S.00-104
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
Senate Committee on University Priorities ?
Memorandum
TO:
Senate ?
FROM:
John Waterhouse
Vice President, Academic
RE: External Review - Department of
?
DATE: ?
4 October 2000
Archaeology
External Reviews of academic units are conducted under Guidelines' approved by
Senate. The review process is intended to ensure that the quality of the
department's academic programs and research is high, that members of the
department participate in the administration of departments, and that the
departmental environment is conducive to the department's objectives. Under
these Guidelines, Senate is expected to receive advice from the Senate Committee
on University Priorities and to provide feedback to the unit and the Dean.
The following materials are forwarded to Senate for consideration:
The External Review Report
The response to the External Review Report by the Department
The comments of the Dean
The comments of the Vice-President, Academic
The recommendations from the Senate Committee on University Priorities
The Department Chair, Dr. D. Burley will be available at Senate as a resource person.
Motion
That Senate concurs with the recommendation from the Senate Committee
on University Priorities concerning advice to the Department of Archaeology
on priority items resulting from the external review, as outlined in SCUP 00-
18c.
The Guidelines can be found at: http://www.reg.sfu.calSenate/SenateComms/SCUP-ExReview.html.
TO: Senate
RE: External Review - Department of
Archaeology
Memorandum
FROM: Jol
Vi
DATE: 24
SCUP 00- 18c
AMENDED
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
I
Senate Commift au University Priorities
I
The Senate Committee on University Priorities has reviewed the External Review
Report prepared on the Department of Archaeology in January 1999, together with
the response from the Department and comments from the Dean and the Vice
President, Academic.
SCUP recommends to Senate that the Department and Dean be advised to pursue
the following as priority items:
1.
The Department of Archaeology should be encouraged to proceed with its
proposed First Nation Studies Program.
2.
The Department of Archaeology should bring forward a full proposal for a
Cultural Resource Management Program to the Senate Committee on
Undergraduate Studies in 2000/01 for implementation in the 2002/03
academic year.
3.
The Department of Archaeology should be requested to bring forward a
proposal to streamline the MA degree in Archaeology to the Senate Graduate
Studies Committee in 2000/01 for implementation in the 2002/03 academic
year.
C. ?
D. Burley
J .
Pierce
.
2.
Scu p
00-14
.
?
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
Office of the Vice President, Academic
?
MEMORANDUM
TO: Senate Committee on ?
FROM: J.M. Munro,
University Priorities
?
Vice President, Academic
SUBJECT: External Review, Department ?
DATE: August 31, 2000
of Archaeology
The report of the External Review Committee of the Department of Archaeology was
submitted in January, 1999 following the review visit on March 30-31, 1998. The response of the
Department was submitted on April - , 1999 and the comments of the Dean of Arts on April 26,
2000.
My comments on this external review and the submission from the Department and Dean
follow.
1.
The nine month delay between the external review visit and the submission of the report is
•
?
unusual. (The even longer delay between the review report and the Department's response was
due to the planned revision of the Senate External Review Guidelines.) However, the response of
the Department and the comments from the Dean provide a suitable update to the review report.
2. The review is very positive. White there is only one other Department of Archaeology in
Canada, there are many archaeologists working in other departments and it is gratifying to be
informed that the Department's teaching programs and research achievements are the best in the
country.
3. The needs for additional faculty staffing identified in the review report have essentially been
met this year. While these appointments in effect replace the next two retirements in the
Archaeology, more general planning for faculty renewal could begin now.
4. The strongest theme in the report is the need to augment faculty resources in physical
anthropology. While this has been done, the Department should ensure that the other problems in
this area pointed out by the reviewers have at least been given due consideration.
5. The development of the First Nations Program has proceeded quite slowly - 2.5 years after the
review much still remains to be done. This is an important development for the University and
Archaeology should receive suitable support and encouragement to proceed as quickly as possible.
(
A 4A
6
cc. J.T. Pierce
D. Burley
SLur UU-14
I
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF THE DEAN
?
FACULTY OF ARTS
MEMORANDUM
To:
?
Jock Munro
?
From: John T. Pierce
VP Academic ?
Dean of Arts
Subject
Response to the External Review
Date:
April 26, 2000
- ?
of Archaeology
This was an important review for the Department of Archaeology. It provided a
basis for meaningful and constructive change. I have worked closely with the new
Chair of Archaeology to act upon the recommendations. The credit goes to Dave
and the Department who have turned challenges into opportunities. I do not wish
to comment upon each of the fifteen recommendations but instead provide a
general overview of the progress of achieving these recommendations in
• ?
four areas - faculty complement; programatic changes; student issues and resources..
Faculty: While the external review did not argue for a net increase in faculty, it did
argue for a strengthening of physical anthropology and First Nations Studies to be
achieved with the aid of bridgings. Two bridging appointments have been
authorized and filled - one in physical anthropology (DNA specialty); and the other
in New Wold/Latin American Archaeology (to compensate for the loss of John
Driver). It is anticipated that a third appointment will be made in First Nations
Studies during the next academic year. The Dean's office will be examining the
feasability of converting the half-time lecturer position into a full-time one as
recommended in the report. The reviewers noted that the current faculty are
among the strongest in Canada. I am convinced that these new appointments will
not only strengthen Physical anthropology but expand resources for teaching and
make First Nations Studies an active and integral part of the program.
