who participate in CAUBO’s professional development offerings can now ask to have them applied as credits towards some accreditation programs and designations in their respective fields. We have engaged with a number of accrediting organizations who have acknowledged CAUBO as an offeror of professional development that may be eligible for their programs.

How do I acquire my credits?

Each individual member will be responsible for assessing whether or not the PD activities you take part in are relevant to your work and/or education requirements. If you believe they are, you must file directly with the specific accreditation body to earn your credits. Generally, the receipt or email confirmation originally provided by CAUBO can serve as proof of registration. Please contact the respective organizations directly to find out more about how to receive your credits.

Which accreditation bodies are participating?

The list of accreditation programs and organizations that may provide continuing education credit for CAUBO professional development activities is below. This list may be incomplete, so if you know of others that should be added, please let us know by emailing kserjak@caubo.ca.

  • Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
  • American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
  • Association of Physical Plant Administrators (APPA)
  • Association For Supply Chain Management
  • Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP)
  • Board of Certified Safety Professionals
  • Canada’s Association of I.T. Professionals (CIPS)
  • Canadian Institute of Traffic & Transportation (CITT)
  • Canadian Payroll Association
  • CFA Institute
  • Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR)
  • CIM Chartered Managers Canada
  • CPA Canada
  • The Institute of Internal Auditors Canada
  • ISACA
  • Institute for Supply Management in the US
  • LEED Green Associate/LEED AP
  • National Institute of Government Procurement (NIGP)
  • Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA)
  • Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
  • Supply Chain Canada

If you have questions about this accreditation initiative, please contact Kris Serjak at events@caubo.ca.