Senate Minutes - March 27, 2002

The regular meeting of the university Senate took place on Wednesday 27 March, 2002, at 1pm in Tweedie Hall.
Present as members of Senate:
W. MacKay (Chair), R. Summerby-Murray, D. Cameron, P. Baker, P. Ennals, K. Hamer, C.P. Hunter, C. Hunter, S. Lochhead, V. Reinsborough, J. vanderLeest, W. Godfrey, F. Baerlocher, P. Bogaard, W. Cross, E. Edson, P. Edwards, A. Fancy, B. Fleming, R. Hawkes, S. Law, N. Ralph, J. Read, W. Wilson, J. Bourque, H. Matthews, D. Thompson, A. Wasylishen, R. Heffernan, M. Mohammed, L. McGinnis, C. Pollock

Observers:
D. MacDonald, T. Shaw, M. Fancy

Regrets:
R. Ireland, T. Craig, R. Winters, C. Riggs, E. Dawe, J. Stewart, J. Rogers, W. McMullen

01.03.02 Approval of the Agenda
Moved R. Hawkes, seconded P. Baker, that the agenda be approved as circulated. Motion CARRIED.

02.03.02 Approval of the Minutes of 21 February 2002
With the addition of the phrase ‘motion carried’ to the discussion of revisions to the Political Science programme (p.34), the Minutes of 21 February 2002 were approved on a motion by P. B aker, seconded C. Hunter.

03.03.02 Business arising from the Minutes
• Report from Committee on Scholarships and Bursaries: Policy on Athletic Awards Program (Final text as approved in principle at the February 2002 meeting; presented for information)
P. Ennals presented the report, noting the further corrections referred to by J. vanderLeest (the phrase ‘up to $1500' and the point that the earlier report was ‘approved in principle’ rather than being ‘adopted’ by Senate). J. vanderLeest asked about the source of the additional pages and it was noted that these were from the web guide to Scholarships and Bursaries. H. Matthews asked that the phrase referring to GPA in the guidelines (4.1) should say ‘3.0 or above’. C. Hunter asked about name of ‘Athletic Awards’ rather than the current usage of ‘Athletic Achievement Awards’ and it was suggested that the simpler term brought our policy into line with the terminology used by CIS. C. Hunter asked whether it was the case that we have first year academic scholarships that are not renewable except by performing at Deans’ List level and whether the scholarships referred to in 4.1 were renewable. P. Ennals agreed to clarify this point. W. Cross sought clarification of a situation in which a player was released from a team because of factors beyond their control and it was agreed that this point should be considered further. W. MacKay asked whether Senate wished to adopt the report at this time and it was agreed that it would be brought back to Senate subsequently.

04.03.02 Questions and Announcements
• Report on recent meeting of the National Advisory Committee
W. MacKay noted the continuing process of distributing information on a wide range of issues. Particular attention had been given to: admissions and student bursaries; retaining faculty; programme delivery issues including class size and faculty-student ratios; and alumni funding. A further item (a review of the McLean’s rankings) was not discussed directly. W. MacKay closed by noting that a summary of the Committee’s discussions would be forwarded to the Board of Regents. • Reporting of results of elections to Tenure and Promotion, and Sabbatical Leaves committees
R. Summerby-Murray reported that Dr. Deborah Wills (Faculty of Arts, 2 year term to June 30, 2004) and Dr. Robert Rosebrugh (Faculty of Science, 1 year term to June 30, 2003) had been elected to the Tenure and Promotion Committee. Dr. Karen Bamford (2 year term to June 30, 2004), Dr. Penny Bryden (2 year term to June 30, 2004), and Professor Jack Stewart (1 year term to June 30, 2003) had been elected as members of the Sabbatical Leaves Committee. Professor Peter Sianchuk (2 year term to June 30, 2004) and Dr. Michael Tucker (2 year term to June 30, 2004) were elected as alternates to this committee.