Programatic: The department has begun to review its requirements for the Master's
program as recommended. Dave Burley has drafted and circulated
.
a proposal for a
First Nations Studies program. An additional position has been identified and
active recruitment for a faculty position as mentioned above will begin next year.
The Department is aware of the need for closer ties with the Secwepemc Program. I
anticipate that closer ties will emerge between the two, particularly with the
development of First Nations Studies program. That said, a degree of autonomy
. ?
and independence is both desirable and inevitable. There is one other programatic
area requiring attention - the Cultural Resource Management Program. I will be
working with Archaeology to secure the necessary funding for the highly
innovative and timely proposal.
?
*
Student Issues: I believe that in general students are being very well served by this
program. This was underscored by the results of the review. With the addition of a
second physical anthropologist, an important bottleneck will be addressed
benefitting undergraduate and graduate student access alike. Adequate financial
support for graduate students is a chronic problem which will require University-
wide solutions and support. it is
my understanding that attempts
are underway at
the graduate level to improve access to lab space. While short term solutions are
possible, we are unable to thoroughly redress the space embalances until the
Applied Science U building is constructed.
Resources: In addition to space issues mentioned above, more attention needs to be
directed
to capital equipment budget
needs. While progress has been made in
expanding library holdings this should be considered just the beginning of a lengthy
process of renewal. Finally, it is recognized that the Archaeology Museum needs
additional resources if it is to successfully carry out its mandate. Using traditional
sources is unlikely to be successful. The Museum may be a prime candidate for fund
raising initiatives.
rV
iW
16
"C
.
.
c.
scu OO14
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY RESPONSE TO THE EXTERNAL REVIEW
REPORT (RECEIVED JAN 1999)
An external review of the Department of Archaeology was held on March 30 and 31,
1998. The external reviewers were provided previously with a package of core
information on department faculty, on-going research, staff, ancillary programs, as well
as graduate and undergraduate programs. The two days of on-campus review was
largely spent in meetings with faculty, students, staff and university administration. The
external review document was subsequently received in the department, with the Vice-
President Academic's summary on 6 January 1999. This memorandum provides a
departmental response to the review document conclusions and recommendations. It is
noteworthy that a majority of the recommendations have already been acted upon or
are in the planning stages to be acted upon. This memorandum, thus, also serves as an
update on the implementation of recommendations.
Overall, faculty and staff of the Department of Archaeology are pleased with the
results of the external review. The Department was characterized as one of the very
best in Canada, with its faculty, research, graduate programs and undergraduate
programs given considerable praise. At the same time, and as summarized in the Vice
President Academic's review, several recommendations were made to enhance
departmental management and improve existing curricula and programs.
As a response to the 15 recommendations (
pp. 11-12) of the review committee, as
well as some incidental notes within the body of the document, the following conclusions
or observations are made.
Implemented Recommendations
Recommendation 1 -
That a second full time physical anthropologist be hired.
This
recommendation, and its rationale, was made Continuously throughout the review
document as a response to undergraduate student concerns and course demands.
Through a bridging appointment made available by the Dean of Arts Office for the
retirement of Associate Professor Phil Hobler (2001), a second appointment in physical
anthropology has now been made (presently recommended to the Vice President
academic for appointment). This individual specialises in ancient DNA and genetics,
areas formerly lacking in the physical anthropology program but ones commented upon
by the reviewers as crucial (
p
3) for student training.
Recommendation 3 -
Guidelines for the awarding of teaching assistantships should be
established by the department, and these guidelines should be communicated to the
students.
This was a curious recommendation and one obviously resulting from a lack
of communication with the reviewers. Explicit criteria were established for the awarding
of teaching assistantships and passed by the Department on 17 November 1994. These
have been posted (and were so during the review) adjacent to the notice board on which
teaching assistantships are advertised.
,
a ?
Recommendation 7) -
Students and faculty should begin immediately to rationalise the
use of the graduate student room.
Following the reception of the external review
document, a committee with a faculty member and a graduate student representative
developed detailed policy and regulations related to the use of the graduate student
room and allocation of space. Renovations money to enhance the use of this space was
approved by the Dean of Arts in the 1999 renovations budget, with alterations to be
made in the 2000-2 semester. This money had been requested prior to the external
review.
Recommendation 8) -
Faculty should be urged to develop study and research space in
their laboratories for the use of graduate students.
As best as this recommendation can
be implemented, it has. Many of the faculty do provide space to graduate students
under their supervision and those that do not, generally do not have the physical space
to provide.
Recommendation 11 -
Although it may appear to be premature, consideration should be
given to the spate of retirements that will take place early in the new century. Before
the next review bridging appointments should be considered to maintain integrity and
continuity in the archaeology program.
The Dean of Arts, as noted in response to
recommendation 1, has provided a very critical bridging appointment for the retirement
of Hobler in 2001. As compensation for the five year appointment of Jon Driver as
Dean of Graduate Studies, the Vice President Academic and Dean of Arts agreed to a
second bridging position for the retirement of Jack Nance (2007).
?
This position has
now been filled and recommended for appointment to the Vice President Academic.
Recommendation 13) -
A committee on capital and equipment acquisition, replacement
and
repair should
be established.
