KPU senate suspends environmental protection technology diploma program, appoints student senators to committees

Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s senate suspended the diploma of technology in environmental protection and updated its English assessment scoring requirements during a meeting on May 26.

The passed changes to English proficiency assessment scores included approving scores of the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) and Pearson Test of English (PTE) for admission to the first-level pathway to undergraduate studies and as prerequisites for level-one pathway English Language Skills Test (ELST) courses, effective Sept. 1.

The senate also approved Canadian Language Benchmark scores as an approved English proficiency assessment tool for admission to the pathway to undergraduate studies and English language studies course placement. This is a one-year pilot, which goes into effect on Sept. 1.

Test scores of the LanguageCert Academic Placement Test were approved to fulfil the undergraduate English proficiency requirement, as well as placement into the pathway to undergraduate studies and English language studies courses. The senate approved the motion as a three-year pilot, effective Sept. 1.

After changes were made in 2023 to the diploma in English language proficiency, revisions approved by the senate allowed students to apply directly to the pathway to undergraduate studies instead of the diploma to “streamline entry for admission and create consistency for students within ELS,” the agenda read. 

The senate appointed students Sheena Dela Torre, Gurnoor Kaur, Harkomalpreet Gill, and Raymond Chou to senate standing committees. A student senator vacancy was also approved to be filled by a student representative for one year, beginning Sept. 1. The change was prompted after “several committees [on the senate] were left without student representation,” the agenda read.  

Members of the senate also suspended the diploma of technology in environmental protection. The suspension came in light of declining enrolment in the limited-intake program, which had a total of 11 enrolled students as of spring 2025. Actively enrolled students in the diploma will have the option to complete the program by summer 2026. 

“With the current budgetary constraints, the institution can no longer support the inefficiencies of

the current program,” the agenda read. 

Intake into the program will be cancelled beginning the fall semester.

The science faculty council did not endorse the suspension proposal, stating that the intake cancellation and program suspension are being implemented “without a clear understanding” of the drop in registration. The council also wrote that out of 49 intake applications made for the program, only 15 were admitted, and thus providing more support to those students who don’t meet admission requirements can help increase student numbers.

“[This diploma] program is distinctive and hands-on, with a history of producing qualified graduates who have significantly contributed to KPU’s profile and reputation. Given its importance, the program deserves the opportunity to reimagine itself in the current socio-economic landscape,” the faculty’s comment on the suspension read.  

The senate standing committee on policy proposed an omnibus approach to address the revision of existing policies and procedures for making decisions regarding the time limit for completion, program extension, course repeat and extension rules, and other topics to support graduate studies at KPU. The motion was approved. 

The senate also approved a list of graduates from the Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Health, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Trades and Technology, Melville School of Business, and the Wilson School of Design.

In his report, KPU President Alan Davis wrote that he honoured long-service and distinguished award winners at KPU Day held on May 2 at the Richmond campus. Davis was also in attendance at KPU’s second annual New Moon Gala, organized by Associate Vice-President (AVP) Indigenous Leadership Gayle Bedard, on May 22. 

In her report to the senate, Provost and Vice-President Academic Diane Purvey wrote that the Learning Centres at KPU will continue to offer tutoring at the Gathering Place throughout the summer semester in lieu of funding from the Office of AVP Indigenous Leadership. 

Purvey also wrote that KPU instructor and Wild Spaces Coordinator Lee Beavington launched the Decolonizing Educational Practices website for access by the teaching and learning community at the university.

Purvey’s report also mentioned that a draft of the KPU Climate Strategy: Vision, Values, and Strategic Priorities will soon be available on the KPU Climate Strategy website. The document highlights KPU’s position on climate change and strategic priorities for the future. 

The Faculty of Arts will also launch four new continuing and professional studies (CPS) courses this summer, Purvey said during the meeting, including a singing camp for pre-teens and teenagers and the World Rhythm Summer Camp for kids.

The next senate meeting is scheduled for June 23 at 4:00 pm in the KPU Surrey Cedar Board Room and online via Microsoft Teams. For more information, visit www.kpu.ca/senate.