Governance and leadership
From formal governing bodies to dynamic leadership groups across campus, our community takes an active role in running the university.
Governing bodies
UCalgary follows a shared governance model. Shared governance includes extensive consultation and respect for a diversity of views, which is reflective of the university’s culture. A number of groups participate at various levels of governance at the university and bring the voice and perspective of the university’s stakeholders to institutional decision-making. Under shared governance, different individuals and groups are given primary authority for decisions within their area of oversight, and collaboration, consultation and cooperation are hallmarks of university decision-making. The Board of Governors, General Faculties Council and Executive Leadership Team work together within their roles and accountabilities to govern the university at the highest levels.
Board of Governors
The Board of Governors oversees the management and operation of the university’s business and affairs. The Board oversees the development of the overarching strategic direction and policy framework for the university, ensures that the university’s activities are consistent with its mandate, oversees the efficient and effective use of financial and human resources to meet institutional objectives and ensures that institutional risk is appropriately managed. These duties are mainly discharged through oversight of the president and senior officers, who are responsible for the management and day-to-day operation of the university. In this way, the Board assumes responsibility for the stewardship of the university. The Board derives its power mainly from the Alberta Post-Secondary Learning Act and shares governance of the university at the highest level with the General Faculties Council and the Executive Leadership Team. The Board is a corporation named ‘The Governors of the University of Calgary’.
General Faculties Council
The General Faculties Council (GFC) is responsible for the academic affairs of the university and has general supervision of student affairs, subject to the authority of the Board of Governors. Within its role, the General Faculties Council has primary responsibility for areas such as the academic and research plans, academic quality (pedagogy, learning and scholarship/research), programming, curriculum and methods of instruction, academic standards, research, and academic policies and awards. The General Faculties Council also provides input, advises and makes recommendations on institutional priorities, plans and policies. The General Faculties Council derives its power from the Alberta Post-Secondary Learning Act and from the Board of Governors. The General Faculties Council acts as the voice of the academic community, providing vision and leadership to the academic community and bringing expertise and academic perspective to the governance of the university.
University leadership
The Board of Governors oversees the management and operation of the university’s business and affairs. The Board oversees the development of the overarching strategic direction and policy framework for the university, ensures that the university’s activities are consistent with its mandate, oversees the efficient and effective use of financial and human resources to meet institutional objectives and ensures that institutional risk is appropriately managed. These duties are mainly discharged through oversight of the president and senior officers, who are responsible for the management and day-to-day operation of the university. In this way, the Board assumes responsibility for the stewardship of the university. The Board derives its power mainly from the Alberta Post-Secondary Learning Act and shares governance of the university at the highest level with the General Faculties Council and the Executive Leadership Team. The Board is a corporation named ‘The Governors of the University of Calgary’.
Learn more about our Board
President and Vice-Chancellor
The President and Vice-Chancellor is the chief executive officer of the university, providing institutional leadership and oversight, developing and driving our mission, strategies and advancement, and acting as our chief advocate, principal ambassador and principal voice.
Learn more about our president
Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
The University of Calgary is committed to student success, to excellence in scholarship, research and creativity, interdisciplinary teaching and research, and to return to community. The President's Executive Leadership Team ensures that these principles govern our priorities and influence our strategic allocation of resources.
Chancellor
The Chancellor is a passionate ambassador for higher education who represents the university at ceremonial occasions, presides over all degree-conferring ceremonies, chairs the University of Calgary Senate, works to enhance the university’s position in the community, represents the public’s interest at the university, and encourages the pursuit of excellence and the recognition of the university’s essential role in society.
Student and postdoctoral scholar leadership
Students’ Union
The Students’ Union (SU) is an advocate, activist, and representative of undergraduate students at UCalgary and serves to protect undergraduate student interests with the university and all levels of government.
Graduate Students’ Association
The University of Calgary Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) represents the collective interests of graduate students to governing bodies of the university, all levels of government and the surrounding community of Calgary.
Postdoctoral Association
The Postdoctoral Association (PDAC) provides a collective voice for the issues of particular relevance and interest to postdoctoral scholars and serves as a liaison with the administration of the university. The group also helps promote and develop training and career counselling for postdoctoral scholars.
Faculty and staff organizations
The Faculty Association of the University of Calgary (TUCFA)
TUCFA is the association of academic staff members at the University of Calgary. Established under the Alberta Post-Secondary Learning Act, TUCFA is the exclusive bargaining agent for academic staff at UCalgary.
Learn more about TUCFA
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE)
AUPE Local 052 represents the thousands of non-academic support staff employed at the University of Calgary. Local 052 is part of the education sector of the AUPE organization.
Learn more about AUPE Local 052
Management and Professional Staff (MaPS) Executive Committee
MaPS Executive Committee members are elected representatives of management and professional staff on campus. The group works collaboratively to represent MaPS employees, to foster a culture of partnership in the leadership of the university and to promote a positive and productive work environment for MaPS employees.
Learn more about the MaPS executive