Again this recommendation seems a curious one in so
far as such a committee has existed and was in place during the time of the external
review. The committee is chaired by the manager of the archaeology labs within whose
position description this responsibility falls. Major decisions on prioritisation of requests
-for capital equipment are brought to the Department as a whole for consideration and
review.
Recommendation 15) -
Every effort should be made to increase the library's grossly
inadequate serial holdings.
The allocation of serial funding within the university has
largely been done on the basis of history. Archaeology, as a consequence, has not fared
well. The external reviewers were responding to the fact that the entire serial allocation
for archaeology in 1998 ($12,000) was less than the individual subscription price for 11
journals in Chemistry and less than half the individual cost for four of these. The library
agreed that the Archaeology holding was inadequate for undergraduate and graduate
programs and has provided some additional support in the form of six new journals
(approximately $2500). While we believe there is a long way to go to upgrade library
serial support for teaching and research in archaeology and physical anthropology, we
very much appreciate the library's response, especially in the face of their ongoing
budget pressures.
Recommendations To Be Implemented
Recommendation 4) -
A Cultural Resource Management program should be introduced
into the undergraduate program as soon as possible.
The department concurs with this
J
I.
IL
• ?
recommendation but recognises that, without a dedicated position to resource
management, it will not be an easy one to implement. Accordingly a proposal to create
a CRM cross appointment with Resource and Environmental Management was submitted
to the Vice President Academic's strategic initiative fund. Despite strong support from
the Dean of Arts and Dean of Applied Science, the proposal was unsuccessful. The vI
program remains a priority by the Department. The Undergraduate Curriculum Chair and
the Department Chair are currently examining alternatives for such a program with a full
proposal to be written in 2000-3. Pending necessary approvals, calendar changes and
new curriculum would be prepared and submitted to the UCC in spring 2001.
Recommendation 5) -
The faculty should develop a set of highly specific objectives for
the Material Culture Analysis Course.
The undergraduate curriculum committee has
brought this matter to the attention of the faculty, including additional undergraduate
student concerns about this course. A resolution of the curriculum issue is currently
being worked upon.
Recommendation 6) -
The addition and integration of the First Nations Studies program
into the curriculum should proceed as rapidly as possible.
A proposal to redevelop the
First Nations Study program on the Burnaby campus has been prepared and is being
circulated for discussion at the present time. As it is proposed, the program focus
would be centred on traditional indigenous knowledge and the academic pursuits that
apply and enhance this knowledge (archaeology, linguistics, anthropology, history).
?
If
the proposal is accepted, curriculum changes for the First Nations Minor will be drafted
•
?
and submitted to UCC in spring 2001. The First Nations cross appointment with
Archaeology will be regularised as a tenure track position in the near future. Longer
term plans include the development of a joint major in First Nations Studies and
Archaeology.
Recommendation 9) -
The Department should consider carefully the requirements, and
the traditional expectations, of the MA program with a view to streamlining the MA
program.
The Graduate Committee Chair has initiated a major review of both MA and
PhD program requirements. This has involved a detailed questionnaire given to faculty
and graduate students, from which program revisions/alternatives will be recommended
for implementation. A large number of 'house cleaning
o
calendar changes have been
submitted to the UCC for approval in June 2000. These bring graduate program
calendar entries into line with the program as it is currently delivered.
Recommendation 10) -
A departmental constitution, outlining policies and procedures
should be drawn up as soon as possible.
The department Chair fully concurs with this
recommendation and the constitution will be drafted in the 2000-3 semester for review
and approval by the Department as a whole.
Recommendations That Cannot be Implemented without Additional
External Resources
Recommendation 2) -
Teaching Assistants should not be employed solely as amarkersN
. ?
in introductory courses. If at
all
possible, additional funding for student support of this
type should be made available to the Department.
As with other departments in Arts,
the number of base units given for TA support has decreased considerably over the past
decade. Indeed, from highs as much as 135 units formerly, the annual allocation has
fallen to approximately 85. The archaeology curriculum includes a large number of lab
courses and the department has prioritised these for TA support. Consequently it
cannot support the tutorial system in the lower level undergraduate classes. If
additional base units were made available, this recommendation would gladly be
implemented.
Recommendation 10) -
We urge the University and the Department to do everything
possible to foster the Secwepemc Program, and that a regular exchange of research and
teaching visits between the Kamloops and Burnaby campuses be established.
The
Department supports this recommendation and would like to strengthen ties to the
Secwepemc program through faculty and student interactions and exchange. Some
minor actions have been taken to accommodate this, including closer integration of
Associate Professor George Nicholas (half time archaeology appointment in Kamloops)
into Department administration through conference calls and through the addition of a
Secwepemc
bulletin board in the department hallway. The fact of the matter is,
however, to implement the recommendation requires travel funds for faculty and
students and these do not currently exist with the department operating budget.
Recommendation 14) -
The Museum should be fostered and expanded. Its resources
should be increased considerably. At the very least a student assistant should be hired
to allow the curator more time for fund-raising and other activities outside the confines
of the Museum itself.
