DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE

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

ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1995 IN ROOM 3210 WMX, 7:00 P.M.

OPEN SESSION

Present: ?

Stubbs, J.O., Chair

Alderson, E.

Absent:

DAuria, J.

Amason, K.

Dunsterville, V.

Barrow, R.

Giffen, K.

Beattie, S.

Howlett, M.

Blazenko, G.

Jones, C.H.W.

Boland, L.

Lord, T.

Chan, K.

McInnes, D.

Ciconte, R.

Segal, J.

Clayman, B.

Warsh, M.

Dahl, V.

Wickstrom, N.

Dean, C.

Dhir, R.

Dobb, T.

Eaton, C.

Etherington, L.

Gagan, D.

Heinrich, K.

attendance:

Jahn, R.

Tietz, J.

Karabotsos, F.

Ward, R.

Keto, D.

LeMare, L.

Lewis,

Luk,

W.S.

Marteniulc R.

Mathewes, R.

Mauser, G.

McAskill, I.

Morrison, T.

Naef, B.

Osborne, J.

Percival, P.

Peterson, L

Rawicz, A.

Reed, C.

Ross,

Sanghera, B.

Scharfe, E.

Shapiro, S.

Stewart, M.L.

Underhill, 0.

Wideen, M.

Winne, P.

Yerbury, C. (representing J

Blaney)

Heath, N., Acting Secretary

Grant, B., Recording Secretary

S.M. 18/09/95

Page

Approval of the Agenda

The Agenda was approved as distributed.

Approval of the Minutes of the Open Session of June 5, 1995

Referring to the top of page 2, it was noted that the name of R. Jahn had been

omitted from the list of newly elected Senators being welcomed by the Chair.

Following the above amendment, the Minutes were approved.

Business Arising from the Minutes

There was no business arising from the Minutes.

Report of the Chair

The Chair welcomed returning Senators to the start of a new semester, and

extended a particular welcome to new Senators D. Gagan, Vice-President,

Academic and B. Lewis, School of Communication.

i) ?

Paper S.95-44 - Financial Statement - For Information

R. Ward, Vice-President, Finance and Administration was in attendance in

order to respond to questions. The Financial Statement was received by

Senate for information.

Report of Committees ?

Senate Committee on Academic Planning

Paper S.95-45 - Report - SFU Partnership with University College of the

Cariboo - For Information

The -report concerning SFU's partnership with the University College of the

Cariboo was received by Senate for information.

ii)

Paper 5.95-46 - External Review - Department of Philosophy -

J .

Tietz, Chair of the Department of Philosophy was in attendance in order to

respond to questions.

Brief discussion ensued with respect to clarification of a statement concerning

personnel issues, following which the report was received by Senate.

S.M. 18/09/95

Page 3

•b)

Senate Committee on Academic Planning/Senate Graduate Studies

Committee

Paper S.95-47 - Graduate Curriculum Revisions - Political Science

Moved by B. Clayman, seconded by E. Alderson

recommend approval to the Board of

n S.95-48, the proposed curriculum

Canadian Political Economy

Parties and Ideologies in Canada

Issues in Canadian Government and

Politics

Foreign Policy Analysis

International Security Studies

Issues in Social and Economic Policy

Canadian Provincial Government and

Politics

Canadian Federalism

Development and Administration

Political Parties

Ethnic Politics: A Comparative Approach

Political Elites"

"that Senate approve and

Governors, as set forth

revisions including

New courses: POL 825-5

POL 826-5

POL 827-5

POL 845-5 ?

POL 846-5 ?

POL 856-5 ?

Deletion of: POL 822-5

POL 824-5

POL 854-5

POL 862-5

POL 863-5

POL 864-5

Discussion ensued with respect to how class participation is evaluated, and

how grade appeals would be handled particularly in courses in which such

participation is worth 40% of the grade.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Senate received information that, acting under delegated authority, the

Senate Graduate Studies Committee has approved change description for POL

801-5, 812-5, 814-5, 821-5, 829-5, 830-5, 838-5, 839-5, 841-5, 842-5, 843-5, 844-5, 851-

5, 852-5, 853-5, 855-5, 893-5, 897-5, 898; change of title and description for 832-5,

861-5; and a change of description and credit hour for 891.

ii) ?

