DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE
Minutes of a meeting of the Senate of Simon Fraser University held on
?
Monday, March
5,
2007 at 7:00 pm in Room 3210 WMC
.
Present:
Stevenson, Michael, President and Chair
Black Sam
Breden, Felix
Brennand, Tracy
Copeland, Lynn
Corbett, Kitty
Dagenais, Diane
Deigrande, John
Dickinson, Peter
Driver, Jon
Easton, Stephen
Ester, Martin
Fizzell, Maureen
Fox, Graham
Francis, June
Gordon, Irene
Gordon, Robert
Gregory, Titus
Harder, Derrick
Haunerland, Norbert
Hayes, Michael
Honda, Barry
Javed, Waseem
Joes, Michel
Krane, Bill
LaBrie, John
Lewis, Brian
Lewis, Glyn
Mathewes, Rolf (representing M. Plischke)
Percival, Cohn
Percival, Paul
Peters, Joseph
Pierce, John
Russell, Robert
Schellenberg, Betty
Shaker, Paul
Shermer, Thomas
Smart, Carolyn
Smith, Don
Vaid, Bhuvinder
van Baarsen, Amanda
Warner, D'Arcy
Waterhouse, John
Zandvliet, David
Open Session
Absent:
Caufield, Sarah
Dunnet, Margo
Gencay, Ramo
Kelly, Vanessa
Li, Wei
Liljedahi, Peter
Louie, Brandt
MacKenzie, Christine
MacLean, David
McArthur, James
Pinto, Mario
Rebman, Rachelle
Weeks, Daniel
Williams, Peter
In attendance:
Fee, Jane
Glasser, Uwe
Harestad, Alton
Jones, John
Schulte, Oliver
Sterling, Lisa
Waddell, Charlotte
Woodbury, Rob
Wrenn, Phyllis
Ross, Kate, Registrar and Senior Director, Student Enrolment
. ?
Watt, Alison, Director, University Secretariat
Grant, Bobbie, Recording Secretary
S.M.
5
March 2007
Page 2
A
The
pproval
Agenda
of
was
the Agendaapproved
?
as distributed.
•
2. ?
Approval of the Minutes of the O
p
en Session of Februar
y
5,
2007
The Minutes were approved as distributed.
Business Arisin
g
from the Minutes
There was no business arising from the Minutes.
4.
Report of the Chair
The Chair reported that Provincial funding for higher education continues to expand. In
addition to the continuation of 25,000 seat accessibility funding for both infrastructure
and enrolment, the Government has committed funding for an increase of 2,500 graduate
student enrolments over four years. Although allocation details have not yet been
determined, it is known that these enrolments will be targeted between science and non-
science (60/40 split) and the seats will be allocated on a competitive basis. The
Government has also established
I
graduate fellowships and graduate internships which
will fund graduate students and their faculty advisors/mentors on projects linked to
industrial applications.
Although there was a cause for celebration in terms of the attention and weight of
financial resources being allocated to post-secondary education, the Chair wished to
stress that the funding formula still does not include inflation considerations and the
University's budget remains in a certain amount of difficulty.
5.
question Period
In response to an inquiry for a progress update on the Task Force on Faculty Structure
and the construction of the new buildings north of Strand Hall, the following information
was provided.
Following several meetings of the Phase 2 Task Force, a call for proposals was issued to
members of the university community and a one day workshop dealing with the question
of how to better support interdisciplinary research and teaching programs has been
scheduled for March 23, 2007. Several working groups will be formed in the near future
to consider the specific proposals that have been received for reconfiguring departments
and Faculties within the University.
The Arts and Social Sciences building is scheduled for completion in time for the start of
the summer semester but there is some doubt that the contractor can meet that deadline.
The Health Sciences building is scheduled to be completed in May/June 2008 and
appears to be on schedule and on budget.
6.
Reports of Committees
A) ?
Senate Committee on Universit
y
Priorities
i) ?
Paper S.07-28 - External Review - De
partment
of French
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by J. Pierce
S.M.
5
March 2007
Page 3
• ?
