. ?

DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE

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

ON MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1995 IN ROOM 3210 WMX, 7:00 P.M.

OPEN SESSION

Present:

Stubbs, J.O., Chair

Alderson, E.

Amason, K.

Bacani, J.

Blaney, J.

Boland, L.

Bullock, D.

Ciria, A.

Clayman, B.

Cohen, M.

Crawford, C.

D'Auria, J.

Dunsterville, V.

Eaton, C.

Etherington, L.

Hafer, L.

Hoeflich, K.

Jones, C.

LeMare, L.

Lord, T.

Mathewes, R.

McInnes, D.

Morrison, T.

Naef, B.

Percival, P.

Perry, T.

Peterson, L.

Rawicz, A.

Swartz, N.

Wickstrom, N.

Winne, P.

Heath, W.R., Secretary

Grant, B., Recording Secretary

Absent:

Barrow, R.

Beattie, S.

Chan, K.

Dean, C.

Dhir, R.

Dobb, T.

Driver, J.

Einstein, D.

Giffen, K.

Heinrich, K.

Luk, W.S.

Marteniuk, R.

Mauser, G.

McAskill, I.

Munro, J.

Osborne, J.

Sanghera, B.

Segal, J.

Shapiro, S.

Stewart, M.L.

Vining, A.

Warsh, M.

Wideen, M.

Wu, S.

In attendance:

Berggren, L.

Brandhorst, B.

S.M. 06/03/95

Page 2

Approval of the Agenda

The Agenda was approved as distributed.

Approval of the Minutes of the Open Session of February 13, 1995

The Minutes were approved as distributed.

Business Arising from the Minutes

There was no business arising from the Minutes.

Report of the Chair

The Chair referred to the recent announcement by the Federal Government to

consolidate transfer payments to the Provinces for health, welfare, and post-

secondary education into one transfer called the Canada Social Transfer which

will begin in 1996/97. The announcement also indicated that the size of the

transfer will decrease dramatically, and although the exact size of the cut is

unknown, it is believed that a reduction of 40% will likely take place in the first

two years of the program. It is not clear where post-secondary education will fit

within the CST, and it is impossible at this point to determine what effect this will

have on the allocation of funding at the Provincial level. Funding for SSHRC

and NSERC has been reduced by 14% over the next three years, and the

Canada Scholarship Program has been cancelled. Commitments to students

currently in the program will be honored provided they maintain good standards

but the program itself has disappeared.

.10

Meetings with the other universities have been scheduled in order to discuss

the development of a strategy for the university sector as a whole.

Report of Committees

Senate Committee on Academic Planning/Senate Committee on

Enrolment Management and Planning

Paper S.95-12 - Undergraduate Student Intake Targets for 1995/96

Moved by E. Alderson, seconded by B. Clayman

Motion #1: "that Senate approve and recommend approval to the

Board of Governors, the following global undergraduate

admission targets to SFU for each basis-of-admission

group and for each of the semesters in 1995/96 and that

SOAP be delegated authority to make adjustments

based on actual enrolment targets and on actual

enrolment experience in 1995-2 and 1995-3.

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Page 3

Admission Targets

•

1995-2 1995-3 ?

1996-1

Total

B.C.Grade XII

1,500 ?

125

1,675

B.C.College 650

725 ?

550

1,925

Other"

300

750 ?

425

1,475

Total

1,000 2,975 ?

1,100

5,075"

Motion #2: "that Senate approve and recommend approval to the

Board of Governors, the following undergraduate

admission targets into the Faculty of Science for each

basis-of-admission group and for each of the semesters

in 1995/96 and that SCAP be delegated authority to

make adjustments based on changes to the overall

enrolment targets and based on actual enrolment

experience in 1995-2 and 1995-3.

Admission Targets

1995-2 1995-3 1996-1

Total

B.C.Grade XII

5 ?

400 ?

25 ?

430

B.C. College ?

40 ?

70 ?

40 ?

150

"Other"

25 ?

70 ?

40 ?

135

Total

70 ?

540 ?

105 ?

715"

(The number of new students proposed for the Faculty of Science is included

within the global target contained in Motion 1 above).

