DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SENATE OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY HELD ON ?
MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1996 IN ROOM 3210 WIvD(, 7:00 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
Present: ?
Stubbs, J.O., Chair
Alderson, E.
Amason, K.
Barrow, R.
Beattie, S.
Blaney, J.
Blazenko, G.
Boland, L.
Bowen, M.
Bullock, D.
Clayman, B.
D'Auria, J.
Dobb, T.
Dunsterville, V.
Eaton, C.
Gagan, D.
Giffen, K.
Heinrich, K.
Jones, C.
Karabotsos, F.
Lewis, B.
Luk, W.S.
Marteniuk, R.
Mathewes, R.
McAskill, I.
McInnes, D.
Naef, B.
Osborne, J.
Percival, P.
Peterson, L.
Rawicz, A.
Reed, C.
Ross, D.
Scharfe, E.
Shapiro, S.
Sitter, R.
Stewart, M.L.
Underhill, 0.
Whitbread, K.
Wideen, M.
Winne, P.
Heath, R., Secretary
Grant, B., Recording Secretary
Absent:
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Ciconte, R.
Dahl, V.
Etherington, L.
Hewitt, K.
Howlett, M.
Jahn, R.
Keto, D.
LeMaxe, L.
Mauser, G.
Pierce, J.
Sanghera, B.
Segal, J.
Warsh, M.
Wickstrom, N.
In attendance:
N. Haunerland
S. McBride
P. Meyers
A. Watt
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S.M. 04/03/96
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On behalf of Senate, the Chair welcomed the following newly elected Senators: R.
K.
Sitter,
Giffen,
Department
Faculty of
of
Education.
Mathematics & Statistics, M. Bowen, Faculty of Education, and
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Is
1.
Approval of the Agenda
The Agenda was approved as distributed.
2.
Approval of the Minutes of the Open Session of February 5, 1996
The Minutes were approved as distributed.
3.
Business Arisin g from the Minutes
i) ?
Paper S.96-14 - Elections
Senate was advised that no further nominations were received; K.
Arnason is therefore elected by acclamation to the Senate Committee on
Honorary Degrees, and all of the other positions remain vacant and will be
brought forward.
4.
Report of the Chair
i) The Chair advised Senate that the announcement of the Federal budget
is expected to take place next week. Expectations are that transfer payments
will be reduced but there are indications that funding from other sources will
be made available for research purposes. It is also hoped that changes to -
charitable deduction legislation will be made in order to attract and encourage
philanthropic support of universities and other organizations.
At the Provincial level, expectations are that a budget will not be in
place until after the beginning of the fiscal year, and in preparation of
anticipated cuts, the University needs to continue on the budget planning
exercise as earlier announced.
Senate was advised that universities now fall under a new Ministry -
the Ministry of Education, Skills and Training. Labour is now under a
separate Ministry.
5.
Report of Committees
a) ?
Senate Committee on Academic Planning/Senate Graduate Studies
Committee
i) ?
Paper S.96-15 - Ph.D. Program in Political Science
Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by B. Clayman
Governors,
"that Senate
as
approve
set forth
and
in S.96-15,
recommend
the proposed
approval
PhD
to the
Program
Board
in
of
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S.M. 04/03/96
Page 3
I
Political Science including: New courses - POL 880 Ph.D.
Seminar; POL 896 Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam; POL 899 Ph.D.
Thesis Research"
S. McBride, Chair of the Department of Political Science, and P. Meyers,
Graduate Program Chair, Department of Political Science were in attendance
in order to respond to questions.
Brief discussion took place with respect to the size and the marketability of
the proposed program.
Question was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION CARRIED
ii)
Paper S.96-16 - Graduate Curriculum Revisions - Faculty of Education
Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by R. Barrow
"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of
Governors, as set forth in S.96-16, the Secondary Mathematics
Education Course Work M.Ed."
Question was called, and a vote taken.
