S.09-14
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SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
Senate Committee on University Priorities
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Memorandum
TO: Senate
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FROM: ?
Jonathan Driver
Chair, SOUP
Vice President, Academic
RE:
Report on Academic Operations at
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DATE: ?
January 12, 2009
Fraser International College
September 2007 to August 2008 (SCUP 08-41)
At its December 17, 2008 meeting SCUP reviewed the attached Report on Academic
Operations at Fraser International College September 2007 to August 2008, and
requested it be forwarded to Senate for information.
end.
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C.
S. Dench
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SCUP 08-41
OFFICE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT, ACADEMIC AND PROVOST
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S0'
MEMO
ATTENTION:
Senate Committee on University Priorities
FROM: ?
Jon Driver, Vice-President, Academic & Provost
RE:
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Academic Operations at Fraser International Collec 2007/08
DATE: ?
December 8, 2008
The agreement between Simon Fraser University and Navita"td. (the parent
company of Fraser International College) is from 2006 to 2014) Senate
mandated that prior to beginning negotiations for renewal of the contract there
will be monitoring and review of the academic operations, and of the costs and
benefits of the relationship with FIG. As part of the academic oversight and
review process, Senate receives an annual report on the academic operations of
the college. Attached is the annual report providing information for Senate on
academic operations at Fraser International College for the 2007-2008 academic
year.
The number of students enrolled at FIG has grown on track with the enrollment
projections agreed to between SFU and FIG. The college is on track to reach
full enrollment of approximately 1000 students by Fall 2010. SFU is now seeing
a steady flow of students transferring from FIC to SFU in every admissions
intake; 80 students transferred to SFU for Fall 2008, and a further 100 are
anticipated to transfer in January 2009.
It is also worth noting that in the cohort of students who transferred from FIC to
SFU for Fall 2008, six students received scholarships based on strong academic
performance.
Q-.
SIMON FRASrIR UNIVERSITY
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THINKING O z
THE WORLD
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Academic Operations at Fraser International College
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September 2007 to August 2008
In September 2007, Fraser International College (FIC) entered its second year of
operation. In the first semester of operations, FIC offered 4 University Transfer Program
courses (UTP II) from Simon Fraser University, and 3 University Transfer Program
preparatory courses (UTP I). FTC is now offering 24 UTP II courses and 8 UTP I
courses.
Enrollment Issues
FIC is continuing to meet the enrollment projections agreed to with SFU. As of May
2008, FTC had a total of 576 students enrolled. Including the September 2008 intake, the
total number of FTC students is now at 798. Of the FTC students who completed 10
courses as required for transfer, 19 students transferred to SFU for the Fall 2007
semester, 28 students transferred for the Spring 2008 semester, 17 students transferred for
the Summer 2008 semester, and another 80 students transferred for the Fall 2008
semester (Table 1 in Appendix A provides the distribution of FTC transfer students across
SFU Faculties).
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The table below indicates the preferred area of interest for FTC students as declared at
point of admission to FTC. As with SFU students, areas of interest change as FTC
students proceed through their programs, and preferences indicated at admission to FTC
do not reflect subsequent admission to SFU programs. Admission to SFU programs is
based on achievement of specific grade point averages published in FTC recruitment
materials. Guarantees of admission to students transferring to SFU from FTC are set at
2.5 CGPA for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the School of Computing
Science, and 3.0 CGPA for the Faculty of Business Administration. The CGPA for FTC
students is calculated on performance in ten courses, as determined by the admitting
Faculties.
Total FIC students (as of May 2005, includes new and continuing)
Students at FTC now draw from more than 30 countries, as indicated below.
SStudents by Country (as of May 2008)
E
Numbe!j
3.
.1
Belgium
1
Brazil
2
Canada
(non resident)
17
China
375
Colombia
2
Hong Kong
50
India
22
Indonesia
2
Iran
1
Japan
6
Kazakhstan
1
Kenya
4
Korea
27
Macau
1
Malaysia
2
Mauritius
4
Mexico
7
Mongolia
2
Pakistan
4
Peru
1
Philippines
1
Russia
3
Saudi Arabia
3
Sri Lanka
1
Taiwan
21
Thailand
6
Turkey
2
United Kingdom
3
USA
2
Yemen
1
Zambia
1
Total
576
Students from China continue to form the largest cohort of FIC students, primarily due to
two reasons; the relative size of the population in China provides the largest pool of
prospective students to Canada, and SFU's continuing excellent reputation in China.
