DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SENATE OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY HELD
MONDAY. NOVEMBER 3, 1975, 3172 ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 7:30 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
Present: Jewett, P., Chairman
Evans, H. M., Secretary
Norsworthy, R., Recording Secretary
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Allen, D. I.
Aronoff, S.
Barlow, J. S.
Birch, D. R.
Blaney, J. P.
Brown, R. C.
Calvert, T. W.
Carlson, R. L.
Catalano, J. A.
Cunningham, F.
Curzon, A. E.
Davison, A. J.
Debo, R. K.
Dorsel, M. M.
Ellis, J. F.
Emery, B. E.
Erickson, D. A.
Fattah, E. A.
Finlayson, T.
Harrison, S.
Hindle, L.
Holmes, R. A.
Hutchinson, J. F.
Ironside, R. A.
Jones, C.H.W.
Kazepides, A.
Knight, D. E.
Mackauer, J.P.M.
Martel, A. G.
McCoy, C. G.
McCoy, S. G.
McWhinney., E.
Morin, S.
Overholt, N. J.
Pate, B. D.
Rieckhoff
.
, K. E.
Shillow, M.
Smith, W.A.S.
Sterling, T. D.
Thomas, S.
Versfelt, J. A.
Walkley, J.
Walibaum, D. C.
Wilson, B. G.
Absent:
Baird, D. A.
Diamond, J.
Doherty, P. M.
Latham, L.
Schiffer, R.
Wheatley, J.
Williams, W. E.
In attendance: Thomson, W. , First Vice-President,
Student Society
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1. .APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved as circulated.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
R.
Ironside acknowledged that he had not requested that his comments
be recorded in the minutes of the previous meeting but requested that the
following be inserted in the general area of the fourth
.
paragraph on page
10 in connection with Paper S.75-134 - New Course Proposals (Fine Arts):
"R. Ironside asked E. Alderson whether students interested in
a course on a non-artistic basis would be on an equal competi-
tive basis with those artistically inclined and the answer was
there would be no preferential inclination on the basis of
faculty origin and stated courses would be acceptable to non-
arts people. R. Ironside also asked that statistics be kept
for the experimental period, and E. Alderson said he would be
happy to do so."
S.
Harrison asked if it was the intention to provide exact vote counts
in connection with elections conducted at Senate, and the Secretary replied
that, although these had been erroneously included by him in one instance,
under the Rules of Senate in the elections to Senate the Secretary will
.
announce the winners, but for elections at Senate the specific votes will
not be announced.
The minutes of the Open Session
,
of October 6, 1975 were approved as
distributed,and as there was no objection, it was accepted that the corn-
inents '
R. Ironside requested be included would be inserted.
3. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
M. Overholt raised a question in connection with circulation of the
minutes of the Universities Council, and the Chairman stated she would
make further enquiries and distribute any minutes that were available.
4. REPORT OF CHAIRMAN
i) Paper S.75-147 - For Information - Two-Semester Time Lag Requirement
The Chairman noted that this paper had been distributed for informa-
tion in response to a request for rationale for the two semester time lag
requirement.
M. Mackauer gave notice of motion, "That Senate delegate to the Senate
Committee on Undergraduate Studies the responsibility for considering and
applying existing regulations and practices related to the two semester
time lag requirement before new undergraduate courses may normally be
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offered; Senate to be advised of the action(s) taken with respect to a
particular course(s)by the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies at
the time the course proposal is presented to Senate for consideration."
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The Chairman commented that the item would be on the agenda for
discussion at the December meeting of Senate.
5. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
i) Senate Nominating Committee
a) Paper S.75-148 - Senate Elections
The Secretary announced that there had been no additional nomina-
tions to those submitted by the Senate Nominating Committee, and he drew
special attention to the voting pattern in the election of nine Senators
to the newly constituted Senate Committee on Academic Planning, which
would seat those elected by Senate also on the Senate Committee on
University Budget. He especially noted the conditions wherein at least
two members must be Lay member Senators and at least two members must be
Student Senator members. A. Kazepides withdrew his name from the slate.
