DRAFT UNTIL

APPROVED BY

SENATE

Minutes of a Meeting of the Senate of Simon Fraser University held on Monday,

October 3, 1994 in Room 3210 WMX at 7:00

p.m.

OPEN SESSION

Present:

Stubbs, J., Chair

Alderson, E.

Absent:

Cohen, M.

Amason, K.

Driver, J.

Bacani, J.

Dunsterville, V.

Beattie, S.

Etherington, L.

Blaney, J.

Hoeflich, K.

Boland, L.

Jones, C.

Bullock, D.

Lord, T.

Chan, K.

Luk, W.S.

Ciria, A.

McInnes, D.

Clayman, B.

Mueller, B.

Crawford, C.

Segal, J.

D'Auria, J.

Stewart, M. L.

Dean, C.

Warsh, M.

Dhir, R.

Wickstrom, N.

Eaton, C.

Wideen, M.

Einstein, D.

Wu, S.

Giffen, K.

Hafer, L.

Heinrich, K.

Manley-Casimir, M. (representing R. Barrow)

Marteniuk, R.

Mathewes, R.

McAskill, I.

Morrison, T.

Munro, J.

Naef, B.

Osborne, J.

Percival, P.

Perry, T.

Peterson, L.

Rawicz, A.

Sanghera, B.

Shapiro, S.

Swartz, N.

Thomas, S. (representing T. Dobb)

Thompson, J.

Vining, A.

Winne, P.

. ? Heath, W.R., Secretary

Grant, B., Recording Secretary

S.M. 03/10/94

Page 2

Approval of the Agenda

Following a brief discussion about how to place an item on the agenda for

consideration, the Agenda was approved as distributed.

Approval of the Minutes of the Open Session of September 19, 1994

Reference was made to Item 4 - Report of the Chair and the following item,

Paper S.94-52 at the top of page 3 which appeared unnumbered. Suggestion

was made that S.94-52 should be numbered as item five with all remaining

sections subsequently re-numbered.

Secretary's Note: Paper S.94-52 should appear in the Minutes, as it appeared on

the agenda, as Item 4.i) under Report of the Chair and therefore it was

unnecessary to re-number all subsequent sections.

It was further pointed out that the Minutes in both discussion of Paper S.94-52 on

page 3 and discussion of Paper S.94-55 on page 8 relating to reductions in

expenditures, particularly in the area of student financial aid and awards, failed to

reflect that $700,000 less had been expended on the budget for scholarships,

awards and bursaries in the 93/94 fiscal year than in the 92/93 fiscal year.

Following these observations, the Minutes were approved.

Business Arising from the Minutes

The Chair wished to correct information given to Senate with respect to Mr.

Axworthy's paper on social policy. The paper is due to be released on October

5th rather than the 3rd as reported at the last meeting. ?

Report of the Chair

At the request of the Chair, J. Munro presented Senate with a brief report on

undergraduate enrolment for Fall 94-3. Senate was advised that the total

undergraduate head count enrolment is 15,931 students which represents an

increase of 7.3% (head count enrolment) or 9.3% (FTE enrolment) over the

previous Fall and is within 81 of the head count projection for this semester. The

average course load per student has increased. J. Munro expressed opinion that

this increase reflected two things - the effects of the revisions to the tuition refund

policy, and the cooperation of Faculties and Departments in increasing the

number of course places. J. Munro further reported that even though enrolment

had increased, there was a large decrease in the number of students who were

turned away from courses - 20,000 in Fall of 94 compared to 40,000 in Fall of 93.

In response to an inquiry about how the 9.3% FTE increase was distributed over

the University, Senate was advised that a report on FTE enrolment is distributed

to all Departmental Chairs. Every Faculty showed an increase in enrolment, with

the Faculty of Education showing the highest and the Faculty of Business

Administration showing the lowest.

Senate was also informed that as a result of the change in policy relating to the

registration priority for students being admitted directly from BC Grade 12, this

Fall the average student from Grade 12 was turned away from 0.9 courses as

compared to last Fall when the average tumaway for a Grade 12 student was six

courses. In response to an inquiry as to how this new policy affected second-year

S.M. 03/10/94

Page 3

students, Senate was advised that there was a slight increase in course

turnaways for second-year students but it was less than two.

Discussion turned to the issue of tumaways and explanation was provided as to

how 'turnaway' was statistically determined. Concern was expressed about

tumaways from 'sections' being counted, especially in large courses with many

sections as it was felt that this determination inflated the numbers unrealistically.

In response to an inquiry about a breakdown of turnaways by

Departments/Faculties, Senate was advised that there is a report by Department

which focuses on majors and is available through the Office of the Vice-President

Academic to any Senator who is interested in it.