05.03.02 Report from Committee reviewing Honours Programmes
P. Baker presented the report, noting corrections to the title (removing ‘draft’), adding the phrase ‘or more’ to the references to required GPA, replacing ‘above the 1000 level’ with ‘beyond the first year’ (p2), and removing reference to Women’s Studies on p3. Discussion focused on the overlap between honours and a minor, the calculation of honours GPA, and processes of admission to honours. Various detailed revisions were suggested including replacing ‘interdisciplinary credits’ with ‘interdisciplinary programme credits’, adding a statement that minor would be in an area other than the honours work, and clarifying the timing of admission to honours. Moved by J. vanderLeest, seconded W. Cross, that the report be referred back to the committee for further revision. W. Godfrey asked also that an appendix be included to provide statistics on honours programme registration. P. Baker reminded Senators that referring the report back to the committee would delay resolution until next year. On question put, the motion CARRIED.

06.03.02 Report from Committee on Academic Matters
C.P. Hunter presented the report (contained in the file copy of these Minutes).

1. Religious Studies
C.P. Hunter moved, seconded P. Baker, that the changes to the programme in Religious Studies be approved. K. Hamer spoke to the motion, noting the clarification of pre-requisites for the two new courses, the deletion of two courses formerly offered by a faculty member who had now left the university, and the addition of Religious Studies 4841 to the course options for the minor in Women’s Studies. J. vanderLeest asked about the extent of consultation with other departments to determine how the Religion in Film course complemented similar courses in English and Modern Languages. K. Hamer replied that the intention was to provide a further exploration of film as a genre in Religious Studies rather than drawing specific connections to other disciplines. On question put, the motion CARRIED.

2. Fine Arts
C.P. Hunter moved, seconded E. Edson, that the proposed changes to the programme in Fine Arts be approved. E. Edson noted that the changes clarified some formerly vague descriptions and brought greater coherence to the programme, particularly in the studio course requirements. On question put, the motion CARRIED.

3. Drama.
C.P. Hunter moved, seconded K. Hamer, that the proposed changes to the programme in Drama be approved. K. Hamer noted that the changes clarified some aspects of the programme’s organisation and provided a balancing of dramatic literature and language to ensure greater flexibility for students. Further, ‘hidden pre-requisites’ had been identified but it was still important that students consult with the Director of Drama. On question put, the motion CARRIED.

4. History
C.P. Hunter moved, seconded W. Godfrey, that the proposed changes to the programme in History be approved. W. Wilson noted that the changes reflected changes in faculty complement, especially in American History and Medieval History, and anticipated an appointment with specialisation in Japan/Asia. B. McNally pointed out that adding courses on the basis of particular appointment created difficulties for library resources. K. Hamer noted that the recent appointments were tenure track and in the cases of new courses were sufficiently generic to provide flexibility of teaching. Also, the department had made significant decisions on the direction of the department for the long term, with due thought given to academic viability. On question put, the motion CARRIED.

5. International Relations
C.P. Hunter moved, seconded R. Heffernan, that the proposed changes to the programme in International Relations be approved. P. Baker reminded Senate that International Relations was built around core courses plus a thematic concentration. The two new courses reflected the imminent new appointment in International Relations. Further, P. Baker pointed out that the proposal for Honours reflected a demand that had not been addressed in the earlier revision of this programme. The proposed honours programme would not require any extra demand on existing courses and faculty. W. Godfrey wondered whether a thesis option would be added at some point in the future and P. Baker suggested that this was a possibility. J. vanderLeest asked who would carry out the review of the programme referred to in the Rationale and to whom would they report? P. Baker suggested that the new director of the programme would report to Academic Matters. P. Edwards asked that ‘Modern Languages’ be added under the Intercultural Studies theme. J. Bourque noted that the phrase ‘at 3/4000 level’ was missing from themes B and C but K. Hamer pointed out that this would preclude including many of the ‘cultural’ courses taught in Modern Languages. W. Cross and others expressed concern about 4950/1 courses, noting that they were often taught as overloads. P. Baker replied that the intention was that they be part of the regular load of the new appointment in International Relations. On question put, the motion CARRIED.