Following balloting the following results were announced:
Elected for two year terms of office to September 30, 1977:
.
T.
W. Calvert
F. Cunningham
J. F. Hutchinson
R.
Schiffer
S.
Thomas
(Student member)
(Lay member)
Elected for two year terms of office (staggered) to September 30, 1976:
J.P.M. Mackauer
M. J. Overholt
(Lay member)
M. Shillow
(Student member)
T. D. Sterling
ii) Senate Committee on Continuing Studies
a) Paper S.75-149 - For Information - Report - Extension Credit
Courses, 1974-75
In response to a query posed by T. Calvert, the Dean of Continuing
Studies stated that on the basis of head counts it was estimated that of
the 2522 part time students on campus 25% were evening students. The
Dean also corrected an error on the second page of the paper which
altered the first line of the last paragraph to read, "Approximately
1300 of the 2800 undergraduate enrolments in Extension Credit courses
during the current semester are evening only . . . ."
iii)
Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies
a) Paper S.75-150 - Course Changes, Africa/Middle East Studies
Program
Moved by D. Birch, seconded by S. Smith,
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"That Senate approve, as set forth in S.75-150,
the proposed changes to the Africa/Middle East
Studies Program."
R. Brown confirmed that the content of courses in the program is
not controlled, but reviewed by the steering committee, a procedure
which had caused problems only coped with by hand screening. He agreed
to consult with the Secretary of Senate to ensure that the proposed
calendar entry would be appropriate.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
b) Paper S.75-151 - For Information - Use of Special Topics
Courses
The Chairman stated that the Dean of Science would respond to any
questions raised in connection with the information paper on the Use
of Special Topics Courses.
T. Finlayson noted that two courses, both numbered MATH 495-4,
had been offered in the same semester, and the Registrar reiterated
a previous statement he had made in that control is by the departmental
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code and course numbering system, although the subtitle could be changed
from semester to semester by the current computer program. Within a
given semester period separation would not pertain and all would show on
a single class list. S. Aronoff regretted the limitation. The Chairman
commented that the transcript in this instance would require that the
course be recorded in duplicate.
iv) Senate Undergraduate Admissions Board
a) Paper S.75-152 - Course Audit - Special Audit Student
Moved by B. Wilson, seconded by N. Dorsel,
"That Senate approve, as set forth in S.75-152,
the category, 'Special Audit Student."
Considerable discussion ensued on the justification for a new classi-
fication and the overall intent and impact of the two motions proposed.
It was identified that the purpose was to permit individuals to audit
courses - under conditions controlled as described in the support papers -
without having to go through the formal mechanism for admission to the
University as is currently required for those seeking credit or taking
courses for audit under present regulations. There was no intent to
change the basic regulations for admission in the usual fashion for those
students who would be registered in the Registrar's records and who would
receive statements of standing either for credit or for audit. In the pro-
cedures suggested for the special category "Special Audit Student" the
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individuals would not be recorded in the formal records of the University.
It was further identified that since persons would not appear in
formal records and under current challenge regulations would be prevented
from later taking special audit courses for recognition that change to
these regulations was desirable. K. Rieckhoff felt the procedures were
unnecessary as a number of individuals now do audit courses without any
entry in records.
J. Blaney confirmed that there had been some consideration of
library fees as charged by other institutions for this type of student,
but no formal decision had yet been reached by SFU as to issuing identi-
ficatiori or library cards.
Question was called on the motion, and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
Moved by B. Wilson, seconded by J. Walkley,
"That Senate rescind the policy which denies
audit students the opportunity of applying for
Course Challenge in a course which has pre-
viously been audited."
Lengthy debate followed on the current regulations for Course
Challenge which limits credit to 60 hours (90 for PDP students)
through a combination of Course Challenge and course transfer, and
restricts further attempts to challenge after two unsuccessful attempts.
Amendment was moved by M. Shillow, seconded by R. Debo,
"That the words 'accepted for course challenge'
be added to the main motion (following 'in a
course') ."
I. Allen suggested rather than an amendment an indication of the
clear intent should be published in the calendar.
Question was called on the amendment, and a vote taken.
