DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SENATE OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY HELD
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MONDAY. MARCH 7. 1977. 3172 ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 7:00 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
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Present: Jewett, P., Chairman
Arrott, A. S.
Baird, D. A.
Birch, D. R.
Bitle, D. E.
Blaney, J. P.
Brown, R. C.
Buitenhuis, P.
Calvert, T. W.
Catalano, J. A.
Cunningham, A. B.
Cunningham, F.
D'Auria, J. N.
Davison, A. J.
Dawson, A. J.
Debo, R. K.
Ellis, J. F.
Emery, B. E.
Fattah, E. A.
Finlayson, T.
Glas, T.
Hutchinson, J. F.
Ironside, R. A.
Jones, C.H.W.
Kazepides, A.
Knight, D. E.
Latham, L.
Mackauer, J.P.M.
Manley-Casimir, M.,
McGuire, C. T.
Munro, J. M.
Okuda, K.
Overholt, M. J.
Severy, L.
Thomas, S.
Webster, J. M.
Wemyss, I. D.
Wilson, B. G.
Absent: ?
Barlow, J. S.
Carlson, R. L.
Curzon, A. E.
Diamond, J.
Doherty, P. M.
Erickson, D. A.
Hindle, L.
Hindley, M. P.
Johl, R.
Martel, A. G.
Sterling, T. D.
Walker, R. E.
In attendance: Bouton, C. P.
Gilbert, K. L.
representing J. Wheatley
Evans, H. M., Secretary
Nagel, H. D.
Norsworthy, R., Recording Secretary
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
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Moved by T. Glas, seconded by B. Emery,
"That a motion on tuition fees be heard under
Other Business."
Question was called, and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
15 in favor
12 opposed
J. Ellis requested that his abstention be recorded.
The agenda was approved with the addition of the proposed item
under Other Business.
2.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
In response to a query from R. Ironside, it was noted that the
proposed motion on a complex subject had been considered by the Senate
Committee on Agenda and Rules as requiring further developmental work
for proper debate at Senate. The proposed motion, however, had been
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included as part of Paper S.77-03 circulated to Senate for guidance on
this topic. This action was appropriate and in keeping with the res-
ponsibilities of SCAR.
Question was called on approval of the minutes of the Open Session
of February 7, 1977, and a vote taken.
MINUTES APPROVED
3.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
The Chairman announced that a special meeting of the Senate Committee
on Agenda and Rules would be convened on March 16, 1977, at 12 noon in
Room 3171, to discuss the matter of questions at Senate. R. Ironside had
been invited to attend and others interested in participating should
inform the President.
4.
REPORT OF CHAIRMAN
Senate was informed of discussions with the Universities Council
concerning Interior programming and possible extension of present pro-
grams. It was expected that a formal letter from the Minister of
Education would be received in the very near future confirming that
the government would release some portion of funds to initiate a modest
extension to the Kelowna program in the Fall and possible development
of correspondence courses.
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Referring to the matter of questions directed to the Chair of
Senate, the Chairman stated that until any different procedure pro-
viding for questions at Senate is developed, questions should be
presented in writing to .the Chairman. Responses to questions will
be given, as part of the Report of the Chairman.
In response to a question relating to Section 28(d) of the
Universities Act, the Chairman stated that the Senate Committee on
University Budget had addressed itself to capital planning and she
would consult with SCUB and the Board to ascertain if more intensive
consultation was deemed to be desirable. She added that the Ad hoc
Committee on Resource Allocation was awaiting a breakdown and other
datafrom the Institutional Studies Division and would meet when the
material was available, but as it was not a Senate committee there
would be no formal report to Senate.
Regarding presentation of external reviews, B. Wilson stated
that final reviews had just come to hand. The Deans have been asked
to review their submissions with respect to departments and provide
up to date data in consultation with departments. It was expected
they would be available to Senate possibly late this Spring or in the
early Summer in connection with the Faculties of Science, Arts and
Interdisciplinary Studies.
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J. Catalano asked if the Senate Committee on Committees should
be reinstituted and was.advised that the Senate Committee on Agenda
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and Rules had been charged to assume the responsibilities of the former
ad hoc Committee.
