DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SENATE OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
?
HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1983 - KLAUS RIECKNOFF HALL
OPEN SESSION
Present: ?
Pedersen, K.G., Chairman
Banister, E.W.
Absent: ?
Cot, P.T.
Bennett, R.N.D.
Gehibach, R.D.
Bhakthan, N.M.G.
Henderson, R.E.
Blaney, J.P.
Leiss, W.
Brown, R.C.
Littmann, H.
Calvert, T.W.
Overholt, M.J.
Carter, S.D.
Van Loon,
M.
Clark, K.
Wideen, M.
Cleveland, W.L.
Cochran, J.F.
Crawford, C.B.
In attendance:
D'Auria, J.M.
McMillan,
A.C.
Dobb, T.C.
Edelmann,I.D.
Hale, L.
Holmes, R.A.
Hoyt, G.C.
Irwin, J.C.
Johnston, H.J.M.
Jones, C.H.W.
Kameda, T.
Krebs, D.L.
MacPherson, A.
McDonald, D.
McKeown, B.A.
Munro, J.M.
Murray, P.R.
Naki, S.
Nielsen, V.
O'Fallon, C.E.
Okuda, K.
Prock, L.M.
Rieckhoff, K.E.
Schachter, B.
Stewart, R.
Strong, M.
Swartz, N.
Tuinman, J.
Verdun-Jones, S . N.
Webster, J.M.
Weinberg, H.
Wotherspoon, A.J.
.
Evans, H.M., Secretary
Heath, N.
Grant, B., Recording Secretary
-2- ?
S.N. 7/2/83
1.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved as distributed.
2.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The Minutes of the Open Session of January 10, 1983 were amended
and approved as follows:,
Page 6, Item (ii-g), second paragraph,
:- CMPT 410-3 amended to CMPT 401-3.
3.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
In reply to an inquiry as to the latest update on the preliminary
enrolment figures, the Secretary indicated that there were no unusual
fluctuations in the level of enrolment.
4.
REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN
a) A number of universities across Canada are currently involved in
the
planning
of
.
a National Universities Week to be held October 2-8,
1983. The public would be invited to visit campuses during this
particular week and universities are asked to plan a variety of
activities, at little additional cost to the institution, which would
draw
attentiän
to the role and value of Canadian universities to
society.
b). Senate was informed-that initial funding had been received for the
Implementation of the Engineering Science Program. However, the
level of support was not sufficient to implement the program in its
entirety. The electronics and computing streams would therefore be
offered initially; i.e. Fall 1983.
D. George, currently Director of the Program, has been appointed as
Dean of the new Faculty.
c), The Chairman reported that a recent meeting called by the Deputy
Minister of Universities at the request of the Faculty Association
who wished to offer more assistance in dealing with the fiscal problems
facing universities, at the present 'time and develop a better
communications between the Assoóiations, Board of Governors and
administrators,"had proved successful. However, indications at.that
'
meeting were that the
financial
outlook for the coming year was
relatively dismal and that universities would be fortunate to receive
the same level of support as they had last year.
5.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
i) Senate Undergraduate Admissions Board
a) S.83-16 Revised - Proposed. Policy on B.C. Private High Schools
Moved by J. Munro, seconded by W. Cleveland,
"That Senate approve and recommend approval to
the Board or Governors, as set .forth in S.83-16
Revised
'That for admission from a Private High School,
Simon Fraser University consider only those
qualified applicants from Private High
, Schools
-3-
?
S.M. 7/2/83
granted Group II status under the Ministry
.
?
of Education guidelines. Where a school
chooses to remain outside the Ministry of
Education guidelines for Group II status,
for reasons other than academic, the Senate
Undergraduate Admissions Board may grant
a waiver'
That this policy become effective for
applicants in 1984 and subsequently."
A. McMillan, Director of Admissions, was in attendance as a
resource person.
Senate was reminded by the Chairman that this paper had been
referred back to the Senate Undergraduate Admissions Board for further
consideration.
J. Munro reintroduced the paper indicating that the policy was
needed for three reasons: (a) SFU's current practice with respect to
private high schools has been inconsistent; (b) the creation of schools
designed for the purpose of preparing foreign students for university
level education was developing into a considerable industry in other parts
of Canada and academic standards in these schools were questionable.
SUAB therefore wished to tighten the regulations concerning private high
schools before this became a problem in B.C.; (c) there is no assurance
that graduates of unfunded and Group I schools are offered the same curriculuxi
•
?
and quality of teaching available in the public high schools and inspected
Group II Private High Schools.
