.
DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE
Minutes of a Meeting of the Senate of Simon Fraser University held on?
Monday, January 9, 2006 at
5:30
pm in Room 3210 WMC
Open Session
Present:
Stevenson, Michael, President and Chair of Senate
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Absent:
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Apaak, Clement
Breden, Felix
Brennand, Tracy
Caufield, Sarah
Corbett, Kitty
Delgrande, James
Fleming-Saraceno, David
Gordon, Robert
Grimmett, Peter
Halpern, Erica
Hayes, Michael
Honda, Barry
Javed, Wasseem
Louie, Brandt
Magee, Sean
McArthur, James
Pinto, Mario
Scott, Jamie
van Baarsen, Amanda
Williams, Peter
Black, Sam
Budd, James
Dickinson, John
Dickinson, Peter
Easton, Stephen
Easter, Martin
Fizzell, Maureen
Gordon, Irene
Harder, Derrick
Haun cr1 and, Norbert
Heift, Trude (re p resenting J. Driver)
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Joffres, Michel
Krane, Bill
LaBrie, John
Lewis, Brian
Love, Ernie
MacKenzie, Christine
MacLean, David
Owen, Brian (representing L. Copeland)
Percival, Cohn
Percival, Paul
Pierce, John
Plischke, Michael
Schellenberg, Betty
Shaker, Paul
Smith, Don
Tilley, Kevin
Uhlmann, Sasha
Warner, D'Arcy
Waterhouse, John
Weeks, Daniel
Wong, Josephine
Woodbury, Robert
Zandvliet, David
In attendance:
Anderson, Gail
Davison, Allan
Kawasaki, Tsuyoshi
MacAlister, David
Perry, Tom
Taboada, Maite
Heath, Ron, Registrar
Watt, Alison, Director, University Secretariat
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Grant, Bobbie, Recording Secretary
S.M. 9 January 2006
Page 2
Approval of the Agenda
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Following the withdrawal of agenda item 6.A.vi - Senate paper S.06-6 - Cohort Special
Arrangements Program - Master of Global Health, and the addition of an item under
Other Business - Search Committee for the Associate Vice-President, Students and
International, the Agenda was approved.
2.
Approval of the Minutes of the Open Session of December
5,
2005
The Minutes were approved as distributed.
3.
Business Arising from the Minutes
There was no business arising from the Minutes.
4.
Report of the Chair
The Chair reported that a series of questions regarding issues affecting post-secondary
education had been sent by AUCC to all parties in the Federal election. Detailed replies
are available on the web site of AUCC. In general, responses suggest that all parties take
higher education very seriously and support improvements in funding. The Chair also
reported that he had been in touch with all candidates running in the Lower Mainland
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with respect to the same issues. Local candidates were provided background information
with an invitation to contact him if they wished to pursue any of the issues in detail.
The Chair reported that detailed discussions about funding are currently taking place with
the Provincial Government. The Perrin Assessment and Review of the last funding
letters to universities resulted in recommendations similar to those of the TUPC. The
Ministry and Treasury Board have authorized adjustments that should provide
universities some short-term relief this year. Although recommendations for continuing
and sustained funding are still unknown, there appears to be a commitment to follow
through on the Accessibility Plan to add 25,000 seats in higher education, and there is
acknowledgement that proper funding for this expansion needs to be in place. Detailed
budget consultations within the university will begin this month and funding letters are
expected to be received following the next budget.
In a report on the activities of the Board of Governors, the Chair advised that the Board
had approved the Ethical Procurement Policy.
5.
Question Period
In response to a question as to whether the TUPC report referred to by the Chair was
available, the Chair indicated that since the report was advice to the Minister there may
be issues around confidentiality, but it was suggested that the Vice-President Finance and
Administration be contacted in this regard.
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S.M. 9 January 2006
Page 3
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6. ?
Reports of Committees
A) ?
Senate Committee on University Priorities
i)
Paper S.06-1 - Extended Minor in the Asia-Canada Program and deletion of the
Asia-Canada Minor
Motion 1
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by J. Pierce
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the
proposal for an Extended Minor in the Asia-Canada program, in the
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences"
T. Kawasaki, Political Science/Humanities, and T. Perry, Associate Dean, were in
attendance in order to respond to questions.