The Chairman expressed deep regret regarding a fatal heart attack
suffered by Professor L. M. Kendall, who had been a faculty member and
founding chairman in the Department of Psychology.
5. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
i) Senate Committee on Continuing Studies
a) Paper S.77-17 - Credit-Free Courses, 1975-76 - for information
J. Blaney provided information to the effect that community educa-
tion courses are organized by departments in association with Continuing
Studies, given at all times of the day, and aimed at the public. A fee
is charged to break even on program costs. The courses listed for faculty,
students and staff are organized by the academic support departments and
they are designed expressly for day-time population full-time students,
and at times modest fees are often charged. Since these courses are
taught by people already on faculty at SFU they are in a sense partially
subsidized.
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ii) Senate Committee on Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries
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a) Paper S.77-18 - 1976 Annual Report - for information
Moved by C. Jones, Seconded by L. Latham,
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"That Senate ratify the terms of reference of
the programs administered by the Senate Committee
on Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries, and
established during 1976, as set forth in Paper
S.77-18 on pages 9-12 inclusive."
C.
Jones stated that the motion was quite specific, calling for
ratification for the new programs and new awards accepted by the
Committee on behalf of Senate.
It was noted that changes in terms of reference are normally
made through the President and financial matters are. referred to
the Board of Governors, and that the Director of Financial Aid
carries the responsibility for assessing need in specific cases.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
Considerable attention was directed to the comparison between
1975 and 1976 scholarships, awards, bursaries and loans administered
by the Committee, and C. Jones responded to a number of queries posed.
K. Gilbert, Director of Financial Aid, provided information in connec-
tion with the Canada Student Loan and Grant-in-Aid programs.
iii) Senate Library Committee
a) Paper S.77-19 - Library Loan Policy.
D.
Baird asked that a word change be noted in Addendum Policy 1
of the paper, which would alter the second sentence to read, "Further,
as the Library will not be able to provide notification about material
that has been recalled when the University is being struck or when
normal public mail service is not available, it will become the res-
ponsibility of the individual borrower to enquire weekly of the Loans
Division on the Burnaby campus, or the administrative office of a non-
Burnaby campus, to determine if any material lent in his or her name
has been recalled."
Moved by D. Baird, seconded by R. Ironside,
"That Senate approve incorporation of .the
addendum to the Library Loan Policy, as
set forth in S.77-19."
It was confirmed that the proposal was to include in the Loan
Policy the actions which had proven effective during two strikes,
when the library staff had been temporarily reduced by 80%.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
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MOTION CARR I El)
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iv) Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies
a) Paper S.77-20 - Participation in English Placement Test
Moved by D. Birch, seconded by A. Cunningham,
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"That all students entering first year at
Simon Fraser University be required to
write the English Placement Test (usage
and composition)."
It was noted that in October 1976 Senate had agreed to participate
in the proposal for the English Placement Test and that there would be
further opportunity to confirm participation, that the Senate Committee
on Undergraduate Studies had given serious consideration to the matter,
and recommendations were now being presented for Senate action.
Criticism of the compulsory aspect of the recommendation prompted
D. Birch to suggest that, if all other universities and junior colleges
which offer first year English require the test, SFU could become a
residual institution to be attended by all those individ
uals
who for
some reason have not subjected themselves to the test. It was stressed
that SFU is not considering the Placement Test as a test for admission.
P. Buitenhuis added that participation in the Placement Test was in the
best interests of all students as an indicator of ability and an oppor-
tunity to correct writing skills.
An amendment was moved by I. Wemyss, seconded by R. Ironside,
"That 'required' be replaced by 'expected."
D. Bitle suggested a better word might be "encouraged," and this
was accepted by the mover and seconder of the amendment.
I. Wemyss stated that inasmuch as first year English is not re-
quired at this institution he could see no reason for people being
forced to take the test.
Question was called on the amendment, "That 'required' be replaced
by 'encouraged," and a vote taken.
AMENDMENT FAILED
11 in favor
22 opposed
B. Emery proposed an amendment, "That 'required' be replaced by
'expected," which the Chairman ruled as not a new amendment.