However, the geographic distribution of students is broadening over time, and is now
better reflecting the geographic diversity SFU is seeking from this flow of international
students. It is expected that the geographic distribution of students admitted to FTC will
continue to diversify and, in particular, the number of students from African and Middle
Eastern countries and India attending FIC will grow. Prospective students from some
countries listed continue to experience delays receiving student visas for study in Canada.
Academic Performance at SFU
Students transferring from FTC to SFU are being tracked by SFU's Office of Institutional
Research and Planning in order to provide semesterly data on academic performance.
S
FIC
transfers
are being tracked against other international students,' and against all other
undergraduate students.
As indicated in Appendix A, attached, academic performance of students transferring
from FTC is equivalent to, or slightly better than, other international undergraduate
students, and FTC transfers are carrying an average credit load equivalent to other
undergraduate students.
The Office of Institutional Research and Planning is including FTC as a college in the
range of reports they produce regarding the academic performance at SFU of students
transferring from BC colleges. Based on aggregated data collected over academic years,
the SFU Profile Reports available through IRP provide a general overview of transfer
students, analysis of academic performance at SFU, inter-college comparisons, and
comparisons with students admitted directly from B.C. secondary schools. From these
reports, comparisons across and between cohorts will be possible.
FIC Student Life
Students at FTC are provided with a high level of personal support, both in adjustment to
living in Canada and to make the transition to academic studies at SFU.
In addition to receiving pre-arrival information, FTC students are provided with arrival
reception services and support finding accommodation. Orientations are held
immediately prior to the beginning of every semester. These sessions are both
informational and networking, and provide FTC students with the necessary logistical
support as they transition to the college. Representatives from SFU Recruitment also
participate in FTC orientation processes.
Due to the small college environment, students are known to FIC staff and instructors,
which allows for early problem identification and intervention. FTC provides ongoing
academic advising to students, and advisors work closely with instructors to address
student needs and support retention. Students may also access a range of co-curricular
workshops throughout the semester in areas such as time management and study skills.
Students may self-select academic supports, or may be referred to these by their
instructors or advisors when a need is identified or suspected.
As part of the supports and academic programming offered to FIC students, a program
similar to SFU's English Bridge Program has been established. Preparation in Academic
Skills in English (PAS) provides English language training for students who are admitted
to FTC but require additional language training to upgrade their facility with English.
Upon successful completion of PAS, students then move into the university transfer
program at FTC. The PAS program has been developed and supervised by the Director of
SFU's English Bridge Program and operates at the same academic level as EBP, in order
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to ensure the students are adequately prepared for study in English at SFU.
As students move toward completion of their studies at FTC and prepare applications for
admission to SFU, customized information sessions with SFU representatives are
6.
conducted for students. In these sessions, students are provided with information about
major and course selection, and other academic advising as required.
Students at FIC indicated an interest in forming a group to provide leadership and social
organization for their peers. To this end, the FIC Student Committee was formed, with
support from the FTC administration. The Student Committee meets at least once per
semester, with additional meetings as required for event planning. All committee
members serve as Students Leaders and volunteers at events such as orientation and
graduation. There are currently
5
students on the committee.
The Student Committee provides feedback to the FTC administration on student issues
heard from their peers, and the group brainstorms ideas for possible implementation at
FIC in the future. With support from the FIC administration, the committee has
undertaken planning some social activities for FTC students but do find this challenging
as they balance these activities with their academic obligations.
