•,.--r
I
.
MINUTES OF THE SENATE OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
HELD IN THE BOARD AND SENATE ROOM
ON MONDAY, JUNE 6
4-
1966 AT 1.30 PM.
PRESENT:
P.D. McTaggart-Cowan, Chairman
D. Baird
R.J. Baker
A.E. Branca
T.H. Brose
A.B. Cunningham
A.J. Ellis
•GJ. Frederickson
W.M. Hamilton
A.F.C. Hean
C. Kirchner
I. Koerner
C.H. McLean
A.R. MacKinnon
R. Maud
C.D. Nelson
G.N. Perry
K.E. Rieckhoff
E.M. Shoemaker
D.H. Sullivan
D.P. Robertson, Secretary
ABSENT:
M. Bawtree
T.B. Bottomore
G.L. Bursill-Hall
J .L. Dampier
J.F. Ellis
E.S. Lett
G.M. Shrum
A.M. Unrau
W. Vidaver
Before commencing the business of the meeting the Chairman warmly welcomed
the new members of Senate and introduced them to the other members. He then
noted that this was the first meeting of the complete Senate and
expressed
the
regrets of those who had been unable to be present. For the benefit of the new
members, the Chairman briefly outlined the work done by the Board of Governors,
acting both as the Board and as the Senate until the Senate was formed, and of
the Committee of Heads and of the Senate, The Chairman then stressed the
importance of close liaison between the Senate and the Board of Governors so
that the academic goals of the University could be met.
1.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of May 2, 1966 were approved as recorded.
2.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
a) Spring Semester Examinations Results
The Registrar briefly reported on the recommendations contained in
his statement on the spring semester grades.
Page No. Two
SM
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In the ensuing discussion A.F.C. Hean asked if Senate should
consider <the question of further reducing the importance of final exmjn.
ations. It was pointed out that this was a matter for departmental die.
cretion at this time, partly because of the inherent differences
in the
various disciplines. There was general approval for working towards
reducing the importance of final examinations and it was felt that a
study of this question should be made after a few more semesters; not
from the point of view of establishing uniformity, but to pub].ieh a
study which would challenge others to look at the situation.
The Chairman then requested the Senate to rule on the four
specific
recommendations made by the Registrar, with the following results:
a)
It was moved by K.E. Rieckhoff, seconded by D.H. Sullivan,
"that this recommendation be
approved."
CARRIED
b)
It was moved by K.E. Rieckhoff,
seconded by
T.H. Brose,
"that this recommendation be
approved."
S
CARRIZD
c)
It was moved by K.E. Rieckhoff,
seconded by
D.H. Sullivan,
"that this recommendation be
approved."
CARRIED
d)
It was moved by T.H. Brose, seconded by D.H.
Sullivan,
"that this recommendation be
approved."
CARRIED
b)
Grading Systein
A.B. Cunningham reported that the Faculty of Arts at its meeting
of June
3 had earnestly requested that Senate reconsider the restoration to the
grading scale of A and C+ while accepting the elimination of D+ and D-.
The Registrar reported that instructions on the new grading system
approved by Senate had already been issued to faculty and to students and
requested assurance from Senate that any change would be deferred at least
for this semester and preferably longer.
The Chairman reported that there would have to be the normal supporting
papers to consider changing the grading system and the difficulties which ouch
a change would present would be considered at that time.
A.B.
Cunningham requested that the matter be placed on the agenda of the
July Senate meeting.
3.
NEW
BUSINESS
N
Na) Election of Members of Senate to Board of Governors
.• The Registrar advised that he wished to change the proposal sot out in
his paper on the manner of handling the election. He now proposed a simple
ballot form to fill the three positions, rather than the weighted transferable
ballot. Those eligible for election would be asked if they were willing to
stand for election before the ballot was prepared.
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Page No. Three
'M
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It was moved by K.E. Rieckhoff, seconded by A.R. MacKinnon,
"that the amended suggestion of the Registrar be adopted."