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MOTION CARRIED
iii)
Paper S.96-17 - Temporary Special Topics, Directed Readings and
Directed Studies Courses
Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by B. Clayman
"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of
Governors, as set forth in S.96-17, that in accordance with the
procedures approved for temporary undergraduate courses
(Paper S.96-5), similar action be taken for approving temporary
Special Topics, Directed Readings and Directed Studies courses at
the graduate level"
Brief discussion took place with respect to the definition of temporary and the
specific period of time covered by this arrangement.
Questi o n
was called, and a vote taken.
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MOTION CARRIED
b)
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Senate Committee on Academic Planning/Senate Committee on
Undergraduate Studies
1
7-^
S.M.
04/03/96
Page
Extended
i)
Paper
Minor
S.96-18
in Theatre
- UCFV - Extended Minor in Latin American Studies;
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S
Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by J
.
Osborne
"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of
Governors, as set forth in S.96-18, the following new programs to
be offered at the University College of the Fraser Valley: a)
Extended Minor in Latin American Studies; b) Extended Minor
in Theatre"
Reference was made to a statement on page 2 which implies a constant and
close working relationship with SFU's Spanish and Latin American Studies
Department, and concern was expressed about the possible discontinuance of
this Department and the consequences this would have on the Minor
program at UCFV. Senate was advised that the question currently before the
Faculty of Arts in relation to the Department of SLAS was not the closure of
programs but changes in the structure of its administrative units.
Question was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION CARRIED
ii)
Paper S.96-19 - UCFV - B.Sc. Majors Degree Program in General
Biology; Physics 300 and 400 level courses ?
0
Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by C. Jones
"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of
Governors, as set forth in S.96-19, the following new programs to
be offered at the University College of the Fraser Valley: a) B.Sc.
Majors Degree Program in General Biology; b) Physics 300 and
400 level courses"
N. Haunerland, Department of Biological Sciences was in attendance in order
to respond to questions.
Question was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION CARRIED
C) ?
Senate Committee on Academic Planning
i)
?
Paper S.96-20 - Undergraduate Student Intake Targets for 1996/97
Motion #1:
Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by J
.
Osborne
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S.M.
04103/96
Page 5
• "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 96/97 and the SCAP be delegated authority to make
adjustments based on changes to the overall enrolment targets
and based on actual enrolment experience in 1996-2 and 1996-3
Admission Targets
1996-2
1996-3
1997-1
Total
B.C. Gr. XH
50
1,510
100
1,660
B.C.
College
375
700
450
1,525
"Other"
250
650
350
1,250
Total Intake
675
2,860
900
4,435
Question was called, and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
Motion #2:
Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by J
.
Osborne
"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 1996/97 and that SCAP be delegated
authority to make adjustments based on changes to the overall
enrolment targets and based on actual enrolment experience in
1996-2 and 1996-3.
Admission Targets
1996-2 ?
1996-3
1997-1
Total
B.C.
Gr. XII
10 ?
345
20
375
B.C. College
40 ?
65
25
130
"Other"
10 ?
75
25
110
Total Intake
60 ?
485
70
615
Question was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION CARRIED
ii) ?
Paper S.96-21 - International Student Intake Targets for 1996/97
Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by L. Boland
"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of
Governors to limit the number of international students
admitted into undergraduate programs at SFU in 1996/97 to a
maximum of 7% of all admissions"
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S.M. 04/03/96
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Brief discussion took place in which Senate was reminded that the limit of
7% was historically set when this quota was first introduced a number of years
ago. Since the quota has never been reached and since enrolment of
international students is on the decline, suggestion was made that it may be
appropriate to reconsider the necessity of bringing this issue back to Senate
every year. Discussion followed with respect to the perceived reasons for the
declining number of international students among Canadian universities in
general.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
?
