DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE

MINUTES OF

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SENATE OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

HELD MONDAY, MARCH 13, 1978, 3172 ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 7:00 P.M.

Present: Jewett, P., Chairman

Barlow, J. S.

Birch, D. R.

Blaney, J. P.

Calvert, T. W.

Chapman, A. E.

Dobb, T. C.

Geen, C.., representing J. M.

Hackney, J. W.

Hobson, R. F.

Hoiweg, B.

Hossack, K. J.

Hoyt, G. C.

Ivany, J.W.G.

Keitner, A. A.

Kemp, C. L.

Lachlan, A. H.

Latham, L.

Mackauer, J.P.M.

McGuire, G. T.

Mulholland, E. B.

Munro, J. M.

Palmer, B.J.F.

Powell, R. D.

Resnick, L.

Rieckhoff, K. E.

Walkley, J.

Webb, M. J.

Weinberg, H.

Wells, E. J.

Wheatley, J.

Wilson, B. G.

Webster

Thsent: Arrott, A. S.

Bitle, D. E.

Bitle, G.

Buitenhuis, P.

Carlson, R. L.

Croll, J. R.

Cunningham, A. B.

Cunningham, F.

Diamond, J.

Doherty, P. M.

Hindle, L.

Hutchinson, J. F.

Kazepides, A.

Knight, D. E.

Lal, H.

McClaren, M.

Overholt, M. J.

Thomas, S.

Wyatt, J. D.

Evans, H. M., Secretary

Nagel, H. D.

Norsworthy, R., Recording Secretary

-2-

S.M.. 13/3/78

PAPER S.78-12B - ELECTION OF STUDENTS TO SENATE AND THE BOARD - RULES

OF SENATE

The Chairman stated that the Special Meeting of Senate had been

called on petition of five members for consideration of only one item

of business. She noted that the Rules of Senate which require two-

thirds vote to carry specify that it is two-thirds of the voting members

present, and the implication of an abstention is a negative vote. With

regard to the paper before Senate, Motion 1 requires a two-thirds vote,

Motion 2 requires a majority vote, and Motion 3 requires a two-thirds

vote to carry. She also reminded Senate of Rule V.H.2'.. which reads in

part, "A senator who has spoken twice on a particular question has

exhausted his right to debate that question for that session."

Moved by D. Birch, seconded by K. Rieckhoff,

Motion 1. "That Senate approve change to the Rules of Senate

by deleting the present section IV. F and substituting

a new section IV. F as described in Appendix 1 herewith."

D. Birch asked to place another motion before Senate, "That Senate

request its chairman to petition the Minister of Education for legislative

change to provide representation on Senate for part-time students," and

this was accepted as appropriate for later consideration in the meeting.

An amendment was moved by B. Holweg, seconded by J. Walkley,

"That wherever in Section 2 of Rule IV.F, as set

forth in Appendix I of Paper S.78-12B, there is

reference to 9 semester hours, that this be

altered to 6 semester hours."

Lengthy discussion ensued, with a number of further suggestions made,

including a proposal of 9 to 6, 9 to 12, and of 9 to 6, 9 to 6, and 9

unchanged. Following a five minute recess during which the Chairman and

the Secretary identified the complications to the student Senators, the

amendment was withdrawn by the mover, with the agreement of the seconder.

AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN,

Consideration of Motion 1 continued.

An amendment was moved by L. Resnick, seconded by A. Lachlan,

"That in Section 3 of Rule IV.F, as set forth in

Appendix I of Paper S.78-12B, the first sentence

of part iii) be reworded, 'If an undergraduate

student then must remain registered in at least

9 semester hours credit in two of the three

semesters associated with the one-year term of

office."'

- 3 -

S.M. 13/3/78

R. Powell commented that the essence of the legal opinion which

had been received was correct, but there was a question of definition

of terms which gets into the area of Senate power to define full-time

student under SFU regulations. He felt the amendment had no reference

to following the legislation and that the original averaging provision

was intended to eliminate any penalty to students for the pattern of

their courses. He could not support the amendment unless there was a

compelling reason provided which would establish a student with 9 hours

to be judged a responsible member of Senate or the Board.