Instructional Issues
Courses and student headcounts per course (as of June 2008)
BUS 251 (5 sections)
110
CMNS 110
32
CMPT 120 (2 sections)
59
CMPT 125
15
CMPT 150
22
CRIM 101 (2 sections)
71
ECON 103 (6 sections)
229
ECON 105 (3 sections)
75
ENGL 101 (2 sections)
37
ENGL 105 (3 sections)
80
HIST 102 (2 sections)
50
HSCI 160
41
KIN 140 (2 sections)
47
MACM 101 (2 sections)
49
MATH 100 (3 sections)
120
MATH 151
21
MATH 152
33
MATH 157 (3 sections)
105
PHIL 001 (4 sections)
162
POL 100 (2 sections)
54
P0L241
17
PSYC 099
26
STAT 203 (2 sections)
80
WL 102 (2 sections)
68
Feedback Mechanisms
FTC instructors are employed by FTC, and have qualifications comparable to SFU
sessional instructors. Many of the instructional staff hired by FTC are also teaching at
SFU or local public colleges, most have previous experience teaching international
students, and instructors have been recommended to FIC by the SFU department.
FIC collects ongoing informal feedback and formal course evaluations from course
coordinators (who are SFU faculty members), instructors, and students at the end of
every semester in which courses are offered. Instructor feedback focuses on the overall
quality of student performance, the degree to which course material was suited and
challenging to the students, and any other issues instructors find relevant to course
management. Instructors have provided semesterly feedback to FTC and to SFU course
coordinators indicating that student performance at FIC is within reasonable expectations
for university level work (normal distribution), and at a level comparable with
international students attending other BC colleges.
SFU departmental course coordinators provide advice and regular liaison with FTC
instructors and administrators in order to ensure academic equivalency of FIC courses.
SFU academic units whose courses are taught by FTC appoint a course coordinator at
least 4 weeks prior to the beginning of the semester.
Course coordinators are asked to provide comment on any issues relevant to ensure
ongoing course equivalency and maintain academic standards, and are specifically asked
to comment on instructor-student dynamics and academic comparability of FIC students
to SFU students. Overall, course coordinators have stated that FTC students are
performing ou a level equivalent to other international students admitted directly or
transferring to SFU from other colleges, and that the academic standards in the FIC
courses are equivalent to those at SFU.
Student feedback on evaluations has indicated that the majority of students find the
courses interesting and challenging. Students have also noted their appreciation of the
academic supports provided, related to the pedagogy, instructor availability, and the co-
curricular offerings at FIC.
Academic Advisory Committee
Chaired by SFU's Vice President Academic, the AAC has met once a semester since the
opening of FTC. The membership and terms of reference of this committee (revised in
November 2007 based on feedback from Senate, as indicated in italics) are included as
Appendix B of this report. Issues addressed at meetings have included regular semesterly
reports from FTC on enrollment and academic performance, and discussion of the quality
assurance mechanisms in place to maintain academic standards equivalent to SFU's.
S
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Appendix A
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Academic Performance of Transferring Students from FIC
Academic Status of Students who Enter SFU from the Fraser International College (FIC):
Status at the End of the Summer 2008 Term jerm 1084) of Students who Registered in 1084.
rable 1: Students from FtC
i'#:/Averàge
w% of Students c
Total Number of Students
SC
Average Credit Load :.
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9.3
Average CGPA
2.55
Academic Status ii
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GAS
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•.:
86
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OAP/CAP
4
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.....
.RTw/Pw•
N/A
._9_
Faculty (see note S):
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APSC
4
8%
ARTS
25
50%
BUS
19
38%
EDUC
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0
09
HSCI
0
0%
SCI
2
4%
Intake
g
e
emecfer
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m
'
#Regied#InOriginat:.0
'Th,%erster
Q;W.
1077
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1. ?
-
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19
1081
'0
";'27
4
.
1084
.
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..-
Notes
1.
At present there is a pilot program (the Student Success Program, SSP) that offers some FiTW students the
chance to remain at $Fl.J if they agree to participate in the program. Out to this program, some students who
qualify
as
RTW students have their academic Standing Changed to
OAP/CAP
while they are in the SSP. As such, this
table may underestimate she number of RIW students, and overestimate the number of OAP/CAP students.
2.
Students with fewer than 9 credits at
SFU
may not be assigned an academic standing. Also, students who are
only taking practicum and certain other types of specialty courses in a given semester will not be assigned an
academic standing in that semester. Finally, the total number of enrolled students is taken as of the end
of
the
third week of classes. However, Students who subsequently drop all of their classes will not be assigned an
academic standing for the semester.