6. Regulation changes re changing programmes
a) C.P. Hunter moved, seconded P. Baker, that the changes to regulation 6.14 be approved. With clarification regarding professional programmes and the year of study, the question was put and the motion CARRIED. b) C. P. Hunter moved, seconded N. Ralph, that the change to regulation 7.30 be approved. The mover noted that it represented current practice. There was considerable discussion of the administrative issues raised by transferring between programmes, particularly on upper year courses intended only for Commerce students, as well as concerns for limiting choices for students. Other mechanisms for restricting entry to these courses were suggested, including changes to the pre-requisite structure. On question put, the motion CARRIED.

7. Honours regulations
a) Changes to 7.01
C.P. Hunter moved, seconded P. Baker, that the proposed changes to regulation 7.01 be approved. K. Hamer asked about the definition of ‘third year’ it was agreed that ‘year 3' as currently defined in the Calendar would be appropriate. B. Fleming asked whether the regulation would apply to those students in honours programmes with courses only but C. P. Hunter confirmed the intention to have all honours declare their intention by the end of their third year. Further discussion highlighted the need for students to seek departmental approval. It was suggested also that the regulation might usefully have some degree of flexibility in its interpretation. Motion CARRIED. At this stage in the meeting, quorum was called and was found wanting. It was agreed that the call would be held in abeyance for the purposes of completing the item in which quorum was lost. b) Changes to regulations 7.13 and 7.23
C.P. Hunter moved, seconded P. Baker, that the proposed changes to regulations 7.13 and 7.23 be approved. It was suggested that the phrase, ‘minor to be in another discipline’ be added. Motion CARRIED.

8. Further Academic Regulations
a) Regulations 6.15 and 6.16
C. P. Hunter moved, seconded P. Baker, that the proposed changes to regulations 6.15 and 6.16 be approved. C. P. Hunter noted that the earlier reference to fees had been removed to the ‘Fees’ section of the Calendar. There was considerable discussion on how fees were levied for Continuing Education courses, with concerns expressed at the relationship between these courses and those offered in the regular academic year on campus. B. Fleming moved, seconded W. Godfrey, that this item be referred back to Academic Matters. P. Edwards questioned whether Senate and its committees were competent to deal with the fees issues. On question put, the motion CARRIED.
b) Regulation 6.38
C. P. Hunter moved, seconded P. Baker, that the proposed changes to regulation 6.38 be approved. Motion CARRIED.
c) Regulations 6.39 and 6.41
C. P. Hunter moved, seconded P. Baker, that the proposed changes to regulations 6.39 and 6.41 be approved. Motion CARRIED.
d) Deletion of regulation 6.37
C.P. Hunter moved, seconded P. Baker, that the deletion of regulation 6.37 be approved. J. Bourque, seconded B. Fleming, moved that the motion be amended to delete only the last sentence. It was noted that the central issue here was the requirement of withdrawal from the university which is at odds with other regulations on Probation, Suspension and Dismissal. The amendment was withdrawn and the original motion CARRIED.
e) New regulation re Good standing requirements for Graduation.
C. P. Hunter moved, seconded P. Baker, that the proposed new regulation be approved. C.P. Hunter noted that this regulation had been developed with considerable input from student members of the Academic Matters committee. An extensive discussion followed, with concern being expressed over the mechanism for referral and consideration by the Review Board, what additional credits would be required to achieve the final session GPA requirement, alternative methods such as minimum grades within a programme, and the difficulties of dealing with standards of performance at the end of a degree programme. On question put, the motion FAILED.
W. MacKay noted the time and the loss of quorum and proposed not continuing with the meeting. J. Read spoke to the immediacy of several other items on the agenda and called for a special meeting to consider these. The meeting adjourned at 4:05 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Robert Summerby-Murray
Secretary of Senate