AMENDMENT CARRIED
In response to a question raised by M. Overholt, it was clarified
that the nature of the challenge must be satisfactory to the departmental
chairman.
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Question was called on the motion as amended, which read, "That
Senate rescind the policy which denies audit students the opportunity of
applying for Course Challenge in a course accepted for course challenge
which has previously been audited," and a vote taken.
MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED
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6.
REPORTS OF FACULTIES
There were no reports from Faculties.
7.
OTHER BUSINESS
Moved by J. Hutchinson, seconded by K. Rieckhoff,
"That the Senate Library Committee provide Senate
at its next meeting with all relevant information
concerning the allocation of space on new floors
of the library and its implications for the opera-
tion of the library."
The Chairman noted that the matter was currently being actively
discussed by all relevant parties, and J. Hutchinson said he did not
expect the decision would be by the Senate Library Committee but he
would like an expression of the Committee's views inasmuch as it had
been allocated a watch dog role on the effectiveness of the library
operations.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
The Chairman undertook to ensure the contents of the motion were
communicated to the Senate Library Committee.
8.
NOTICES OF MOTION
i) Paper S.75-153 - Recommendation - Dean of Graduate Studies
Search Committee (R. Schiffer) - for discussion
D. Walibaum was recognized to speak, in the absence of the pro-
ponent, to the recommendation contained in Paper S.75-153.
Moved by D. Wallbaum, seconded by B. Emery,
"That Senate approve and recommend approval to the
Board of 'Governors that the graduate student member-
ship on the Dean of Graduate Studies Search Committee
be increased from two to five."
D. Wallbaum spoke at length and with rigor asking for careful
consideration of the intent 'for effective input from graduate students
particularly in view of the imbalance in the structure of the committee
since its original composition when only three Faculties held representa-
tion. It was pointed out that the charges to the Dean of Graduate Studies
Search Committee were well in progress despite the resignation of the two
student members who had been selected by the Student Society.
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Moved by D. Birch, seconded by M. Mackauer,
"That the matter be referred to the Senate
Committee on Agenda and Rules with instruc-
tions to prepare for consideration a
recommendation to the Board and Senate
regarding the composition of Deans' Search
Committees."
D. Birch said he believed it was an important question which had
been raised and it affected not only the student representation but
also other representation on the committees. He added that it was
implicit in his motion for referral that established committees con-
tinue under existing procedures until Senate and the Board direct
otherwise.
K. Rieckhoff was of the opinion that lack of student representation
was not the fault of the committee structure but the ineffective selec-
tion of nominees by the Student Society. B. Wilson confirmed that the
two designated student representatives had neither appeared nor protested
in the deliberations of the committee which was operating under the
authority of the terms of reference as approved by the Board of Governors
and Senate. They had attended no meetings and their announcement of resig-
nation had been read by the Chairman to the first meeting of the committee
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. which was in progress. They had not kept an appointment arranged for
meeting with the Chairman. Noting that elections were being called by
the Student Society, B. Wilson suggested the two top ranking candidates
could attend until there was some other directive from the Board of
Governors.
D. Wailbaum felt delay. was not helpful and that students require
representation by Faculty on the Dean of Graduate Studies case.
Question was raised as to whether the proposed five students could
attend meetings. The Chairman suggested they might advise but could not
properly attend meetings under current procedures. B. Wilson indicated
the Committee was expecting to make selection across some dozen internal
names during November and that if they were not successful there would be
external advertising and that time was of obvious importance if an internal
candidate were selected, particularly if holding an administrative appoint-
ment as further search for replacement would arise. Delays would have
significant impact.
Various suggestions were made to resolve difficulties.
An amendment was moved by M. Shillow, seconded by C. McCoy,
"That the Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules
report back to the December meeting of Senate as
to the recommendation on the constitution of the
Dean of Graduate Studies Search Committee."
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N. Shillow, after consideration, withdrew a second clause to his
amendment which would have read, "and no decision on the Dean of
Graduate Studies be made on any individual until January 1976."
Question was called on the amendment, and a vote taken.