"that Senate approve the recommendations from the Senate Committee
on University Priorities concerning advice to the Department of French
and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences on priority items
resulting from the External Review"
P. Wrenn, Chair, Department of French, was in attendance to respond to questions.
The question was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION CARRIED
ii)
Paper S.07-29 - External Review - School of Com
putin g
Science
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by B. Lewis
"that Senate approve the recommendations from the Senate Committee
on University Priorities concerning advice to the School of Computing
Science and the Dean of Applied Sciences on priority items resulting
from the External Review"
U. Glasser, Director, School of Computing Science, was in attendance to respond to
questions.
The question was called, and a vote taken.
?
MOTION CARRIED
iii)
Paper
S.07-30 - External Review - Environmental Science Program
0 ?
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by I. Gordon
"that Senate approve the recommendations from the Senate Committee
on University Priorities concerning advice to the Environmental Science
Program and the Dean of Science on priority items resulting from the
External Review"
A. Harestad, Program Director, was in attendance in order to respond to questions.
Reference was made to the negative comments about the program which were made by
the external reviewers. The view was expressed that given the constraints on the program,
it was very successful in that enrolments were high. Furthermore, students in the
program were finding no difficulty in securing Co-op placements and appeared to be
highly employable.
A concern was expressed about the process and how the recommendations were arrived
at. Particular reference was made to the recommendation concerning Faculty and
Department structure. It was suggested that the related departments in question should
have fully participated in the process, and that related Faculty Deans should also have
been consulted. It was pointed out that the recommendation encourages these units to
participate in examining the possibility of a different departmental/faculty structure.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
?
MOTION CARRIED
r
S.M.
5
March 2007
Page
4
iv)
Paper
S.07-31 - Joint Major and Joint Honors Pro
g
ram in Computing Science
and Philosophy
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by M. Hayes
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the
proposal for a Joint Major and Joint Honors in Computing Science and
Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of
Applied Sciences"
0. Schulte, Department of Philosophy and School of Computing Science, was in
attendance in order to respond to questions.
It was pointed out that in order to be consistent with requirements in the Department of
Philosophy, the credit hours shown on page
5
and 6 for the lower division requirements
for both the major and the honors degree, should read
'15'
instead of '16'. 0. Schulte
advised Senate that at the request of SCUP, the 15 had been changed to 16 credit hours. It
was felt that approval of the program should not be held up by this discrepancy but
members of the related departments were asked to follow-up and resolve the issue.
In response to an inquiry, Senate was advised that students completing this joint program
could choose to receive either a B.A. or a B.Sc. degree.
Brief discussion took place about the course requirements and, in some Senators'
opinions, the prescriptiveness of the program.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
?
MOTION CARRIED
v)
Paper S.07-32 - M.Sc. Concentration in Global Health
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by M. Hayes
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors the
proposal for a new Global Health concentration within the M.Sc. in
Population and Public Health in the Faculty of Health Sciences"
M. Joffres, Senator and Graduate Program Chair, Faculty of Health Sciences, was
available to respond to questions.
Brief discussion took place with respect to how students in the program were funded and
the nature of the global content. Examples were provided of the current placements of
students around the world
Question was called, and a vote taken.
?
MOTION CARRIED
vi)
Pap
er S.07-33 - Children's Health Polic
y
Centre
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by M. Hayes
?
0
S.M.
5
March 2007
Page
5
• ?
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors the
creation of the Children's Health Policy Centre as a Schedule A Centre
within the Faculty of Health
Sciences"
C. Waddell, Faculty of Health Sciences, was in attendance in order to respond to
questions.
Reference was made to page 4 and clarification was requested as to what was meant by
the term 'affiliate appointments'. Following determination that affiliate appointments
referred to affiliate memberships, inquiry was made as to whether it was appropriate for
the Director alone to approve such memberships. Senate was advised that the intent was
that memberships would be determined in a participatory, democratic process but the
Director would have responsibility for the oversight of the whole process. In response to
an inquiry about the distinction between core and affiliate memberships, Senate was
advised that the intent was to recognize core persons making a full time commitment to
the work and issues related to the Centre and to encourage participation of a wider group
through an affiliate category. It was suggested that those responsible for the Centre
should consider moving to more of a consensus model of membership, rather than the
hierarchical structure of affiliate and core members contained in the present constitution.
