Governance Structure
The Members of the Board of Trustees and their duties are outlined in the Bylaws of Sacred Heart. These include roles for the Chair, who is the President of the Board, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Principal who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Board. In addition to the Board of Trustees the governance of Sacred Heart is carried out through the following standing committees of the Board.
Board Committees
- Executive Committee
- Nominations & Governance Committee
- Special Appeals Committee (Dispute Resolution)
- Development and Donor Relations Committee
- Academic Council
- Scholarships & Financial Aid Committee
- Committee on Faculty Appointments
- Committee on Academic Petitions
- Special Appeals Committee (Academic)
- College & Student Affairs Committee
- Finance Committee
- Financial Appeals Committee
- Research Ethics Review Committee
- Program Review Committees
- Organizational Review Committee
- Advancement, Marketing and Communications Committee
The Executive Committee, subject to the direction of the Board, is to consider matters of direct action which are subject to Board approval at the next scheduled meeting, to act on behalf of the Board in any matter which requires immediate attention when it is not practical to convene a special meeting or in a period of time when a quorum of the Board cannot be attained, to review nominations of membership to the Board, councils, and or committees, to make recommendations to the Board concerning governing practices and to periodically review the by-laws, the structures, membership and terms of reference of the councils and committees related to governance of the corporation.
The Nominations and Governance Committee primarily advises the Board on membership, the workings and effectiveness of the Sacred Heart Councils and Standing Committees. They are to provide, on an annual basis, a list of the membership of the councils and committees, and to the Board an evaluation of their performance. They may also consult various constituencies and make recommendations regarding candidates for an honorary degree.
The Development and Donor Relations Committee has the responsibility of guiding the Board in its leadership of Sacred Heart's philanthropic culture in support of its mission, to guide and develop donor relations, of ensuring a policy framework that is donor-focused and transparent in how fundraising and other development activities promote the mission of the school, in approving long-range institutional fundraising and development strategies and evaluating their progress against financial targets and the strategic priorities of the Institutional Plan.
The Academic Council advises the Board of Trustees about admissions and curriculum policies, new programs and special issues, academic and related.
Program Review Committees are responsible for putting in place policies and procedures for the periodic review of program outcomes, curriculum, quality of instruction and pedagogy at Sacred Heart.
The Scholarships and Financial Aid Committee recommends policies, approves and awards financial aid to students.
The Committee on Faculty Appointments is a standing committee of the Academic Council which deals with developing, amending and implementing policies, guidelines and procedures regarding the appointment, re-appointment and promotion of faculty, and approving sabbaticals and extended absences of faculty.
The Research Ethics Review Committee reports directly to the Board of Trustees on the acceptability of research concerning any proposed academic research which would involve human beings.
The College and Student Affairs Committee acts as a forum to receive, consider and take appropriate actions on issues brought to its attention that pertain to the non-academic affairs of the students at Sacred Heart of Peterborough. These include campus life, student services, residence housing, non-academic and or co-curricular aspects of undergraduate life. It meets at least once per term and advise the Board on the issues of student affairs and the specific actions taken within the mandate of the committee.
The Finance Committee assists the Board in financial and business planning decisions, including investments and reserves. It approves the annual budget, administer fund investments and approve the audited financial statements and recommend them to the Board for ratification at the Annual General Meeting. This committee meets on a quarterly basis and if necessary at a special meeting to monitor the annual audit process and receive for approval the external auditors audited financial statements.
Administrative Personnel
Sacred Heart operates under the direction of the Principal who acts as the Chief Executive Officer of the Board. The Dean of Studies is the chief academic officer of Sacred Heart in charge of academics, field education, faculty development and curriculum review. The Registrar looks after student records, class schedules, student financial aid, and business transactions while the Student Recruitment Officer responds to enquiries from prospective students and their families. Sacred Heart also has a Chaplain and a Director of Residences to support students as well as to respond to students in crisis or those simply looking for someone to talk to.