MINUTES OF
THE
SENATE OF SIMON
FRASER UNIVERSITY
HELD IN
THE
BOARD AND SENATE
ROOM
ON MONDAY, JULY 4, 1966,
AT 1.30 PM
•
PRESENT:
P.D. McTaCgart-Cowan
Chairman
D.A. )nid.
R.J.
D, cr
•
A.E. Branca
A.B. Cunningham
J.L. Dampier
A.J.
Ellis
.•
J.F. Ellis,
C.J. Frederickson
W.M. Hamilton
Arnold F.C. Hean
C. Kirchner
I. Koerner
C. H. McLean
J. Mills
C.D. Nelson
K.E. Rieckhoff
G.M. Shrum
D.H. Sullivan
A.M. Unrau
W. Vidaver
D.P. Robertson
Secretary
ABSENT:
N. Bawtree
•.
T.B. Bottomore
•
T.H.
Brose
•;
G.L.
Bursill-Hall
E.S. Lett
A.R. MacKinnon
•
E.M. Shoemaker
Before commencing the business of the meeting the Chairman welcomed
J.L. Dampier who had been unable to attend the previous meeting, and J. Mills,
who had been elected by the Faculty of Arts to replace R.N. Mau'd until August,
1967.
1.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Chairman referred to page 2, second paragraph, and asked the members
if it was their wish that the text of the
recommendations
such as sections a),
b), c), and d) appear in the minutes. The members agreed that this was their
wish and the Secretary was requested to issue an addendum to cover this case.
With this addendum the minutes of the meeting of June 6, 1966, were
approved.
2.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
•
• a. Report of Election of Members of Senate to the Board of Governors.
The Registrar reported that 29 ballots were distributed, 28 ballots were
received, of which one was spoiled, leaving 27 ballots counted.
Page No. 2'.
The following received the largest number of votes
Angelo E. Branca
C.J. Frederickson
Arnold F.C. Hean
Moved by C.H. McLean, seconded by A.M. Unrau,
"that the report of the Registrar be received and
the three members announced be declared elected."
CARIU:ED
Moved by C.D. Nelson, seconded by J.L. Dampier,
"that the ballots be destroyed."
CARRIED
The Chairman congratulated Messrs. Branca, Frederickson and
'Hean on their election to the Board, of Governors and extended
sincere thanks to Mr. McLean, who had worked extremely hard
for the past many months as an appointee to the Board of
•
Governors by the Provincial Government. The Chairman also
•
.
paid tribute to Mr. McLean for his fine work 9fl behalf of the
'Three Universities Capital Fund.
n
b.
Election of Members of Senate to Senate Library Committee.
The Chairman announced that the Senate Library Committee is
now in being, but that election of members from Senate had
been held until Senate was fully constituted. The Chairman
then nominated the following for membership in the Senate
Library Committee
I. Koerner
R.J. Baker
W. Vidaver
The three nominees expressed their willingness to. stand for
election.
Moved
,
by A.J. Ellis, seconded by C.D. Nelson,
"that nominations close."
The Chairman then declared the three'members nominated to be
members of the Senate Library Committee and requested the Librarian
to provide them with the previous minutes and documentations for the
Committee.
3. NEW BUSINESS
•
a.
Request from Faculty of Arts to Re-open Question of Grading System
The Registrar reported that the grading system adopted by Senate
. Page No.
3.
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t
at its May meeting had been presented to Senate by the President's Committee
on Grading and Scholastic Standing after having been reviewed by the faculties.
The grading system passed by Senate had subsequently been incorporated into a
supplement to the Calendar
which
had been circulated to students, faculty,
high schools, colleges and other universities.
The Chairman reported that a request of Senate to reconsider an
earlier ruling was subject to the following rules
1.
To move that the question be reconsidered. This would
have to be done at the meeting at which the question
was approved, or at the following meeting. In this
instance, therefore, this rule could not apply, as
the grading scale had been approved at the May meeting
of Senate.
2.
To move that the motion previously passed be rescinded.
In this
•
case notice of such a motion must be given at a
previous meeting.
The Chairman recommended that Dean
Cunningham's
report on this
question at the June Senate meeting be considered as notice and recommended
that he now move that the motion of May 2nd be rescinded.
Moved by A.B. Cunningham, seconded by A.F.C. Hean,
"that the motion of May 2, 1966, (viz: K.E. Rieckhoff,
P. Copes, 'that the grading scale proposed by the
(
President's Committee be adopted with the exception of
the explanation for the letter grade DEF.')
CARRIED (13 to 8)
The Chairman expressed the view that the grading system adopted in
May must remain in force-for the summer semester.
AGREED
In the ensuing discussion a number of
conflicting
views were ex-
pressed. Some members were largely in favour of a finer scale; other
members were in favour of a coarser scale, and some were of the opinion
that the scale passed by Senate was the best possible compromi
s e between
the two points of view.
W. Vidaver pointed out that the case should not be re-opened on the
presentation of one point of view: that if it were re-opened, the question
of a scale coarser than the one passed by Senate should also be documented.
The Chancellor expressed the view that with more students coming up
for scholarships, the finer structure might provide fairer judgment. He
further stated that he considered the question so important that a full
discussion in Senate a this meeting was warranted. The Chairman
announced
that he would permit the discussion to proceed in order to provide the newer
members a better understanding of the question.
