Appendix B: Process for Establishing a New Articulation Committee

Introduction

There are currently 70 provincial articulation committees operating in the post-secondary system in BC. These committees are established by, and operate under the auspices of the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT), and report to the Transfer and Articulation Committee (TAC) of Council.

According to the Terms of Reference for articulation committees:

Articulation in British Columbia is a process that contributes to an overall objective of expanding educational opportunities for students by:

1. providing a mechanism for exchanging information and enhancing cooperation and coordination among institutions providing instruction in a given area of study;
2. promoting course and program equivalency where appropriate; and
3. aiding in the process of achieving inter-institutional transfer credit.

As defined, and within these stated objectives, the articulation process should embrace universities, colleges, institutes and secondary schools.

Membership is composed of representatives of all institutions that belong to the BC Transfer System that offer, or plan to offer, instruction in the respective disciplines or programs and, as appropriate, representatives of other institutions, the public secondary school system, the Ministry, and/or other relevant agencies.

Each committee has a chair or co-chairs selected by the articulation committee, and almost every committee has a System Liaison Person (SLP) appointed by the Council's Transfer and Articulation Committee, in cooperation with the articulation committee. Some committees may choose to not have an SLP.

Because there are significant costs to the system, to individual institutions, and to BCCAT to establish and maintain articulation committees, new committees are not established unless approved by the TAC.

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Forming a New Committee

In order for a new committee to be established, the discipline must be distinct and widespread in the post-secondary system, and the new committee must not duplicate the work of another committee. Therefore, one of the first options to consider is whether or not an existing committee can provide the appropriate venue for the discussions.

If an existing committee cannot accommodate the needs of the new or emerging group, that group should forward a proposal for the establishment of a new articulation committee to BCCAT. For committees for trades, occupations and apprenticeship programs, a copy of the proposal should also be sent to the appropriate agency that deals with apprenticeship training.

This proposal should be as comprehensive as possible, and address the following items:

• a detailed rationale for the establishment of the new group;
• a description of the work it will undertake, the issues it will address etc., (for example, how the work of the committee will facilitate transfer for students);
• a list of the potential membership or representative groups, including, where appropriate, Ministry, secondary school or private sector representation;
• a plan for chairing, taking and distribution of minutes;
• statements of support for the establishment of the committee from each participating institution's Dean or Director; and
• frequency and location of meetings and/or plans for electronic communications.

It is strongly recommended that the proponent group study carefully The Articulation Committee Companion in its preparation of the proposal, in order to ensure that it is fully cognizant of the roles and responsibilities of articulation committee members.

Once the proposal has been received, it will be adjudicated by the Transfer and Articulation Committee at its next meeting. Discussions with other interested parties (e.g., Deans' groups, apprenticeship agency) will form part of the adjudication process where appropriate. The Executive Director or Associate Director of the Council will communicate the decision of that committee to the proponent group.

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