Reference was made to the proposed establishment of primary appointments to the Centre
and inquiry was made as to whether there was an intention for the Centre to become a
department. Senate was informed that there was no such intention. Research staff were
considered an essential part of the Centre and a primary association through a full or part
• ?
time job provided support and continuity for faculty and research programs.
A general concern was expressed about the proliferation of centres and institutes being
established without a lot of structure and operational commonality. A suggestion was
made that the Faculty Structure Task Force might look at this issue with a view to
bringing more coherence to the establishment of these units.
Brief discussion took place with respect to the section on funding on page 4. There was
no objection to a suggestion to insert the words "research grants" after the words "peer
reviewed".
Question was called, and a vote taken.
?
MOTION CARRIED
vii)
?
Pa p
er S.07-34 - First Nations Universit y -wide Strate g
ic Plan
Prior to moving the motion, Senate was advised that the motion should be amended to
include recommendation to the Board of Governors.
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by A. van Baarsen
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors the
proposed First Nations University-wide Strategic Plan"
L. Sterling, Special Advisor to the Vice President Academic and Director, Aboriginal
Affairs, was in attendance in order to respond to questions.
S.M.
5
March 2007
Page 6
Questions arose with respect to the consultation process with First Nations communities.
Senate was advised that Elders, who subsequently consulted with their Chiefs,
participated during the two year consultation period. There was also a meeting with
approximately 100 Chiefs in the Province but the final draft before Senate has not been
circulated to the outside community.
In response to questions about the hiring process and whether leaders in the native
community would be involved in the appointment process, Senate was advised that
SFU's normal appointment procedures would be followed but there was nothing in the
policies prohibiting consultation and input from relevant communities.
Reference was made to the third point of the First Nations Guiding Principles on page
25,
and an inquiry was made as to whether the support mentioned existed or whether this was
a statement of policy. It was pointed out that Senate had approved Appendix B several
years ago as a statement of policy and one of the reasons for moving the Plan forward at
this time and establishing the First Nations office was to take advantage of the various
Government programs being developed around funding for First Nations faculty, students
and programs. An opinion was expressed that any internal grants created by the
University should involve the Senate Policy Committee on Scholarships, Awards and
Bursaries. In response to an inquiry as to whether there were contingency plans should
external funding not be successful, Senate was advised that upon approval of the
document, the office would be established and, as the document indicates,
implementation of the plan would occur over a five year period as funding became
available.
Page 16 of the document referred to facilities development at the Kamloops campus and
the exploration of expanded partnership opportunities with First Nations communities in
the area. An inquiry was made for further information. Senate was advised that there
were ongoing discussions with the Kamloops Indian Band and the Provincial
Government with respect to improving and expanding the facilities at the Kamloops
campus. It was pointed out that SFU's presence in Kamloops was complicated by the
mandate of Thompson Rivers University to provide service to First Nations students but
discussions were underway with TRU with respect to how the two institutions might
cooperate to provide a broader range of programming and service to a wider range of
students in the Kamloops area.
Referring to the issue of resources for First Nations faculty members referenced on page
18, a statement was made that CAUT had identified the need and desire of First Nations
faculty to spend a great deal of time in one-to-one mentorship with their students, and
that this level of involvement could be detrimental to fulfilling requirements for tenure
and a compromise to their teaching position. An opinion was expressed that additional
support resources were required for First Nations faculty appointments, and a suggestion
was made that this might be an issue for the Task Force to review. Senate was advised
that the First Nations Office would act as a resource centre for both faculty and students
and would have a role in the mentorship process.
Speaking to the resource requirements outlined on page 17, a question was raised as to
why it was necessary for the Research and Program Director to be designated as a person
of First Nations heritage. A concern was expressed that having the position so designated
would exclude possible candidates who are well known as experts for their research in
First Nations studies. The Vice-President Academic agreed that the person occupying the
S.M.
