DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SENATE OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY HELD

ON MONDAY, JUNE

1989 KLAUS RIECKHOFF HALL, 4:30 P.M.

OPEN SESSION

Present:

Saywell, W.G., Chair

Addison, G.

Alderson, E. (replacing R. Brown)

Bedford, B.

Blackman, R.

Blaney, J.

Clayman, B.

Cleveland, W.

D'Auria, J.

Dawson, S. (replacing J. Tuinman)

Dickinson, J.

Dobb, T.

Freedman, A.

George, D.

Giffen, K.

Gill, J.

Goodman, D.

Gray, P.

Green, C.

Hendrickson, T.

Hoegg, J.L.

Jones, C.

Kennedy, P.

Mauser, G.

Munro, D.

Nyvik, S.

Palmer, E.

Palmer, L.

Reilly, N.

Rieckhoff, K.

Rudrum, A.

Saunders, R.

Shapiro, S.

Strate, G.

Swartz, N.

Verdun-Jones,

Wade, S.

Warsh, M.

Heath, W.R., Secretary

Grant, B., Recording Secretary

Absent: Barrow, R.

Calvert, T.

Carlson, R.

Cercone, N.

Cove!!, M.

Dahl, H.

Dill, L.

Djwa, S.

Falcon, K.

Evany, G.

Kazepides, A.C.

Nielsen, V.

Partridge, J.

Pinfie!d, L.

Rae, B.

Salter, L.

Shannon, D.

Tjosvo!d, D.

Weldon, L.

Winne, P.

Wotherspoon, A.

In attendance: R. Rogow

S.M. 05/06/89

Page 2

. ?

The Chair introduced the newly elected and re-elected Senators and, on

behalf of Senate, welcomed them to the meeting.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

The Agenda was approved as distributed.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE OPEN SESSION OF MAY 15. 1989

Referring to Senate Paper S.89-22 'Undergraduate Admission Targets 1989-3,

K. Giffen requested that comments he had made during discussion at the last

meeting be noted in the Minutes. He noted his suggestion that if possible,

preference be given to hiring existing sessionals when Departments are

considering hiring new Faculty, and, secondly, that additional resources would

be allocated for Academic Advice to counsel the increased number of new

students.

As a point of clarification, L. Palmer requested the paragraph at the top of

page 3 to be amended as follows: "...in order for the University to acquire this

additional funding, the University had to commit itself to increasing

enrolment by 600 FTEs per year in each of the next six years. In return, full

funding of $6,500 per FTE would be made available to the University. The

proposed figure of 3,400 new admissions in 89-3 would complete the FTE

increase target of 600 for the coming academic year." The Chair indicated

that the language currently in the Minutes was inaccurate but he did not feel

the suggested amendment assisted in correcting the inaccuracy. He indicated

that additional funding is made available with each additional FTE and, in the

first year of the access program, the University has agreed to increase by an

additional 600 FTEs. However, figures for the subsequent years have not yet

been agreed upon. The Chair indicated that he would take this matter under

advisement and bring back clear language for the next meeting of Senate.

Following these amendments, the Minutes were approved.

3. ?

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

a) ?

External Review Report 1974 - Department of

English

At the request of the Chair, E. Alderson, Acting Dean of Arts informed

Senate ?

that ?

the ?

1974 ?

review

process, ?

the

three ?

external ?

reviewers

submitted ?

independent ?

letters in

confidence ?

to the

Dean ?

and

Vice-President.

Those letters were never brought to a point where

they could be released as

Senate ?

documents ?

and, ?

effect, ?

the ?

review

remains

an ?

uncompleted

administrative action from fifteen years ago.

It was

noted that a copy of this

review was deposited in the Archives but Senators were not allowed access to

. ?

it. ?

In reply to an inquiry as to what was required so that the report could be

made available to members of Senate, E. Alderson

indicated someone would

have to review the letters and make extracts from

them and try to recover

the situation of that time as much as possible in order to prepare a relevant

S.M. 05/06/89

Page 3

• report. Discussion ensued in which opinions were expressed that the papers

should be desensitized as much as possible and made available to Senate. The

Chair indicated that before releasing such a report he would need to

determine if the external reviewers had been given any assurance of

confidentiality with regard to their submission or else the University could

find itself faced with litigation. The Chair advised Senate he would take this

issue under consideration and report back probably during the Fall semester.

He also indicated his wish to review the policy issue regarding such reports,

and that this would also be reported back to Senate.

b) ?

Fraser Valley Initiatives

In reply to an inquiry about the progress of activities in the Fraser

Valley, the Chair informed Senate that he has been meeting with the

Presidents of Douglas College, Fraser Valley College and Kwantlen College and

a draft statement as to what initiatives should be looked at is in preparation.