MOTION CARRIED
iii) Paper S.96-22 - Delegation of Responsibility for Approval of New
Courses
Motion #1:
Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by S. Shapiro
"that Senate delegate its responsibility for approving all new
undergraduate courses and program revisions of a minor nature
to the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies and all new
graduate courses and program revisions of a minor nature to the
Senate Graduate Studies Committee"
Senate was advised that the proposal before Senate represents a step towards
increased efficiency in the use of current resources, and particularly how the
time of Senate committees and Senate itself is used. As resources decline,
planning imperatives will take an increasing amount of time and planning
committees such as SCAP will need to devote more time to planning and less
time to routine curriculum matters. In order to provide assurances that
all
of
the appropriate consultations/ approvals have been made/received prior to
SCUS/SGSC making a decision, a form 'Approval Cover Sheet' has been
developed which provides for this kind of accountability, and both SCUS and
SGSC have agreed to use a version of this form.
While there was support for streamlining the course approval process,
concern was expressed about eliminating all monitoring of course approvals
and minor program changes. Although the proposed cover sheet is helpful,
suggestion was made that a ratification mechanism be included in the
process.
Amendment moved by L. Boland, seconded by C. Eaton
"that the following paragraph be added to the end of the current
motion: Furthermore, all such actions by SCUS and SGSC be
reported to SCAP for information before they are reported to
Senate. And that, within one week after SCUS/SGSC has
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S.M. 04/03/96
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Page 7
.
reported to SCAP, any two members
of
SCAP can ask that the
specific new courses or program revisions of a minor nature be
considered by SCAP. Similarly, that within two weeks after
SCUS/SGSC has reported to Senate, any five members of Senate
can ask that the specific new courses or program revisions of a
minor nature be considered by Senate. Only after SCAP and
Senate have been thus informed, do these delegated actions of
SCUS and SGSC become official Senate policy without further
Senate action."
Concern was expressed that the amendment delays the process of approval
and reflects negatively on the work being done by the Senate committees.
Opinion was expressed that since Senate is responsible for the curriculum of
the University, Senate should have the opportunity to review curriculum
issues prior to them becoming official policy. The proposed amendment does
not reflect on the competence of Senate committees; it merely preserves the
role of Senate.
Discussion turned to the composition of SCUS, and concern was expressed
that since there were only two student representatives on the Committee
there was not enough opportunity for student input. Opinion was expressed
. ?
that the proposed amendment provides a further opportunity for input to
take place from students from all disciplines.
Question was called, and a vote taken. ?
AMENDMENT CARRIED
(22 in favour, 13 opposed)
Referring to the ratio of faculty members to students on Senate, concern was
expressed that the requirement of five members of Senate might be difficult
for a Student Senator to achieve.
Amendment moved by K. Whitbread, seconded by M. Wideen
"that the motion be amended to read three members of Senate
instead of five members of Senate"
Question was called, and a vote taken.
?
AMENDMENT FAILED
Discussion turned to the main motion and concern was expressed that a
committee as small as SCUS with only one representative from each Faculty
is not adequate to appropriately consider Faculty-wide curriculum revisions.
Senate was advised that the SGSC has a representative from every
department and graduate program in the university as well as five regular
and five alternate student members.
S.M. 04/03/96
Page
Senate was advised that a 2/3 majority vote was required to approve this
motion. ?
41
Question was called on the main motion,
and a vote taken.
?
MOTION #1, AS AMENDED, CARRIED
(2/3 majority vote received)
Motion #2:
Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by B. Clayman
"that the Secretary of Senate be authorized to make the
appropriate changes to the terms of reference of each of these
committees"
Brief discussion took place with respect to the differences in representation
between SCUS and the SGSC.
Question was called, and a vote taken. ?