.
K.E. Rieckhoff felt it was important that the grading system at this
University be compatible with other systems. He stated his view that the
system passed by Senate in May was compatible with percentage systems and with
the four point system used by American universities.
Page No. 4
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49q,
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Following the discussion the Chairman reported that three courses were
/2
open
1.
Decide on a specific recommendation and move its adoption.
2.
Refer the question back to faculty.
3.
Move to table the discussion for the next meeting, with a request
to the Registrar to distribute to the members of Senate well in
advance of the next meeting the arguments pro and con the various
systems of grading.
A
Moved by C.D. Nelson,
"that the Registrar
background informat
be discussed at the
seconded by J.L. Dampier,
provide the Senate members with
ion on this question and the problem
next meeting.
CARRIED
The Chairman then suggested that it would-be helpful if members would
document and send to the Registrar any new points that they felt would be useful
for the next discussion on this question. He further recommended that such in-
formation be in the hands of the Registrar as soon as possible.
3. b.
Report by President on Shell Station Incident
The President reported to the members the details of the problem which
had arisen in connection with the construction of the Shell Station and the
'thinking of the Board of Governors in their handling of this matter.
There followed a discussion in which there was a general expression of
concern over the bad publicity and its effects on the Three Universities
Capital Fund and possible plans for additional residences. The Chancellor
stressed the importance of residences and reported that negotiations were
presently in progress with three other members of the industrial community
who might consider donating funds for student residences to the University.
The Chairman reported that both students and faculty were aware that the new
residence was to be named "Shell House" and were prepared to accept this.
A number of members expressed the opi
fl
ion that the question of the
naming of residences was one which should be discussed in the Faculty
Association. One of the points mentioned was whether individual names would
be more acceptable on University buildings than would corporate names.
The Chancellor then expressed grave concern over the possibility that
publicity which indicated disagreement over the principle of residences
donated by industrial firms would result in cancellation of any plans which
these firms might have. He recommended that any discussion on the matter in
the Faculty Association be held in a closed meeting. This was agreed
to
by
all present.
S
3.
c.
Traffic and Parking Regulations
The Chairman reported that the regulations under discussion had been
approved by Faculty Council. At its last meeting Faculty Council had moved
that the regulations should be placed before the Senate in view of Senate's
request of June 6 that all regulations having wide applicability be approved
by it.
S
S
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k
Page No. 5.
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•
4dt-i
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Moved by A.J. Ellis, seconded by K.E. Rieckhoff,
"thAt tho TQffG and PlUn Ro-aulationa b
approved."
CARRIED
R.J. Baker suggested that the appeal mechanism set out in the regu-
lations should be changed as he felt it was difficult for the Manager
of General Services to have to handle all such appeals. The Chairman
reported that most of the appeals are of a minor nature; one or two
cases referred to the Manager of General Services are referred to
Faculty Council and the Act makes provision for this. Approval of the
regulations as they stand puts them in good form and the appeal mechanism
,.may bechanged if such action appeared advisable.
Moved by R.J. Baker, seconded by J. Mills,
"that the matter of appeals in connection with the
Traffic and Parking regulations be presented to
the Faculty Council for consideration."
-
CARRIED
C. Security Regulations
n
Moved by C.D. Nelson, seconded by Cdl. McLean,
"that the Security Regulations be approved."
CARRIED
Library Regulations
Moved by C;D. Nelson, seconded by A.B. Cunningham,
"that the Library Regulations be approved."
S
CARRIED
4.
OTHER BUSINESS
-
a.
Election of Rector to Senate
R.J. Baker gave notice that he would place the question of representation
of students on Senate on the agenda for the next meeting. He mentioned the
importance of considering the matter of communication and suggested that
consideration be given to the appointment of a Rector to represent students
on Senate. This is the system whichhe intends to propose.
b. ,
Structure for theB.A. and B.Sc. Degrees
S
.•
C.D. Nelson announced that 300 and 400. level science courses would be
presented to Senate at its next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 4.15 PM.
It
5)
ADDENDUM TO THE MIWTES OF THE SENATE MEETING HELD MONDAY JULY 4, 1966
AT 1.30 PM - Page No. 2
.
of Senate Minutes.
The Chairman then requested the Senate to rule on the four specific
recommendations made by the Registrar with the following results
a)
Moved by K.E. Rieckhoff, seconded by D.H. Sullivan
"that the individual student statement of marks
be reviewed as it is now, by the Senate Undergraduate
Admissions and
Standings
Committee."
CARRIED
b)
Moved by K.E. Rieckhoff, seconded by T.H. Brose
"that a summary of grades as attached be sent
to each member of the faculty."
CARRIED
•
c)
Moved by K.E. Rieckhoff, seconded by D.-H. Sullivan
"that the Committee of Heads review each semester the
summary sheets as attached and comment on gross
anomolies."
CARRIED
d)
Moved by T.H. Brose, seconded by D.H. Sullivan
"that the Registrar present to Senate a report as
attached for each semester along with comments
from the Committee of Heads.
Senate should make
recommendations to the Heads for any changes thought
necessary in the way in. which the Grading Scale is
being used, or may ask for specific comments from
the Head on any apparent anomolies in his department."
CARRIED
