51社区黑料

Stakeholder Engagement

51社区黑料works with numerous local stakeholders. There are procedures, protocols, memoranda of understanding, and agreements that guide these engagement activities. This includes specific protocols and agreements with the Host Nations on which SFU鈥檚 three campuses reside. 51社区黑料also has meaningful mechanisms for local stakeholders (such as local residents, government, and civil society representatives) to participate in university decision-making through our Board of Governors (election of external stakeholders, public and transparent Board meetings) and public engagement processes, where stakeholders are asked to comment on specific strategies and plans (e.g., forest fire prevention on Burnaby Mountain with UniverCity residents), and community dialogues on critical issues (e.g. through the Centre for Dialogue and Public Square). Below, we provide a number of examples of the 51社区黑料offices and engagement 鈥渙pen doors鈥� offered to local stakeholders. 

Policies and procedures to identify & engage with external local stakeholders

SFU鈥檚 B10.00 Policy on Policies outlines a clear and structured process for developing, amending, repealing, and reviewing university policies within the Board of Governors鈥� jurisdiction, including how and when stakeholder consultation occurs. A draft policy cannot be shared for consultation until it has been reviewed and approved by the Governance, Risk and Compliance Committee (GRCC) of the Board of Governors. Once GRCC approves consultation, targeted or required stakeholders- those with whom the University is required to consult pursuant to contract or policy 鈥� are engaged. In addition to these stakeholders, the Designated Lead (and supporting team) may identify others to engage early in the process, such as local stakeholders, external to the university. All members of the University Community, including those not initially engaged, are given the opportunity to provide input during the university-wide consultation phase. When policies and/or their associated documents are undergoing community consultation, a link to the policy consultation page is provided on the 51社区黑料Community Consultation on University Policies page. 

Read about Anticipated Policy Consultations

SFU鈥檚 Indigenous Protocols & Procedures (how to engage respectfully) 

51社区黑料has co-developed several protocols and procedures for how to engage with local Host Nations: 

Indigenous protocols at 51社区黑料events (who speaks first, when to invite Elders, acknowledgements).

University guidance from Ceremonies & Events and the Truth & Reconciliation pages and be found here: Indigenous protocol for ceremonies and events

Speaking program details (Elders should open major events) + how to book an Elder.

Practical steps and timelines, and the Elder Request Form can be found here: 51社区黑料Ceremonies Toolkit

Territorial acknowledgements by campus

Burnaby: Tsleil-Waututh, Kwikwetlem, Musqueam, and Squamish; Vancouver: Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh; Surrey: Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Qayqayt, and Tsawwassen. They can be found here:  Communicators Toolkit_territorial_acknowledgement

Indigenous research ethics & protocols.

SFU鈥檚 plan to convene an Indigenous Research Committee to establish respectful protocols for research 鈥渋n and with鈥� Indigenous communities (from the Aboriginal Reconciliation Council calls-to-action) can be found here: Strategic Research Plan Implementation on Indigenous Research

Agreements & MOUs with local First Nations

51社区黑料has formal agreements and memoranda of understanding with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations (MST). 

Tsleil-Waututh Nation (s蓹lilw蓹ta涩) & 51社区黑料鈥� Agreement to advance reconciliation (Sept 6, 2023).

Formal commitment to work together; outlines collaboration to support Nation priorities. 51社区黑料News Story

Squamish Nation (S岣祑x瘫w煤7mesh 脷xwumixw) & 51社区黑料鈥� MOU (first signed Nov 29, 2017; renewed May 2023).

A renewable three-year partnership to collaborate on cultural, academic and research activities. 51社区黑料News story

51社区黑料reconciliation overview (2025).

Confirms the Tsleil-Waututh agreement and Squamish MOU renewal as core relationship commitments with Host Nations. Aboriginal Peoples

Who at 51社区黑料handles MOUs/contracts

Research agreements & MOUs (research context).