Concern was expressed that a commitment to increase enrolment may lead to

lowering the admission criteria, and opinion was expressed that the admission

standards should remain the same. It was pointed out that admission targets

are set taking into consideration capacity and funding expectations and

thereafter admission criteria are set in order to as closely as possible achieve

the targets. This system is very unlikely to lead to any lowering of admission

standards and has worked well in the past.

In response to an inquiry as to why this exercise is undertaken each year,

Senate was advised that this the way in which the University can control its

enrolment. It is felt to be in the interest of the University to moderately increase

the number of undergraduate students provided that they are fully funded, and

this method attempts to create a reasonable relationship between the FTEs for

which the University is funded and the students that are actually admitted.

Reference was made to the anticipated budget cuts over the next year, and

inquiry was made as to how funding decreases will impact admission targets

approved by Senate. Reference was made to last year's experience in which

the University received a cut to its budget overall but received incremental

funding for increased enrolment. If, in the coming year, the University were to

receive a budget cut with no incremental funding for increased enrolment, then

it is likely admission would have to be constrained by raising the admission

GPA in order to bring enrolment in line with the funding received.

0 ?

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTIONS CARRIED

S.M. 06/03/95

Page 4

ii)

Paper S.95-13 - International Student Intake Targets for 1995/96

Moved by E. Alderson, seconded by P. Winne

"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of

Governors that the number of international students admitted

into undergraduate programs at SFU in 1995/96 not exceed

7% of all admissions"

In response to an inquiry as to why the numbers of international students

coming from Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia appear to have dropped

significantly, the following explanations were offered: i) significant increase in

tuition fees for visa students, ii) significant expansion of post-secondary

opportunities within those respective countries, and iii) active competition from

other countries at lower tuition rates than are charged in British Columbia.

Senate was advised that the same quota has been maintained as in previous

years, and it is not expected to be reached this year.

Opinion was expressed that part of the purpose of having international students

on campus was to provide other students with an exposure to international

culture, and concern was expressed that the majority of international students

appear to be coming from BC Colleges and high schools and therefore have

more of a BC culture than an international culture. Senate was informed that

SCEMP has discussed this issue at length and while there is a general sense

that it would be advantageous to have a large representation of international

students from a number of countries, it is not easily obtainable.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

iii)

Paper S.95-14 - Limited Enrolment Programs

Moved by E. Alderson, seconded by J. Bacani

"that Senate approve, and recommend approval to the Board of

Governors, the following annual targets for the numbers of

students to be admitted as Majors to limited enrolment programs in

the 1995/96 fiscal year (95-2, 95-3 and 96-1)

Program

Business

Criminology

Economics

Education

Communication

Computing Science (including MACM)

Engineering Science

Kinesiology

Target

500 to Majors

200 to Majors

220 to Majors

440 to Lower Mainland

Prof. 0ev. programs

215 to Majors

120 to Majors

75 to years 1/2

130 to year 1/Major"

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Page 5

L. Boland read from a prepared statement which opposed the motion for the

following reasons: i) matters of due process relating to concerns about

committee structure and procedure, and whether or not SCEMP, SOAP and

SCAR have the power to deal with this question; ii) matters of compliance with

the University Act as to whether or not Senate/Board have the power to

consider this issue at the departmental level; iii) matters of conflict with current

efforts to decentralize administration in that the quotas are being imposed by

the administration without involvement of departments and faculty; iv) matters

concerning the meaningfulness of the proposed numbers relating to concerns

about the way the numbers were arrived at and their exact meaning; v)

questions of the purpose of the motion as to why departmental quotas are being

established when the Province has only requested University enrolment targets.

It was further pointed out that increased enrolment has direct implications on

teaching practices, and concerns were expressed about the overuse of

Sessional Instructors, especially in the Department of Economics, and the

quality of education being provided.

Amendment moved by L. Boland, seconded by P. Percival

"that the motion be amended by inserting at the end of the third

line the clause:- subject to increased resources being provided to

the departments in question"

Suggestion was made that the word 'increased' be changed to reflect the

possibility of decreasing resources if enrolments decreased.

