DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE
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MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SENATE OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY HELD
MONDAY. NOVEMBER 5, 1979 3172 ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 7:00 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
Present: Pedersen, .K. G., Chairman
Arrott, A. S.
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Absent:
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Cote', P. T.
Beirne, B. P.
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Doherty, P. N.
Birch, D. R.
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Keitner, A. A.
Blackman, A. R.
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Luetzefl, S.
Brown, R. C.
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Mackauer, J.P.M.
Bursill-Hall, G. L.
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Moffatt, D. C.
Calvert, T. W.
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Overholt, N. J.
Dobb, T. C.
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Wyatt, J. D.
Einstein, F.
Fisher, J.
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In attendance: Johnston, H.J.N.
Geen, G. H.
Harrison, D. J.
Hinchcliffe, S.
Hobson, R. F.
Hoegg, J. L., representing J. P. Blaney
Hoiweg, B. A.
Ivany, J.W.G.
• ? Jones, C.H.W.
Kemp, C. L.
Lachlan, A. H.
McNabb, G. T.
Munro, J. M.
Okuda, K.
Resnick, L.
Rieckhoff, K. E.
Roberts, N. C.
Slay, M. R.
Swartz, N. M.
Thomas, L. E
Toor, J. B.
• ? Tuinman, J. J.
Webster, J. N.
Weinberg, H.
Weinkam. J. J.
hitecroSS, G. A.
Wideen, B. N.
Wideen, M. F.
Evans, H. M., Secretary
NorsworthY, R., Recording Secretary
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S.M. 5/11/79
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
On a motion by K. Rieckhoff, seconded by T. McNabb, the agenda
was approved as distributed.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by K. Rieckhoff, seconded by R. Hobson,
"That the minutes of the Open Session of
October 1, 1979 be approved as circulated."
MOTION CARRIED
3. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
The Chairman informed Senate that there has been a drop in the
full-time equivalent enrolment figures for Fall 79-3 approximating 2%
and that the head count is identical. The incomplete count at UBC shows
an increase of 2¼7. to 3% and at UVIC there is a 5% increase on the head
count basis on current data.
4. REPORT OF CHAIRMAN
a)
Senate was advised that a meeting of the Long Range Planning Committee
of Universities Council, of which the President is a member, will be meet-
ing later this month with intention to discuss a number of important items.
b)
The Vice-President, Academic will be preparing a modified version of a
mission statement prepared earlier for Universities Council. It is intended
that this will form the basis for further discussion by SCAP and other bodies
and that it will be possible to lay out specific constraints for five years
and utilize academic units to do some planning within the constraints. It is
necessary to be specific for this to be a productive way of planning.
c)
A meeting has been held involving members of the Faculties of Science and
of Arts, the President, the Vice-President, Academic and local School superin-
tendents to ascertain interest in developing an honors college program for
gifted students in the school system, and there appears to be considerable
interest in exploring the proposal further.
5. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
i) Senate Nominating Committee
a) Paper S.79-l05- Senate Election
D. C. Moffatt was declared re-elected by acclamation to the Senate
Committee on Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries for a •further term of two
years to September 30, 1981.