Because of loan agreements with the Royal B. C. Museum over
totem poles on display in the Museum, there must be a full time security person while
the Museum is open to the public. Consequently the Museum curator cannot leave her
office without closing the Museum. The Museum operating budget of approximately
$5000.00 per annum also does not allow for the temporary hiring of a student to fill this
need. Without additional external resources, therefore, the recommendation cannot be
met. It is noted that long range plans for expansion of the archaeology facility also call
for expansion of the Museum. This, however, is very long term.
Other Considerations
A major concern that was written into the text of the review document, but not
expressed as a final recommendations, was
the teaching load carried by one 'non-
research
n
appointment. While some of her work results from teaching at other
institutions locally, we feel her on-campus teaching load needs careful scrutiny in the
interests of equity and her own intellectual well being.
The individual involved (Diane
Lyons) has a half time appointment as a Senior Lecturer. A solution to this problem is
a change in her appointment to full time Senior Lecuturer, thus, allowing her teaching to
be exclusively concentrated on the SFIJ campus.
Summation
As stated at the outset, the faculty, staff and students within the Archaeology
Department are extremely pleased with the recognition and praise given department
. ?
programs during the external review process. The majority of the resulting
recommendations are ones we agree with and have either implemented or are about to
implement. To assist us in these respects, the Dean of Arts, the Vice-President
Academic, and the Library have provided valuable support. Should additional external
resources become available for TA base units, travel funds for
Secwepemc
program
interaction, or the Museum, we would be pleased to comply with the remainder of the
outstanding issues.
Submitted by
David Burley
Professor and Chair
Archaeology
April 5, 2000
10.
SC UP
00-14
EXECUTIVE SUMM4R Y
The Review Committee met with students, faculty, staff and university officials on
March 30 and 31, 1998.
These meetings confirmed the committee member's individual views that the
Department of Archaeology is an excellent one, and is, in many respects, the best in
Canada. As with any department that has grown as rapidly as that at Simon Fraser, ceratin
problems were voiced by students, faculty and staff and were recognized by the Committee.
Most of these are of a minor nature and we believe that if the recommendations
summarized following the text of this report are carried out the Department will maintain
its respected position among archaeologists in North America and abroad Most problems
are not unique to Simon Fraser and involve decreases in funding, increases in enrolment,
lack of space, regularization of administrative procedures and the like. Each is discussed
more fully in the report.
A major problem revolves around the ephemeral nature of one of the physical
anthropologist's relationship with the University. The nature of her appointment does not
require her presence on campus for a major portion of each year. Our first recommendation,
to appoint a second full-time physical anthropologist specializing in the Northwest Coast
should be taken as an urgent priority.
S
S
?
II,.
S9UP 00-14
INTRODUCTION
On March 30
?
and 31, 1998 a review committee comprised of Brian Fagan,
0
University of California at Santa Barbara, Anne Katzenberg, University of Calgary,
Michael Roberts, Simon Fraser University and James Tuck, Memorial University of
Newfoundland, met with representatives of the Simon Fraser University administration, the
University Library, faculty and staff of the Archaeology Department, and representatives of
both the undergraduate and graduate students. Discussions with these groups and
individuals were frank and open and revealed a what is clearly a "healthy" department
despite the obvious concerns regarding the present and future state of physical
anthropology at Simon Fraser University and a number of lesser concerns, often expressed
by all parties to the discussions. In no case are these problems insurmountable and it is the
opinion of the committee that Simon Fraser's Department of Archaeology is rightfully
entitled to the high reputation it enjoys among academics both in Canada and elsewhere;
furthermore, there is no reason to believe that the Department will not continue to be held
in high regard.
This report is organized along the lines suggested in the
External Review Committee
1997198 - Terms ofReference,
and looks at programs, faculty, administration and the
department's relations with agencies outside the university.
PROGRAMS
U1% r
DERGRADUATE PROGRAM
The Department has an exceptionally strong and well organized undergraduate
curriculum, which has benefitted from over 30 years of continual refinement. The 1996
restructuring, with its reorganization of core courses, has been especially successful. We
were impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment of the undergraduates who spoke
with us. They were, of course, prominent members of the Archaeology Student Society, but
that does not diminish their useful input into our deliberations.
Undergraduate teaching is broadly based, while at the same time continuing to
reflect the department's long-term specialities in teaching method and theory in
archaeology, in which the department continues to be exceptionally strong. Courses in the
prehistory of the Old and New Worlds, and other courses typical of Canadian archaeology
programs are also offered.
It is impossible to rank the Simon Fraser undergraduate program in archaeology
against other departments in Canada, since only one other department of archaeology exists
in this country. When programs within departments of anthropology are considered, it is
probably fair to say that Simon Fraser's is equal to others in the country and better than
most; in many respects it is probably the best in Canada.
The major concern of the undergraduate students, as well as the review committee,
revolves around the physical anthropology program. Physical anthropology courses offered
by the department of archaeology are important not only to the training of archaeology
majors but also as a service to the university. Physical Anthropology encompasses a
number of sub-fields, which have in common the study of human biology in the context of
culture. Subdisciplines of physical anthropology include human paleontology, human
adaptability, human genetics, human osteology, primate biology and behaviour and human
/12-.
. ?
growth and development. All of these areas are important in training students in
archaeology but some are more central to an archaeology program than others. Of primary
importance is human osteology since it deals with the analysis of human skeletal remains
from archaeological contexts. Thorough osteological analysis of human remains requires
training in growth and development and adaptability. Recent advances in genetic
technology also provide an argument for fuller training in genetics, as applied to analysis of
ancient DNA and to understanding biochemical approaches to human evolution.