3. Students registered in more than one Faculty are included in all applicable Faculties.
4. Note that FtC students nave only been admitted to SPU since Fall 2007, whereas international students may have
been admitted much further in the past. As such, the average student in this table has had less time to experience
certain outcomes (such as OAP and RIW) than the average international Student in Table 2.
S. Source: Jessica Tilley, Institutional Researcll and Planning,
S:'Jessica\Fraser
Intl College Report\hc_data.prg
6. Date: November 7. 2008
P
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Academic Status of All International Students (excluding FIC)
Status at the End of the Summer 2008 Term (Term 1084) of Students who Registered in 1084
-r
k; '. All ToPrntinfll
tlnderaraduate Students (excluding FIC)
Total Number of Students
1461
Average Credit Load
8.9
Average CGPA
2.60 ?
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Academic Status
(see notes 1,2;:
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GAS
OAP/CAP
114
9°o
- - - _RLWLPW
- -----
-
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-
'N/A•.-••
Faculty
see note 3i
APSC
292
20%
ARTS
610
42%
BUS
394
27%
EDUC
7
00/0
HSCI
8
1%
SCI
164
11°/n
Notes:
1.
At present there is a pilot program (the Student Success Program, SSP) that offers some R.TW students the
chance to remain at SF11 ifthey agree to participate in the program. Due to this program, some students who
qualify as R.TW students have their academic standing changed to OAR/CAP while they are in the SSP. As such,
this table may underestimate the number of RTW students, and overestimate the number of OAF/CAP students.
2.
Students with fewer than 9 credits at SFU may not be assigned an academic standing. Also, students who
are only taking practicum and certain other types of specialty courses in a given semester will not be assigned
an academic standing in that semester. Finally, the total number of enrolled students is taken as of the end of
the third week of classes. However, students who subsequently drop all of their classes will not be assigned an
academic standing for the Semester.
3.
Students registered in more than one Faculty are included in all applicable Faculties.
4.
Note that PlC students have only been admitted to SF11 since Fall 2007, whereas international students may
have been admitted much further in the past. As such, the average student in this table has had more time to
experience certain outcomes (such as OAR and RTW) than the average PlC student in Table 1.
S. Source: Jessica Tilley, Institutional Research and Planning, S:\Jeosica\Fraser
Intl College Report\flC_data.prg
6. Date: November 7, 2008
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Appendix B
SFU-FI C
Academic Advisory Committee
Membership
Chair
Jonath.a Driver (previously John Waterhouse)
Three (3) members nominated by the University
Doug Allan (replaced in September 2008 by Tom Grieve)
Maureen Fizzell (replaced in September 2008 by Colleen Collins)
Nancy Johnston
Three (3) members nominated by the College
Bev Hudson
Barbara Davis-Leigh
Victoria Heron
Committee
Sarah Dench
manager
or designate
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•
Terms of Reference
The Academic Advisory Committee shall be responsible for providing advice to the
College and the University regarding the University Transfer Program. It will also decide
on:
• the manner in which reports are referred back to each of the University and the
College;
• the frequency with which it meets, and
• establishing its terms of reference which shall include provision for regular
consultation with students.
This Committee will be responsible for tracking and reporting on the following:
1)
The academic performance of students who transfer from FIC to SFU;
2)
The number of students who transfer to SFU, their country of origin, the
programs into which they transfer, and the number who transfer to other
institutions;
3)
SFU will report annually on activities taken to increase international student
recruitment and retention.
4)
An analysis of increases to departmental workloads resulting from academic
oversight of FIC;
5) Any concerns that FIC instructors have regarding working conditions;
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6) FIC will provide statistical information to SFU regarding diversity, including
issues such as disability accommodation.
In the case
of
unresolved disputes related to academic matters such as academic
dishonesty, academic appeals, disability accommodation, and academic freedom, the
A.AC will review, and facilitate resolution. In seeking resolution, the AAC will be guided
by SFU's policies and regulations.
The AAC will meet semesterly.
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