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S.M. 5/11/79
ii) Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies
a) Paper S.79-106 - Proposed Changes -_Department ofHistory
Moved by D. Birch, seconded by R. Brown,
"That Senate approve and recommend approval to
the Board of Governors, as set forth in s.79-106,
the proposed changes in History, including:
i) New Course Proposals
HIST 105-3 - Western Civilization from the Ancient
World to the Reformation Era
lIST 106-3 - Western Civilization from the Reformation
Era to the 20th Century
lIST 21673 - The Ancient World
lIST 231-3 - The Collapse 0°f the Imperial Order
HIST 310-3 - Women and the Family in European History
lIST 311-3 - Education and Childhood in European History
HIST 312-3 - Poverty, Crime, and Madness: Society and
the Outcast
lIST 313-3 - The European-Bourgeoisie in the 19th Century
HIST 315-3 - English Society from the Reformation to the
Mid-18th Century
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lIST 316-3 - English Society from the Mid-18th to the 20th
Century
lIST 322-3 - Atlantic Migration
lIST 324-3 - Slavery in the Americas
lIST 330-3 - The Socialist International
lIST 335-3 - The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
lIST 342-3 - The History of Nigeria: An Emerging African
Giant (replacing HIST 474-5)
lIST 350-3 - Origins of the Modern Middle East: Continuity
and Change from the Ottoman Conquest of
Constantinople (1453) to World War I
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(replacing HIST 464-5)
HIST 352-3 - The Modern History of North Africa: From the
'Barbary' Corsairs to Independence (re-
placing lIST 466-5)
HIST 354-3 - Imperialism and Political Modernization in Asia
HIST 360-3 - The History of Science: The Classical Age to
the 18th Century
lIST 361-3 - The History of Science: The 18th Century to
the Present
lIST 380-3 - Culture and Counter-culture in Modern America
lIST 382-3 - European Nationalism in Music and Opera
HIST 385-3 - Canadian and B.C. Art
lIST 418-3 - Modern Spain and the Civil War
HIST 420-3 - The History of Russian Foreign Policy from
Catherine the Great to Stalin
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HIST 430-3 - New France
HIST 431-3 - British North America 1760-1850
S
The History of Native People in Canada
Change and Revolution in Modern Egypt
HIST
434-3 -
MIST
467-3 -
HIST
478-3
- The Trans-Atlantic Slave
Trade
MIST
480-3
- Romantic Nationalism in
the Operas
Dramas of Verdi and Wagner
MIST
481-3
- British India
and Music
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S.M. 5/11/79
ii) Revisions to
MIST
226-3 -
HIST 227-3 -
MIST
251-3 -
MIST 300-3 -
HIST 344-3 -
MIST
346-3 -
HIST 404-3 -
MIST
408-3 -
MIST
419-3 -
MIST
429-3 -
MIST
465-3 -
MIST
484-5 -
MIST
485-3 -
MIST
486-3 -
Subject to appr
Courses
Title and description changes
Title and description changes
Title and description changes
Number change (formerly I-lIST 190-3)
Number change (formerly
MIST
476-5
Number change (formerly
MIST
477-5)
Title, description, and credit change
Title, description, and credit change
Title, description, and credit change
Title, description, and credit change
• Title, description, and credit change
• Title and description change
• Number change (formerly
MIST
480-5)
• Number change (formerly
MIST
481-5)
)val of i) and ii)
Discontinuance of Courses
HIST 103-3 - Britain from the Stuarts to the 20th Century
HIST 110-3 - Studies in Historical Method
MIST
190-3 - Approaches to History
HIST 246-3 - Studies in African History
MIST
293-3 - Cultural and Intellectual History
MIST
296-3 - Social and Economic History
MIST
297-3 - Political and Administrative History
MIST
298-3 - An Introduction to the History of Inter-
national Relations
MIST
407-5 - European Imperialism
MIST
464-5 - The Middle East in the 19th Century
MIST
466-5 - North Africa in the 19th and 20th Centuries
MIST
474-5 - West Africa
MIST
476-5 - East Africa
MIST
477-5 - Central Africa
MIST
482-5 - Studies in History III
MIST
483-5 - Studies in History IV
iv) Retention of Courses but with Credit Change where shown
(for titles, see chart)
1.
MIST
101-3, 102-3, 104-3, 146-3, 151-3, 201-3, 208-3,
209-3, 212-3, 213-3, 219-3, 220-3, 223-3, 224-3, 225-3,
228-3, 229-3, 230-3, 249-3, 299-3, 495-5, 498-5, 499-18
2.
With credit change from 5 to 3 credits
MIST
403-3, 405-3, 406-3, 409-3, 414-3, 416-3, 417-3, 423-
424-3, 428-3, 432-3, 446-3, 447-3, 448-3, 449-3, 458-3,
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4'-3.
497-3•"
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S.M. 5/11/79
It is noted that this submission represents a major revision in the
Department of History and that much work has gone into the proposal.
At SCTJS it was identified that there had been considerable discussion
within the Department and Faculty Curriculum Committee concerning new
courses on Western Civilization. A very thorough debate had been under-
taken, particularly in view of an earlier concern shown within the
University on the introduction of a Western Civilization course in the
senior secondary school system of the Province. There was agreement
that these courses should be approved.