In response to an inquiry as to the number of new international students, Senate

was advised that the total had slightly increased as a percentage of the total

number of new students.

5. ?

Report of Committees

Senate Nominating Committee

Paper S.94-57 - Elections

The following represents the results of elections to the following Senate

Committees:

Senate Committee on Disciplinary Appeals (SCODA)

Two Faculty Members (who are not also Chairs, Deans or Vice-Presidents) for

one-year terms of office, from date of election to September 30, 1995.

Elected by acclamation:

Senate Nominatinct Committee iSNC)

One Senator (at-large) for one-year

September 30, 1995.

Candidates: K. Giffen, T. Perry

Elected:

D. Chunn

K. Akins

term of office, from date of election to

T. Perry

International Undergraduate Student Exchange Committee (IUSEC)

One Faculty Member (at-large) for two-year term of office, from date of election to

September 30, 1996.

No nominations received:

Vacant

S.M. 03/10/94

Page 4

Senate Committee on University Teaching and Learning (SCUTL)

Four Faculty Members (at-large). Balloting at the last meeting resulted in the

election of C. Banerjee and P. Coleman and in a tied vote among three

candidates for the remaining two positions. A run-off election was therefore

required for two Faculty Members (at-large) for terms of office from date of

election to September 30, 1995.

Candidates: I. Gordon, R.K. Pomeroy, A. Rawicz

Elected: ?

I. Gordon

A. Rawicz

Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules

i) ?

Paper S.94-58 - Search Committee - Vice-President. Academic and

Provost

J. Stubbs vacated the Chair and requested that the Vice-Chair of Senate, L.

Boland, take charge of the meeting for this agenda item.

Moved by J. Stubbs, seconded by J. Osborne

"that the membership and terms of reference of the search

committee for the Vice-President, Academic and Provost as set out

in S.94-58 be approved"

Opinion was expressed that the membership of this committee should have a

strong academic emphasis and concern was expressed about adding non-

academic members such as a staff member and the President of the Alumni

Association. It was noted that the role of the Vice-President, Academic is varied

and decisions made by that office have implications not only on academics but

also on the non-academic employees of the University. Senate was informed

that the proposed composition of this search committee is consistent with the

composition of the search committee recently approved by Senate for the Vice-

President, Research and it was decided that a similar composition for a search

committee for the Vice-President, Academic should also be brought forward.

Senate was advised that the revised composition had been approved by the

Board of Governors.

Amendment moved by J. D'Auria, seconded by L. Peterson

"that the President of the Alumni Association and the full-time

employee be deleted from the membership of this committee"

In response to an inquiry as to how a difference between the Board and Senate

would be resolved with respect to the composition of this committee, Senate was

advised that should the amendment be accepted and the amended motion

subsequently pass, the matter would then have to be returned to the Board of

Governors for consideration.

S.M. 03/10/94

Page 5

• ?

In response to an inquiry, Senate was provided with information with respect to

other search committees whose membership include employees.

Opinion was expressed that the proposed composition is heavily weighted with

academics and it would be impossible for lay members to override the consensus

of faculty members on the committee. It was also noted that non-academic

members on selection committees bring valuable outside opinion and that it is a

relatively well accepted practice to include lay members in such committees.

Further opinion was expressed that the composition of the committee reflected

the diversity of the University community and the kind of mandate that the Vice-

President, Academic will be facing.

Question was called on the amendment,

and a vote taken.

AMENDMENT FAILED

Amendment moved by I. McAskilI, seconded by C. Crawford

"that the position of President of the Alumni Association on the

membership of the Search Committee for Vice-President, Academic

and Provost be deleted and replaced by a Lay Senator, elected by

Senate"

In response to an inquiry about how Lay Senators are appointed to Senate, it

was pointed out that there are currently eight Lay Senators, four of which are

appointed by Order-in-Council by the Provincial Government, and four of which

are elected by and from Convocation.

It was noted that the Board of Governors does not meet until the end of

November and if this has to go back for consideration the search committee

would not be able to function until sometime in January. It was suggested that

perhaps the same objective as that of the amendment could be achieved by

discussion with the Alumni Association, thus avoiding such a lengthy delay.

Opinion was expressed that the Alumni Association works very hard to keep

themselves informed about the University and they are very helpful in a variety of

external roles. It was also felt that deletion of this position would be seen to

ignore the important role that the Alumni Association, and its President, plays

within the University community.

It was pointed out that since the President of the Alumni Association is elected by

the Alumni itself, that person is representative of that body and that substituting

someone else selected in some other way may not be as desirable.

In response to a question about the mechanism of designation, Senate was

advised that the designate must be a member of the respective body, ie Faculty

Association, Student Society, and Alumni Association.

. ?