Amendment was moved by I. Wemyss, seconded by R. Ironside,
That the words 'for the two-year development
period' be added to the motion."
Question was called on the amendment, and a vote taken.
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AMENDMENT CARRIED
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It was explained that the students would receive the results of
their scores in the English Placement Test which is broken down into
three sections with maximum points of 20 in determining errors commonly
made by English speaking students, 20 for errors common to non-native
speakers, and 80 for proficiency in composition; that the results
would be provided in numerical values as well as in percentile scores
relevant to the particular areas of assessment.
J. Blaney suggested that Senate should be provided with a descrip-
tion of the rationale, intent, and indication of how the material will
be used, and if it were a diagnostic test further information was re-
quired on its use for remedial instruction. D. Birch responded that the
proposal was directed towards students with less than 30 credit hours
standing to identify those who are most likely to need instruction of
the sort that ENGL 010 provides. J. Catalano commented that such a
test should be inserted in senior secondary education and that the
initial two years of statistics gathering would prove useless for
students taking the test during that period. A. Cunningham favored
charging faculty members with directing students to remedial courses
which will assist them. T. Calvert said the motion was impractical and
likely would cause considerable problems for part-time students.
Question was called on Motion 1 as amended, and a vote taken.
MOTION 1 FAILED
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12 in favor
24 opposed
Moved by D. Birch, seconded by R. Brown,
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"That all students entering Simon Fraser on
the basis of graduation from a B.C. secondary
school in 1977, 1978 or 1979 be required to
write the English Placement Test.
The University will cooperate with the Educa-
tional Research Institute of B.C. in the
collection of Grade 12 English grades, English
Placement Test scores, and grades in 100 level
English courses for purposes of evaluating and
developing the English Placement Test."
D. Bitle was of the opinion there was no clear purpose in the
English Placement Test, and B. Emery was uneasy about approving a
proposal prior to examining at least a prototype of the test. P.
Buitenhuis said the marks could be of considerable use in pointing
out deficiencies.
An amendment was moved by I. Wemyss, seconded by D. Bitle,
"That '1979' be struck," but withdrawn when it was pointed out that
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the motion as stated covered the period of development from May 1977
through May 1979 and included students completing high school in 1979.
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D. Birch stressed that the service is in response to the comments
and concerns expressed by institutions and groups within the English
departments, the senate, Articulation Committee, and English faculty
members.
Question was called on Motion 2, and a vote taken.
MOTION 2 CARRIED
22 in favor
12 opposed
Moved by D. Birch, seconded by T. Glas,
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"It is understood that the information to be
obtained from the English Placement Test is
not to be used as a basis for admission or
compulsory placement of new or continuing
students during the two-year development
period."
An amendment was moved by J. Catalano, seconded by B. Emery,
"That 'during the two-year development period'
be struck."
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J. Catalano opposed any future possibility of the Placement Test
being used for admission purposes, and B. Emery added that, as Senate's
motion of October 1976 had made it clear it would not be used for ad-
mission purposes, the motion was redundant and should'be taken as
philosophy for future action.
B. Wilson and T. Calvert countered that if there was any value in
testing, Senate should not be restricted in using the evidence and
experience gained. R. Ironside stated that the amendment did not pre-
clude a future Senate from altering a condition, but. it was encumbent
that it be expressed that the data gathered was considered not useful
for admission purposes. P. Buitenhuis felt the amendment would prejudge
an issue which could prove to be useful.
Question was called on the amendment, and a vote taken.
AMENDMENT FAILED
10 in favor
20 opposed
Question was called on Motion 3, and a vote taken.
MOTION 3 CARRIED
23 in favor
10 opposed
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? 1). Birch stated it seemed appropriate that the paragraph following
the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies,
S.77-20, be considered by Senate.
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Moved by I. Wemyss, seconded by T. Glas,
"Participation in the English Placement Test
implies commitment by Simon Fraser University
to developing program(s) to meet the needs
identified, e.g. the teaching of composition
skills to non-native speakers of English."
T. Arrott and J. D'Auria challenged the Chair that the statement
could be a motion. The ruling of the Chair was sustained by a vote of
18 sustaining the chair and 13 opposed.
