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 Senate Minutes - October 27, 1999

Mount Allison University
Meeting of the Senate
27 October 1999



The University Senate met on 27 October 1999 at 3pm in Tweedie Hall, I. Newbould in the chair.
Present: I. Newbould, R. Summerby-Murray, D. Cameron, J. Keith, C. Riggs, P. Baker, P. Ennals, I. Cohen, J.-G. Godin, K. Hamer, C. Hunter, M. McCullough, S. Lochhead, L. Owen, T. Craig, G. DeBenedetti, G. Tucker, R. Wehrell, R. Aiken, J. Bates, R. Beattie, M. Blagrave, R. Blake, P. Bogaard, P. Bryden, A. Cannon, E. Dawe, A. Fancy, C. Grant, N. Ralph, J. Read, B. Robertson, C. Storm, M. Tucker, P. Varma, J. Weiss, L. Cameron, C. Cohoon, N.J. MacPhee, B. Mallory, S. Melanson, S. Peel, J. Hollett, C. Hayward

Observers: J.C. Martinez, P. Daigle

Regrets: Brian Campbell, Nancy Grant, John Laidlaw, Barbara Copp, D. Tokaryk, B.A. Miller

99.10.1 Approval of Agenda
It was moved by K. Hamer, seconded P. Ennals, that the agenda be approved as circulated.

CARRIED
99.10.2 Introduction of Senators
The Chair noted that student senators had requested that members of Senate introduce themselves, particularly for the benefit of new members. By turn, Senators introduced themselves and the constituency they represented.

99.10.3 Approval of Minutes of Meeting of 6 May 1999
It was moved by T. Craig, seconded P. Baker, that the Minutes of 6 May 1999 be approved as circulated.

CARRIED
99.10.4 Business arising
R. Summerby-Murray reported that an election held to fill the vacancy of alternate in the Sciences for the Tenure and Promotion Committee had resulted in M. Beattie being elected for a two year term (1 July 1999 to 30 June 2001).

99.10.5 Questions
C. Hunter noted that the draft policy document on students with disabilities had been circulated to Senators and other interested parties and asked if all Senators had received a copy. Comments on the draft policy will still be received by the Dean of Students.

G. DeBenedetti asked why some new senators had not received copies of the minutes of 6 May 1999. R. Summerby-Murray will ensure that the mailing list for Senate materials is updated.

I. Newbould provided an update on the Capital Campaign. With a current total of over $17million, the campaign goal of $20million appears to be attainable by the spring of 2000. Further developments involving a foundation in the United States were reported on briefly.

99.10.6 Candidates for degrees
1. It was moved by J.-G. Godin, seconded by K. Hamer, that Senate act on the recommendation of Faculty Council to award the degree of Master of Science (in Biology) to Gregory John Peel.

CARRIED

2. It was moved by K. Hamer, seconded by T. Craig, that Senate act on the recommendation of Faculty Council to award the degree of Bachelor of Arts to Jorge Arthur Barrera, Alison Sarah Digby, Gregory Alfred George, Brian Neil Hooley, Devin Edward Matthews, Amy Doris Mills, Terry B. Mitchell, Jennifer Leigh Waldschutz, and Bailey Egerton Williamson.

CARRIED

3. It was moved by J.-G. Godin, seconded by P. Baker, that Senate act on the recommendation of Faculty Council to award the degree of Bachelor of Science to Michael John Booth, David Allison Burns, Laurie Lee Fisher, Natelle M. Fitzgerald, and Krista Dawn Grant.

CARRIED
4. It was moved by P. Baker, seconded by N. Ralph, that Senate act on the recommendation of Faculty Council to award the degree of Bacheler of Commerce to Craig George Khattar, Seta Mekikjian, Luke Andrew Searle, and Kofi Dzifa Senaya.

CARRIED

5. It was moved by K. Hamer, seconded by E. Dawe, that Senate act on the recommendation of Faculty Council to award the degree of Bachelor of Music to Elizabeth MacDonald Frenette.

CARRIED

6. It was moved by K. Hamer, seconded by T. Craig, that Senate act on the recommendation of Faculty Council to award the Honours Certificate (History) to Christopher Norman Popma.

