.
DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SENATE OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY HELD
ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1995 IN ROOM 3210 WMX, 7:00 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
Present: ?
Stubbs, J.O., Chair
Alderson, E.
Absent:
?
DAuria, J.
Amason, K.
Dunsterville, V.
Barrow, R.
Giffen, K.
Beattie, S.
Howlett, M.
Blazenko, G.
Jones, C.H.W.
Boland, L.
Lord, T.
Chan, K.
McInnes, D.
Ciconte, R.
Segal, J.
Clayman, B.
Warsh, M.
Dahl, V.
Wickstrom, N.
Dean, C.
Dhir, R.
Dobb, T.
Eaton, C.
Etherington, L.
Gagan, D.
Heinrich, K.
In
attendance:
Jahn, R.
Tietz, J.
Karabotsos, F.
Ward, R.
Keto, D.
W
LeMare, L.
Lewis,
B.
Luk,
W.S.
Marteniulc R.
Mathewes, R.
Mauser, G.
McAskill, I.
Morrison, T.
Naef, B.
Osborne, J.
Percival, P.
Peterson, L
Rawicz, A.
Reed, C.
Ross,
D.
Sanghera, B.
Scharfe, E.
Shapiro, S.
Stewart, M.L.
Underhill, 0.
Wideen, M.
Winne, P.
Yerbury, C. (representing J
.
Blaney)
Heath, N., Acting Secretary
.
Grant, B., Recording Secretary
S.M. 18/09/95
Page
1.
Approval of the Agenda
The Agenda was approved as distributed.
2.
Approval of the Minutes of the Open Session of June 5, 1995
Referring to the top of page 2, it was noted that the name of R. Jahn had been
omitted from the list of newly elected Senators being welcomed by the Chair.
Following the above amendment, the Minutes were approved.
3.
Business Arising from the Minutes
There was no business arising from the Minutes.
4.
Report of the Chair
The Chair welcomed returning Senators to the start of a new semester, and
extended a particular welcome to new Senators D. Gagan, Vice-President,
Academic and B. Lewis, School of Communication.
i) ?
Paper S.95-44 - Financial Statement - For Information
R. Ward, Vice-President, Finance and Administration was in attendance in
order to respond to questions. The Financial Statement was received by
Senate for information.
5.
Report of Committees ?
S
a)
?
Senate Committee on Academic Planning
i)
Paper S.95-45 - Report - SFU Partnership with University College of the
Cariboo - For Information
The -report concerning SFU's partnership with the University College of the
Cariboo was received by Senate for information.
ii)
Paper 5.95-46 - External Review - Department of Philosophy -
J .
Tietz, Chair of the Department of Philosophy was in attendance in order to
respond to questions.
Brief discussion ensued with respect to clarification of a statement concerning
personnel issues, following which the report was received by Senate.
S
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S.M. 18/09/95
Page 3
•b)
Senate Committee on Academic Planning/Senate Graduate Studies
Committee
i)
?
Paper S.95-47 - Graduate Curriculum Revisions - Political Science
Moved by B. Clayman, seconded by E. Alderson
r
recommend approval to the Board of
n S.95-48, the proposed curriculum
Canadian Political Economy
Parties and Ideologies in Canada
Issues in Canadian Government and
Politics
Foreign Policy Analysis
International Security Studies
Issues in Social and Economic Policy
Canadian Provincial Government and
Politics
Canadian Federalism
Development and Administration
Political Parties
Ethnic Politics: A Comparative Approach
Political Elites"
"that Senate approve and
Governors, as set forth
revisions including
New courses: POL 825-5
POL 826-5
POL 827-5
POL 845-5 ?
POL 846-5 ?
POL 856-5 ?
Deletion of: POL 822-5
POL 824-5
POL 854-5
POL 862-5
POL 863-5
POL 864-5
Discussion ensued with respect to how class participation is evaluated, and
how grade appeals would be handled particularly in courses in which such
participation is worth 40% of the grade.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
?
MOTION CARRIED
Senate received information that, acting under delegated authority, the
Senate Graduate Studies Committee has approved change description for POL
801-5, 812-5, 814-5, 821-5, 829-5, 830-5, 838-5, 839-5, 841-5, 842-5, 843-5, 844-5, 851-
5, 852-5, 853-5, 855-5, 893-5, 897-5, 898; change of title and description for 832-5,
861-5; and a change of description and credit hour for 891.
ii) ?
