VICTORIA - Bill 18, the Advanced Education Statutes Amendment Act, 2011 introduced in the legislature, will affect the following provincial statutes:

Architects Act - Authorizes the Architectural Institute of BC (AIBC) to engage in consensual dispute resolution of professional conduct complaints as alternatives to full inquiries, and ensures that agreements reached through the consensual dispute resolution process can be enforced in the same way as those ordered by the AIBC disciplinary committee. These changes will ensure that the AIBC is able to engage in efficient and effective means of resolving disciplinary matters.

Royal Roads University Act, University Act - Repeals provisions that permit an appointed member of the board of governors to serve after conclusion of his or her appointment term until the appointment of a successor.

College and Institute Act, Royal Roads University Act and the University Act - Amends the Acts to clarify matters pertaining to appointed and elected members of the boards of post-secondary institutions:

1. Add an overarching duty for board members to act in the best interests of the institution.

2. Specify the circumstances in which a board member elected by faculty, staff or students would be ineligible to serve on the board or an institution.

3. Provide that an elected board member may be removed from the board for reason of his or her conduct or conflict of interest, if a two-thirds majority of the board resolves to have the member removed.

In addition, an amendment to the College and Institute Act directs that board members must elect a chair from among eight board members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, preventing the possibility of an elected board member serving as chair of an institutional board.

School Act, post-secondary legislation - Enables the phased expansion of application of Personal Education Numbers (PENs) to students attending British Columbia's private institutions.

By capturing this information, the Ministry of Advanced Education can ensure we have the most complete understanding of B.C.'s post-secondary students, and their choices and needs with regard to post-secondary education.

Contact:

Joanne Whittier
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400