Since the intent of the last sentence of paragraph one of the motion
was to allow schools to be granted a waiver rather than individual students,
the following suggestion made by N. Swartz was accepted as a friendly
amendment:
'Where a school chooses to remain outside the Ministry
of Education guidelines for Group II status, for
reasons other than academic, the Senate Undergraduate
Admissions Board may grant that school a waiver'
On the asumption that the intent of the motion was to include other
provinces as well as B.C., R. Stewart made the following suggestion which
was also accepted as .a friendly amendment:
'That for admission from a Private High School, Simon
Fraser University consider only those qualified
applicants from Private High Schools granted Group II
status under the Ministry of Education guidelines
including those in other provinces and territories.'
It was pointed out that other provinces may not grant Group II status
and it was agreed that the Secretary would develop an appropriate wording
for the amendment on the understanding that it was equivalency which
Senate was concerned with.
.
?
A further amendment was moved by K. Okuda, seconded by C. Crawford,
"That the following sentence be added to the first
paragraph - 'Applicants from other high schools must
achieve an acceptable score on the Scholastic Aptitude
Test to be admitted'
-4- ?
S.M. 7/2/83
Ensuing discussion indicated support forthe sntixuent of the
amendment but concerns were expressed that the Scholastic Aptitude
Test was not appropriate. It was also noted that no suitable alter-
native test existed at the present time.
A further suggestion was made to include the possibility of
students taking an equivalent examination and the following was accepted
as a friendly amendment to the amendment:
"That the following sentence be added to the first
paragraph - 'ApplIáants from other high schools must
achieve an acceptable score on the Scholastic Aptitude
Test or other appropriate examination to be admitted'
Question was called on the amendment, and a vote taken. AMENDMENT FAILED.
An amendment was moved by A. Wotherspoon, seconded by N. Swartz,
"That the following be added at the end of
the first paragraph:-
'Individual students from schools not granted a
waiver under this regulation may apply to the
Senate Undergraduate Admissions Board for admission.
SUAB will consider the students grades or any other
information the student wishes to submit.'
Question was called:ox the amendment, and a vote taken. AMENDMENT FAILED.
An amendment was moved by N. Swartz, seconded by A. Wotherspoon, that
the first sentence of the motion be altered to read: "Thatfor admission
from a Private High School,-Simon Fraser University ncrmally consider only
those qualified applicants from Private High Schools granted Group Ii status
under the Ministry of Education including those in other Provinces and
Territories." The Chairman ruled the amendment out of order on the grounds
that it substantially changed the intent of the motion.
(Given the instructions to the Secretary to develop a wording there
has been some editorial change to the title of the paper and change
to provide the main motion as amended and restated).
Title: Policy on B.C. Private High Schools - (including equivalents
in other Canadian Provinces and Territories).
MOTION: "That Senate approve and recommend approval to the
Board of Governors, as set forth in S.83-16 Revised
'That for admission from a Private High School,
Simon Fraser University consider only those qualified
applicants from B.C.Private High Schools granted
Group II status under the Ministry of Education guide-
lines (including, equivalents in other Canadian Provinces
and Territories). Where a school chooses to remain out-
'side the Ministry of Education guidelines for Group II
status, for reasons other than academic, the Senate
Undergraduate Admissions Board may grant that school a
waiver.'
That this policy become effective for applicants in
1984 and subsequently."
?
0
Question was called on the main motion as amended, and a vote taken.
MAIN MOTION AS
AMENDED CARRIED.
-5- ?
S.M. 7/2/83
b) S.83-26 - Proposed English as a Second Language Remedial Program
Moved by J. Munro, seconded by R. Stewart,
"That Senate approve and recommend approval to
the Board of Governors, as set forth in S.83-26,
That an ESL Testing and Remedial Program be
established in cooperation with Douglas College
as per the attached SUAB proposal."
A. McMillan, Director of Admissions, was in attendance as a resource
person.
J. Munro introduced the paper by referring to the pOlicy on International
Students endorsed by Senate. in June 1982. The section of that paper dealing
with admission criteria had .been referred back to SUAB for details on the
implementation of the ESL Testing and Remedial Program. Proposals were received
from Vancouver Community College University of B.C. and Douglas College.
The Douglas College Program has been recommended because SUAB felt they
would develop a test instrument and a program that was best suited to the
needs of the international students at SFU and to the requirements that
SFU has placed on them to read, write and speak English. The costs of
the program will be borne completely by the students who are required to
take it.
A. McMillan pointed out that the general procedures for the implementation
S ?
for testing and placement of students that would be required to take remedial
work were outlined in the paper with a number of details yet to be worked out
with Douglas College. Provided the
r
proposal receives approval, those details will be
identified and reported to Senate as deliberations with Douglas College
proceed.