CARRIED

99.10.7 Report of Committee on Committees
I. Cohen reported on behalf of the Chair of the Committees, J. C. Martinez. Recommendations of the Committee on Committees were dealt with separately for each specific committee. I. Cohen noted that all those nominated by the Committee on Committees had agreed to let their names stand.

Academic Matters
The Committee on Committees nominated A. Whitla for a term 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2003, to fill a vacancy as one of four faculty appointed by Senate. P. Ennals, seconded by P. Baker, moved that nominations cease.

CARRIED

The Chair noted that the list of members of the Academic Matters Committee included with the Committee on Committee's report to Senate should be amended to state that there are three Academic Deans ex officio on a rotating basis. There being no discussion of the nomination, A. Whitla was declared elected.

Advisory Committee on Emeriti Appointments
The Committee on Committees nominated M. Tucker for a term of three years 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2002 to fill a vacancy of one faculty member elected by Senate. P. Ennals, seconded P. Baker, moved that nominations cease.

CARRIED

There being no discussion, M. Tucker was declared elected.

Agenda Committee
The Committee on Committees nominated P. Bryden for a term of 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2003, to fill a vacancy within the required two members of Senate from among the elected members of Senate. P. Ennals, seconded P. Baker, moved that nominations cease.

CARRIED
There being no discussion, P. Bryden was declared elected.

Graduate Studies
The Committee on Committees nominated A. Grant for a term of 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2003 to fill a vacancy within the six faculty appointed by Senate. A further nomination was received by the Committee on Committees, and this was brought to the Senate by I. Cohen who nominated S. Westcott from the floor. The Chair of the Committee on Committees, J.C. Martinez, confirmed that such a nomination had been received by the Committee. J. Read, a member of the Committee on Committees, further clarified that the Committee had considered the workloads of both nominees and had arrived at their nomination of A. Grant on this basis. There being no further nominations, an election was called and by show of hands A. Grant was declared elected.

Committee on Teaching
The Committee on Committees nominated D. Wills for a term of 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2001, to fill a vacancy within the required six faculty elected by the Senate. P. Ennals, seconded P. Baker, moved that nominations cease.

CARRIED

There being no discussion, D. Wills was declared elected.

University Planning
The Committee on Committees nominated R. Thompson for a term of 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2002, to fill a vacancy within the required six faculty members elected by the Senate. P. Ennals, seconded P. Baker, moved that nominations cease.

CARRIED

There being no discussion, R. Thompson was declared elected.

99.10.8 Admissions Committee
The Admissions Committee reported to the Senate on proposed changes to entry credit and academic standing regulations. Moved by P. Baker, seconded P. Ennals, that Calendar Regulation 3.09 be amended to read as follows:

The University grants a maximum of 18 credits on a 120 credit degree programme for higher level International Baccalaureate subjects completed with grades of 5, 6, or 7.

P. Baker spoke briefly to the motion before the question was called.

CARRIED

Moved by P. Baker, seconded P. Ennals, that Calendar Regulation 3.10 be amended to read as follows:

Students accepted to Mount Allison University from the CEGEP system may receive up to 30 credits according to the criteria listed below:

CEGEP Mount Allison credits granted
16 courses 6 credits
18 courses 12 credits
20 courses 18 credits
22 courses 24 credits
24 courses 30 credits

R. Aiken asked whether this meant that applicants from CEGEP did not require a CEGEP diploma on entry. P. Baker responded that that was a correct interpretation. Upon question called, the motion

CARRIED.

Proposal 3 listed on the Admissions Committee's report to Senate and circulated with the Agenda was withdrawn by the chair of the committee, P. Baker, before being made and seconded.

Moved by P. Baker, seconded P. Ennals, that Calendar Regulations 6.38, 6.40 and 6.41 be amended to read as follows:

Good Standing
6.38 Students remain in Good Standing if they pass eighteen credits in within the September to April academic year and attain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 1.5.

Academic Probation
6.40 Students who have been in Good Standing will be place on Academic Probation if, within the September to April academic year, they pass eighteen credits and obtain a GPA of at least 1.0, but less than 1.5. With the exception of those in their senior year, students who are on Academic Probation are not permitted to register for more than the normal course load. To return to Good Standing, students on Academic Probation must pass eighteen credits in their probationary year, and attain a minimum GPA of 1.5.