With respect to due process, opinion was expressed thatthe question of

representation on Senate committees should not be part of the debate on this

specific motion. It was also pointed out that SCEMP, an established committee

of Senate is, under its terms of reference, to consider proposals from Faculties

for limiting enrolment to Faculties and/or programs and to make annual

recommendations to SCAP.

In response to concerns about the large number of Sessionals teaching in

Economics, Senate was advised that this is an unusual year in that a series of

situations have arisen leading to a number of absences and that a much higher

proportion of faculty would normally be teaching.

It was noted that the central issue with regard to the amendment appeared to be

•

whether or not an increase in resources should accompany the setting of

targets, and opinion was expressed that if approved this would result in a level

of micro management that is not in the best interest of the University. In

response to an inquiry as to the appropriateness of Senate debating a resource

related issue, it was pointed out that targets are set not simply to balance

enrolment in relationship to resources but also to set numbers that are

academically desirable. Reference was made to the practice of linking

undergraduate student intake targets to funding, and opinion was expressed

S.M. 06/03/95

Page 6

that it might be desirable to apply that principle to departmental targets as well

as to university targets.

Opinion was expressed that the amendment, which carried with it general

resource implications for the University as a whole, was inappropriate.

The mover and seconder of the amendment agreed to withdraw the amendment

in favour of referral of the main motion.

Moved by C. Jones, seconded by L. Boland

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

on Enrolment Management and Planning"

Brief discussion took place with respect to the consequences of referring the

motion back to committee.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION TO REFER CARRIED

Senate Committee on Academic Planning/Senate Graduate Studies

Committee

Paper S.95-15 - Graduate Curriculum Revisions - Engineering Science

Moved by E. Alderson, seconded by B. Clayman

"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of

Governors, as set forth in S.95-15, the change in the Engineering

Science Graduate Program from Thesis Work in Industry to

Graduate Research Internship and

Deletion of ENSC 836-3 ?

Error-Coding Codes

ENSC 881-3

Engineering Modelling of

Dynamic Processes

ENSC 855-3 ?

Passive Microwave Circuits"

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Acting under delegated authority of Senate, the Senate Graduate Studies

Committee approved change of title and description for - ENSC 802-3, 805-3,

810-3, 815-3, 832-3, 833-3, 834-3, 861-3.

Motion #1

Moved by E. Alderson, seconded by B. Clayman

"that Senate approve, as set forth in S.95-16, the change to

graduate regulation 1.4.2 on Registration"

Senate was advised that the proposed change broadens the approval structure

to include the approval of the instructor when a student registers in a course

outside his/her own department and eliminates the opportunity under current

S.M. 06/03/95

Page 7

•

regulations for students to insert themselves into courses without the knowledge

or approval of the instructor.

Brief discussion took place about current regulations and the appeal process

available to graduate students who feel aggrieved by regulations.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Motion #2

Moved by E. Alderson, seconded by B. Clayman

"that Senate approve, as set forth in S.95-16, the change to

graduate regulations 1.7.1 and 1.7.3 on Residence Requirements"

Senate was advised that the regulations are being modified in an attempt to

adapt the concept of 'residence' to the different kinds of registration now

available.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

iii)

Paper S.95-17 - Graduate Curriculum Revisions - Liberal Studies

Moved by E. Alderson, seconded by B. Clayman

"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of

Governors, as set forth in S.95-17, the calendar changes to the

Master in Liberal Studies Program including

New course - LS 999-0 M.A. Project"

L. Berggren, was in attendance in order to respond to questions.

Reference was made to paragraph one on page 1 and opinion was expressed

that the wording is unclear as to whether two extended essays have to be

submitted for oral examination or one project for oral examination. Senate was

advised that either would be subject to oral examination, and a suggestion to

modify the change to read 'and to submit, for oral examination, two extended

essays or one project' was accepted as a friendly amendment.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

iv)

Paper S.95-18 - Graduate Program in Molecular Biology and

Biochemistry

Moved by E. Alderson, seconded by B. Clayman

"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of

Governors, as set forth in S.95-18, the proposed graduate

program in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry including

S.M. 06/03/95

Page 8

New courses - MBB 801-2, 802-2, 806-3, 811-1, 812-2, 813-3,

821-3, 822-3, 823-3, 824-3, 825-3, 826-3, 827-3, 828-3, 829-3,

831-3, 832-3, 833-3, 834-4, 835-3, 836-3, 837-3, 839-3, 871-1,

872-2, 873-3; and deletion of CHEM 823-3 CHEM 825-3, BISC

881-3"

B. Brandhorst, Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry,

was in attendance in order to respond to questions.

