Facilities provides the following services to support the university’s mission: facilities planning, projects (renovations, infrastructure, new construction), grounds, maintenance and property management.
Selected by The Alberta Colleges Commission, the Board of Governors of Edmonton College held its first meeting on April 29, 1970. Chaired by Barry Moore, membership also included Winnifred Ferguson, Robert Guebert, Fred Kurylo, and Edward Stack. Early priorities included changing the name of the institution, and on July 15, 1970 it was agreed that the Honourable Dr. J. W. Grant MacEwan be selected as namesake. The Board also identified the intent of the College as a community college that would not focus on university transfer, which set it apart from other Alberta institutions. It subsequently hired the first president, John L. Haar, who accepted the Board's offer on October 16, 1970.
The Board of Governors of Grant MacEwan University is a corporation, as set out in the Alberta Post-Secondary Learning Act. As the senior authority for the University, the Board is accountable to the Minister of Advanced Education and ultimately, the people of Alberta. The Board manages and operates the University within its approved mandate, establishing policies to govern the affairs of the University. On an annual basis, the Board submits a Comprehensive Institutional Plan and Audited Financial Statements to the Minister.
The Faculty Association formally began when faculty met to establish an academic staff association on July 29, 1971. A proposal for the Faculty Association was submitted August 10, and the constitution was approved on September 16, 1971.
The Grant MacEwan University Faculty Association (GMUFA) negotiates the terms and conditions of employment for their members and ensures the application and interpretation of the Collective Agreement.
The Office of the President of Grant MacEwan Community College was established with the appointment of its first president, John L. Haar. He accepted the Board of Governors' offer on October 16, 1970, and took office on January 1, 1971. The position was updated in 2020 to President and Vice-Chancellor.
Presidents
MacEwan University's presidents are appointed by its Board of Governors, which has been granted this power by the Post-Secondary Learning Act. As outlined in University Policy B2310 President & CEO Search & Selection Evaluation and Compensation, the President is appointed by the Board as the Chief Executive Officer of the University. As such, the President reports to and is accountable to the Board for the successful operation of the University, development and implementation of a Board-approved strategic plan, advancing and executing policy recommendations and ensuring adherence to the institution’s approved mandate.
The Office of Communications and Marketing is responsible for planning and executing corporate marketing and communications initiatives for internal and external audiences, including publications, advertising campaigns, promotional materials, brand management, and events such as Open House. It is responsible for the production and distribution of major university publications, including: full-time calendar, MacEwan programs, continuing education guide, online/distance learning guide, registration guide, annual report, and the Report to the community. The department has changed its name a number of times since inception: Strategic Communications and Corporate Marketing: 2009-?; Communications and External Relations Department: 2004-2008; Marketing and Communications: 1998-2003; Community Relations Department: 1984-1997; Information Office: [1975?]-1983.
The Learning Resources Centre (LRC) was established in 1971 under J. Ross Hotson. With locations on each campus, collections were focused according to programs offered. As campuses closed, collections were absorbed by City Centre Campus. The LRC became known as the Library in January 2008. The City Centre Campus Library was renamed the John L. Haar Library on February 15, 2017 in honour of MacEwan University's first president.
The Finance department is responsible for budget and resource planning, finance administration services, financial services, and the project management office.
Named for the former Lieutenant Governor and mayor of Calgary, Grant MacEwan Community College was established in Edmonton, Alberta in 1971. In 1999 it was renamed Grant MacEwan College, and on September 24, 2009 became Grant MacEwan University.
The Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications has changed and grown since the early days of the college. What started as the Applied Arts Division in the 1970s, became Performing and Visual Arts in the 1980s and then the Centre for the Arts and Communications. Around 2013, The Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications was created and consists of five departments, focusing on fine art and design, theatre production and performance, arts and cultural management, journalism and professional communication, and music.
Academic Affairs first appeared on organizational charts on June 15, 1976. Possibly preceded by the Academic Division (org chart from June 29, 1971).
Within a shared governance framework, Academic Affairs is responsible for academic program development and delivery, scholarly activity, academic policies, enrolment management, educational technology, the Office of Teaching and Learning Services, and a number of supporting functions to support learner success and faculty engagement. In addition, Academic Affairs is accountable for the institutional and educational technology mandate at MacEwan as well as the requirements of Institutional Research.