The Minister's Binding Policy Directive: Framework for Programs of Instruction under the Ministry of Colleges and Universities requires that each Ontario college Board of Governors ensures that an advisory committee is established for every program of instruction or cluster of related programs offered. Program Advisory Committees (PAC) are to be made up of a cross-section of persons external to Seneca who have direct interest in and a diversity of experience and expertise related to the particular occupational area or discipline addressed by the program.

In the formative or developmental stages of programs, the academic Chair may establish an Ad Hoc PAC. When the program is in place, the Ad Hoc PAC will be dissolved and an official PAC will be formed.

The purpose of PACs is to provide industry expertise and insight to help program areas develop, renew and promote Seneca’s full- and part-time programs according to labour market needs.

PACs provide recommendations and advice in the following areas:

• Work-integrated and experiential learning opportunities – recommend and support experiential education opportunities including field placements, clinical experiences, work placements, co-operative education, field trips
• Curriculum – recommend content development, inclusion or revision to maintain or improve program relevancy and currency
• Employment prospects – advise on current and future employment opportunities, industry trends and employer needs; advise on skills and knowledge required by graduates to meet needs of industry; recommend and advise on placements including those for graduates and suitable for temporary or permanent positions
• Quality assurance – participate in quality assurance processes; provide recommendations to ensure programs continue to align with other academic programs and industry demands; advise, recommend and assist in identifying the need for program development and/or renewal
• Public relations – liaise and promote positive and productive relationships between the program and local community and businesses, industry and professional associations
• Student experience – assist in identifying guest speakers; participate in student and program-related institutional and/or community events

A quorum for motions and resolutions is represented through a clear majority of voting members (50 percent plus one). Voting can be completed electronically when appropriate.

The Vice-President Academic reports on the status of PACs to the Board of Governors annually through the Academic Planning and Student Affairs committee of the Board of Governors.

Members of PACs are invited for their expertise and leadership in their respective fields. Alumni of the College are valuable members of PACs.

In line with Seneca’s Strategic Plan, it is important that membership of Program Advisory Committees reflect the diversity of the demographics of the industry and the diversity of the nature of the community in which Seneca operates. Seneca commits to diverse advisory committee membership, especially to include Black and Indigenous representatives, persons of colour, francophone persons, members of sexual minority groups, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and women.

Members are invited as individuals to represent their industries, and/or their professional standing within an industry; members do not represent their organizations. Normally, a PAC will not have more than one representative from the same organization. Designates cannot attend meetings on behalf of a PAC member. Membership on any PAC does not imply endorsement by Seneca of a particular company, product or service. Members are not remunerated for their participation.

The academic Chair is responsible for replacing resigning members.

Seneca employees and students are not eligible to be voting members of PACs; however, their participation and input are encouraged when appropriate.

The academic Chair is an ex-officio member and acts as the primary staff resource to the PAC.

Each PAC elects a Chair from the membership for a two-year term. A Chair may stand for re-election once.

The Chair provides leadership to the committee and presides over all meetings with the support of the primary staff resource person. The Chair encourages members to consider issues from a broad perspective. In addition, the PAC Chair will:

• Liaise with the academic Chair in the preparation of meeting schedules and agendas
• Follow up on action items as required
• Review and approve meeting minutes prior distribution.

The term for committee members is three years, renewable once.

A minimum of two meetings per year are held and conducted according to conventional rules of order.

Regular attendance and participation are strongly encouraged. If a member misses two consecutive meetings, the PAC Chair and the academic Chair may decide to rescind that individual's membership.

Minutes of the meeting are taken by a Seneca employee, approved by the academic and PAC chairs, and distributed within two weeks to PAC members for approval.

The Terms of Reference are reviewed every two years and revisions are approved by the Vice-President Academic.