S
S-99-18
Simon Fraser University
Memorandum
To:
Senate
From:
Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules
Date:
January 19, 1999
Subject:
Senate Review
Action undertaken by the Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules gives rise to the
following action:
MOTION: "that Senate approve the Terms of Reference and
Membership of the Ad Hoc Committee o.n Senate
Review, as set out in S.99-18"
0
10
Senate Review
Purpose
A routine examination of the organization4 and effectiveness of Senate and its committees
should be undertaken from time to time to ensure that Senate and its committees are performing
required functions and following appropriate processes in a timely manner. It is many years
since the last major review of the Senate structure took place. SCAR recommends that a review
should be undertaken in 1999 by an ad hoc committee appointed by and reporting to SCAR.
Terms of Reference
The ad hoc committee will review the structure of Senate, to ensure that the structure is efficient,
effective and complies with the requirements of the Universit
y
Act.
Each committee will be asked to review its own existing terms of reference, membership and
processes and make suggestions for change where appropriate to the ad hoc committee.
The University community will be asked to comment on the effectiveness of Senate and its
committees.
The ad hoc committee will coordinate the responses, prepare a draft plan for reorganization if
required, submit the draft plan to Senate and the affected committees for comment and then
prepare a final report.
This examination of structure and processes should take account of the following principles:
1.
That decision-making shall normally be achieved by no more than three levels of decision
-making bodies;
2.
That decision-making shall normally be achieved within 4-6 months.
Membership
2 Faculty, 2 students, 1 administrator, all to be appointed by SCAR. The committee should
include at least one Senator or former Senator, and at least one person who has never been a
Senator.
Time Frame
From the time of establishment, the committee should deliver its draft suggestions within four
months, and its final recommendations within six months.
January 19, 1999
.