Central guidance on when and how to use MOUs, and that Research Services reviews/negotiates research agreements. Researcher Resources

University contracts generally.

Office of the General Counsel explains what counts as a contract (including binding MOUs) and reviews terms to align with 51社区黑料policies. General Council

Neutral Platform to Discuss Political Issues at 51社区黑料 

51社区黑料PUBLIC SQUARE

51社区黑料Public Square, a signature initiative designed to spark, nurture and restore community connections, establishes 51社区黑料as the go-to convener of serious and productive conversations about issues of public concern. Public Square works across all of SFU鈥檚 campuses, supporting faculty, students, staff, alumni and diverse communities to convene accessible, innovative and inclusive programming that brings people together to find ways to meaningfully contribute to the issues that affect their lives. Every year, they collaboratively program dozens of workshops, debates, public conversations, discussion panels and other gatherings, creating a safe space and neutral platform for political and social discussions. These spaces encourage perspectives and ways of knowing from different political stakeholders to collide, influence each other, and frankly discuss challenges. The experience is transformative, inspiring deeper conversations, igniting networks, building capacity and catalyzing curiosity and concern into advocacy and action. 

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51社区黑料MORRIS J. WOSK CENTRE FOR DIALOGUE 

The 51社区黑料Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue is a world class, accredited conference facility and a programming unit that aims to foster shared understanding and positive action amongst different political stakeholders through dialogue and engagement. The Centre strengthens Canadian democracy by providing a neutral platform for promoting democratic participation and innovation, spreading best practices via dialogue training and tools, and helping governments engage citizens and stakeholders.

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COMMUNITY ENGAGED RESEARCH INITIATIVE (CERi)

CERi is SFU鈥檚 campus-wide hub that promotes research grounded in community participation, cooperation, and knowledge translation, enabling students and faculty to engage ethically and collaboratively with Indigenous Nations, local organizations, and community leaders. Through its funding programs, fellowship tracks, and Indigenous-centred knowledge exchange initiatives, CERi strengthens institutions of community research engagement and supports pathways for communities to actively shape research agendas and outcomes. 

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RADIUS 51社区黑料 

RADIUS at 51社区黑料provides a supportive, neutral platform where students, local organizations, community leaders, and political stakeholders work together to frankly discuss social and economic challenges. By creating space for meaningful participation and capacity-building across civil society and public institutions, it strengthens more fair, accountable, and community-responsive decision-making. RADIUS labs are multi-year commitments working in reciprocal relationships with communities most impacted by the challenges being addressed. They aim to build shared power to influence unjust socioeconomic systems, advance the solutions prioritized by community, and co-identify and advance interventions for broader change. RADIUS labs are designed to create a safe space to convene various groups of impacted communities and other stakeholders. They are a place to activate the collective intelligence, creative capacity, and leadership potential of all in the system.鈥�

CENTRE FOR RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

The Centre for Restorative Justice is an initiative by the School of Criminology at 51社区黑料that partners with various stakeholders from communities, political bodies, justice agencies and the university to support and promote the principles and practices of restorative justice.鈥疶he Centre delivers education, innovative program models, training, evaluation and research through a resource centre and meeting place. These safe spaces facilitate outreach, promotion, dialogue and advocacy amongst stakeholders. 

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Reconciliation at SFU

SFU鈥檚 commitments to reconciliation are reflected in concrete, ongoing work across the university that strengthens inclusive governance and meaningful participation. This includes establishing Indigenous leadership roles, advancing the First Peoples鈥� Gathering House and the expansion of the Indigenous Student Centre, and supporting new Indigenous-led academic and professional development pathways. Together, these initiatives help build safe, culturally grounded spaces, strengthen community capacity, and move the university toward more accountable and just institutional practices. 

