Simon Fraser University

Governance and administration

Convocation

The Convocation is composed of all faculty members, senators, and graduates (degree holders, including honorary alumni) of the university. Its main function is to elect the Chancellor (who acts as Chair of Convocation) and four Convocation Senators. Convocation ceremonies are held annually to confer degrees (including honorary degrees) as well as award diplomas and certificates.

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Board of Governors

The Board is composed of the Chancellor, the President, two student members, two faculty members, one staff member, and eight individuals appointed by the British Columbia government. Traditionally, the Board is chaired by one of the government appointees. The Board is responsible for the general management and governance of the university.

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Senate

The Senate is composed of the Chancellor, the President, Vice-President, Academic, Vice-President, Research, Deans of Faculties, Dean of Graduate Studies, Dean of Continuing Studies, Associate Vice-President, Academic, University Librarian, Registrar (as Senate secretary), 14 student members, 28 faculty members, and 4 convocation members (who are not faculty members). The Senate is chaired by the President. The academic governance of the university is vested in the Senate.

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Chancellor

The Chancellor is elected by and from Convocation for a three-year term, which can be renewed once. The main responsibilities of the Chancellor are to confer degrees and represent the university in formal functions.

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President and Vice-Chancellor

The President and Vice-Chancellor is appointed by the Board of Governors based on a selection process jointly established by the Board of Governors and the Senate of the university. As Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Senate, the President is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the university.

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Faculties, departments, and schools

Academic programs are co-ordinated and offered by faculties. Each faculty is headed by a dean. In large faculties, such as Arts and Social Sciences, academic administration is subdivided into departments and schools. Generally, traditional academic disciplines are offered by departments, whereas disciplines of applied or professional natures are offered by schools. Current faculties, departments, and schools include:

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• Faculty of Applied Sciences
• School of Communication
• School of Computing Science
• School of Engineering Science
• School of Kinesiology
• School of Resource and Environmental Management
• School of Interactive Arts and Technology (see also SFU Surrey)
• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
• Department of Archaeology
• School for the Contemporary Arts
• School of Criminology
• Department of Economics
• Department of English
• Department of French
• Department of Geography
• Department of History
• Department of Humanities
• Department of Linguistics
• Department of Philosophy
• Department of Political Science
• Department of Psychology
• Department of Sociology and Anthropology
• Department of Women's Studies
• Faculty of Business Administration
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Science
• Department of Biological Sciences
• Department of Chemistry
• Department of Earth Sciences
• Department of Mathematics
• Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
• Department of Physics
• Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science