CARRIED
b)
Election of Members of Senate to Senate Librar Committee
The Chairman reported that the building up of the Library was a
critical area in the growth of the University and that the Library
Committee would be a hard-working Committee. He therefore recommended
that this election be deferred until after the election of members to the
Board of Governors, as it would be onerous for any one member to serve on
both. It was agreed that the matter be deferred. The Chairman will
consult
with the Senate members and bring in nominations after it is known who has
been elected to the Board of Governors.
The Chairman then reported that one of the early recommendations made
by the Librarian was substantial
investment in serials and
commended
him
for the foresight which
had made it possible for this University to have
one of the best serial collections in Canada. The Librarian outlined to
the Senate the procedure for working with the faculties
on
acquisitions.
c) Request from
Council for Clarification of Section 64
The Chairman pointed out that the reason for the request for
guidance
from Senate had reference to the words "general rules" in Section 64 and
finding the line between general rules and specific rules.
D.H. Sullivan mentioned a $25.00 fine which had been levied and was
ruled out of order by the Chairman as the discussion related to general
rules and not to specific cases. R. Maud suggested that Senate
might
make
recommendations to Faculty Council dii general rules. It was thonpolnted
out that the principle of fines was in the Act as part of the duties of
Faculty Council
and that If a member wished Senate to
discuss recommendations
to the Faculty Council
a
discussion
paper
should be presented to Senate.
It was then moved by K.E. Rieckhoff, seconded by R.J. Bakers
"that any general rule or regulation whch affected a ic
number of people required the approval of
Senate.'
CARRIED
d).Registrar's Report on Summer
istratjon
The Senate took note of this report from
L 11 1 0 Registrar.
e)
rasReorton High School Liaison
In presenting this report the Registrar advised that
he considered it
important for Senate to know of the extent of
the
liaison work done with the
high schools.
In the ensuing discussion C.J. Frederickson asked if the Registrar
planned to advise each high school of the marks of students frori that school.
The Registrar advised that he intended to do so, but that
the
informatIon
would be confidential and for the guidance of
the
counsellors only.
K.E. Rieckhofl advised that not all members of faculty wt-re aware of the
liaison work done by the Registrar and requested that
all
facult y,
be
infcr.e4.
Page No. Fou
SPA
•./ /e e •
I. Koerner asked about the guidance given to students entering the
University particularly from private schools. The Registrar advised that
one of the reasons for going to the high schools was to enable counsellors
to give the proper guidance. Advisors are also available in the Registrar's
Office and prior to registration there will be a week during which Faculty
Advisors will be available to the students.
The Senate commended the Registrar on his report, with the recommendation
that efforts be continued along these lines, with particular note to consider
the private schools where it was probable that counselling service was not
as extensive as in the public schools.
f) Registrar's Report on Admissions_Test
In presenting his report the Registrar outlined the procedure for ad-
mission at the University. This procedure is primarily based on provincial
examinations, which are very good in this province.
After considerable discussion it was agreed that no recommendation for
action be made at this time. The Registrar will keep in close touch with
the group and other interested parties, will assess the study as it progresses,
and will keep the Senate informed of developments. The present admission
procedure should continue and no indication will be given at this time
that the University will join the Admission Service.
.
4. OTHER BUSINESS
R. Maud advised
the faculty from the
in question dealt wi
category which might
that he and T.H. Brose had requested the April report to
Committee of Heads be discussed in Senate. The report
th the possibility of establishing an addiLioud facuLty
be identified as "tutor..
The Chairman advised that there were two ways to deal with this cuetion
in Senate. The matter could be placed on the agenda for Senate with
discussion paper, or Senate could invite a report from the Committee of Reads
as soon as possible.
In the following discussion R. Maud indicated he was not prepared to
present a paper to Senate on this question. The subject will therefore be
presented to Senate through the Committee of Heads.
5.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Chairman announced that the next meeting would be held on July 4th
at 1.30 PM.
The meeting adjourned at 3.50 PM.
D. P. Robertson
Secretary