Information obtained from the analysis of human skeletal and dental remains is an
important component of the archaeological database for interpreting past peoples and it is
crucial for students to be able to understand all sources of information. It is also crucial for
undergraduate students to have a background in human origins.
Since anthropology at Simon Fraser University is linked with sociology, and
focuses on social and cultural anthropology, it falls upon the department of archaeology to
provide courses to the undergraduate student body in human origins (introductory physical
anthropology). Such courses are popular options at all universities because of people's
basic fascination with the natural history of our species and our place within the Primate
order. The department of archaeology at Simon Fraser University currently has the
personnel to train undergraduate students in some areas of physical anthropology through
the 1.5 FTE positions. One of the two physical anthropologists covers human osteology
and hominid evolution. The other covers primate behaviour and offers the introductory
course in human origins. Because one of the physical anthropologists is only on campus
for one semester per year, we presume that it falls uponthe other physical anthropologist to
.
?
advise students interested primarily in physical anthropology, and to deal with the day to
day running of the program including lab materials and curriculum. Recently most
physical anthropology courses have been taught by sessional instructors. While the
situation that resulted in this situation could not be anticipated it is generally problematic
when one individual is responsible for a program. Opportunities such as research leaves,
fellowships or the desire to take on administrative appointments may interfere with the
smooth running of the program. Even if everything is going well, it is a heavy burden to
carry such a program.
We regard it as essential, therefore, that a second full time physical anthropologist
be hired both to round out the program with additional course offerings and to share the
administrative responsibilities in terms of advising students and keeping labs and curricula
up
.
to date.
Other than the major problems with the physical anthropology program and faculty,
our concerns are relatively few. They are:
a.
We regard the use of Teaching Assistants as merely markers in introductory courses as a
backward step, forced on the Department by budget reductions. We strongly urge that
resources be provided to reverse this situation.
b.
Both students and faculty were enthusiastic about the notion of starting a Cultural
Resource Management stream within the undergraduate curriculum. The undergraduates
made the point that there are useful employment opportunities for people with BAs in
archaeology, especially if they bring specific CRM skills with them. We recommend that
this stream be incorporated into the curriculum as soon as possible. It can be done with
some fine tuning of courses and no additional resources.
c.
The Material Culture Analysis course was a cause of concern to both students and some
faculty. The pedagogical problems associated with the course are not insuperable. We
recommend that the faculty develop a set of highly specific objectives for the course, which
accommodate a variety of approaches and expertises among the individuals who teach it.
This will ensure both consistency and continuity.
d.
The addition of the First Nations Studies Program to the Department offers a unique
opportunity to integrate archaeology and First Nations courses into a single, and important
undergraduate curriculum. We feel that this development, if properly handled, will place
the Department in the forefront of such integrated approaches anywhere in Canada.
e.
We are concerned about the teaching load carried by one "non-research" appointment.
While some of her work results from teaching at other institutions locally, we feel her on-
campus teaching load needs careful scrutiny in the interests of equity and her own
intellectual well-being.
GRADUATE PROGRAM
Archaeology
The Simon Fraser archaeology graduate program is highly respected throughout
Canada and internationally. As with the undergraduate program, it is impossible to rank the
graduate program within Canada. The same comments apply: it is as good an any and a
leader in many aspects. The Department has an enviable record in placing its MA and PhDs
either in good graduate programs or permanent academic positions. As is appropriate, the
program's major emphasis is in British Columbia archaeology, but the scope of dissertation
work has widened in recent years as new faculty with interests elsewhere join the
Department. We feel that the current mix of faculty with interests both locally and
elsewhere is a major strength of the Department. The load of supervising individual
students is well distributed through the faculty. We see no problems in fairness of
workload, except that one instructor's workload is exceptionally heavy, something which
should be looked into. At a general level, communication between faculty and students
seems excellent both at a day-to-day and long-term level. Most students also felt their
degree of supervision was good and that the faculty were interested in their progress.
Physical
Anthropology
Simon Fraser University offers the only Ph.D. program in physical anthropology in
British Columbia. It also provides training at the Master's level in human osteology,
forensic anthropology and hominid evolution. In recent years this program has not
admitted new students and those still in program will graduate soon. One physical
anthropologist has single-handedly carried the graduate program in physical anthropology.
This is a considerable load for any one individual and has the disadvantage of locking one
person into a program. This creates problems if that individual takes research leaves, wins
fellowships or takes on administrative duties.
The other
physical anthropologist, because of the nature of her appointment, does not currently
participate in the training of graduate students and is only on campus for one semester per
year so has not be able to bridge this time, nor does her research area allow her to assume
'"F.
4-
• ?
the entire suite advisory duties. The department and administration have dealt with the
problem of interim supervision admirably under the circumstances.
It is essential to restart the graduate program and to insure that such problems do
not arise in the future. The most obvious way to do this is to hire a second full time faculty
member in a related area of physical anthropology. A logical area for recruitment is
someone who specializes in the physical anthropology of Northwest Coast peoples and has
experience in working with local Native groups. Some members of the department have
expressed concern that the graduate program has basically been run as a subdepartment
within the archaeology department. Integration with the research focus on Northwest and
British Columbia archaeology would be beneficial to faculty and graduate students.
