Academic Partnership Policy

Seneca is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community that celebrates diversity and where everyone can develop to their full potential, participate freely with dignity, and without discrimination.

Sustainability guides a shared leadership approach at Seneca. It is embraced at all levels, informing institutional strategy, academic programming, business planning, procurement, co-curricular programs and performance management.

To provide guidance where academic partnerships require approval, in order to protect the quality of Seneca’s programs and reputation, ensure the proper disposition of Seneca resources and assist in making informed judgments about the desirability of specific partnerships.

This policy applies to academic partnerships undertaken between Seneca and other recognized postsecondary education institutions or other. This policy does not apply to research initiatives or service contracts for training, advisory or consultation.

A formal relationship between Seneca and a recognized postsecondary education institution or other, for the purpose of enhancing and enriching the academic activities of students and/or employees at Seneca.

Academic partnerships include but are not limited to: student and employee study and work abroad opportunities; learning opportunities that lead to academic credit being granted by Seneca or the partner institution; joint programs, articulations and teaching initiatives. 

An educational institution that is a recognized member of a provincial, national or international accrediting body and that “has been given the authority to grant academic credentials by their provincial or territorial governments through charters or legislation that ensures or enables mechanisms for institutional and program quality”. (The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials)  

Organizations apart from recognized postsecondary institutions with which Seneca may partner.  

1. All academic partnerships established will be in support of the outlined goals and objectives in Seneca’s Strategic Plan, and will reflect Seneca’s focus on becoming more equitable, sustainable and virtual.
2. Seneca will establish academic partnerships with recognized postsecondary education institutions, or other, that are mutually beneficial, sustainable, and safe-guard the quality, reputation, and brand of Seneca and its programs.
3. All academic partnerships will be developed in adherence to relevant ministry and quality assurance agency guidelines, including the Minister’s Binding Policy Directives and those provided by the Ontario College Quality Assurance Service and the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board.
4. All requests to establish academic partnerships will be evaluated through Seneca’s Academic Partnership Proposal Form.
5. Seneca will follow necessary processes, based on the type of partnership being established, in order to formalize the partnership through a written agreement with the partner.

1. Monitoring, evaluation and quality control measures as outlined in Seneca’s Agreement Process: Academic Partnerships will be adhered to throughout the term of the partnership agreement.

1. Academic partnerships can be terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the relevant agreement in place between Seneca and the partner.

• Agreement Process: Academic Partnerships
• Academic Partnership Proposal Form (Section A & B)

• None

• Seneca’s Strategic Plan
• Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board
• Ontario College Quality Assurance Service
• Minister’s Binding Policy Directives

Approval Date: August 2021