Paper S.95-48 - Graduate Curriculum Changes - Psychology

Moved by B. Clayman, seconded by E. Alderson

"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of

Governors, as set forth in S.95-48, the proposed curriculum

revisions including

S.M. 18/09/95

Page

Revision to the composition of the Ph.D. Supervisory

Committee

ii) Changes to the Experimental Psychology regulations

regarding timing of the Ph.D. requirements

iii)

New Graduate Course - PSYC 825-2 - Intervention (Ongoing)

iv)

Changes to course requirements in Statistics and Research

Design"

Senate was informed that the proposed changes were relatively minor

housekeeping measures. In response to a concern expressed about the lack of

an external member on the Ph.D. committee, it was noted that the proposed

change was consistent with University regulations and that the Department

uses a number of external practitioners as committee members for their PhD

students but not all students require this particular membership makeup.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

? MOTION CARRIED

iii) Paper S.95-49 - Graduate Curriculum Revisions - Chemistry

Moved by B. Clayman, seconded by L. Boland

"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of

Governors, as set forth in S.95-49, the proposed curriculum

revisions including

Change in credit hours from 4 to 3 for CHEM 805 and 806

ii)

CHEM 806 be graded satisfactory/ unsatisfactory

iii)

Deletion of CHEM 802-3

iv)

Changes to the Degree Requirements for the Masters, Ph.D.,

and transfer from the M.Sc. to the Ph.D."

Senate's attention was drawn to the additional documentation - S.95-49

Appendix - which was distributed prior to the meeting.

uestion

was called, and a vote taken. ?

MOTION CARRIED

Senate received information that, acting under delegated authority of Senate,

the Senate Graduate Studies Committee has approved change of title and

description for the following courses: CHEM 801-3, 805-3, 806-3.

c) ?

Senate Committee on University Budget

i) ?

Paper S.95-50 - 1995 Budget Report - For Information

K. Heinrich, Chair, Senate Committee on University Budget introduced the

paper by providing Senate with brief background information with respect to

the preparation of the report and the input received from the entire

University community, both academic and non-academic staff.

S.M. 18/09/95

Page 5

Discussion ensued with respect to issues such as hiring of new faculty

members, the difference between budget priority and academic enhancement

funding, and the issue of the registration/ admission deposit. K. Heinrich

stressed that the report simply presented the views of the community and

that SCUB's mandate was not to investigate the feasibility of any issues raised

or make specific recommendations.

The Chair felt that this budget process has worked extremely well and has

involved many more members of the University community each time it has

been undertaken. He wished to thank SCUB members for their efforts, and

extended a special thanks and appreciation to K. Heinrich who has Chaired

SCUB for the past two years and whose term of office comes to an end shortly.

The Chair reported that indications from the Ministry imply that the

University will face a very difficult financial year beginning in April 1996.

The Ministry advises that the University not only should expect cuts in terms

of the reduction of federal transfer payments but should anticipate the

possibility of even larger cuts. University Presidents are working together to

lobby against the situation but expectations are that post-secondary education

is heading into a very difficult financial environment starting next Spring.

Moved by B. Clayman, seconded by S. Shapiro

"that Senate approve the revisions in membership and terms of

reference of the Presidential Search Committee, as set forth in

S.95-51

S. Shapiro provided Senate with brief background information concerning

previous Senate actions which resulted in the proposal being sent back to the

Board of Governors, and advised Senate of the additional revisions

recommended by the Board of Governors.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

R. Barrow requested his opposition to the motion recorded.

ii) ?

Paper S.95-52 - Changes to various Senate Committees

Moved by J

Osborne, seconded by R. Dhir

"that Senate approve, as set out in S.95-52, the revised

committee structures and terms of reference for the Senate

S.M. 18/09/95

Page 6 ?

Committee on Undergraduate Studies (SCUS) and the Senate

Appeals Board (SAB); and the membership and terms of

reference of the Committee to Review Undergraduate

Admissions (CRUA); and the dissolution of the Senate

Undergraduate Admissions Board (SUAB), for implementation

commencing at the beginning of the 96-1 Spring Semester, and

further that Faculties advise SCAR by November 1st, 1995 of the

new procedures and committee structures that will be put in

place within the Faculties to support the revised responsibilities"

J .