Archaeologists inevitably encounter human remains during excavations so a specialist
would be available. Graduate students would receive training in the archaeology and
physical anthropology of the region.
An alternative would be to advertise in the area of paleoanthropology (hominid
evolution). This speciality is a multidisciplinary field and it is unlikely that Simon Fraser
could initiate a major research program in human origins. Even if such an effort were
possible, palaeoanthropology is less likely to integrate well with existing departmental foci.
The real issue here is the teaching of palaeoanthropology and one of the present physical
anthropologists covers this area in his undergraduate teaching.
The review committee recommends the creation of a new position in physical
anthropology. Further we recommend specialization in the physical anthropology of
peoples of Northwestern North America. In keeping with the departmental focus it would
. ?
be desirable to have someone who works with skeletal remains but it would also be
beneficial to have someone with related interests in Native health and disease experience
who might fit well with the new Native Studies program.
General concerns of the Review Committee revolve around some specific issues
applicable to both the archaeology and physical anthropology programs. They are:
Graduate student support
Both faculty and students commented on an inadequate level of support for graduate
students at
all
stages in their careers. In particular, the Graduate Committee commented on
the difficulty of putting together attractive financial support offers for outstanding students
searching for a graduate department, despite using the Dean's special scholarship program.
This is, of course, a problem common to graduate departments throughout Canada, and,
with an acceptance rate of 25%, this department probably has about the same success ratio
as others. However, we urge that everything be done to increase this acceptance figure with
increased resources for recruiting promising applicants.
Teaching Assistant support remains a major concern. We are particularly worried
about the decision to convert lower division TAs into markers, both because this places an
undue burden on already busy faculty, but also because it can have a potential impact on
overall standards in undergraduate courses. While we admire the faculty for their decision
in the face of diminishing TA resources, we feel most strongly that steps must be taken by
the Administration as soon as possible to correct this situation. Archaeology (and physical
anthropology for that matter) are TA-intense subjects, which require adequate TA support
at all levels. Introductory courses are among the most important taught in any department
and we regard the long-term policy of using markers only in these courses as both
inappropriate and potentially harmful, however valiant the efforts of the faculty.
Increased TA support for the Department is an urgent priority to correct this
unfortunate (and unavoidable) situation. Such support would solve several problems. It
would decrease degree completion times, allow students to gain valuable classroom
experience, and improve the quality of course content.
Graduate Student concerns
Most student concerns revolved around financial support and space issues.
Financial support
Several students felt there were too many graduate students relative to the financial
resources available to the Department. Many
graduate students support themselves
by
doing archaeological contract work in the Province (and sometimes leave the program for a
while for the purpose). While it is fortunate that this source of earning power is out there, it
does contribute to a longer degree completion time (see below).
Some students expressed concerns over the allocation of TAships and argued that it
was done on the basis of equity rather than academic achievement. The Committee heard
little mention of teaching ability in this connection from either faculty or students. We urge
that the Department take a close look at their procedures and criteria for awarding all kinds
of financial support, especially teaching assistantships, to develop a set of procedures for
such awards and to communicate these procedures to the graduate students through their
representatives.
Space
?
0
There is a chronic space shortage for graduate students, which dates back many
years.
The Graduate Study Room in the Department is in a shocking state and is in urgent
need of cleaning,
day-to-clay
supervision, and renovation. Should this be reorganized, at
least some problems will ease slightly.
1.
We recommend that a faculty member and a graduate student be appointed as joint
supervisors with decision-making powers.
2.
We understand that both the Chair and the graduate students have plans (or at any rate
perceptions of plans) to reorganize the space and renovate same. We recommend that the
two parties get together as soon as possible to come up with an agreed plan for what we
believe to be an impending remodeling.
3.
A policy should be developed as to who has study space in the room, and for how long.
Every effort should be made to develop an equitable, revolving door plan.
4.
We urge faculty to do everything they can to develop study and office space in their
laboratories for students under their supervision. While we appreciate that some faculty
already do this, we feel that a systematic practice is in order and would save space.
5.
We urge that consideration be given to graduate student needs as the impending, long-
term reorganization of storage and laboratory space on the ground floor level proceeds.
/1(0.
S ?
Length of Degree time
Degree completion times are a major topic for discussion in high education and
concerns were raised with the Committee about the length of time required to obtain a PhD
and MA in archaeology at Simon Fraser.
After careful review of the evidence and discussion with both faculty and students,
we agree with the Department that the 7 to 8-year Ph.D. completion time is about average
for the discipline and not out of line.
The MA thesis requirement is exceptionally difficult in this Department. In recent
years, several MA theses were based on large amounts of data and covered ground more
appropriate for a doctorate. A combination of unusually rigorous expectations, inadequate
graduate funding, which feeds a constant need for outside contract work conspire together
to make for an unduly lengthy MA completion time.
We recommend that the Department take a careful look at their MA curriculum and
thesis expectations, with a view to streamlining and shortening it. On the other side of the
coin, it is only fair to point out that some faculty and students felt that the rigorous, data-
based MA gave them a better competitive position in the job and graduate school market.
Simon Fraser is well known for its MA
students.