D. Birch stated that the intention of SCUS was that, while the
university was not going to direct students into specific courses, and
not going to exclude students from admission, it was not appropriate
to make information available to students about problems for which
courses do not exist, but it was possibly a commitment for a specialized
section of ENGL 010 or 011 with a different emphasis.
P. Buitenhuis remarked that passing the motion .involved a corn
ment as a large num er of nstructors might be required
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financial support would not be available within the budget constraints.
A. Kazepides was of the opinion there may be conflict with the Test of
English as a Foreign Language.
Moved by B. Wilson, seconded by J. Munro,
"That this motion be tabled pending review
after the two-year development period."
Question was called on the motion to table, and a vote taken.
MOTION TO TABLE CARRIED
23 in favor
6 opposed
v) Senate Undergraduate Admissions Board
a) Paper S.77-21 - Western Civilization 12
Moved by B. Wilson, seconded by D. Birch,
"That Senate approve the addition of Western
Civilization 12 for inclusion in the list of
academic 12 level subjects acceptable for
admission to Simon Fraser University."
F. Cunningham stated the proposal was mis-cast; that the goals were
impeccable but too wide and the weakness was instability of the vehicle.
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T. Arrott expressed the opinion that TV watching was passive and the
subject was not a substitute for learning history, literature, geography,
physics or mathematics.
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Moved by B. Emery, seconded by R. Debo,
"That the proposal be referred back to SUAB
for reconsideration of the areas where this
course overlaps with other subjects offered."
R. Debo stated, as seconder of the motion to refer, he would ask
that the remarks of F. Cunningham and T. Arrott be conveyed to SUAB
with the recommendation that they be taken into account in reconsider-
ing the proposal.
As mover of the main motion, although not a member of SUAB, B.
Wilson suggested that the proposal should be defeated on the floor
of Senate.
Question was called on the motion to refer, and a vote taken.
MOTION TO REFER FAILED
Question was called on the main motion, and a vote taken.
MIN MOTION FAILED
6; REPORTS OF FACULTIES
i) Faculty of Arts
a) Paper S.77-22 - Addition to Rules and Regulations
Moved by J. Munro, seconded by I. Wemyss,
"That Senate approve and recommend approval to
the Board of Governors, as set forth in S.77-22,
that decisions of the Faculty of Arts Curriculum
Committee and the Faculty of Arts Graduate Studies
Committee be transmitted by the Dean directly to,
respectively, the Senate Committee on Undergraduate
Studies and the Senate Graduate Studies Committee
except where the recommendations involve modifications
in degree requirements or are deemed to be of Faculty-
wide importance. This latter determination will be
made by the appropriate committee. Decisions which
are not transmitted directly to the Senate committee
will either be voted on by the Faculty in mail refer-
endum or be placed on the agenda of a meeting of the
Faculty."
J. Munro stated his opinion that since the motions contained in
S.77-22
are presented under Section 41 he considered Sections 37 and
38 do not apply, and the motion does not require reference to the
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Board. Senate must either accept or reject the motion but cannot
amend it. The Secretary responded as his opinion that the add:iiionai
sections had been identified as appropriate as Section 37(o) staLes
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that Senate has the power to deal with all matters reported by the
faculties affecting their respective departments or-di vision; Section
38 overrides Section 37(o) and states that a certified copy of every
resolution or order of the Senate providing for any
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of the matters or
things mentioned in Section 37(i), (o) and (r) shall, within ten days
of the passing thereof, be transmitted to the Board, and no such
resolution, rule or regulation has force or effect until it has been
approved by. the Board. It was agreed these matters would be investigated
further.
J. D'Auria expressed a negative reaction and lack of confidence in
the competency of an undergraduate studies committee to make faculty
decisions. J. Munro explained that the motion was designed to eliminate
referenda on minor matters which ar
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general interest.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
18. in favor
Moved by J. Munro, seconded by R. Brown,
"That Senate approve and recommend approval
to the Board of Governors, as set forth in
S.77-22 that each department in the Faculty'
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of Arts be authorized to select one student
representative to participate and vote in
meetings of the Faculty of Arts and to vote
in Faculty of Arts referenda. Each department
shall determine the qualifications, method of
selection, and term of office of its student
representative, but student representatives
must be registered in the current or immedi-
ately preceding semester."