The question was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION CARRIED
Motion 2
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by J. Pierce
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the
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? proposal to delete the Asia-Canada Minor program in the Faculty of Arts
and Social Sciences"
The question was called, and a vote taken.
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MOTION CARRIED
ii)
Paper S.06-2 - Collaborative Major in First Nations Studies between SFU and
Thompson Rivers Universit
y
. and Post Baccalaureate Diploma in First Nations
Studies
Motion I
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by J. Pierce
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the proposal
for a Collaborative Major in First Nations Studies in the Faculty of Arts and
Social Sciences, between SFU (Kamloops) and Thompson Rivers University"
T. Perry, Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, was in attendance in order
to respond to questions.
The question was called, and a vote taken.
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MOTION CARRIED
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S.M. 9 January 2006
Page 4
Motion 2
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by J. Pierce
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the
proposal for a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in First Nations Studies in the
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences"
The question was called, and a vote taken.
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MOTION CARRIED
iii)
Paper S.06-3 - Minor in Legal Studies, and Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Legal
Studies
Motion 1
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by J. Pierce
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the
proposal for a Minor in Legal Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Social
Sciences"
G. Anderson and D. MacAlister from the School of Criminology were in attendance.
The question was called, and a vote taken.
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MOTION CARRIED
Motion
Moved by
2
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J. Waterhouse, seconded by J. Pierce
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"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the
proposal for a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Legal Studies in the Faculty
of Arts and Social Sciences"
The question was called, and a vote taken.
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MOTION CARRIED
iv)
Paper S.06-4 Joint Major in Computational Linguistics in the Faculties of Arts
and Social Sciences and Applied Sciences
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by S. Hunsdale
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the
proposal for a Joint Major in Computational Linguistics in the Faculty of
Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Applied Sciences".
M. Taboada, Department of Linguistics, was in attendance.
A question arose with respect to the Topics in Linguistics courses on page 4 concerning
how it would be decided whether these courses would be "suitable" for this program and
what happened if a suitable topic was not offered. Senate was advised that the suitability
S.M. 9 January 2006
Page
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• of topics would be decided by the Department, and even if neither of these courses were
offered with suitable topics, the Department offers computational content courses on a
regular basis that would provide options to students to fit their requirements.
A concern was raised that this is a very specialized area that most students would be
unaware of when entering the University and they might lack adequate preparation. M.
Taboada noted that different entry levels into the program were anticipated, and the
Department felt that first and second year students would have no difficulty entering the
program and fulfilling the requirements. It was noted that Cognitive Science is another
program that students become acquainted with in their first and second years, and this
program was quite popular with good enrolment. In response to a question about whether
Computational Linguistics would draw enrolments away from Cognitive Science, Senate
was advised that although there is some overlap in requirements and there is a question as
to whether students would be allowed to major in both programs, the Department did not
feel that the programs would interfere with each other.
The question was called, and a vote taken.
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MOTION CARRIED
V) ?
Paper S.06-5 - Graduate Diploma in Global Health
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by D. MacLean
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the proposal
for a Graduate Diploma in Global Health in the Faculty of Health Sciences"
A. Davison, Faculty of Health Sciences, and D. MacLean, Senator and Dean of the
Faculty of Health Sciences were available to respond to questions.
With reference to the statement on page 2 concerning budgetary discussions being in
progress, Senate was advised that full budgetary discussions have now been concluded.
It was noted that the content of GLOH 510 might be challenging for students who would
be returning to University after working for some time in the health field, and a question
arose as to whether there were plans to provide tutorial support for this course. Senate
was advised that the course was fairly basic and unlikely to require that kind of support.
However, if this problem arose the Faculty would take steps to address it.
The question was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION CARRIED
vi) ?
Paper S.06-6 - Cohort Special Arrangements Program - Master of Global Health
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The above-noted paper was withdrawn from the Agenda.
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S.M. 9 January 2006
Page 6
vii) ?