It has been the practice previously in most upper division History
courses to assign a credit value of 5. Following recommendations from
the Faculty of Arts Curriculum Committee, the majority of upper division
History courses will now carry a credit value of 3, generally equating
to the number of contact hours in the course. The History Department
has indicated that instructors will be expected to adjust the course load
appropriately.
Two additional prime changes were identified. The first arises from the
addition of lUST 105 and lUST 06 at an introductory level to then be
followed by specialization. The second represents the introduction of
the tier of 300 division courses as there have been no courses in History
nuithered previously in this way. The courses are lecturable courses on
specific themes; some previously were at the 400 division and some have
been given on occasion as special topics. These particular courses are
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also suitable for non-major students and thereby fill a previous gap in
the History program.
H. Johnston was in attendance to respond to questions.
D. Birch commented that the library resources for the History pre-
sentations are more than adequate, and that only a modest addition will
be required to cover the requirements for the proposed new courses. K.
Rieckhoff received confirmation that the upper division 3-credit courses
are taught by faculty as seminars and lectUre/tutorials and that students
require 45 hours of university credit prior to attempting the upper
division courses. H. Johnston stated that although there had been consider-
able student input in connection with the initiation of the proposed changes
during the Spring semester, such was not the case during the beginning of
this semester because of time shortage when it became necessary to bring
the proposal in line with the Faculty of Arts position on credit/contact hours.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
b)
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2rS.79-107- New Course Proposal - PHIL 140-3 - The Nature
of Science; and Discontinuance of G.S. 104-3 - The Scientific
Ethos
.
Moved by D. Birch, seconded by L. Resnick,
"That Senate approve and recommend approval to the
Board of Governors, as set forth in S.79-107, the
new course PHIL 140-3 - The Nature of Science, with
discontinuance of the course G.S. 104-3 - The Scientific
Ethos."
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S.M. 5/11/79
K. Rieckhoff questioned the practice of offering courses on a
regular basis without faculty available for the instruction, and D.
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Birch suggested the transfer from General Studies to a discipline
indicated regularization of the offering and that there would be a
review of the course and of the intention of arrangements. R. Brown
Supported the transfer of the course to the Department of Philosophy
and stated that he' had no concerns regarding the competency of the
sessional lecturer who 'would be reponsible for the delivery of the
material.
C. Bursill-Hall was of the opinion that there appeared to be
important gaps in the reading list, and R. Brown responded that it
would be difficult to cover all the material available in a general
examination of theories of scientific enquiry.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
c) PaDer S.79-108 - Recommendations - Policy Guidelines for
Grading Practices
The Chairman stated that the Policy Guidelines proposal had under-
gone further consideration following its referral back to the Committee
by Senate and that a major effort had been made to accommodate the points
of view expressed at the last meeting of Senate, and he hoped that a pro-
longed discussion or major amendments would not be necessary during the
current deliberations. ?
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Moved by D. Birch, seconded by K. Rieckhoff,
"That Senate approve, as set forth in S.79-108,
the proposed Policy Guidelines for Grading Practices."
Paper S.79-88 on this topic was discussed at the Senate meeting of
October 1, 1979. At that time an amendment was proposed for page 3 of
the document, "Should Departments have guidelines on expected distribu-
tions in particular types of courses they will be made public prior to
the beginning of the course and will be accompanied by a rationale for
the expected distribution. Instructors may be required to justify major
deviations from these norms."
There was considerable. debate on the proposed amendment and Senate referred
the item back to SCUS for further consideration. Meanwhile there was
attempt to proceed further with the document at the meeting. After further
discussion Senate approved the following motion: "That this paper be re-
ferred back to the Committee with understanding there will be opportunity
to raise issues on which there is concern." Senate moved into committee
of the whole to clarify referral and a number of points were raised but without
clear agreement on some of the items.
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The Committee considered the amendment which had been proposed at Senate
and approved the first sentence to be added as the last paragraph of
Section II, page 1 of the Policy Guidelines statement.
In view of the debate at Senate and the further consideration of the
Committee, the second sentence of the earlier proposed amendment was
deleted.
The Committee considered also other points which had been raised at Senate
but agreed unanimously that further changes to the paper should not be made.
It noted that the paper over the years had undergone extensive scrutiny and
that the paper as now presented represented the efforts of the Committee to
accommodate the various viewpoints which had been expressed.
K.