A brief discussion followed in which concern was expressed about the
University becoming involved with remedial education through a community
college and the difficulties of developing an appropriate test instrument.
Opinions were also expressed in support of the proposal pointing out that
SFU would receive all the benefits of the remedial program without any cost
to the University. .: It was hoped, however, that a review of the proposal would
take place at some point in time to examine its affect on the University.
In reply to an inquiry as to why the Provincial. English Placement Test
was not being used, J. Munro stated that the EPT was not adequately designed
for people for whom English is a Second Language and a more comprehensive
and better suited test instrument was required for this particular population.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
?
MOTION CARRIED.
c) S.83-27 - Continuance, Withdrawal and Readmission Polic
Moved by J. Munro, seconded by A. Wotherspoon,
"That Senate approve and recommend approval to the
Board. of Governors, as set forth in S.83-27,
. ?
The attached revisions to the policy on Continuance,
Withdrawal and Readmission. That these revisions
become effective in the Fall Semester, 1983."
A. McMillan, Director of Admissions, was in attendance as a resource
person.
-6-
?
S.M. 7/2/83
J.
Munro introduced the paper by explaining that the intent of the proposal
was to reduce the length of time that students with consistently poor levels
of academic performance are allowed to continue at the University.
A brief discussion followed.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
?
MOTION CARRIED.
ii)
Senate Library Committee
a) S.83-28 - Library Loans Policy
Minor changes to the Library Loans Policy were received by Senate for -
information.
iii)
Senate Committee on Academic Planning/Senate Committee on
Agenda and Rules
a) S.83-29 - Revised Procedures for Curriculum Approval
Moved by
J.
Munro, seconded by A. Wotherspoon,
"That Senate approve the system of curriculum
approval outlined in J.M. Munro's memorandum
of August 4, 1981, and that consequent revisions
be made in the terms of reference of the Senate
Committee on Academic Planning, the Senate
Committee on Undergraduate Studies, and the
Assessment Committee for New Graduate Programs"
J.
Munro indicated that, provided Senate endorsed all five
motions, he wished to add the following to the proposal: (a) an
implementation date of September 1, 1983 and, (b) that the procedures
be tried on an experimental basis for two years, with review by SCAR
in June
J. Munro
1985.further
?
explained that the proposal would save time,
0
reduce costs and put the decision making responsibility for changes
in curriculum at the appropriate levels - Faculty and Department for
minor changes, Senate for major changes, with major being defined as
any change having a significant impact on more than one Faculty.
Senate would receive, for information, a report on any actions taken
by Faculties under this delegated authority.
Speaking against the proposal, K. Rieckhoff pointed out that the
current practice had enhanced the quality of the recommendations
presented to Senate and felt that without appropriate checks at the
various levels these standards would deteriorate. K. Rieckhoff also
indicated his concern at leaving the responsibility for the introduction
of new courses at the Departmental or Faculty level because individual
Faculties/Departments would not have an overall view of the University
and would therefore not be fully aware and cognizant of the impact
their actions would have on other Departments or Faculties.
In reply to an Inquiry as to what action could be taken if Senate
strongly opposed a course which had already been approved, J. Munro
indicated that Senate could retrieve its delegation at any time and
on any particular issue.
J. Cochran felt it would be useful if Senate were aware of 'the
substance of an amendment which he wished to propose to Motion 2 and,
with the permission of the Chairman to speak to Motion 2, he suggested
that the second line be altered to read: 'However before that approval
becomes final, these' proposals must be circulated to other Faculties
and the material must be referred to SCUS if requested by any Faculty'.
The intent of the imendment was simply to make sure that before a
Faculty could give final approval, consultation with other Faculties
would
have to take place.
.
-7- ?
SM. 7/2/83
A. MacPherson inquired if Senate could delegate authority to a
?
Faculty curriculum committee since these committees were not set up as
• ?
committees of Senate and also wondered if the motion to delegate
authority required a 2/3 majority vote. In reply, it was noted that
motion 2 would require a 2/3 majority vote and that the legalities of
delegated authority were not clearly defined but delegation to Faculties
did exist at other universities and specifically at the University of
Victoria.
In reply to an inquiry as to the difference between Motion 1
and Motion 2, J. Munro indicated that the second motion was the
one which would in fact delegate authority and the intent of motion 1
was to find out if Senate was interested enough to proceed.