Academic Suspension
6.41 Students will be placed on Academic Suspension if in any September to April academic year they a) obtain a GPA of less than 1.0, or b) pass fewer than eighteen credits. Students who are on Academic Probation will be place on Academic Suspension if, in any September to April academic year, they obtain a grade point average (GPA) of less than 1.5, or pass fewer than eighteen credits.

K. Hamer asked whether 'probationary year' in the proposed regulation 6.40 meant a 12 month period. Was it the intention of this motion to include spring and summer sessions in the calculation of good standing. P. Baker replied that the intention was to include the September to April academic year only in the calculation of course credits and GPA. J. Hollett asked whether such a regulation would apply to part-time students. P. Baker replied that the regulation was directed at full-time students. I. Newbould asked L. Owen to confirm whether the existing calendar regulations applied to part-time students. L. Owen responded that the existing regulations were intended to be applied to full-time students only. M. McCullough confirmed that part-time and Continuing Education students were not covered by the existing regulations. C. Hayward noted that it remained unclear whether part-time students were to be covered by the proposed changes. I. Newbould noted that this could become a contentious issue and urged the Admissions Committee to clarify this detail. With the permission of the seconder, P. Baker withdrew the motion.

99.10.9 Strategic Planning
P. Daigle reported on the Strategic Planning exercise being undertaken for the University's future directions. Components of strategic planning methodology were outlined before moving to a discussion of the specific process at Mount Allison. P. Daigle noted the importance of a broad-based consultative process in identifying issues and actions. Consultation processes are well underway and have already identified trends and challenges that face the university, including changing student demographics, international responsiveness, changing technologies and instructional media, fiscal imperatives, and the nature of research and teaching in a small under-graduate setting. Progress to date was noted, especially the importance of a series of consultative sessions with faculty, staff, and students, the production of information materials and a questionnaire, and the operation of an interactive web site linked to the University's home pages. P. Daigle urged members of Senate to participate in the process.

Following the presentation, P. Daigle invited questions from the floor. N.J. MacPhee asked who will see the questionnaire that is being developed. P. Daigle replied that the questionnaire will be available to all members of the community, including alumni. Materials will be available on the web and in paper form. Rather than sending all materials to all approximately 20,000 alumni, however, alumni will be polled to assess their interest in participating. I. Newbould commented that the Strategic Planning Steering Committee is concerned that materials be available in a variety of media, to ensure as wide an input process as possible. L. Cameron asked how many students had attended the consultative sessions so far. P. Daigle replied that only two had attended to date but that further input is sought from students and other constituencies. He reiterated his call for participation and asked Senators to contact either H. Bembridge in the President's Office or P. Daigle directly to ensure their inclusion. I. Newbould thanked P. Daigle for his presentation.

99.10.10 Other Business
P. Ennals reported briefly on behalf of the University Planning Committee. This Committee has met recently and has concentrated on developing a hiring plan with the intention of moving this process along more quickly and removing uncertainties for departments and students as the latter plan their registration. As a result of the Committee's decisions, the Vice-President (Academic and Research) has placed advertisements for probationary appointments in Computer Science, Philosophy, Psychology (three), Geography, Chemistry, History, and Fine Art, a total of nine positions. The Committee identified these as the 'phase 1' concerns but noted that there may be further changes in the weeks ahead that will need to be accommodated also.

J. Hollett asked whether the Admissions Committee could address the question of part-time students in relation to regulation amendments proposed earlier by the Admissions Committee. P. Baker responded that the committee will look at this again.

S. Melanson gave Notice of Motion that the Ad hoc Committee on Academic Disruptions would be meeting in the next month and would be bringing a motion concerning this to Senate at the November meeting.

99.10.11 Announcements
I. Newbould noted that he will be sending a brief e-mail to the University community encouraging participation in the Strategic Planning process.

99.10.12 Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 4:10pm.

Dr. Robert E. Summerby-Murray
Secretary of the Senate

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February 9, 2004