DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SENATE OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY HELD

ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1991 KLAUS RIECKHOFF HALL, 7:00 P.M.

OPEN SESSION

Present:

Saywell, W.G., Chair

Absent:

Cercone, N.

Barrow, R.

D'Auna, J.

Bedford, B.

Deigrande, J.

Blackman, R.

DiFonzo, A.

Blaney, J.

Gibbons, N.

Bowman, M.

Mauser, G.

Bukovac, S.

Munro, D.

Carlson, R.

Pinfleld, L.

Clayman, B.

Rae, B.

Covell, M.

Strate, G.

Dickinson, J. (replacing D. George)

Dill, L.

Tjosvold, D.

Djwa,S.

Dobb, T.

Duguid, S.

Ekstedt, J. (replacing R. Brown)

In attendance:

Evenden, L.

Heath, N.

Giffen, K.

McKeown, B.

Gray, P.

Heinrich, K.

Hendrickson, T.

Hoechsmann, M.

•

Hoegg, J.L.

Jones, C.

Leiss, W.

Luk,

W.S.

Maaske, R.

Menzies, R.

Munro, J.

Myers, T.

Nielsen, V.

Palmer, E.

Palmer, L.

Percival, P.

Reilly, N.

Rieckhoff, K.

Saunders, R.

Shannon, D.

Shapiro, S.

Stewart, M.L.

Tuinman, J.

Verdun-Jones, S.

Wade, S.

Walker, R.

Warsh, M.

Winne, P.

Wotherspoon, A.

Nagel, H. Acting Secretary

Grant, B., Recording Secretary

S.M. 04/02/91

Page 2

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

The Agenda was approved as distributed.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE OPEN SESSION OF DECEMBER 3. 1990

The Minutes were approved as distributed.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

There was no business arising from the Minutes

Senate was informed that a report, prepared under the Chair's name, in response

to the Ministry's strategic planning initiative will be presented to Senate at its next

meeting for consideration.

ii)

The Chair reported that the University has received notification that controls are

being returned for public sector wages. A letter from the Hon. M. Couvelier,

together with the official press release, is the full extent of the information received

at this point and copies will be forwarded to the various employee groups on

campus.

iii)

The Chair was pleased to announce that capital funding has been received for the

planning of the West Mall Complex and that the planning process was now

underway.

iv)

The Chair was pleased to announce the appointment by Order-in-Council of

Senator Deborah Shannon to the Board of Governors.

Senate was informed that the first annual report of the Harassment Co-Ordinator

will be released in the near future. The Policy has been effective in terms of raising

the sensitivity of the university community to such issues and in establishing

procedures to effectively handle complaints in this regard.

vi)

Congratulations were extended to J. Ekstedt, School of Criminology, who was

instrumental in the creation of the International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and

Criminal Justice Policy which is a joint venture between Simon Fraser University,

Faculty of Law - University of British Columbia, and Rutgers University in the United

States.

vii)

Congratulations were also extended to M.L. Stewart, Department of

History/Women's Studies, whose recent book was ranked by the Foundation for

Humanities as the best book published in the Humanities in Canada this year.

viii)

The Chair reported difficulty in receiving written confirmation from all of the

honorary degree candidates as well as difficulty in scheduling individuals for the

various ceremonies but he hoped to be able to make a public announcement very

soon. However, in order to focus more attention on the Fall Convocation, separate

announcements will be made for the June and October ceremonies.

ix)

In response to concerns from L. Palmer about recent changes to the parking policy,

in particular the regulations relating to evening parking, the Chair requested that

the concerns be submitted to his office in writing and stated that he would take the

matter under advisement and report back.

S.M. 04/02/91

Page 3

llIul*1

Moved by J. Munro, seconded by R. Blackman

"that Senate approve, as set forth in S.91-1, undergraduate

curriculum revisions in the Faculty of Arts as follows:

Department of Psychology - Changes to the program admission

requirernentsiorPsychologyMinor,Major-and- Honors students" --

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

i.iia35'

lIi11i,1uIiitC11t1Th(]est]si

Moved by J. Munro, seconded by K. Rieckhoff

"That Senate approve, as set forth in S.91-2, the following recommendations of

SCUS (as amended by SCAP): (Note: SCAP amendments underlined)

In order to qualify for graduation from the general degree program, a

student must satisfy, as a minimum, both of the following requirements:

and

a minimum grade point average of 2.00 calculated on the basis of all

upper division courses taken at Simon Fraser University. This grade

point average will be calculated by dividing the total number of grade

points earned in upper division courses by the total number of semester

credit hours assigned for those courses, counting only the higher grade

in courses that have been duplicated.

In order to qualify for graduation from the honors degree program, a

student must satisfy, as a minimum, both of the following requirements:

and

a minimum grade point average of 3.00 calculated on the basis of all

upper division courses taken at Simon Fraser University. This grade

point average will be calculated by dividing the total number of grade

points earned in upper division courses by the total number of semester

credit hours assigned for those courses, counting only the higher grade

in courses that have been duplicated.

If a student in the honors degree program has completed both the CGPA

filld the grade point average for upper division courses at 3.50 or higher,

the designation "First Class" will apply.