Paper S.95-48 - Graduate Curriculum Changes - Psychology
Moved by B. Clayman, seconded by E. Alderson
"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of
Governors, as set forth in S.95-48, the proposed curriculum
.
?
revisions including
S.M. 18/09/95
Page
i)
Revision to the composition of the Ph.D. Supervisory
Committee
ii) Changes to the Experimental Psychology regulations
regarding timing of the Ph.D. requirements
iii)
New Graduate Course - PSYC 825-2 - Intervention (Ongoing)
iv)
Changes to course requirements in Statistics and Research
Design"
Senate was informed that the proposed changes were relatively minor
housekeeping measures. In response to a concern expressed about the lack of
an external member on the Ph.D. committee, it was noted that the proposed
change was consistent with University regulations and that the Department
uses a number of external practitioners as committee members for their PhD
students but not all students require this particular membership makeup.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
? MOTION CARRIED
iii) Paper S.95-49 - Graduate Curriculum Revisions - Chemistry
Moved by B. Clayman, seconded by L. Boland
"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of
Governors, as set forth in S.95-49, the proposed curriculum
revisions including
i)
Change in credit hours from 4 to 3 for CHEM 805 and 806
ii)
CHEM 806 be graded satisfactory/ unsatisfactory
iii)
Deletion of CHEM 802-3
iv)
Changes to the Degree Requirements for the Masters, Ph.D.,
and transfer from the M.Sc. to the Ph.D."
Senate's attention was drawn to the additional documentation - S.95-49
Appendix - which was distributed prior to the meeting.
Q
uestion
was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION CARRIED
Senate received information that, acting under delegated authority of Senate,
the Senate Graduate Studies Committee has approved change of title and
description for the following courses: CHEM 801-3, 805-3, 806-3.
c) ?
Senate Committee on University Budget
i) ?
Paper S.95-50 - 1995 Budget Report - For Information
K. Heinrich, Chair, Senate Committee on University Budget introduced the
paper by providing Senate with brief background information with respect to
the preparation of the report and the input received from the entire
University community, both academic and non-academic staff.
S.M. 18/09/95
Page 5
Discussion ensued with respect to issues such as hiring of new faculty
members, the difference between budget priority and academic enhancement
funding, and the issue of the registration/ admission deposit. K. Heinrich
stressed that the report simply presented the views of the community and
that SCUB's mandate was not to investigate the feasibility of any issues raised
or make specific recommendations.
The Chair felt that this budget process has worked extremely well and has
involved many more members of the University community each time it has
been undertaken. He wished to thank SCUB members for their efforts, and
extended a special thanks and appreciation to K. Heinrich who has Chaired
SCUB for the past two years and whose term of office comes to an end shortly.
The Chair reported that indications from the Ministry imply that the
University will face a very difficult financial year beginning in April 1996.
The Ministry advises that the University not only should expect cuts in terms
of the reduction of federal transfer payments but should anticipate the
possibility of even larger cuts. University Presidents are working together to
lobby against the situation but expectations are that post-secondary education
is heading into a very difficult financial environment starting next Spring.
Moved by B. Clayman, seconded by S. Shapiro
"that Senate approve the revisions in membership and terms of
reference of the Presidential Search Committee, as set forth in
S.95-51
S. Shapiro provided Senate with brief background information concerning
previous Senate actions which resulted in the proposal being sent back to the
Board of Governors, and advised Senate of the additional revisions
recommended by the Board of Governors.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
?
MOTION CARRIED
R. Barrow requested his opposition to the motion recorded.
ii) ?
Paper S.95-52 - Changes to various Senate Committees
Moved by J
.
Osborne, seconded by R. Dhir
"that Senate approve, as set out in S.95-52, the revised
committee structures and terms of reference for the Senate
II
S.M. 18/09/95
Page 6 ?
V
Committee on Undergraduate Studies (SCUS) and the Senate
Appeals Board (SAB); and the membership and terms of
reference of the Committee to Review Undergraduate
Admissions (CRUA); and the dissolution of the Senate
Undergraduate Admissions Board (SUAB), for implementation
commencing at the beginning of the 96-1 Spring Semester, and
further that Faculties advise SCAR by November 1st, 1995 of the
new procedures and committee structures that will be put in
place within the Faculties to support the revised responsibilities"
J .
