UBC Senate: Supporting an integrated approach to enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of students in the academic

environment

Lindsey KovacevicAcademic Governance OfficerSenate & Curriculum Services

Presentation Outline

Formation of the Ad Hoc Committee

Development of a Framework for Senate Consideration of

Student Mental Health and Wellbeing

Senate committee implementation of the Framework

Current conversations and challenges

Discussion questions

An Integrated Approach

“UBC’s policies, procedures and academic environment

have both direct and indirect impacts on students,

which can significantly affect their capacities to be

academically successful and have a positive

experience on campus.”

Formation of the Ad Hoc Committee

• Initiative of the UBC Vancouver Senate Student Caucus

• “Research has shown that an institution wide,

integrated and holistic approach to addressing

student mental health is essential to a thriving

university environment.”

• Survey results

• UBC’s strategic plan, Place and Promise commitment

• Action: “Increase support for student health and

wellbeing, with a specific focus on mental health”

Committee Terms of Reference

• Advisory body to Senate

• Identify issues with current policies and practices

• Make recommendations with the aim of creating a more

supportive campus; and to set goals and define

undertakings for the

• Set goals for the advancement of student mental health

and wellbeing

• Report annually

Committee Membership

• 13 Senators (including 4 student members and 2

convocation members)

• Ombudsperson for Students

• Managing Director, Student Development & Services

• A representative from the Senate Teaching and Learning

Committee

• A representative from the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of

Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS)

• Registrar

• Chancellor

• President

Timeline

April 2014 –Senate support in principle

May 2014 – Ad Hoc Committee formed by Senate

June - November 2014 – presentations & development

September 2014 – Proposed formal terms of reference

November 2014 – Framework and Areas of Interest adopted

December 2014 – present – Senate Committee

discussions; Ad Hoc Committee continues work

Present – May 2017 – Ad Hoc Committee continues to hear

presentations & support committees of Senate

May 2017 – Final report

Development of a Framework

Presentations Heard to Date

• UBC data on student mental health

• Issues for graduate and undergraduate students

• Systemically improving mental health and wellbeing

• WalkAlong project • Happiness• Promoting wellbeing in

the academic environment

• UBC Mental Health Awareness Club

• Health Needs Assessment Project

• AMS priorities • Mental Health Network• Graduate student

supervision• UBC Wellbeing Initiative• UBC Health and

Wellbeing Strategy

Development of a Framework

• Initial suggestion from student caucus

• Continued student leadership

• Common themes and areas of focus

• Three general questions

• Three guiding principles

• General guidelines, adaptable to committees’ mandates

• Areas of interest for committees

• Areas for collaboration with other University bodies

How the Framework Came Together

Framework for Post-Secondary Student Mental Health

Framework Goals

• Apply in policy and decision-making processes within

Senate and the committees of Senate

• Support core values of academic integrity and a respectful

and caring environment

• Foster and enhance student wellbeing and resilience

• Strengthen student self-determination and empowerment

• Impact the culture

• Start conversations

“Promoting an academic environment in which each student can flourish is essential to both the success of our students and the

academic mission of UBC.”

3 General Questions & 3 Guiding Principles

• Impact of the process?

• Opportunities for those impacted to provide feedback and

contribute?

• Students’ capacity to act in their own interests?

General questions for Senate committees to consider

Framework Guiding Principles

• Inclusivity

• Flexibility

• Accessibility

Three Guiding Principles

Framework Guiding Principles

• Acknowledgement and respect for the diversity of

individuals

• Content and application of the policy or decision Invite

community members to participate and contribute

Inclusivity

“For students to build and maintain a sense of wellbeing, they must feel that they are valued members of the university

community.”

Framework Guiding Principles

• Fairness

• Flexible application of policies and procedures

• Application of policy to individual situations

• Discretion

• Compassion

• Maintain academic rigour and integrity

Flexibility

“Being flexible in the application of policy to individual student situations demonstrates a caring environment that promotes

mental health and wellbeing.”

Framework Guiding Principles

• Information

• Reliability, clarity, communication

• Transparency

• Universal Design

Accessibility

“Making information processes and support services freely accessible to all parties will maximize wellbeing and defuse

stress and confusion.”

Framework Appendices

• From the presentations; identified as needs and priorities

• Committee terms of reference

• Senate jurisdiction

Areas of Interest and Areas for Collaboration

Senate Committees: Implementation of Framework

• Academic Building Needs• Social sustainability and wellbeing in building design

• Appeals on Academic Standing• Discussions of specific cases

• Budget Committee• Specific questions about funding to mental-health

related student services• Discussion with Dean of G+PS

• Admissions Committee

Academic Policy Committee

Current Conversations and Challenges

• Who has oversight of all of the initiatives across campus?

• Areas that committees will not be able to address in the

immediate future?

• How to keep the focus once ad hoc committee is

disbanded?

• What other presentations should be heard?

• How to engage/communicate with campus partners?

• Parallel initiative from Okanagan Senate?

• Final report

Discussion Questions

• How to track success? What does success look like?

• Similar initiatives at other institutions?

• Practices and resources?

A link to the Senate-approved Framework for Consideration of

Student Mental Health and Wellbeing can be found at the

bottom of this page:

http://senate.ubc.ca/vancouver/policy-abstracts

Link to Framework Document

Contact Information

lindsey.kovacevic@ubc.ca

www.senate.ubc.ca

Lindsey KovacevicAcademic Governance OfficerThe University of British Columbia