Paper S.06-7 - Merck Frosst Chair in Statistics and Information Sciences for
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases
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Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by D. MacLean
"that Senate approve the terms of reference for the Merck Frosst Chair in
Statistics and Information Sciences of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal
Diseases in the Faculty of Health Sciences"
A senator asked whether there would be further discussion of this item at the Board, and
was advised by the Chair that there would be further consideration of the terms of
reference since they also require the approval of the Board of Governors.
The question was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION CARRIED
B)
Senate Committee on Continuing Studies
i) ?
Paper S.06-8 - Annual Report (For Information)
J. LaBrie, Senator and Dean of Continuing Studies was available to respond to questions.
The Annual Report of the Senate Committee on Continuing Studies was received by
Senate for information without discussion.
C)
Senate Graduate Studies Committee
1) ?
Paper S.06-9 - Faculty of Education - Graduate Curriculum Revisions (For
Information)
Senate received information that the Senate Graduate Studies Committee, acting under
delegated authority, approved a change in prerequisite for EDUC 876 and a minor
Calendar change concerning the composition of the Ed.D. supervisory committee.
D)
Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies
i) ?
Paper S.06-110 - Change to Admission Requirements to the Faculty of Arts and
Social Sciences
Motion 1
Moved by C. MacKenzie, seconded by J. Pierce
"that Senate approve a change to the requirements for admission to the
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) such that effective Fall 2006,
students currently enrolled in other Faculties at SFU must have a GPA of
2.0 or greater to enter the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences"
The question was called, and a vote taken.
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MOTION CARRIED ?
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S.M. 9 January 2006
Page 7
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Motion 2
Moved by C. MacKenzie, seconded by I. Gordon
"that Senate approve a change to the requirements for admission to FASS so
that effective immediately, if a student withdraws or is required to withdraw,
and if the student is, at that time, in the FASS, and if that student is
subsequently readmitted to the University, s/he shall be permitted to re-enter
FASS, even though their SFU CGPA is less than 2.00"
After various questions were posed about the rationale for this policy a lengthy
discussion ensued. Several senators provided information about this matter, indicating
that it was intended for those who had been required to withdraw and their GPA was
below 2.0. In most cases, these students attend another institution and do better in their
academic work but when they return to SFU their original GPA is still below 2.0. By
this motion, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences was prepared to provide a
mechanism for FASS students to seek readmission to the University but was not prepared
to accept students who had been required to withdraw from other programs. Students of
other Faculties would be in a different situation, such as Business Administration
students who are required to maintain a 2.25 CGPA. A Business student whose grades
drops below 2.0 and is required to withdraw, could not now be re-admitted to the
University in FASS.
Another senator asked whether a student who is re-admitted under these conditions would
be put immediately back on academic probation, and the Registrar indicated that the
student would be on academic probation until such time as his/her CGPA improves and is
above 2.0.
The question was called, and a vote taken.
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MOTION CARRIED
Motion 3
Moved by C. MacKenzie, seconded by J. Pierce
"that Senate approve a change to the requirements for admission to FASS so
that effective immediately, students in Science and Tech One may not transfer
into the FASS until the end of the second semester following their admission
to the Science One or Tech One programs"
Reference was made to the statement in the rationale for this motion that implied
problems in the Surrey programs, and a Senator expressed the opinion that it might be
better to address that issue rather than approve the current motion. Senate was advised
that there had been an unprecedented situation in which students who were not qualified
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to be admitted to other programs had been admitted into the Tech One program, and then
S.M. 9 January 2006
Page 8
had transferred into FASS after only one semester. The proposal is designed to address
this situation and preserve the integrity of the cohort nature of the Surrey programs.
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Brief discussion followed with respect to admission requirements for Surrey and whether
similar restrictions were being considered for the Surrey Explorations program. It was
noted that both Science One and the Surrey Explorations programs had the same
admission standards as other programs on the Burnaby campus. A question arose as to
why FASS was the only Faculty included in the motion, since presumably students could
transfer into other Faculties in the same way. Senate was advised that the other Faculties
have not experienced any problems, and if problems arose in the future they would be
addressed on a Faculty by Faculty basis.
The question was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION CARRIED
b)
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Paper S.06-11 - Undergraduate Curriculum Revisions - Faculty of Arts and
?