A suggestion to alter motion 1 as follows, was made by
J. Munro and accepted. as a friendly amendment by the seconder.
"That Senate approve in principle the system of
curriculum approval outlined in J.M. Munro's memorandum
of August 14, 1981, and that consequent revisions be
made in the terms of reference of the Senate Committee
on Academic Planning, the Senate Committee on Under-
graduate Studies, and the Assessment Committee for New
Graduate Programs"
It was claimed that only at Senate level were students guaranteed
the right to address curriculum matters and concerns were expressed
that the proposed revision would reduce the input of not only the
• ?
students but also Convocation senators and Government appointees since their
participation was not as great at the departmental or faculty level.
In support of the motion, R. Brown indicated that since Faculties
had to report any action taken, Senate would be fully aware if any
particular Faculty began to exploit or lower their standards. It was
also pointed out that there was cross-Faculty representation on the
Faculty curriculum committees and that the matters proposed to be
delegated to Faculties received little attention at either the Senate
committees or at Senate. All major changes would still be reviewed
by the Senate committees and come forward to Senate for approval.
Question was called on the amended motion, and a vote taken.
MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED.
22 in favour, 20 opposed.
Moved by J. Munro, seconded by N. Bhakthan,
"That Senate delegate to Faculties authority for
approval of new courses, changes in existing courses,
and changes in program requirements. It is understood
that these actions will be reported to other Faculties
and that any major revision would be considered by the
Senate Committee on 'Academic Planning and by Senate.
(Major is defined to include any program or curriculum
change having significant impact on more than one
Faculty, as determined by the Chairman of the Committee.)
• ' Current procedures involving prior consultation between
departments on curriculum and program matters of mutual
interest will continue."
Question was called, and a vote taken.
?
MOTION FAILED.
6.
-8-
?
S. M. 7/2/83
iv) Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies
a)
Paper S.83-30 - New Course ENGL 210-3 - Composition
Moved by J. Webster,, seconded by S. Naki,
"That Senate approve and recommend approval to the
Board of Governors, as set forth in S.83-30, the
proposed new course ENGL 210-3 - Composition."
Replying to a concern expressed that this course was remedial
in nature and did not deal with University level material, R. Brown
explained that the course, designed for professional writers in the
English language,-was part of the Major-Minor program in English
and was in no way a remedial course.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
?
MOTION CARRIED.
b)
Paper S.83-31 - Deletion of courses not offered
Moved by J. Munro, seconded by A. Wotherspoon,
"That Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board
of Governors that the following courses be deleted:-
ECON
308-5
- Development of Economic Thought
lIST
226-3
- Britain from the late Middle Ages
HIND
100-3
- Introductory Hindi I
HIND 101-3
- Introductory Hindi II
POL. 131-3
- Introduction to Comparative Government
POL.
313-3
- Political Analysis
POL.
422-3-
The Canadian Legal System
POL.
436-3
-Comparative Political Parties
PSYC
406-3
- Validation Techniques
S.A. 393-4
- Oceania
S.A.
475-4
- Specialized Regional Studies: West Africa
S.A. 487-4
- Specialized Regional Studies: Indians of the Eastern
Woodlands and Plains
S.A.
489-4
- Specialized Regional Studies: Peoples of the Canadian
Sub-Arctic
S.A.
491-4
- Specialized Regional Studies: Central and South America -
Specific Regions I
S.A.
494-4 -
Specialized Regional Studies: The Eskimo
CRIM
102-3
- Crime: An Analytical Approach
G.S.
.403-5 -
Myths, Fictions, Histories: telling the truth about
experience II
BISC
300-3 -
Physical and Chemical Aspects of the Environment
K. Okuda advised that ECON 308-5 - Development of Economic Thought
had already been deleted. It was therefore withdrawn as part of the
motion.
?
.
?
.
Question was called, and a vote taken. ?
. ?
MOTION CARRIED.
REPORTS OF FACULTIES
There were no reports from Faculties.
?
-
• ?
-9- ? S.M. 7/2/83
. ?
7.. ?
OTHER BUSINESS
The Chairman reported that it was anticipated that changes would be
considered this year to the University Act. if the legislature was in
session. It was therefore
Moved by A. Wotherspoon, seconded by L. Hale,
"That the President, in consultation with the Senate
Committee on Agenda and Rules and the Senate
Nominating
Committee, appoint a committee of
. five Senators to
review the current Act and report back to Senate any
proposed changes"
Question was called, and a vote taken.
?
MOTION CARRIED.
8. NOTICES OF MOTION
a)
?
"That Senate direct the Registrar's Office to append to each
student's transcript a listing of all university awards and
scholarships that the student receives or is recommended for."
(A. Wotherspoon)
9. INFORMATION
The next regular meeting of Senate is scheduled for Monday,
March 7, 1983, at 7:00 p.m.
The assembly recessed briefly at 9:10 p.m. prior to moving into Closed Session.
0