FIRST NATIONS STUDIES PRO GRAM AND SEC WEPEMC PROGRAM
We think that
the decision to place the First Nations Study Program under the aegis
of the Department of Archaeology holds great promise for the future,
if
a genuine effort is
made to integrate the two fields in the classroom at both the graduate and undergraduate
level. This educational effort will be particularly effective if it can be carried into the field
and be made part of the Department's active fieldwork program and Cultural Resource
Management activities (and to be implemented undergraduate stream). We hope that the
Department will carefully monitor the progress made by the new faculty member in
archaeology and First Nation studies between now and the next review, as her or his
activities will play a key role in determining the success of this important new direction for
the Department.
The Committee was greatly impressed with the Secwepemc Program and with its
current administrator's able and sensitive handling of the developing research and teaching
program there. We urge the Department and the University to do all it can to foster and
support this important program, which is surely a prototype for other such endeavors
elsewhere in the Province and the country. We feel, however, that contact between Dr.
Nicholas and the Department could be strengthened, and recommend that a regular
exchange of research and teaching visits be maintained between Burnaby and Kamloops
during the academic year. We also recommend that the Department draw on Dr. Nicholas'
unique experience of teaching First Nations people archaeology as new curriculum
directions develop at Burnaby in coming years
FACULTY
The faculty of the Archaeology Department is without doubt among the best
collections of archaeologists in Canada. The faculty size appears presently to be adequate in
relation to both the numbers of undergraduate and graduate students. Having said that,
however, we should also point out that faculty numbers are
just
adequate for the current
enrolments. The faculty teaching load is about average for departments of this size at other
Canadian universities. The graduate student load of approximately six per faculty member
is probably slightly higher than that in most other Canadian archaeology programs. All
faculty, with the exception of the primatologist whose appointment is of a special nature,
participate about equally in departmental administration.
A particularly significant attribute of the Archaeology Department is the continuing
role that professors emeriti continue to play in the department. Both are actively involved
in student supervision, research, publishing and other department affairs. Professor Carlson
continues to manage the Department's remarkably successful publication series.
The faculty members of Simon Fraser's Archaeology Department are, individually
and collectively, among the most active researchers at any Canadian institution.
Archaeological research ranges throughout North America and Oceania with a decided
emphasis on British Columbia and adjacent regions of western North America. The entire
range of prehistory as well as the archaeology of Europeans and other immigrant groups are
being, or have been, investigated by archaeologists and physical anthropologists. The
committee views this as an exceptionally good balance of research interests.
The Archaeology Department has a high visibility nationally and throughout North
America because of the research activities of its faculty members. Moreover, Simon Fraser
archaeologists are frequent contributors to the meetings and publications of American
societies, particularly the Society for American Archaeology.
In short, the committee continues to be impressed with the faculty of the Simon
Fraser Archaeology Department.
One real problem involving faculty, however, is the spate of retirements that will
take place beginning in the next decade. While it is probably too early to begin to take
action to replace retiring faculty, planning should begin before the next review to provide
for "bridging" appointments to maintain continuity in the Department.
ADMINISTRATION
The administrative and support staff compliment of the Archaeology Department
seems to the committee to be adequate given the department's teaching, research and other
responsibilities. (See, however, comments about additional assistance for the Museum
Curator.)
During our interviews, several points regarding departmental administration were
voiced repeatedly by students, staff and faculty, including the present department chair. It
seemed to be the opinion of many individuals that the present, somewhat informal,
traditions of administration are now somewhat outdated given the size of the Archaeology
Department. Regardless of whether such an informal style of administration is good or bad,
many of those interviewed suggested that a more formal set of administrative procedures be
adopted by the department. The Department has now reached the size where a formal
Constitution is now a necessity. We recommend that the Chair develop such a document,
using examples from other Departments as a model.
While progress has been made in replacing and repairing obsolete or well used
equipment, we heard concerns that the priorities for purchasing equipment are not well
discussed and articulated each year. We recommend that the Chair set up a formal, and
?
Is
S ?
permanent committee to handle capital and equipment requests and make formal
recommendations. We also heard many complaints about the Department teaching
microscopes and suggest that their replacement be made a high priority.
THE MUSEUM
The Committee were impressed with the Department's small teaching museum,
which maintains high standards despite an exiguous budget. We were pleased to see that
exhibits are changed regularly with the active involvement of faculty and students. This is
an important strength for the Department, which needs continued, and, if possible,
enhanced support. As a start, we recommend that funds be found to support a student to
supervise the museum several afternoons a week, so that the Curator can make fund-raising
connections in the community and conduct important public outreach activities that are
vital to the Department.
The curatorial facilities of the Museum are absolutely necessary for faculty and
students to conduct research in British Columbia. Unlike some provinces where the agency
responsible for archaeology assumes responsibility for the curation of collections excavated
under permit, British Columbia requires that applicants demonstrate that collections will be
curated at a designated legal repository. The Museum of the Archaeology Department is
such a repository. It must be maintained, therefore, and provision made for the increase in
collection size that will occur naturally as research at Simon Fraser continues.
The Museum is an important showcase for faculty research both on campus and in
the community. We emphasize that such a link has important potential for funding raising
S
and development activities and strongly urge that this function be given great prominence.
?