In response to a concern about the absence of an external review, it was

pointed out that since there was no new credential associated with the

proposed program, a full external review was felt to be unnecessary. The

program will be offered by the Departments of Biological Sciences and

Chemistry as a stream within the graduate programs of each department, and

degrees will be conferred as an M.Sc. or Ph.D. from the respective department.

Referring to the number of new courses being introduced, inquiry was raised as

to how they will impact course offerings of Chemistry and Biology graduate

courses. It was pointed out that several of the new courses will replace existing

courses in Chemistry and Biology, most of the other proposed courses have

been offered as Special Topics courses and this proposal simply formalizes

them into a program. Senate was also advised that the hiring of new faculty

members the area of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry allows an appropriate

rate of course offerings in the proposed program as well as in Chemistry and

Biology.

Question was called, and a vote taken. ?

MOTION CARRIED

Senate Graduate Studies Committee

Paper S.95-19 - Annual Report - For Information

Brief discussion took place with respect to the enforcement of regulations

requiring annual progress reports, procedures with respect to the allocation of

graduate scholarships, the definition of special arrangement student, and

procedures and revenue associated with the introduction of an application fee.

Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules

Paper S.95-20 - Amendment of SCUB's Terms of Reference

Moved by L. Boland, seconded by P. Percival

"that Senate approve the changes to the terms of reference for the

Senate Committee on University Budget as set forth in S.95-20"

Concern was expressed about the deletion of Item #5 under SCUB's old terms

of reference because it was felt that it provided the only opportunity to look at

and discuss the financial implications of new programs/courses. It was pointed

S.M. 06/03/95

Page

• out that this item is being removed from SCUB because of the consequent

change taking place in SCAP's terms of reference which is indicated in the next

Senate paper S.95-21 under motion #1 specifying SCAP as the body to

consider financial implications for new courses/programs.

It was also pointed out that Item 4, under the revised terms of reference, reflects

procedures followed last year and is an attempt to provide more information and

open up the budget process to the university community.

Question was called, and an vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

ii)

Paper S.95-21 - Amendment of SCAP's Terms of Reference and

Membership

Motion #1

Moved by L. Boland, seconded by P. Percival

"that Senate approve that the terms of reference for the Senate

Committee on Academic Planning be amended with the following

addition to section 1:

e) to advise the President annually through the Vice-President,

Academic on the priorities which should be attached to the

central allocation of resources which are required to implement

approved new programs"

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Motion #2

Moved by L. Boland, seconded by T. Morrison

"that Senate approve that the terms of reference for the Senate

Committee on Academic Planning be amended with the following

change to section 2:

2. To consider and make recommendations to Senate on all

proposals involving new undergraduate and graduate

programs and courses, or major modifications to existing

programs and courses according to the criteria

and the

guidelines specified in S.81-157,

and to report,

in summary

form, to Senate (for information) and the Board (for ratification)

revisions to existing courses and programs which have been

approved by SCUS or SGSC acting under delegated

authority"

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

S.M. 06/03/95

Page 10

Motion #3

Moved by L. Boland, seconded by T. Morrison

"that Senate approve that Continuing Studies representation on

the Senate Committee on Academic Planning be changed from

the Vice-President Harbour Centre and Continuing Studies to the

Director of Extension Credit Programs."

Question was called, and a vote taken. ?

MOTION CARRIED

Other Business

There was no other business.

Information

The date of the next regularly scheduled meeting of Senate is Monday, April 3,

1995.

The Assembly moved directly into Closed Session at 9:10 p.m.

W. R. Heath

Secretary of Senate