J. Munro, as in the previous motion, believed that reference to
seeking Board approval should be deleted from the motion. He added
that the intent of the second sentence of the motion had been intro-
duced at the request of those departments where there are no function-
ing student unions to ensure there is a responsible group of students
prepared to undertake the necessary obligations.
Moved by T. Glas, seconded by G. McGuire,
"That the motion be referred back to the
Faculty of Arts with instructions for re-
consideration."
T. Glas gave assurance that students appreciate the concern of the
Faculty of Arts but have some reservations about the particular proposal.
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He did not believe there had been any student-input in the development
of the proposal.
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When B. Emery expressed interest in proposing an amendment, J.
Munro stated that Senate was restricted to either approving or re-
jecting. He said the procedural issue was of such importance he
would request consideration of the motion be delayed until the next
meeting of Senate in order that advice could be sought. B. Wilson
concurred that it was preferable to seek further advice rather than
rule in an ad hoc fashion.
L. Severy argued that if it was not appropriate to refer the
motion it should be defeated. T. Glas was not convinced that Senate's
options were approval or rejection.
Moved by D. Birch, seconded by F. Cunningham,
"That consideration of Paper S.77-22 be
posponed until the next meeting of Senate."
Question was called on the motion to postpone, and a vote taken.
MOTION TO POSTPONE CARRIED
23 in favor
8 opposed
The Chairman stated that the Dean of Arts would take into considera-
tion a point raised in connection with appropriate student representation
in the departments of the Faculty of Arts.
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b) Paper S.77-23 - Proposed Change of Name of DML
Moved by J. Munro, seconded by J. Catalano,
"That Senate approve and recommend approval
to the Board of Governors, as set forth in
S.77-23, the change of name of the Department
of Modern Languages to the Department of
Languages, Literatures and Linguistics."
Professor C. Bouton was seated to respond to questions posed. He
stated that, as the Department provides courses of instruction in litera-
ture and linguistics, as well as languages, it was felt appropriate to
identify the Department accordingly. It was agreed that the effective
date of the change of name would be established as January 1978.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
22 in favor
2 opposed
7. OTHER BUSINESS
i) Paper S.77-24 - Nominations - for Conference
Moved by B. Wilson, seconded by R. Debo,
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"That Professors Phyllis Auty and John M.
Bumsted represent the University at the
10th Anglo-American Conference of Historians
to be held at the Institute of Historical
Research in July 1977."
B. Wilson gave assurance that the motion was not a change in
procedure, merely a courtesy to nominate representatives of the
university, who would be funded by the Department of History.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
ii) The Chairman read the motion earlier presented for consideration
on the agenda:
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"While the Senate of SFU recognizes that financial
considerations rest under the direction of the Board of Governors,
Senate is opposed in principle to a tuition fee increase for students
in the year 1977-78. ?
The Senate is concerned about the effect of a
tuition fee increase upon the accessibility of this institution to
all people in the community.
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Further, that these concerns be cojmnuni-
cated to the Board of Governors."
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She stated that she felt
fflte'6motion
was out of order as the matter was under the jurisdiction of the Board
of Governors and the most Senate could do was to express its concern
of the effect of a tuition fee increase, not take opposition in
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The proposed motion was ruled out of order.
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T. Arrott challenged the ruling of the chair.
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The ruling of the
chair was sustained by a vote of 16 to 13.
It was pointed out by M. Overholt that the time allotted for the
duration of the Open Session had expired.
Moved by T. Glas, seconded by D. Knight,
"That the Open Session of Senate be extended
past 10 p.m."
Question was called, and a vote taken.
MOTION FAILED
12 in favor
20 opposed
8.
NOTICES OF MOTION
There were no notices of motion.
9.
INFORMATION
The next regular meeting of Senate is scheduled for Monday,
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April 4, 1977, at 7:00 p.m.
The Open Session terminated at 10:07 p.m.
H. M. Evans
Secretary