Under all circumstances, the Museum should be fostered and expanded.
RESOURCES
Library Holdings
We were impressed by the valiant efforts made by Library staff to protect the
Department's grossly inadequate serial holdings, a situation with partly historical roots. If
the Department is to maintain its national and international reputation, it is essential that
spending on serials be increased, even in a time of reduced budgets. We would like to point
out that in archaeology both graduates and undergraduates make regular use of specialist
journals, something which is not the case in other disciplines.
Underfunding serials budgets for archaeology affects the quality of teaching and
research in the Department unusually directly and is a short-sighted policy.
Long-term Planning
Space
As the Department is unlikely to receive additional space from the University for
the foreseeable future, it is vital to make full use of all available space. The Committee
urges implementation of existing remodeling plans for the now somewhat disorganized
ground floor level and loading bay area. We also recommend that shelving be purchased for
some ground floor laboratories which are very disorganized simply because they have not
been shelved adequately.
iq.
Equipment
The situation regarding field, laboratory and other equipment has been mentioned
above in several places. Some equipment dates from the early years of the Archaeology
department and is now outmoded and/or beyond repair. Such objects range from teaching
microscopes to the
Sisiuti. We
have recommended above that a permanent committee be
established to oversee the allocation of scarce financial resources allotted for equipment
replacement or repair. At the same time as we recommend more efficient use of scarce
funds, we should also emphasize that archaeology occupies the anomalous position of a
science discipline in a faculty of arts. This argument has been made many times before, so
we will state that it is true, and that every effort to maintain and replace necessary
equipment must be made by the Simon Fraser administration.
CONNECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT WITHINAND OUTSIDE THE
UNIVERSITY
INTERACTION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS
AT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
Since archaeology is a multidisciplinary science, faculty interact regularly with their
colleagues in other disciplines. The committee feels that the level of personal interaction, at
times intense, is more than adequate. Certainly, no member of the faculty mentioned any
concerns is this area. One positive note in this regard was the discussion of more
involvement of the archaeology department with the social/cultural anthropologists.
Although the two disciplines have drifted apart intellectually in the past decade, we regard
such a relationship as beneficial to both departments.
RELATIONSHiP WiTH PROFESSIONAL AND CLIENT COMMUNITIES
Archaeology is a small discipline. Its professional members maintain close ties with
one another both within academic life and in the wider archaeological world. We believe
that the department's relationships with both professional and client communities are as
close as is appropriate, and indeed are a model of such ties.
RELATIONSHIP WITHAL UMNI
While the department, by the nature of its work, maintains close ties with graduates
working in archaeology, we believe that a case could be made for developing an alumni
organization, both to widen the department's external and community contacts and to aid in
fund raising. We recommend that the Department consider starting such a group. A good
starting point might be the Department's Museum, which is perhaps the Department's most
"public face" and, as we have pointed out, is grossly underfunded. A campaign to
encourage alumni to support the museum financially would be of benefit to all concerned.
.
v5gO.
I
9 ?
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
1.
A second full-time physical anthropologist should be hired. After some discussion
the Committee concluded that a specialist in the physical anthropology of the
peoples of the Northwest coast would be most appropriate given the other strengths
of the department.
2.
Teaching Assistants should not be employed solely as "markers" in introductory
courses. If at all possible, additional funding for student support of this type should
be made available to the Department.
3.
Guidelines for the awarding of teaching assistantships should be established by the
Department and these guidelines should be communicated to the students. Among
other criteria, teaching ability should be included among these guidelines.
4.
A Cultural Resource Management program should be introduced into the
undergraduate curriculum as soon as possible.
5.
The faculty should develop a set of highly specific objectives for the Material
Culture Analysis course to ensure both consistency and continuity. They should
accommodate a variety of approaches among individuals who teach the course.
6.
The addition and integration of the First Nations Studies program into the
curriculum should proceed as rapidly as possible.
7.
Students and faculty should begin immediately to rationalize the use of the graduate
student room. The room itself should be cleaned and organized immediately and
one faculty member and one graduate student assigned to ensure that order is
maintained.
8.
Faculty should be urged to develop study and research space in their laboratories for
the use of graduate students.
9.
The Department should consider carefully the requirements, and the traditional
expectations, of the MA program with a view to streamlining the MA degree.
10.
We urge the University and the Department to do everything possible to foster the
Secwepemc Program, and that a regular exchange of research and teaching visits
between the Kamloops and Burnaby campuses be established
11.
Although it may appear to be premature, consideration should be given to the spate
of retirements that will take place early in the new century. Before the next review
"bridging" appointments should be considered to maintain integrity and continuity
in the archaeology program.
12.
A departmental constitution, outlining policies and procedures, should be drawn up
as soon as possible.
?
9
13.
A
mmittee
on capital
and
equipment acquisition, replacement
and
repair should
be established. The responsibility of
this
committee will be to allocate funds in the
most efficient fashion to
maintain
the department's abilioty to teach
and
conduct
research.
14.
The
Museum
should be fostered
and
expanded.
Its resources
should be increased
considerably. At the
very
least a student assistant should be hired to allow the
curator more
time
for fund-raising
and
other activities outside the
confines
of the
Museum itself.
15.
Every effort should be
made to increase the library's grossly inadequate serial
holdings.
0
^
2-2,