5
March 2007
Page 7
• position of program director should have such expertise and would notnecessatily have
to be of First Nations descent; however, membership in the First Nations community was
absolutely necessary for the community liaison position and it was permissible to make
such a designation under the B.C. Human Rights Code.
Discussion turned to the issue of academic program development as mentioned on page
14 of the document. A concern was expressed about the modification of course content to
meet the needs of any one specific group of people. It was pointed out that the
responsibility for curriculum development resides with academic programs and
departments and ultimately with Senate, and that the First Nations Office was required to
work in partnership and collaboration with academic units with respect to the curriculum.
Senate was reminded that the document was a strategic plan stating general directions
and encouraging certain developments. Specific actions will come forward to Senate at
which time a full debate will take place.
Question was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION CARRIED
The Chair wished to reiterate the earlier point made by R. Russell acknowledging the
University Administration for bringing this initiative forward and to thank the Vice-
President Academic, Lisa Sterling and the Advisory Committee for their work on this
issue.
viii) Pa
per
S
.07-3
5
Master's Pro
g ram in Di gital
Media
0 ?
Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by B. Lewis
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors the
proposal for the Master's program in Digital Media"
R. Woodbury, Graduate Program Chair, School of Interactive Arts and Technology, was
in attendance in order to respond to questions.
Discussion ensued with respect to the issue of degree credential. It was noted that the
governing bodies of all four partner institutions - UBC, SFU, BC1T and Emily Carr -
will approve curriculum and grant the degree.
With respect to faculty participation in the program, Senate was advised that the program
was intended to generate sufficient support through tuition fees and general endowment
funds to fund faculty positions at each institution. The initial allocation is one position to
each institution, with the initial program offering making use of current faculty.
An inquiry was raised with respect to the status of students at GNWC. It was pointed out
that students would be housed in a program jointly offered by four institutions and
located at the Great Northern Way Campus. Senate was advised that a detailed
Memorandum of Understanding had been developed covering such areas as human
rights, academic freedom, harassment, faculty hiring, student conduct and appeal
processes. All processes were reviewed and were deemed to be consistent with SFU
•
?
policies and provide for fair treatment for faculty and students. Brief discussion followed
with respect to the student appeal process.
S.M.
5
March 2007
Page 8
It was noted that this program has already been advertised and was accepting applications
for September even though the program was
still
going through the degree approval
process. A concern was raised about this trend to pre-advertise.
A concern was expressed that there was no student representation within the governing
structure of GNWC, and an inquiry was made as to whether GNWC students would
belong to any society or student group. Senate was advised that opportunity for students
to participate on the academic governance and program committees has been built into
the process, and that students would be free to organize themselves. However, since there
were no students at the present time no action has occurred.
Question was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION CARRIED
B) ?
Senate Graduate Studies Committee
i)
Paper S.07-36 - Annual Re
p
ort (For Information)
It was noted that when last year's annual report was presented to Senate, it was agreed
that in future details of Post-Graduate Scholarships and Canada Graduate Scholarships
would be included in the SSHRC data. This had not been done. The Chair requested the
Dean of Graduate Studies to note the request and bring the relevant information back to
Senate.
Secretary's note. The additional information requested has been provided by Dr. Driver
as follows:
In 2006, 47 SFU students held doctoral awards from SSHRC. Of those 32 students held
SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships, and 15 students held SSHRC CGS Doctoral Scholarships.
Following this discussion, Senate received the 2006 Annual Report of the Senate
Graduate Studies Committee for information.
ii)
Paper S.07-37 - Curriculum Revisions - Faculty of App lied Sciences (For
Information)
Senate received information that the Senate Graduate Studies Committee, acting under
delegated authority, approved the deletion of courses, new courses, and minor changes to
existing courses and programs in Engineering Science, Resource and Environmental
Management, Communication, Kinesiology, and Computing Science.
iii)
Paper
S.07-38 - Curriculum Revisions - Facult
y
of Arts and Social Sciences (For
Information)
Senate received information that the Senate Graduate Studies Committee, acting under
delegated authority, approved minor changes to existing courses and program
requirements in the following areas: Latin American Studies, Philosophy, English,
Economics, and Urban Studies.
iv)
Paper S.07-39 - Curriculum Revisions - Facult
y
of Business Administration (For
Information)
Senate received information that the Senate Graduate Studies Committee, acting under
delegated authority, approved new courses and minor changes to existing courses and
programs in Global Asset and Wealth Management, Financial Risk Management,
Management of Technology, and Master of Business Administration.