Individual faculties and departments may, with the approval of Senate,

maintain their own supplementary graduation requirements. Individual

S.M. 04/02/91

Page 4

faculties and departments may apply to Senate for permission to

increase the minimum grade point average required for graduation, or to

impose additional requirements, or both.

In keeping with the above regulation, the definition of the grade "C-" on

page 22 of the current calendar should be revised from 'Satisfactory

Performance' to 'Marginal Performance'.

The upper division grade point average should appear on students'

transcripts in a running manner.

The revised minimum graduation requirements apply to all students

entering the University commencing with the Fall 1991-3 Semester.

Students who were registered at the University prior to the Fall 1991-3

Semester may satisfy either the minimum graduation requirements as

stated on page 11 of the 1990/91 Calendar, or the revised minimum

graduation requirements as set out in S.91-2"

In response to an inquiry about grandfathering current students, A. Blackman drew

Senate's attention to Item 6 of the motion which explicitly addresses this issue.

Responding to an inquiry about the effect of the proposed changes, J. Munro pointed out

that at the present time graduation CGPA is not calculated until students apply for

graduation. If the proposed regulation is approved, a running entry will appear on student

transcripts so they will know exactly where they stand with respect to this requirement.

The regulation will also establish a consistent university-wide calculation for the

grConcaduaertn ion

waCs

PeAxpr.

essed that the proposal as it was originally motivated by departmental

curriculum committees had been radically transformed by SCUS and SCAP and opinion

was expressed that this represented a departure from the spirit of the original proposal.

In response to an inquiry concerning the C- designation, R. Blackman indicated that the

committee felt that since it was not possible to obtain a degree with only C- grades, C-

should not be described as it currently appears in the Calendar as 'satisfactory

performance' and therefore the committee recommended C- be described as 'marginal

performance'.

Inquiry was made as to the need for changing the current regulation and, in response, it

was pointed out that it was now possible for a student to graduate with less than 2.00

grade point average which was lower than the current maintenance standard. Although

this did not happen frequently the Committee felt it should be corrected. Opinion was also

expressed that this proposal places greater weight on upper level course work which is

where the emphasis for graduation should be.

It was pointed out that under current conditions of academic probation, and if the

proposed regulations are approved, students will be able to continue with a cummulative

grade point average below 2.00, complete their graduation requirements provided that

their grade point average in a review period is higher than 2.00, and at the end of their

studies not be eligible for a degree . Request was made that the Senate Undergraduate

Admissions Board review the condition of academic probation. The Chair advised that

the request will be noted and taken under advisement.

S.M.

04/02/91

Page 5

Moved by B. Bedford, seconded by T. Hendrickson

"that the motion be referred back to the Senate Committee on

Academic Planning and the Senate Committee on Undergraduate

Studies for further discussion"

Opinion was expressed that there appeared to have been little discussion between

SCUS and SCAP regarding the impact of the changes and it would have been more

democratic to refer the committee amendments back down to the curriculum committees

for consideration.

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.

MAIN MOTION CARRIED

ii)

Senate Committee on Academic Planning/Senate Graduate Studies Committee

Paper S.91-3 - Change to Graduate Studies General Regulation 1.9.5 re Ph.D.

External Examiners

Moved by J. Munro, seconded by B. Clayman

"that Senate approve changes to the Graduate Studies General

Regulation 1.9.5 regarding Ph.D. External Examiners, as set out in

S.91-3"

As a point of clarification, B. Clayman indicated the intent was that students would not be

made aware of the exact question the examiner wished to pose at the defense but there

was no prohibition against informing students of the general nature of any concern the

examiner might have.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Paper S.91-4 - Graduate curriculum revisions - Faculty of Applied Sciences

Moved by J. Munro, seconded by B. Clayman

• "that Senate approve and recommend approval to the

Board of Governors, as set forth in S.91-4 curriculum

revisions in the Faculty of Applied Sciences as follows:

Natural Resource Management Program -

- Change to description of program

- Change to degree requirements re credit hours and

elective courses

- New course - MRM 658-5

- Change of title and description - MRM 650-5

- Change of description and addition of prerequisite -

• MRM 670-5

S.M. 04/02/91

Page 6

- Change of title - MRM 615-5"

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

fl'lL1i

Moved by J. Munro, seconded by B. Clayman

"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of

Governors, as set forth in S.91-5, curriculum revisions in the

Faculty of Arts as follows:

S.91-5a

School of Criminology

ii)

S.91-5b

Department of Economics

iii)

S.91-5c

Department of Geography

iv)

S.91-5d

Department of Linguistics

S.91-5e

Department of Political Science"

Referring to S.91-5, a suggestion to amend section (c) of the proposed modifications to

read 'at least twenty-one (21) hours selected from additional graduate curriculum

offerings' was accepted as a friendly amendment. Referring to S.91-5e concern was

expressed about possible overlap between the proposed new course POL 855 with

courses in existence in the Department of Communication. B. Clayman pointed out that

representatives from both Departments were present at the various levels when

committees approved this course and this issue had not been raised.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Paper S.91-6 - Graduate curriculum revisions - Faculty of Business Administration