Osborne briefly introduced the paper by advising Senate that the intent of

the proposal is to simplify the committee structure for undergraduate studies

so that it mirrors the Senate committee structure for graduate studies, and

divide the function of the Senate Appeals Board to separate out admission

appeals from appeals on academic standing.

Concern was expressed about the large number of members the establishment

of five new committees at the Faculty level represented, especially if these

committees followed the pattern of the SAB, and the time commitment

involved for these members to hear appeals every semester. It was noted that

the time commitment would be reduced since cases would be spread across

Faculties and each Faculty would be dealing with much smaller numbers, and

expectations are that Faculties will not put in place anything as complex or as

large as the Senate Appeals Board. It was also pointed out that as the

University grows it becomes more difficult for a large centralized committee

to be familiar with all the practices within individual Faculties, and it is

hoped that by transferring the initial decision on withdrawal to the Faculty

level, decisions will be made in a forum where people are more familiar with

the program and perhaps even know the student and are familiar with their

circumstance.

In response to an inquiry as to how uniformity in decisions across Faculties

will be ensured, Senate was advised that the process would be similar to the

process followed in cases of academic dishonesty where initial decisions are

made at a local level and there is a centralized appeal body. In addition,

Faculties have been requested to develop procedures concerning this process

and report back to SCAR by November 1st.

Since students will be appealing a decision of the administration, concern was

expressed about the Associate Vice-President, a member of the

administration, chairing CRUA. It was pointed out, however, that this

person does not make admission/re-admission decisions in the first instance

and only votes in case of a tie.

Discussion turned to the terms of reference of SCUS and brief discussion took

place concerning grading /examination practices and course evaluation. It

S.M. 18/09/95

Page 7

•

was noted that these were existing terms of reference and that nothing was

being changed relative to these issues.

Amendment moved by E. Scharfe, seconded by K. Amason

"that the student membership of CRUA be changed to have

parallel structure to the faculty membership"

The Chair clarified that the intent of the above motion would be to replace

one Student Member and one Student Member Alternate having one-year

terms of office, with two Student Members and one Student Member

Alternate having two-year staggered terms of office.

In response to a concern that two-year terms of office would essentially

eliminate all fourth year students from membership, it was noted that

practice has been for students to remain on committees until they graduate

and then replacement is sought to fill the remainder of the term of office.

Amendment to the amendment was moved by L. Boland, seconded by R.

Dhir

"that the two-year term of office be replaced by one-year term of

office"

Opinion was expressed that a two-year term of office provided consistency

and allowed student members to gain experience to become more effective

participants.

Question was called on the amendment to the amendment,

and a vote taken.

AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT FAILED

Question was called on the original amendment as follows:

"that the student membership of CRUA be changed to have

parallel structure to the faculty membership"

Vote taken.

ORIGINAL AMENDMENT CARRIED ?

Amendment moved by K. Chan, seconded by R. Dhir

"that the conditions of appointment of student members for

both the Regular and Alternate positions on the Senate Appeals

Board and the Committee to Review Undergraduate

Admissions be changed from Selected by the Student Society to

Elected by Senate"

S.M. 18/09/95

Page ?

Considerable discussion ensued in which a variety of opinions were

expressed about students selected by the Student Society versus students

elected by Senate, and procedures of selection by the Student Society were

explained to Senate.

Question was called on the amendment,

and a vote taken.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

Amendment moved by P. Winne, seconded by L. Peterson

"that the quorum of CRUA be changed from two voting

members, to four voting members, in addition to the Chair"

Opinion was expressed that decisions on admission to the University ought

to be made with equal representation of faculty and students and therefore it

was necessary to require a quorum of four. The impracticability of requiring

full membership as quorum was pointed out, and it was suggested that it

would be better to simply refer issues back for further consideration rather

than proceeding to amend matters on the floor of Senate which require very

careful consideration.

Question was called on the amendment,

and

Question

a vote

was

taken.called

on the main motion,

AMENDMENT FAILED

as amended, and a vote taken.

MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED

Moved by P. Percival, seconded by L. Boland

"that Senate approve a change in the end dates of terms of office

on Senate Committees from September 30 to May 31, and further

that all current terms of office for members on Senate

Committees should be modified from September 30 to May 31 of

the same year. Elections to fill vacancies at the October meeting

of Senate would have terms of office commencing on that date

and continuing through until May 31 of the appropriate year"

Question was called, and a vote taken.

? MOTION CARRIED

S.M. 18/09/95

Page 9

Other Business

i) ?

Paper S.95-54 - Vice-President, Research and Dean, Graduate Studies

Search Committee

For this item, J

Stubbs vacated the Chair and L. Boland, Vice-Chair of Senate

took over.

Moved by J

Osborne, seconded by K. Chan

"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors

the composition and terms of reference for the search committee

for the combined position Vice-President, Research and Dean,

Graduate Studies as set out in S.95-54"

J. Stubbs briefly introduced the paper by explaining to Senate that under

current regulations the search process should be in place and underway not

later than 10 months before the expiration of the incumbent's term of office.

He also pointed out that since the offices of the Dean of Graduate Studies and

the Vice-President, Research were fused into one position, it was necessary to

amend the two current search procedures into one. If approved by Senate, the

proposal will go forward to the Board of Governors at its meeting next week

so that the election process can commence immediately following Board

approval.

Amendment moved by K. Amason, seconded by A. Rawicz

"that the undergraduate student be removed from the

membership and replaced by a second graduate student elected

by the graduate student body"

Reference was made to the ex-officio membership position of the President of

the Student Society (or designate) and the suggestion by T. Morrison to insert

the word 'undergraduate' between 'or' and 'designate' was accepted as a

friendly amendment.

Senate's attention was drawn to the old terms of reference which have a

provision for the selection of up to two additional faculty members to ensure

gender representation, and it was noted that the revised terms of reference

have removed this option. Since this was an issue which Senate might like

to consider as an amendment, opinion was expressed that this and the issue

of student membership be taken as expressions of concern and the matter

referred back to SCAR for further consideration. It was felt that proposals

coming before Senate have been given careful consideration as to the

consequence of the action proposed, and concern was expressed about making

•6.

S.M. 18/09/95

Page 10

changes that may not always be as well considered when proceeding with

amendments on the floor of Senate which then may not be subject to further

consideration once a vote is taken.

Moved by E. Alderson, seconded by M.L. Stewart

"that Senate move into a Committee of the Whole to allow

open discussion of this issue"

The Chair briefly explained the purpose and consequence of the above

motion.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION FAILED

Question was called on the amendment,

and a vote taken.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

Brief discussion took place with respect to issues such as how to ensure

gender representation and the requirement of having an academic

appointment for external candidates.

Question was called on the main motion, ?

MAIN MOTION

as amended, and a vote taken. ? AS AMENDED, CARRIED

J .

Stubbs returned to the Chair.

ii)

In response to an inquiry from T. Morrison for updated information

on the status of the proposed diverse qualifications policy, Senate was advised

that approximately one year ago Senate had referred the issue back to SUAB

and the policy was distributed to the University community for comment.

SUAB reviewed the comments received in the Spring Semester and a sub-

committee was appointed to make changes to the proposal. The sub-

committee has met several times and is ready to refer the revisions back to

the main committee.

iii)

R. Jahn presented a report to Senate concerning the availability in

departments of course outlines prior the start of registration. He explained

that the previous Vice-President, Academic viewed this matter very seriously

and he wished to make D. Gagan aware of this issue.

iv)

K. Amason referred to the proposed Bill of Student Rights which he

wished to distribute to Senators, and advised that copies were available if

anyone had not received a copy prior to the meeting and copies would be

mailed to those Senators not present.

S.M. 18/09/95

Page 11

• K. Amason also reported that the UBC Alma Mater Society has organized a

march on October 13th, the Trek for Post-Secondary Education, to support

funding for post-secondary education. Anyone interested in more details was

asked to contact him.

7. ?

Information

The next regularly scheduled meeting of Senate will take place on Monday,

October 2, 1995.

The Assembly moved directly into Closed Session at 9:00 p.m.

N. Heath

Acting Secretary of Senate

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