A detailed, sophisticated, demographic study is currently underway and

should be available by the end of June, an Ad Hoc Committee is currently

studying various models and concepts of satellite campuses and all of these

studies should come together by the end of summer at which point the

University would be in a position to make a recommendation to the

Government as to whether any initiative should be undertaken. If the

recommendation is positive, the planning process would begin and proceed

through the normal university channels such as Departments, Faculties,

Senate Committees, and Senate.

4. REPORT OF THE CHAIR

Referring to the tragic situation occurring in China, the Chair expressed

concern for the future of the students and faculty from the People's Republic

of China who are studying or working 'at Simon Fraser University on exchange

programs as well as concern for the students and staff involved in SFU's

Summer School at Juan University in Changchun. Senate was informed that

the University had been in contact with the students and their Instructor at

Juan University and there appeared to be no immediate risk to their safety.

However, contingency steps have been made to evacuate them as quickly as

possible if the situation should change. A representative from the President's

office has been in contact with the families of these students to give them

whatever assurances we can. The Chair also indicated that he has

communicated the University's concern over the human tragedy of fellow

students and academics and others in China and has urged External Affairs to

take appropriate action to let Canada's voice be heard. He has also urged the

Government to do everything humanly possible to accommodate any students

. from the PRC who are in Canada and require visa extensions. It is also

intended that a joint statement from the three university presidents will be

consideration.

sent to Beijing and the language

of that statement is currently under

S.M. 05/06/89

Page 4

K. Rieckhoff wished to share with Senate an appeal he had heard on the

English language broadcast of Radio Beijing in which listeners, after a brief

description of the tragic happenings, were asked to share and join in the

protest of the violation of the civil rights taking place in China.

Brief discussion followed with regard to the future of the Summer School in

China, public education events on campus, and the possible financial

consequences of students seeking political asylum.

5. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

a) SENATE NOMINATING COMMITTEE

i) ?

Paper S.89-23 - Elections

P. Gray indicated that he had submitted nomination by the deadline of

June 2nd for the Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules, the Senate

Committee on Continuing Studies, and the Senate Library Committee but

noted his name did not appear on the Senate paper for election. Following

determination that his nominations were duly received, elections for those

three committees would be conducted by mail. Senate recessed for five

minutes to allow Senators to peruse the Information on Candidates and to

vote in the remaining elections, the results of which are as follows:

Senate Committee on Academic Planning (SCAP)/Senate Committee on

University Budget (SCUB)

One Student Senator to replace I. Nicol for balance term of office, from date of

election to September 30, 1989; and one Student Senator to replace J. Shickele

for balance term of office, from date of election to September 30, 1990.

Names of candidates: ?

D. Munro

S. Wade

Individual receiving the higher number of votes

and elected for term of office from date of election

to September 30, 1990:

S. Wade

Runner-up elected for term of office from date

of election to September 30, 1989:

D. Munro

SENATE COMMI.ITEE ON CONTINUING STUDIES (SCCS)

One Student Senator Alternate to replace R. Di Fonzo for balance term of

office, from date of election to September 30, 1990.

Elected by acclamation: ?

J. Gill

. ?

SENATE COMMITFEE ON HONORARY DEGREES (SCHD)

One Senator (at-large) to replace H. Weinberg from date of election for no

specified term of office.

Elected by acclamation:

S. Djwa

S.M. 05/06/89

Page 5

SENATE NOMINATING COMMrn'EE (SNQ

One Senator (at-large) to replace J.L. Berggren for balance term of office, from

date of election to September 30, 1989.

Elected by acclamation:

A. Rudrum

One Student Senator to replace R. Maaske for balance term of office, from date

of election to September 30, 1989.

Names of candidates: ?

G. Addison

K. Giffen

Individual receiving the higher number of votes

and declared elected:

G. Addison

SENATE UNDERGRADUATE

ADMISSIONS BOARD

(SUAB)

replace

September

ofOne

electionStudent

30,

Dito

Senator

Fonzo

1989.

September

for

replace

balance

30,

1989;

Rashed

term

and

for

one

balance

office,

Student

from

term

Senator

date

office,

Alternate

electionfrom

date

Names

candidates:

Green

Hendrickson

Munro

• ?

Individual receiving the highest number of votes and

elected as Regular member for term of office from

date of election to September 30, 1989:

T.Hendrjckson

Runner-up elected as Alternate Member for term of

office from date of election to September 30, 1989:

C. Green

SENATE APPEALS BOARD (SAB)

One Faculty Senator to replace R.W. Mathewes from date of election for no

specified term of office.