AMENDMENT CARRIED
31 in favor
J. Hutchinson spoke against the motion to refer, stating that it
did not address the issue that had been raised. He suggested a series
of meetings of the Search Committee with a representative group of
graduate students to ascertain if the question of sensitivity was of
sufficiently high priority.
Question was called on the motion to refer, as amended, and a
vote taken.
REFERRAL MOTION AS AMENDED
CARRIED
22 in favor
17 opposed
A motion was moved by N. Shillow, "That the Board of Governors be
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requested not to act on any recommendation prior to the December meeting
of Senate," which was withdrawn when the Vice-President, Academic stated
that the Search Committee anticipated making its recommendation to the
President by the end of November and that recommendation could not be
presented to the Board of Governors until after the December meeting of
Senate.
An amendment was proposed by T. Sterling, "That Senate recommend to
the Board of Governors that the Dean of Graduate Studies Search Committee
increase the graduate student representation from two to five," which was
protested by K. Rieckhoff as being out of order when the referral motion
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had already been approved.
Moved by D. Knight, seconded by N. Dorsel,
"That the referral motion be reconsidered."
Question was called on the motion to reconsider the motion to refer,
and a vote taken.
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MOTION TO RECONSIDER THE
MOTION TO REFER CARRIED
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28 in favor
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9 opposed
Question was .then called on the motion to refer, and a vote taken.
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MOTION TO REFER FAILED
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8 in favor
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27 opposed
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At the request of B. Emery, W. Thomson, Vice-President of the
Student Society, was invited to speak on the matter of student par-
ticipation in the Search Committee. W. Thomson reported that he had
received five applications from the Graduate Student Union for
representation on the Deans Search Committee for a Dean of Graduate
Studies from individuals who had been elected at a meeting of 50
graduate students. K. Rieckhoff pointed Out that the enrolment of
graduate students was currently in the 1000 range. W. Thompson
stated that students generally are apathetic but a group of concerned
individuals had emerged who were interested in providing conscien
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tious input.
An amendment to the main motion, "That Senate approve and recom-
mend approval to the Board of Governors that the graduate student
membership on the Dean of Graduate Studies Search Committee be
increased from two to five," was moved by M. Shillow, seconded by G.
Martel,
"That following 'two to five' there be added
'with at least one student member from each
of the Faculties.'"
J. Hutchinson questioned whether it was a case that numbers were the
real issue or the priorities which the Search Committee use, to which W.
.
Thomson responded that the number of students would be the issue because
they can reach the graduate students more readily.
Question was called on the amendment, and a vote taken.
AMENDMENT CARRIED
J. Ellis ascertained that the timing of the election of the Graduate
Student Union representatives had disenfranchised approximately 120
students in the Faculty of Education.
Question was called on the motion as amended, and a vote taken.
MOTION AS AMENDED FAILED
18 in favor
20 opposed
D. Wallbaum asked that it be recorded in the minutes that he was
extremely disappointed in the actions of Senate on the issue.
B. Wilson indicated that if the present members of the Search
Committee are in agreement he would try to ensure interaction with the
graduate students and would invite the two members nominated through the
Student Society to the membership of the Search Committee.
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ii) Paper .5.75-154 - Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules - Terms of
Office (R. Schiffer) - for discussion
Moved by D. Walibaum, seconded by J. Versfelt,
"That the terms of office for the elected positions
on the Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules (SCAR)
be for two years."
D. Wailbaum stated that the rationale for the proposal was based
on the critical matters assigned to the Senate Committee on Agenda and
Rules under its revised terms of reference and that Senate could only
benefit by reconsideration of those it elects to the Committee.
An amendment was moved by D. Birch, seconded by M. Mackauer,
"And the terms be staggered for D. Birch and
M. Mackauer to terminate in 1976."
Question was called on the amendment, and a vote taken.
AMENDMENT CARRIED
Question was called on the motion as amended, and a vote taken.
MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED
9. INFORMATION
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is scheduled for
Monday, December 1, 1975, at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting recessed briefly at 10:07 p.m., prior to moving into
Closed Session.
H. M. Evans
Secretary
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