T. Calvert was also opposed to the amendment, observing that the

contributions of part-time students was appreciated and SFU is unique

in Canada in allowing students great flexibility in organizing work-

loads and work in conjunction with studies. He was of the opinion an

average of 9 credit hours over two out of three semesters would be an

acceptable minimum.

K. Rieckhoff referred to the precedent which had been established

in recognizing faculty teaching loads using averaging.

Question was called on the amendment, and a vote taken.

AMENDMENT FAILED

•

Question was called on Motion 1, and a vote taken.

MOTION 1 CARRIED

UNANIMOUSLY

Moved by K. Rieckhoff, seconded by B. Palmer,

Motion 2.a) "That the new Rules of Senate adopted through

Motion 1 first be applied for the regular

elections to the Board and to Senate being

held in Spring 78-1 and thereafter."

"That the new Rules not be applied to those

persons now holding membership on the Board

or Senate with term of office ending May 31,

1978."

Explanatory Note:

The intent of Motion 2 b) is to permit any individual at present

inoffice to continue in-office until the expiration of the present

term which expires May 31, 1978.

An amendment was moved by B. Palmer, seconded by R. Powell,

"That a section c) be added to Motion 2,

'That the new Rules regarding candidacy (IV.F.2)

not be applied in the Spring 78-1 election and

instead the previous Rules (also IV.F.) be

applied."

-4-

S.M. 13/3/78

T. Calvert said he appreciated the sentiments behind the proposed

amendment, but wondered if when student Senators are seated under cur-

rent rules the actions of Senate could be challenged as null and void.

P. Jewett was of the opinion that the amendment was comparable to a

grandmother clause which was generally accepted. B. Wilson noted that

part iii) of Section 3 of Rule IV.F in Appendix I of Paper S.78-12B

governs the legality of the individuals once elected.

Question was called on the amendment, and a vote taken.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

Question was called on Motions 2 a), b) and c), and a vote taken.

MOTIONS 2 a), b) and c)

CARRIED

Moved by K. Rieckhoff, seconded by R. Hobson,

Motion 3. "That for Spring 78-1 Senate suspend the rule

which requires that the elections of students

to Senate and to the Board be completed by

April 15th on the understanding that they will

be completed not later than April 28, 1978

(Rule J.4.)."

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION 3 CARRIED

Moved by D. Birch, seconded by L. Latham,

"That Senate request its Chairman to petition

the Minister of Education for legislative change

to provide representation on Senate for part-

time students."

R. Powell reported that such an action would have the support of

UBC and U-Vic student unions. H. Weinberg suggested that inasmuch as

the Universities Act refers to "full-time student" on Senate and the

Board the motion be altered to include part-time student representation

on the Board of Governors, and D. Birch, although not opposed, felt it

was not Senate's prerogative to petition on behalf of the Board. J.

Wheatley proposed dividing the motion and soliciting the Board of

Governors for a similar petition. P. Jewett expressed the opinion ihat

the legislature should not determine the nature of representation of

university academic bodies.

D. Birch, with the approval of the seconder, withdrew his motion.

P. Jewett proposed petition that the Act be amended to endorse the

principle of representation on the Board and Senate with the appropriate

bodies within the university determining the nature of the representation.

B. Wilson objected in that such a proposal broadens the question beyond

the present basic discussion and that the issue is determining how

student representation is to be carried out, rather than the total ques-

- 5 -

S.M. 13/3/78

tion of the various components of the two bodies.

Moved by J. Blaney, seconded by J. Wheatley,

"That the matter be referred to the Senate

Committee on Agenda and Rules for appropriate

wording of a motion to be brought back to

Senate."

Question was called on the motion to refer, and a vote taken.

MOTION TO REFER CARRIED

The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

H. M. Evans

Secretary