MOTION #2 CARRIED
iv) Paper S.96-23 - External Review Guidelines
Moved by D. Gagan, seconded B. Clayman
"that Senate approve the revisions to the Guidelines for External
Reviews of Academic Units contained in Paper S.96-23"
Senate was advised that the proposed changes involve replacing items 11
through 16 of the existing guidelines. Units will be required to prepare an
academic plan describing the unit's objectives in the period leading up to its
next scheduled review and this plan will be referenced by SCAP in assessing
future program/ curriculum proposals from the unit.
Objection was made to the term 'forward plan' and a suggestion to change it
to 'academic plan' was accepted as a friendly amendment.
Discussion turned to the issue of student input in the external review process
and the fact that the process varies from department to department.
Amendment moved by K. Amason, seconded by K. Whitbread
"that item 11-a be amended to read 'the unit involved, including
the unit's graduate caucus and student union'
Opinion was expressed that if students are included so should non-academic
staff
up to
but
individual
since each
units.
unit is administered differently the process should be left ?
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S.M. 04/03/96
Page 9
It was pointed out that the report is a public document and is available to
anyone in any constituency upon request. Opinion was further stated that
while the report does not need to be distributed, everyone in the unit should
be made aware that the report exists and is available on request.
A suggestion to change the above amendment as follows was accepted as
friendly:
"that item 11-a be amended to read 'the unit involved
(including faculty, staff and students)'
Question was called on the amendment,
and a vote taken.
?
AMENDMENT CARRIED
Reference was made to item 12-b, and concern was expressed that there may
be times when a Dean and a unit may not agree on a final plan. It was
pointed out that in such cases a Dean and a unit could bring their alternative
views to SCAP for discussion and consideration.
Question was called on the main motion, ?
-
and a vote taken.
?
MAIN MOTION, AS AMENDED, CARRIED
Sd) Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules
• ?
i) ?
Paper S.96-24 - Amendment to the Terms of Reference - Senate ?
Nominating Committee
Moved by K. Heinrich, seconded by L. Boland
"that Senate approve the following be added to the Terms of
Reference for the Senate Nominating Committee:
7. In bringing forward nominees for vacancies on Senate
committees, the Nominating Committee should give
consideration to the composition of the campus
community"
Opinion was expressed that the wording of the motion was ambiguous and,
in its present form, unusable without further clarification as to what was
being referred to by the word 'composition'.
L. Peterson, as Chair of the SNC, referred to the lack of interest among faculty
and students in serving on Senate committees and suggested a discussion of
possible remedies to this problem first might lead to a situation whereby the
. ?
SNC could give consideration to the composition of the campus community
when bringing forward nominees.
S.M. 04/03/96
Page 10
Senate was advised that SCAR had discussed the lack of names coming
forward and the Secretary of Senate is expected to contact the Chair of the
SNC to discuss possible mechanisms that might assist the committee in
recruiting people for various committees.
Senate was informed that the original motion brought forward to SCAR dealt
specifically with gender representation on in-person appeal committees but
had subsequently been replaced by this more general motion for all
committees.
It was noted that over the past several years Senate has gradually built up the
importance of its committees and changed the process of how students
become members. Concern was expressed that this change in process from
students being appointed by SFSS to being elected by Senate may have caused
some of the difficulties in finding students to serve on committees.
Question was called, and a vote taken.
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MOTION CARRIED
e)
Senate Graduate Studies Committee
i) ?
Paper S.96-25 - Annual Report (For Information)
Brief discussion took place following which the Annual Report of the Senate
Graduate Studies Committee was received for information.
f)
Senate Committee on International Activities
1) ?
Paper S.96-26 - Annual Report (For Information)
In response to a request for a brief list of all international projects, Senate was
informed that such a list currently exists and it could be brought to Senate for
information at some future time. Brief discussion followed with respect to
CIDA projects, following which the Annual Report of the Senate Committee
on International Activities was received.
6.
Other Business
There was no other business.
7.
Information
The next regularly scheduled meeting of Senate will take place on Monday,
April 1, 1996.
The Assembly moved directly into Closed Session at 8:50 p.m.
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