Moved by J. Driver, seconded by B. Vaid
S.M.
5
March 2007
Page
9
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors program
changes to the Master of Business Administration"
Senate was advised that the revised MBA program replaces the Specialist MBA program
previously deleted by Senate.
Question was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION CARRIED
v)
Paper S.0740 - Cuniculum Revisions - Faculty
of Education (For Information)
Senate received information that the Senate Graduate Studies Committee, acting under
delegated authority, approved a new course and minor program changes to the
Educational Psychology program.
vi)
Paper S.0741 - Curriculum Revisions - Facult
y of Science (For Information)
Senate received information that the Senate Graduate Studies Committee, acting under
delegated authority, approved new courses and minor program changes in Earth Sciences,
Physics, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.
B) ?
Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies
i)
Paper S.0742 - Curriculum Revisions - Facult
y
of App lied Sciences (For
Information)
• ?
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting
under delegated authority, approved new courses, and minor changes to existing
programs and courses in Interactive Arts and Technology, Computing Science,
Engineering Science, and TECHOne.
ii)
Paper S.07-43 - Curriculum Revisions - Facult
y
of Arts and Social Sciences (For
Information)
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting
under delegated authority, approved new courses, and minor changes to existing courses
and programs in Philosophy, Political Science, and International Studies.
iii)
Paper S.0744 - Curriculum Revisions - Faculty of Business Administration (For
Information)
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting
under delegated authority, approved minor changes to existing courses and programs in
the Faculty of Business Administration.
iv)
Paper S.07-45 - Curriculum Revisions - Facult
y of Education (For Information)
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting
under delegated authority, approved a list of W designated courses in the Faculty of
Education.
v)
Paper S.0746 - Curriculum Revisions - Faculty of Health Sciences (For
Information)
• Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting
under delegated authority, approved a new course and minor changes to existing courses
in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
S.M.
5
March 2007
Page 10
vi)
Paper S.07-47 - Curriculum Revisions - Facult
y
of Science (For Information)
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting
under delegated authority, approved a prerequisite change for MATH 310.
vii)
Pa p
er S.07-48 - Co-Op Courses
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting
under delegated authority, approved the addition of the sentence:
Credits from this course
do not count towards the credits required for an SFU degree
to the calendar course
description for all Co-op designated courses.
D)
Senate Librar
y
Committee
i) ?
Paper S.0749 - Annual Re
port (For Information)
Senate received the
2005/06
Annual Report of the Senate Library Committee, including a
report from the Library Penalties Appeal Committee, for information.
E)
Senate Committee on A
g
enda and Rules
i) ?
Paper S.07-50 - Interpretation Clause for Polic
y
B10.06 - Presidential Search
Committee
Moved by P. Percival, seconded by M. Hayes
"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors that a
new section be added to Policy B 10.06 Presidential Search Committee as
follows:
Interpretation
Questions of interpretation or application of this policy or its procedures
shall be referred to the Chair of the Board of Governors and the Vice-
Chair of Senate, who will jointly make a decision which shall be final."
Question was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION CARRIED
F)
Senate Nominatin g
Committee
i) ?
Paper S.07-51 - Elections
Senate was advised that no further nominations had been received. Due to the shortness
of time, vacancies will not be carried forward until the June Senate meeting at which time
regular elections will be take place. Senators were advised that the Senate Nominating
Committee was starting to canvass people for committee positions starting in June for
next year and that an email will be sent out shortly outlining the positions available.
7. ?
Other Business
There was no other business.
Information
The date of the next regularly scheduled meeting of Senate is Monday, April 2, 2007.
The Open Session adjourned at
8:55
pm and Senate moved directly into Closed Session.
Alison Watt
Director, University Secretariat