While accountability to develop a CE strategy lies within the mandate of the VPC&P, ownership of the multitude of CE activities and accountability for a successful strategy is spread across the entire institution. The role of the VPC&P within a CE strategy is to champion institutional strategic intent supported by central administration, within the authority of the Executive. Although faculty, students and staff own and animate the CE work, UBC’s central administration has a critical role to play in connecting CE across the university and breaking down systemic barriers so CE can thrive. As the VPS has students as her central focus, and VPRI and VPA have research and faculty at their core, the VPC&P has a role to hold the institution accountable to the strategic direction, vision and principles of a CE strategy.
Figure 2 depicts the elements that give structure to the work of the Community Partnership/Engagement Units (Vancouver and Okanagan respectively). The units, guided by the stated intent (Why), will take on the role of enablers to reduce barriers and increase opportunities so high quality CE can thrive (Role of CP/E Units). To do so, the units will develop and/or leverage tools including strategic partnerships, awards/recognition, institutional navigation and more (Tools). The units will also develop principles to support excellent CE and redirect harmful or damaging forms of engagement. Tools are further described in Appendix A.