Elected by acclamation:

P. Winne

One Faculty Senator Alternate to replace P. Winne from date of election for no

specified term of office:

Elected by acclamation:

E. Palmer

SENATE COMMITTEE ON UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES (SCU)

One Student Senator to replace I. Nicol from date of election for no specified

term of office.

Names of candidates: ?

J. Gill

T. Hendrickson

Individual receiving the higher number of votes

and declared elected:

T. Hendrickson

S.M. 05/06/89

Page 6

ELECTORAL STANDING COMMITTEE (ESC

One Student Senator to replace S. Rashed from date of election for no specified

term of office.

No nominations received:

Position Vacant

b) SENATE COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC PLANNING

i) ?

Paper S.89-24 - Cariboo College/Simon Fraser University - Bachelor of

Business' Studies Degree Program

Moved by R. Saunders, seconded by S. Shapiro

"that Senate approve and recommend approval to

the Board of Governors, as set

forth

in S.89-24, the

Cariboo College/Simon Fraser University Bachelor of

Business Studies Degree Program"

R. Rogow, the Director of Undergraduate Programs in the Faculty of Business

Administration was in attendance as a resource person to answer inquiries.

Reference was made to Item One of the Admission Requirements and inquiry

made as to what was meant by "or equivalent". R. Rogow advised that this

wording was adopted from the admission requirements of the University and

would be treated in the same way. It was noted that SUAB is currently

considering a definition for the term "or equivalent" with regard to admission

to the University and it was suggested that the admission requirement in this

instance should meet with SUAB's definition of the term.

Reference was made to the concerns expressed by the 'Faculty of Arts

Curriculum Committee (Appendix I). S. Shapiro explained that this program

has been initiated in response to the Provincial Government's initiative to

assist people in the Interior to obtain university degrees in their home

sns#

because they felt

college initiative am

Simon Fraser Unive

year period of time

is credible and is

consistent with ti

relationship with Ca

is designed to prov

rather than for pen

be automatic, and

UILJ VL1-J UOIJIVbb AMU1111111btf UL l on

proposeu

tnis program

ie University should become involved in the university-

that this was the best way to do so. He pointed out that

sity would only be involved with the program for a five-

He assured Senate that the program offered by Cariboo

onsistent with the needs of the particular community and

mission of the university-college program. The

ibOo is for a limited period of time and the program itself

le educational opportunities to regions that do have them

ct transferability.

Transfer between institutions will not

individuals applying to transfer from Cariboo will be

'S.M. 05/06/89

Page 7

• treated the same way as individuals transferring from any other external

institution. In reply to concerns as to the quality of these degrees and the

public's perception of such degrees, S. Shapiro indicated that a different

degree designation was deliberately used because it is presumed that Cariboo

will continue to use that designation following its association with Simon

Fraser University. Although he felt future employers will be able to

distinguish between the Bachelor of Business. Studies at Cariboo and the

Bachelor of Business Administration at Simon Fraser University, the more

general public perception may cause some concern but he felt it would be

resolved. The Registrar indicated that the diploma will clearly indicate that

the degree was offered at Cariboo and the official transcript will be a Cariboo

College transcript, not a Simon Fraser University transcript. In reply to an

inquiry about Cariboo students going on to post graduate work, S. Shapiro

indicated that applications from Cariboo will be treated in the same way as

applications from any other four-year institution. Since the professors are

Cariboo College staff and the since the students are Cariboo College students

question was raised as to why Simon Fraser University appears on the degree.

S. Shapiro replied that at the present time there is no legislative mechanism

for Cariboo College to grant a four-year degree and that the university-college

program initiative provides opportunity for the three established universities,

over the next five years, to assist the colleges to move into degree granting

status. It was pointed out that Senate Paper S.89-24 does not specify that

this program is limited to five years. The Chair indicated that the

Memorandum of Cooperation Cariboo College/Simon Fraser University

previously approved by Senate did contain a statement with regard to the

five-year limitation period and that it did apply to this

particular proposal.

In opposition to the proposal, opinion was expressed that the document was

patronizing and the wording of the proposal ambiguous. Concern was

expressed that the proposed arrangement whereby SFU on one hand provides

academic respectability for the degree, yet on the other hand, does not wish

to take responsibility for the students, does not instill full confidence in the

degree or the program itself and there appeared to be very little in the

agreement of benefit to the University.

In reply to an inquiry concerning the procedure

to be followed regarding

approval of degrees, R. Heath advised that

will approve all

recommendations for the Bachelor of Business Studies degree. Formal official

transcripts from Cariboo College will be provided for all students

recommended for graduation. Recommendations will initially go to the

Faculty of Business Administration and those eligible for graduation will be

• ?

recommended to Senate with transcripts for these students being available to

any interested Senator. Senate was given assurance that funds above and

beyond the current budget to cover the overhead costs associated with this

program will accrue to the University.