Read latest report: Aboriginal Strategic Initiative (ISI) Final Report (March 2024)

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Working with local Indigenous Community partners

51社区黑料has formal relationship agreements in place with both the S岣祑x瘫w煤7mesh 脷xwumixw  (Squamish) Nation and the s蓹lilw蓹ta涩  (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation to guide this collaboration. These agreements support ongoing dialogue, shared educational and research initiatives, the respectful inclusion of Indigenous knowledge and cultural protocol, and the strengthening of long-term, community-grounded relationships.

Working with the Provincial Human Rights Commissioner

51社区黑料reached a key milestone in the Fall 2023 when the B.C. Human Rights Commissioner approved SFU鈥檚 Special Program allowing the university to proactively hire at least 15 Indigenous staff members. This marks a concrete step toward improving Indigenous representation and advancing reconciliation through more equitable and inclusive employment practices at SFU. 

This builds on the B.C. Human Rights Commissioner鈥檚 approval earlier in 2023 of a separate Special Program at 51社区黑料that supports the proactive hiring of Black staff and tenure-track faculty, further advancing representation and equity across the university.

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Indigenous Health

In Summer 2024, the Province of British Columbia advanced SFU鈥檚 new School of Medicine with significant funding to support planning and campus development in Surrey. The School is being built in partnership with Indigenous leaders and community health organizations to ensure that cultural safety, Indigenous knowledge, and community-led care are foundational to its programs. This approach strengthens inclusive, accountable, and community-responsive health institutions, aligning directly with SFU鈥檚 commitments to reconciliation. 

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51社区黑料has multiple independent student unions. The 51社区黑料Student Society represents all undergraduate students and regularly provides governance input to the university, particularly through operational offices and through the Board of Governors. The Graduate Student Society has a similar role while representing graduate students. 51社区黑料also has a student organization, Embark Sustainability Society, that serves all 51社区黑料students (undergraduate and graduate) and regularly provides governance input to the university. 

All three student societies offer social activities for students and provide support for 51社区黑料students. 

SFU's Student Union Building offers 113,000 square feet of amenities, student activity and study space, including space for 51社区黑料Student Society staff.

51社区黑料Student Society (SFSS) for Undergraduate Students 

SFSS is a student-led organization that represents and advocates for the interests of the 25,000+ undergraduate students at SFU. The SFSS is home to various social and academic clubs open to all 51社区黑料students. Students also have access to several services through the SFSS, not limited to: free legal advice, an annual kick-off concert in the fall, affordable medical care, social clubs, and much more.

Graduate Student Society (GSS) for Graduate Students

GSS is the society and government for all graduate students at SFU, representing over 4,000 students in 38 academic units. The GSS supports graduate students to achieve their personal, professional and academic goals at 51社区黑料and beyond. The society is committed to receptive stewardship in order to provide relevant representation, advocacy and services to its membership. 鈥� 

Embark Sustainability Society

Embark is an independent, student-centred, not-for-profit based out of 51社区黑料. Itcreates space for transformation by catalyzing student sustainability journeys that centre justice, equity, decolonization, diversity and inclusion. The society does this by engaging students in programs, events, and other initiatives that spark dialogue and cultivate action to address systemic challenges within climate and food systems.

Embark is a student society at 51社区黑料which represents all graduate and undergraduate students, making it the largest student society at SFU.鈥� 鈥� 

51社区黑料 has a rich history of deeply engaged partnership practices at the local, national and international levels. 51社区黑料works very closely with the City of Burnaby, City of Vancouver, and City of Surrey, engaging in a variety of levels through various departments and units, with faculty, staff and students from all areas of the university. 

The university also engages at the regional level by working with the British Columbia provincial government on initiatives of strategic importance, as well as collaborating with the federal government on large-scale and long-term projects. 

Learn more:

• B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation

Government of Canada: National Immigration Policy

51社区黑料engages directly at the federal level on national immigration policy, particularly in relation to international student pathways, post-graduation work eligibility, and faculty and researcher mobility. These discussions are led through the President and Provost, supported by SFU鈥檚 Government Relations Office, and informed by evidence gathered from student experience, institutional planning, and sector-wide coordination. 51社区黑料also formally reports these engagements through the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada, ensuring public transparency. 