Okuda asked what procedure had been established for publication of
expected distributions, and D. Birch stated that a specific statement has
not been proposed as the mechanism could differ depending on the circum-
stances prevailing in individual departments. The attempt is for general
guidelines without spelling out all details.
L.
Resnick noted his earlier general objection to the proposed guide-
lines in that the responsibilities of the instructors had not been incor-
porated in the documentation to require maintenance of standards, appropriate
feed back to students and so forth. D. Birch suggested that the point was
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appropriate and would-be noted in the minutes and that the guidelines should
be reviewed from time to time. A. Lachlan believed a non-problem had been
raised in the area of aspects of teaching through these comments and that
instructors would observe their responsibilities.
A. Arrott objected to the style of the document in that guidelines?
were statements of policy but that the powers of deans had been incorporated
as rules.
N. Swartz offered a friendly amendment, which was accepted by the Chair,
which altered the phrasing of paragraph 4 of Section IV on page 3 of the
Policy Guidelines for Grading Practices as follows:
4. The Chairman shall first seek to resolve the concern by
dealing with the student and the instructor. If it cannot
be resolved at that level it is the responsibility of the
Chairman, after consultation with the student and the instructor,
to arrange for a re-evaluation of the work on which the grade was
based by an appropriately qualified person(s) and the establishing
of a grade
taking account. of
that re-evaluation, or to take such
other steps as are necessary. Should the student request anonymity
in such a re-evaluation reasonable steps shall be taken to ensure it.
L. Resnick enquired what effect there would be if the motion were to
be defeated, and D. Birch stated that there had been a series of events
which stimulated the activity that led to the promulgation of the guide-
lines. There appeared to be no other way of resolving the events which
would do justice to the academic standards of the institution and the rights
of individual students. A further problem was the reconsideration of grades
which is addressed in some departmental guidelines, but not in others; the
attempt had been to draw up guidelines which would be sufficiently general
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S.M. 5/11/79
that they would not be disruptive of departmental guidelines which work ?
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particularly well but would constrain those which were not operating
effectively.
Question was called on the motion as amended, and a, vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
iii) Senate Committee on Academic planning/Senate Committee on Under-
graduate Studies
a) Paper S.79-109 - Curriculum Changes - Nuclear Science
Moved by D. Birch, seconded by K. Rieckhoff,
Motion 1 "That Senate approve, and recommend approval to
the Board of Governors, the proposed new courses
in Nuclear Science as outlined in Paper S.79-109
and listed below (and that the predecessor courses
be discontinued as requested):
New Course Proposals:
1.
NUSC 341-3 - An Introduction to Radio Chemistry
with discontinuance of CHEM 341-3
2.
NUSC 446-2 - Nuclear Chemistry Laboratory
with discontinuance of CHEM 446-2
3.
NUSC 342-3 - Introduction to Nuclear Science
4.
NUSC 344-3 - NucleosyntheSiS and Distribution
of the Elements
5.
NUSC 346-2 - Radiochemistry Laboratory
6.
NUSC 444-3 - Special Topics in Nuclear Science."
D. Birch stated that the library collections were adequate although
some purchases ir the normal course of event would be required.
Question was called on Motion 1, and a vote taken.
MOTION 1 CARRIED
'Moved by D. Birch, seconded by K. Rieckhoff,
Motion 2 "That Senate approve, and recommend approval to
the Board of Governors, the proposed Minor ir
Nuc]ear Science as specified in Paper S.79-109."
Note: Approval and offering of the courses in the previous motion
are not contingent on the approval of the Minor. Whether or not
the Minor is approved the field of Nuclear Science represents a
common interest of faculty menbers in the departments of
Chemistry and Physics. It is an important field of scientific
inquiry and one appropriately identified on a student's transcript
whether that student had taken one or two courses or a greater
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S.M. 5/11/79
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concentration of study in the field. This statement is not
intended to diminish the argument for approval of the proposed
Minor and such approval is recommended by the Nuclear Science
Group, the Faculty of Science, the Senate Committee on Under-
graduate Studies, and the Senate Committee on Academic Planning.
Question was called on Nction 2, and a vote taken.
MOTION 2 CARRIED
Motion 3 "That Senate approve, and recommend approval to
the Board of Governors, the proposed change in
description and in prerequisite for NUSC 442-3 -
Properties of Nuclear Matter, as set out in Paper
S.79-109."
