Monica Arraiza

The meeting began with a land acknowledgment and the call to order. Key discussion points included a presentation on ancillary operations, facility utilization, and future capacity considerations, as well as an overview of the institution's internal controls framework, including IT oversight and cybersecurity. Ownership linkage implementation was updated, and feedback from community events was shared. The Board monitored adherence to governance process policies related to Board Member Selection Process and President Recruitment. Decisions included amending the Board Member Selection Process policy by removing the reference to "socioeconomic status." The Audit Committee provided a report covering internal audit, enterprise risk management, and trimester financial statements as of October 31, 2025. Appointments were made to the Audit Committee and Scott Robinson was approved as Vice-Chair until May 31, 2027. The 2024-2025 Annual Report was approved with noted adjustments. Performance monitoring reports for Executive Limitation Policies EL-9 (Ethical Behaviour), EL-10 (Entrepreneurial Activity), and parts of EL-6 (Asset Protection) were accepted as demonstrating compliance. The meeting concluded after discussing the annual budget for governance functions, receiving the Students' Association Audited Financial Statements, and reviewing the Investment Performance Report.

The Special Meeting of the Board of Governors covered several governance process items requiring decision. Key discussions included the approval of the revised Red Deer Polytechnic Mandate, which resulted from government streamlining efforts initiated in spring 2025. The Board also approved the renewed Mandate and Roles Document (MRD) for submission to the Department of Advanced Education to ensure compliance with the Alberta Public Agencies Governance Act. Finally, the Board approved the 2025 - 2028 Investment Management Agreement (IMA) for submission to the Minister of Advanced Education, which sets the investment framework for the Base Operating Grant.

The meeting focused on several action items pertaining to curriculum changes, all effective Fall 2026 unless otherwise noted. Academic Council recommended the approval of six new courses for the Bachelor of Education program, covering topics such as Education Neuroscience and Supporting Mental Health. Approvals were also granted for course description and prerequisite changes in the Early Learning and Child Care offerings, including Practicum I, II, III, and IV. Furthermore, changes to GPA and in-program requirements for the Early Learning and Child Care Certificate and Diploma programs were recommended. The council also approved prerequisite changes for several Animation and Visual Effects courses, the addition of a new Digital Drawing Fundamentals course, and overall program structure adjustments for that degree. Specific course prerequisite changes were approved for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Diploma courses, along with changes to the required courses for the Diploma program. Finally, a new course, Introduction to Construction Trades, effective January 2026, was recommended for approval. The agenda items 2.3.1 and 2.3.2 were moved to the Discussion Agenda.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda and previous minutes, with an edit added to the September 25, 2025 minutes. Key actions involved the election of the First Vice-Chair for the 2025-2026 Academic Council year, resulting in E. Wolters being elected via secret ballot. Appointments were made to the Honorary Degree Nomination Committee. Several course and program changes were recommended for approval concerning the Instrumentation and Automation Engineering Technology Diploma and Mechanical Engineering Technology programs, effective Fall 2026 (with some deletions effective Fall 2027). This included approving a new Instrumentation and Automation Engineering Technology Co-op Specialization and a new Mechanical Engineering Technology Co-op Specialization. Finally, the Academic Council recommended approval of the revised Academic Standing Policy and Procedure, and there was an update on the Timetable Policy ad hoc Committee.

The meeting commenced with a land acknowledgement. Key discussions included the adoption of the agenda and consent agenda items, which involved approving the Draft Minutes from September 10, 2025. Board education sessions focused on the newly renovated Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI) and the development of the Central Alberta Trades Strategy, a framework for reshaping trades training delivery in the region. Items for decision included the routine content review of governance process policies and the approval of the Draft Red Deer Polytechnic Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Performance monitoring covered Executive Limitation Policies related to Planning, Financial Conditions and Activity, and Compensation & Benefits, with exceptions noted for Asset Protection monitoring which was deferred to the December meeting. The Board also reviewed the Investment Performance report before moving to an in-camera session.