Social Sciences
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting
under delegated authority, approved new courses, and minor changes in programs and
requirements in the following departments/programs: Archaeology, Chinese Studies,
Cognitive Science, Contemporary Arts, Economics, English, French, Geography,
History, Latin American Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Sustainable Community
Development. SCUS also approved, under delegated authority, certified Writing,
Quantitative and Breadth courses in a variety of departments/programs; and changes to
FASS breadth requirements effective Fall 2006.
Considerable discussion took place with respect to what impact the requirement of an
additional 12 credit hours of breadth would have on a student whose major was outside of
Arts but was doing an extended minor in Arts. It was noted that FASS already had a
requirement of 30 credits of breadth outside their discipline and the intent of the change
was to specify that 18 credit hours is to be designated breadth and the remaining 12 credit
hours would be general breadth. Furthermore, the Registrar explained that a student
completing a major in Science with an extended minor in Arts, must meet the Science
requirements for the major, but would not be subject to the 30 credit hours of breadth for
students majoring in FASS. It was stressed that the change did not have a negative
impact on students doing extended minors.
The Chair suggested that the Registrar's clarification be included in the minutes to
provide an understanding of the change and suggested that the Committee might want to
review the wording so that the legislation was clearly understood by students and faculty.
Referring to item g. Department of English, Senate was advised that the credit hours for
ENGL 399 should be 3 instead of 4. The Chair noted the change and advised that the
correction would be made.
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S.M. 9 January 2006
Page 9
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ii) ?
Faculty of Business Administration
Paper S.06-12 - Prerequisite changes to existing courses (For Information)
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting
under delegated authority, approved prerequisite changes for BUS 237, 251, and 272.
iii) ?
Paper S.06-13 - Enrolment Priority System
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting
under delegated authority, approved changes to the enrolment priority system for new
transfer students for a three semester trial period beginning Spring 2006. The change will
give new transfer students an enrolment appointment that is approximately the same as
that of continuing students with 60 credits. Senate was advised that students transferring
into SFU currently had little registration priority in their first semester and this change
would ensure they would be treated more fairly.
E)
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Senate Nominating Committee
i) ?
Paper S.06-14— Elections
Senate was advised that one nomination had been received and Derrick Harder was
elected by acclamation to the position on the Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules.
There were no other nominations. Vacancies will be carried forward to the next meeting.
7. ?
Other Business
J. Waterhouse advised Senate that the newly created position of Associate Vice-
President, Students and International had been filled on an acting basis until August 3 1,
2006, and in order to facilitate a timely search, the permission of Senate was requested to
move ahead with the search process. The search process would be governed by the
existing policy GP 29 Search Committees for Vice-Presidents and Associate Vice-
Presidents and the proposed composition of the search committee would be similar to
other Associate Vice-President positions. If Senate had concerns with the proposed
composition, the Vice-President, Academic stated he would be prepared to postpone this
item to the next meeting of Senate when a revision to GP 29 could be brought forward.
In response to a question as to whether the election of students would be conducted
concurrent with the regular student elections this semester, Senate was advised that if the
process was to go ahead, the election process would start immediately.
A Student Senator noted that students were usually selected by the Student Society rather
than elected by the student population at large, and an inquiry was made as to why the
process for student representation on this committee differed. A further question was
raised as to which other committees required elections. The Vice-President, Academic
advised that the process for student representation appeared to depend on the position
being searched, and although he did not have detailed information on other committees'
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memberships at hand, he would be pleased to provide the information at a later date.
S.M. 9 January 2006
Page 10
It was pointed out that normally Senate voted on changes to policy such as this, and a
clarification was requested as to why this was being presented to Senate for information.
Senate was advised that permission was being sought to proceed with establishing the
committee so that a timely search could be undertaken, and that a motion would be
brought to Senate to approve the changes in policy at a later date. Following brief
discussion, the Chair reiterated that the search process would proceed with a call for
nominations, and that the appropriate adjustments in policy would be brought forward to
Senate at the next meeting.
8. ?
Information
The date of the next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, February 6, 2006.
Open Session adjourned at
6:35
pm and Senate moved directly into Closed Session.
Alison Watt, Director, University Secretariat
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