Osborne briefly introduced the paper by advising Senate that the intent of
the proposal is to simplify the committee structure for undergraduate studies
so that it mirrors the Senate committee structure for graduate studies, and
divide the function of the Senate Appeals Board to separate out admission
appeals from appeals on academic standing.
Concern was expressed about the large number of members the establishment
of five new committees at the Faculty level represented, especially if these
committees followed the pattern of the SAB, and the time commitment
involved for these members to hear appeals every semester. It was noted that
the time commitment would be reduced since cases would be spread across
Faculties and each Faculty would be dealing with much smaller numbers, and
expectations are that Faculties will not put in place anything as complex or as
large as the Senate Appeals Board. It was also pointed out that as the
University grows it becomes more difficult for a large centralized committee
to be familiar with all the practices within individual Faculties, and it is
hoped that by transferring the initial decision on withdrawal to the Faculty
level, decisions will be made in a forum where people are more familiar with
the program and perhaps even know the student and are familiar with their
circumstance.
In response to an inquiry as to how uniformity in decisions across Faculties
will be ensured, Senate was advised that the process would be similar to the
process followed in cases of academic dishonesty where initial decisions are
made at a local level and there is a centralized appeal body. In addition,
Faculties have been requested to develop procedures concerning this process
and report back to SCAR by November 1st.
Since students will be appealing a decision of the administration, concern was
expressed about the Associate Vice-President, a member of the
administration, chairing CRUA. It was pointed out, however, that this
person does not make admission/re-admission decisions in the first instance
and only votes in case of a tie.
Discussion turned to the terms of reference of SCUS and brief discussion took
place concerning grading /examination practices and course evaluation. It
S.M. 18/09/95
Page 7
•
??
was noted that these were existing terms of reference and that nothing was
?
being changed relative to these issues.
Amendment moved by E. Scharfe, seconded by K. Amason
"that the student membership of CRUA be changed to have
parallel structure to the faculty membership"
The Chair clarified that the intent of the above motion would be to replace
one Student Member and one Student Member Alternate having one-year
terms of office, with two Student Members and one Student Member
Alternate having two-year staggered terms of office.
In response to a concern that two-year terms of office would essentially
eliminate all fourth year students from membership, it was noted that
practice has been for students to remain on committees until they graduate
and then replacement is sought to fill the remainder of the term of office.
Amendment to the amendment was moved by L. Boland, seconded by R.
Dhir
"that the two-year term of office be replaced by one-year term of
office"
Opinion was expressed that a two-year term of office provided consistency
and allowed student members to gain experience to become more effective
participants.
Question was called on the amendment to the amendment,
and a vote taken.
?
AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT FAILED
Question was called on the original amendment as follows:
"that the student membership of CRUA be changed to have
parallel structure to the faculty membership"
Vote taken.
?
ORIGINAL AMENDMENT CARRIED ?
Amendment moved by K. Chan, seconded by R. Dhir
"that the conditions of appointment of student members for
both the Regular and Alternate positions on the Senate Appeals
Board and the Committee to Review Undergraduate
Admissions be changed from Selected by the Student Society to
Elected by Senate"
S.M. 18/09/95
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Page ?
d
Considerable discussion ensued in which a variety of opinions were
expressed about students selected by the Student Society versus students
elected by Senate, and procedures of selection by the Student Society were
explained to Senate.
Question was called on the amendment,
and a vote taken.
?
AMENDMENT CARRIED
Amendment moved by P. Winne, seconded by L. Peterson
"that the quorum of CRUA be changed from two voting
members, to four voting members, in addition to the Chair"
Opinion was expressed that decisions on admission to the University ought
to be made with equal representation of faculty and students and therefore it
was necessary to require a quorum of four. The impracticability of requiring
full membership as quorum was pointed out, and it was suggested that it
would be better to simply refer issues back for further consideration rather
than proceeding to amend matters on the floor of Senate which require very
careful consideration.
Question was called on the amendment,
and
Question
a vote
was
taken.called
?
on the main motion,
AMENDMENT FAILED
?
.
as amended, and a vote taken.
?
MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED
Moved by P. Percival, seconded by L. Boland
"that Senate approve a change in the end dates of terms of office
on Senate Committees from September 30 to May 31, and further
that all current terms of office for members on Senate
Committees should be modified from September 30 to May 31 of
the same year. Elections to fill vacancies at the October meeting
of Senate would have terms of office commencing on that date
and continuing through until May 31 of the appropriate year"
Question was called, and a vote taken.
? MOTION CARRIED
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S.M. 18/09/95
Page 9
Other Business
i) ?
Paper S.95-54 - Vice-President, Research and Dean, Graduate Studies
Search Committee
For this item, J
.
Stubbs vacated the Chair and L. Boland, Vice-Chair of Senate
took over.
Moved by J
.
Osborne, seconded by K. Chan
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors
the composition and terms of reference for the search committee
for the combined position Vice-President, Research and Dean,
Graduate Studies as set out in S.95-54"
J. Stubbs briefly introduced the paper by explaining to Senate that under
current regulations the search process should be in place and underway not
later than 10 months before the expiration of the incumbent's term of office.
He also pointed out that since the offices of the Dean of Graduate Studies and
the Vice-President, Research were fused into one position, it was necessary to
amend the two current search procedures into one. If approved by Senate, the
proposal will go forward to the Board of Governors at its meeting next week
so that the election process can commence immediately following Board
approval.
Amendment moved by K. Amason, seconded by A. Rawicz
"that the undergraduate student be removed from the
membership and replaced by a second graduate student elected
by the graduate student body"
Reference was made to the ex-officio membership position of the President of
the Student Society (or designate) and the suggestion by T. Morrison to insert
the word 'undergraduate' between 'or' and 'designate' was accepted as a
friendly amendment.
Senate's attention was drawn to the old terms of reference which have a
provision for the selection of up to two additional faculty members to ensure
gender representation, and it was noted that the revised terms of reference
have removed this option. Since this was an issue which Senate might like
to consider as an amendment, opinion was expressed that this and the issue
of student membership be taken as expressions of concern and the matter
referred back to SCAR for further consideration. It was felt that proposals
coming before Senate have been given careful consideration as to the
consequence of the action proposed, and concern was expressed about making
I
•6.
S.M. 18/09/95
Page 10
changes that may not always be as well considered when proceeding with
amendments on the floor of Senate which then may not be subject to further
consideration once a vote is taken.
Moved by E. Alderson, seconded by M.L. Stewart
"that Senate move into a Committee of the Whole to allow
open discussion of this issue"
The Chair briefly explained the purpose and consequence of the above
motion.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
?
MOTION FAILED
Question was called on the amendment,
and a vote taken.
?
AMENDMENT CARRIED
Brief discussion took place with respect to issues such as how to ensure
gender representation and the requirement of having an academic
appointment for external candidates.
Question was called on the main motion, ?
MAIN MOTION
as amended, and a vote taken. ? AS AMENDED, CARRIED
J .
Stubbs returned to the Chair.
ii)
In response to an inquiry from T. Morrison for updated information
on the status of the proposed diverse qualifications policy, Senate was advised
that approximately one year ago Senate had referred the issue back to SUAB
and the policy was distributed to the University community for comment.
SUAB reviewed the comments received in the Spring Semester and a sub-
committee was appointed to make changes to the proposal. The sub-
committee has met several times and is ready to refer the revisions back to
the main committee.
iii)
R. Jahn presented a report to Senate concerning the availability in
departments of course outlines prior the start of registration. He explained
that the previous Vice-President, Academic viewed this matter very seriously
and he wished to make D. Gagan aware of this issue.
iv)
K. Amason referred to the proposed Bill of Student Rights which he
wished to distribute to Senators, and advised that copies were available if
anyone had not received a copy prior to the meeting and copies would be
mailed to those Senators not present.
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S.M. 18/09/95
Page 11
• K. Amason also reported that the UBC Alma Mater Society has organized a
march on October 13th, the Trek for Post-Secondary Education, to support
funding for post-secondary education. Anyone interested in more details was
asked to contact him.
7. ?
Information
The next regularly scheduled meeting of Senate will take place on Monday,
October 2, 1995.
The Assembly moved directly into Closed Session at 9:00 p.m.
N. Heath
Acting Secretary of Senate
.
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