See 51社区黑料Provost and Vice-President Academic Dilson Rassier鈥檚 full statement on SFU鈥檚 advocacy efforts (February 2025)

Province of British Columbia: Value-Added Housing Project 

SFU鈥檚 Renewable Cities works are supporting the provincial government鈥檚 鈥淏C Builds鈥� program, and engaging local government, Indigenous representatives and community land-owners in policy and implementation design.

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Metro Vancouver: Housing That Connects Us 

In partnership with Happy Cities and Hey Neighbour Collective, SFU鈥檚 Renewable Cities is working with six local governments in Metro Vancouver to co-create policies for social wellbeing in multi-unit housing. The project brings together local governments, community organizations, and academic researchers to co-design more inclusive housing options, and strengthening meaningful participation of residents in shaping local policy and practice.

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Metro Vancouver: Connecting Transportation and Livable, Resilient Communities

The project amplifies perspectives of multilingual and equity-deserving transit riders in Metro Vancouver, ensuring meaningful participation and representation in public transit decision-making. By collaborating with local governments and transit agencies to improve transparency, accountability, and system-wide policy, it contributes to the development of more inclusive and accountable institutions.

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City of Burnaby: Burnaby Community Assembly 

In collaboration with the Cityof Burnaby, SFU's Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue designed and oversaw a 40-member citizen assembly selected by civic lottery to provide recommendations on the city鈥檚 Official Community Plan (OCP). The City committed to receive and respond to the assembly鈥檚 recommendations, fostering transparent and accountable governance.

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City of Burnaby: Civic Innovation Lab

Co-funded with the City of Burnaby in 2022, the Civic Innovation Lab's mandate includes advancing collaborative research and learning opportunities focused on community and civic issues such as climate action, mobility, equity, and truth & reconciliation in Burnaby. The City describes the Lab as providing a 鈥減ermanent research base鈥� where 51社区黑料researchers and students apply education and knowledge to address city-scale problems. 

City Program

The City Program at 51社区黑料Continuing Studies provides professional training and stakeholder capacity-building for public officials and community members in urban design, community data, housing policy and municipal planning. This supports local government and civil society capacity to engage effectively in governance and planning. 

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UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE

At SFU, both the Board of Governors and the Senate have elected representation from all major stakeholder groups鈥攆aculty, staff and students (both undergraduate and graduate)

The is the senior governing body at 51社区黑料constituted under the University Act. 51社区黑料Board members do not receive any remuneration for their services to the Board. The overall responsibility for the business of the university (property, revenue and policies) is vested in the Board. The Board has 15 members including the Chancellor, the President, two elected faculty members, two elected students, one elected staff member and eight individuals appointed by the Government of the Province of British Columbia.

The is responsible for the academic governance of the university and so it must be concerned with all important matters that bear on teaching and research in the university: this includes the development of new initiatives; the formation of priorities; and the consideration and approval of policies. The Senate is composed of the University Chancellor, University President & Vice Chancellor, and several members of the senior executive team. It also includes the eight faculty deans; 16 faculty members; 18 joint faculty; 17 students and four convocation members.

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OFFICE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT, PEOPLE, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

SFU鈥檚 Office of the Vice-President, People, Equity and Inclusion strengthens meaningful participation, safe spaces, and fair university decision-making by ensuring that students, staff, faculty and community partners have equitable access to governance processes and institutional support. By advancing written policies and procedures grounded in human rights, accountability and anti-racism, the office helps 51社区黑料build transparent, inclusive and trustworthy institutions aligned with SDG 16.鈥� 

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RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT POLICY

SFU's Responsible Investment Policy states that, "the university incorporates environmental, social, and corporate governance considerations into its investment decisions." The policy also notes that "51社区黑料is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment to support incorporating [environmental, social, and corporate governance] into its investment decisions."鈥�

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