Moved by J. Munro, seconded by B. Clayman

"that Senate approve and recommend apprOval to the Board of

Governors, as set forth in S.91-6, curriculum revisions in the

Faculty of Business Administration as follows:

- New courses - MBA 660-5, MBA 661-5, MBA 662-5,

MBA 663-5

- Change of title - MBA 607-5, MBA 681-5, MBA 691-5"

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Paper S.91-7 Graduate curriculum revisions - Faculty of Education

Moved by J. Munro, seconded by B. Clayman

"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of

Governors, as set forth in S.91-7, curriculum revisions in the

Faculty of Education as follows:

- Revision to PhD Supervisory Committee

- Revision to requirements re Comprehensive Examinations in

the Curriculum Theory and Implementation PhD Program

- Revision to Comprehensive Examination Committee for the

S.M. 04/02/91

Page 7

Curriculum Theory and Implementation PhD Program

New Course - EDUC 863-5

Revision to list of core courses in the Counselling Psychology

Program"

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED.

Paper S.91-8 - Graduate curriculum revisions - Faculty of Science

Moved by J. Munro, seconded by C. Jones

"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of

Governors, as set forth in S.91-8, curriculum revisions in the

Faculty of Science as follows:

S918a DepartmentoLBio log icaLSciences

- -

ii)

S.91-8b

Department of Mathematics and Statistics"

Clarification was requested with regard to the explanation that some of the new courses in

Biological Sciences were instituted in response to the external review of the Department

since Item 3.9 of the Review indicates that the number and diversity of courses should be

reduced. C. Jones explained that by introducing these special topic courses, the

Department hoped to provide an appropriate array of courses to allow students the

opportunity to take what they want without offering a very large number of courses.

In response to an inquiry concerning the introduction of 900-level courses in the

Department of Mathematics and Statistics, B. Clayman explained that graduate course

numbers range anywhere from 500 to 900. These were not the first 900 numbers in the

University, and he indicated he intended to look into this issue in an attempt to rationalize

the numbering system in graduate studies. It was also pointed out that in order to keep

some rationale for their own sequence of numbering the Department had to move to the

900-level as the majority of numbers at the 800-level had already been used.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

The External Review Report of the Department of Biological Sciences was received by

Senate for information.

S.M. 04/02/91

Page 8

M-1 iUJT

riii.1u :ririi

Moved by R. Saunders, seconded by C. Jones

"that Senate approve the admission of students from Fraser

Valley, Douglas and Kwantlen Colleges who have completed the

Associate in Science Diploma subject to the following minimum

conditions:

- 6 credits in mathematics (Calculus)

- 6 credits in english

- at least 6 further credits in a discipline other than biological

sciences, chemistry, physics or mathematics

- at least 36 further credits in biological sciences, chemistry,

physics or mathematics, with at least 20 credits in one of these

disciplines

- at least 6 further credits in any discipline

-. a minimum CGPA of 2.50

All of the above courses and, all courses included in the CGPA

must transfer to Simon Fraser University"

In response to an inquiry as to why this was before Senate, J. Munro explained that it

required Senate approval because it guarantees admission for students who have

completed the Associate Program in Science with a transfer GPA of 2.5 no matter what

the admission requirement for college transfer is set at. It was pointed out, however, that

the question of the grade point average is open for discussion on a continuing basis. At

the present time the college transfer admission GPA is 2.2 so the guarantee doesn't really

mean anything but it would become crucial should the college transfer admission be

raised above 2.5. It was also noted that Senate had already approved admission by

Faculty and effective September 1992 the Faculty of Science will take advantage of this

regulation; this proposal although not required for this change, complements it nicely.

Concern was expressed about approving exceptions to rules, especially at this point

when the exception is not really needed and the possibility in future of ending up with

different exceptions to different rules in various faculties.

In response to an inquiry with respect to potential conflicts between the motion and

enrolment limitations, it was pointed out that if college transfer admission GPAs are set

higher than the 2.5, any students admitted with the Associate credential at 2.5 would have

to be taken into account in calculating the overall number of students admitted in the

college transfer category. It was pointed out that students admitted with the Associate

credential would be admitted to upper level Science courses which is an area where

extra enrolment would not have severe effect on the rest of the university. The intent of

the Associate Program was to encourage students in the college to focus their attention

on the possibility of attending university and mapping out for them a cohesive program of

courses that will allow them admission to the University to take a degree program in the

Faculty of Science.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

B. Bedford requested his opposition be noted.

S.M. 04/02/91

Page 9

Other Business

There was no other business.

Notices of Motion

Paper S.91 -11 - Changes to the Rules of Senate. Sections V.A.6. V.A.7

Senate received notice of motion for a proposal to change the Rules of Senate in order to

allow the meeting time of Senate to be changed.

The Chair indicated that a suggestion to consider this issue in the Closed Session of

Senate will be reviewed by the Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules.

Information

The date of the next regularly scheduled meeting of Senate is Monday, March 4, 1991.

Th Asèmb' moved dfrecfly uito Closed Session at 8:05 p.m.

H. Nagel

Acting Secretary of Senate