Question was called on the amendment,

and a vote taken. ?

AMENDMENT FAILED

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Page 6

Question was called on the main motion,

and a vote taken. ?

MAIN MOTION CARRIED

J. Stubbs resumed the Chair.

Senate Committee on Academic Planning

Paper S.94-59 - New Student Intake Targets for 1995/96

Moved by J. Munro, seconded by J. Osborne

"that Senate approve, as set forth in S.94-59 that the University

propose to increase its enrolment by 450 funded FTE

undergraduate students in the 1995/96 fiscal year"

Prior to moving the motion, J. Munro advised that the words "and recommend

approval to the Board of Governors" should be deleted as the motion will not be

taken to the Board of Governors because of the timing of Board meetings. Since

the responsibility of the Board includes matters of enrolment, concern was

expressed about this item not going forward to the Board. Senate was advised

that this matter had been taken to the Board for information at its September

meeting.

J. Munro explained that the nature of the motion before Senate arises directly

from SCIMO recommendations and should not be confused with the motion

brought forward to Senate in February/March each year which actually sets

admission targets for the fiscal year.

Considerable concerns were expressed about the lack of support documentation

and rationale/argumentation for this motion, and opinions were expressed that

there was simply insufficient information to enable Senate to make an informed

decision on this matter. Senate was provided with a brief summary as to the

decisions by SCEMP and SCAP and was advised that past practice has been for

the administration simply to send a letter to the Ministry in a level of

funded enrolment increase we could accommodate. However, because the

SCIMO recommendations call on the University to consider enrolment planning in

a more organized and consultative fashion, this motion was brought to Senate

prior to writing to the Ministry. Senate will still have the opportunity to debate the

admission targets in the usual way next Spring. However, concern was

expressed that approval of this motion at this time precluded debate next Spring

because a commitment will have been made to the Provincial Government and, if

funded, the matter will already have been resolved. It was noted that at this time

the University is only sending a message to the Government saying, if funded,

we are willing to accept a certain number of students. When more detailed

information on funding is obtained next Spring, Senate will still have an

opportunity at that point to determine if the projected number is still acceptable.

In response to an inquiry about the connection between the motion this Fall and

the motion next Spring, it was pointed out that there is a link between the two and

it would seem reasonable to vote consistently.

S.M. 03/10/94

Page 7

Although Senate was assured that considerable debate had occurred at all

committee levels and there was no opposition to the level of enrolment increase

from any of the Deans following consultation with their Faculties, opinion was

expressed that in future Senate should receive summaries of the pertinent

arguments and debates for whatever is being proposed. Senate was reminded

that the subject of growth and the costs and benefits to the University was part of

the SCIMO report which was befOre Senate at its meeting last July, and this

motion arises from recommendations in that report which received approval by

Senate.

In a more general sense, specific problems concerning some very large first-year

classes were pointed out and opinion was expressed that increases in certain

kinds of resources need to be addressed when increases in enrolment are being

considered as it was felt that some areas were strained to their upper limits.

Opinion was expressed that a negative vote would still allow the University to

forward its recommendation to the Ministry without having Senate commit itself

until next Spring when more budget information is known. However, it was noted

that a negative vote might not be construed as leaving the University free to do

as it has done in the past and suggestion was made that it would be more

appropriate to table the motion.

Moved by N. Swartz, seconded by K. Amason

"that the motion be tabled"

Question was called, and a vote taken. ?

MOTION TO TABLE FAILED

Question was called on the main motion,

and a vote taken. ?

MAIN MOTION CARRIED

ii)

Paper S.94-60 - Proposed Coursework/Examination M.Ed. Program in

Arts 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.94-60 the proposed

Coursework/Examination M.Ed. program in Arts Education,

including a new course - EDUC 852-5"

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

S.M. 03/10/94

Page 8

iii)

Paper S.94-61 - Proposed Master's Program in Mathematics Education,

and changes to M.Sc. Program in Secondary Mathematics 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.94-61, the proposed Master's Programs

in Mathematics Education, including new courses EDUC 844,

EDUC 845, MATH 601, MATH 602'; and revisions to the M.Sc.

Program in Secondary Mathematics Education"

Brief discussion took place with respect to the degree designations within the

proposed programs.

Question was called, and a vote taken. ?

MOTION CARRIED

Senate Library Committee/Library Penalties Appeal Committee

Paper S.94-62 - Annual Report - For Information

Brief discussion took place with respect to the increasing price and purchase of

serials, following which the Annual Report was received by Senate.

Other Business

There was no other business.

Information

The date of the next regular meeting of Senate is scheduled for Monday,

November 7, 1994.

The Assembly moved directly into Closed Session at 8:45 p.m.

W.R. Heath

Secretary of Senate