S.M. 05/06/89

Page 8

SDiscussion turned to the question of transferability and inquiry was made as

to what contingency had been set up to handle transfer of students in one

direction or the other, especially if there is a disparity in the admission

requirements between the two institutions. Although there is a concern in

this regard, S. Shapiro indicated he did not feel it was a serious problem and

felt that it would be up to Cariboo to make sure their local needs were met

before accepting students from the Lower Mainland. Request was made that

the document clearly specify students transferring from one institution to the

other were not guaranteed admission to the respective Business programs

either at Simon Fraser University or at Cariboo College. S. Shapiro indicated

the Faculty of Business Administration had no objection to this point of

clarification and he also believed that Cariboo College would have no

objection. He felt it might be in the best interest of all concerned to have such

clarification signed on the record.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

B. Bedford requested that his opposition be noted in the Minutes

ii) ?

Paper

S.89-25 -

New Grade Notation - NG (No Grade)

Moved by R. Saunders, seconded by B. Clayman

"that Senate approve as set out in S.89-25, the

introduction of "NG" Notation"

Since an NG grade would be assigned when the University is unable to assign

a grade prior to the regular deadline for submission of grades in a semester,

concern was expressed about the effect of NG grades on students applying for

graduation, competing for registration priority and, in particular, competition

for scholarships where it was pointed out that scholarships could be lost to

students who have an NG grade who would otherwise qualify.

R. Saunders pointed out that the new notation will assist in alleviating some

of the current problems associated with those very conditions especially in

such circumstances where deferred grades are assigned through no fault of

the student. He went on to explain that deferred grades not only

disadvantage students from receiving scholarships, they can cause a student

to be asked to withdraw from the University for insufficient performance.

This new notation will protect students from being penalized when grades

cannot be assigned by the required deadline.

As Chair of the Senate Policy Committee on Scholarships, Awards and

Bursaries, P. Kennedy confirmed that Open Scholarships would be awarded

retroactively; however, students could lose out on private scholarships since

S.M. 05/06/89

Page 9

the University can exercise no control over external procedures. L. Palmer

. felt it should be possible to defer scholarship eligibility pending receipt of the

final grade. He suggested deliberations could be made without these students

and, after their grades are determined, they could be inserted in the

deliberations, and the university should indemnify any students that

happened to be eligible for a private scholarship slot. He felt the number of

students would be rather small and he did not feel it would cost very much to

take this extra step. P. Kennedy indicated that he would take these

suggestions to the next meeting of the Senate Policy Committee on

Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries for review.

Inquiry was made as to how the NG notation would be implemented in cases,

for example, where faculty members for reasons of self-interest prefer to

give deferred grades to an entire class rather than NG grades. In such cases,

the intent of this proposal is to allow the Dean of the Faculty to advise the

Registrar that NG grades are to be assigned. It was pointed out, however, that

if an individual faculty member submits deferred grades for all students in a

course the Chair/Director is expected to determine the reason for the

extraordinary action prior to countersigning the grade list and, if necessary,

the Dean of Faculty consulted to resolve the matter.

• ?

Discussion turned to definition of the new grade notation.

Moved by B. Clayman, seconded by B. Bedford

"that the notation "NG" No Grade be amended to

"GN" Grade Not Reported"

Question was called on the amendment

and a vote taken.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

Concern was expressed about the shortness of time between the date a final

exam is given and the deadline for submission of grades, and it was noted

that in very large classes with a concentrated final exam it is almost

impossible to meet the deadline in the length of time allowed. Suggestion was

made that the appropriate Senate committee look into this problem. R. Heath

replied that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies is presently

considering this problem. A number of alternatives such as adding an extra

day for examinations and considering day sections the same as evening

sections to allow the exam schedule to flow are among those being

investigated.

In reply to an inquiry about the earlier discussion concerning policy

procedure for scholarship students, the Chair indicated that the Senate Policy

Committee on Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries will bring forward a

proposal to Senate which, if accepted, will be added as a further condition of

S.M. 05/06/89

Page 10

the new grade notation.

Question was called on the motion, as amended

and a vote taken.

MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED

OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

NOTICES OF MOTION

There were no notices of motion.

INFORMATION

The date of next regularly scheduled meeting of Senate is Monday, July 10,

1989.

The Assembly moved directly into Closed Session at 6:40 p.m.

W.R. Heath

Registrar and Secretary of Senate