Question was called on Motion 3, and a vote taken.
MOTION 3 CARRIED
iv) Senate Undergraduate Admissions Board
a) Paper S.79-110 - TOEFL Study
Although the results of a TOEFL study hadbeer- presented to Senate
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for information, there was general discussion on the effectiveness of
the examination in conjunction with the general admission requirements.
The Chairman stated that the Vice-President, Academic has major concerns
regarding illiteracy and is taking acticn.
v Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules/Senate Undergraduate
Admissions Board
Moved by J. Munro, seconded by K. Rieckhoff,
"That Senate approve change in the terms of reference
of the Senate Undergraduate Admissions Board by adding
the following (see Appendix B):
PURPOSE:
Identify the present paragraph as a)
Add a paragraph:
b) To review applications that are in the C to C+
range and those that may be deficient or involve
special or extenuating circumstances.
PROCEDURE:
dd a paragraph:
d) Applications in Range I and Range II will be iden-
tified by the Admissions Office and SUAB selection!
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S.M. 5/11/79
review meetings will be called by the Director of
Admissions.
Applicants selected for admission by SUAB will be
admitted as regular students without condition.
Applicants not selected in the review process will
have the right to file an appeal to the Senate
Appeals Board in the same manner as all other
applicants who are denied admission."
J. Munro advised Senate that the revision of the admissions require-
ments which had received Senate approval a year ago necessitated the
adjustment to the terms of reference of SUAB.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
vi) Senate Committee onScholarships, Awards and Bursaries
a) Paper S.79-112 - Senate. Report to August 31, 1979
Moved by H. Weinberg, seconded by K. Rieckhoff,
"That Senate ratify the terms of reference of the
Financial Aid programs administered by the Senate
Committee on Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries."
H. Weinberg, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Scholarships, Awards
and Bursaries, stated that the paper outlines the philosophies and the
direction of new programs and the particular scholarships, awards and
bursaries nc.
,
administered, and that the detailed report indicating expen-
ditures is available for perusal in the Office of Financial Aid. In response
to a question raised by B. Holweg, H. Weinberg said that any individual who
is compensated for service to the university is ineligible for awards.
J. Harrison asked for information relating to the executive committee
of SCSAB and H. Weinberg replied that the executive is concerned with policy
changes, terms of reference for new awards and makes its recommendations to
the senior body.
N. Swartz asked if there is a university policy statement regarding
conditions of eligibility for private scholarships, and was advised that
there is a policy regarding non-accepta
nce
of discriminatory awards but
that donor-designated scholarships have always been accepted. N. Swartz
asked that the policy be reviewed and the Chairman of the Committee accepted
the request for consideration by SCSAB, with N. Swartz to identify his
concerns to H.' Weinberg.
C. Jones and H. Weinberg explained the operational features of the
new SFU Open Scholarship.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
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S.M. 5/11/79
vii) Senate Graduate Studies Committee
a) Paper S.79-113 - Changes in General Regulations
Moved by B. Beirne, seconded by K. Rieckhoff.,
"That Senate approve the attached changes to the
General Regulations in the University Graduate
Calendar."
B. Beirne commented that the main purpose of the proposal is to
fill in an omission which has caused problems in the past. G. Bursill-
Hall proposed a friendly amendment, which was accepted by the Chair, to
alter the second paragraph under Section 8.3. The paragraph now reads
as follows:
Under extenuating circumstances, a student may withdraw
from a course without academic penalty during the tenth to
the twelfth week of classes. Such circumstances must be
beyond the control of the student (e.g. medical or financial
crisis); under such circumstances, therefore, 898 (Master's
thesis research), 899 (Ph.D. research) or a similar course
may be added, as appropriate. The permission of the Senior
Supervisor and the Chairman of the Graduate Program Committee
is required.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
6.
REPORTS OF FACULTIES
There were no reports of faculties.
7.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business
8.
NOTICES OF MOTION
There were no notices of motion.
9.
INFORMATION
The next regular meeting of Senate is scheduled for Monday, December
3, 1979 at 7:00 p.m.
On a motion by G. Bursill-Hall, seconded by K. Okuda, the assembly
recessed briefly at 8:35 p.m., prior to moving into Closed Session.
H. N. Evans
Secretary
