DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SENATE OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1997 AT 7:00 PM IN ROOM 3120 WMC

OPEN SESSION

Present: ?

Stubbs, John, Chair

Absent: Aujia, Angela

Beattie, Suzan

Cleveland, William

Crawford, Charles

Dahl, Veronica

Etherington, Lois

Giffen, Ken

Hansen, Joey

Hewitt, Kevin

Howlett, Michael

Lewis, Brian

Mauser, Gary

Nip, Harry

Ross, Douglas

Roth, W. Michael

Segal, Joseph

Whitbread, Katherine

Wickstrom, Norman

Akins, Kathleen

Amason, Kristjan

Alderson, Evan

Barrow, Robin

Berggren, J

Len

Blaney, Jack

Blazenko, George

Boland, Larry

Cellik, Peter

Chan, Albert

Clayman, Bruce

D'Auria, John

Dobb, Ted

Dunsterville, Valerie

Emmott, Alan

Gagan, David

Jones, Cohn

Kanevsky, Lannie

Kozminuk, Angela

Luk, Wo Shun

Marteniuk, Ron

Mathewes, Rolf

McInnes, Dina

Morrison, Tim

Naef, Barbara

Osborne, Judith

Percival, Paul

Peterson, Louis

Pierce, John

Rawicz, Andrew

Reed, Clyde

Sanghera, Balwant

Shapiro, Stan

Ukrainetz, Mark

Warsh, Michael

Winne, Phil

Wortis, Michael

In attendance:

Blackman, Roger

Hanson, Kathryn

Heath, Nick

Heath, W. Ron, Dean of Student Services and Registrar

Watt, Alison, Director, Secretariat Services

Grant, Bobbie, Recording Secretary

(1k'

S.M.

06/01/9i

Page 2

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Since several visitors were in attendance in order to speak to agenda

items, it was suggested that the agenda be amended to allow

consideration of their items early in the meeting. There were no objections

to moving Items 5-h and 5-e forward on the agenda and, following this

change, the agenda was approved as amended.

The Minutes were approved as distributed.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

There was no business arising.

REPORT OF THE CHAIR

The Chair welcomed everyone back to the start of a new semester and

extended congratulations to Michael Warsh for the successful completion

of his PhD. Senate was also advised of the resignation of Tim Morrison,

and on behalf of Senate, the Chair extended thanks for his service on

Senate and its various committees.

No news has been received with respect to 97/98 funding and Senate was

reminded of the information which had already been widely circulated

with regard to clawbacks for the 96/97 funding period. Senate was

advised of the recent appointment of Paul Ramsey as the new Minister

responsible for post-secondary education.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Senate Nominating Committee

Paper S.97-1

Senate was advised that no further nominations had been received.

A. Chan has therefore been elected by acclamation to the Senate

Nominating Committee; all other positions remain vacant and will be

carried forward. The Chair advised that SCAR and the Nominating

Committee wished to see committees fully constituted and noted that

Student Senators are primarily required to fill the remaining vacancies.

Senate Committee on Academic Planning/Senate Committee on

Undergraduate Studies

i) ?

Paper S.97-2 - School of Computing Science - Specialist Program in

Software Engineering

Moved by D. Gagán, seconded by R. Marteniuk

S.M. 06/01/97

Page 3

"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board

of Governors, the new Specialist Program in Software

Engineering, as set forth in S.97-2"

Senate was advised that a lengthy meeting between representatives of the

University and representatives of the Association of Professional

Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia had taken place. The

profession has not been consistent in objecting to the use of the word

'Engineering' and recommendation was that Senate proceed with

consideration of the proposed new Specialist Program in Software

Engineering.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

ii)

Paper S.97-3 (Formerly S.96-75) - Undergraduate Curriculum

Revisions - Faculty of Business Administration (For Information)

• Concern was reiterated about the difficulty students have registering in

BUS 346, a required course in the International Business concentration.

Senate was advised that the Faculty of Business Administration has made

adjustments to add additional sections, and expectations are the

subsequent curriculum changes will relieve some of the pressure on the

• ?

introductory International Business courses.

Concern was also expressed about conflicts which occur in lectures and

exams of core critical courses within concentrations and it was suggested

that the Registrar's Office try to avoid scheduling such conflicts. It was

noted that while the Registrar's Office assigns rooms, the Faculty

essentially sets the course timetable and schedules individual courses.

Senate was assured that the Registrar's Office is willing to work with the

Faculty to improve scheduling.

iii)

Paper S.97-4 - Transfer Credit for D Grades

Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by J

Osborne

"that Senate approve, as set forth in S.97-4, the changes to the

policy on transfer credit for D grades"

N. Heath, Director of Admissions, and R. Blackman, Chair of the Senate

Committee on Undergraduate Studies were in attendance in order to respond to

questions.

It was noted that existing policy permits transfer credit for D grades except in

two specific circumstances of admission which would affect a very small number

of students. Senate was advised that the proposed change to policy would

effectively provide transfer credit to new students for all passed courses,

regardless of the student's admission average or admission standing.

S.M. 06/01/97

Page 4

The wisdom of the existing university policy of regarding a D grade as a pass

was questioned. Opinion was expressed that awarding transfer credit for D

grades, especially D grades from colleges where programs of study are quite

different from university study, might erode academic standards, and the

question was raised as to what impact not giving transfer credit for any D grades

would have on admission to SFU. In an attempt to establish comparability of

transfer credit within the province, the BC Council on Admission and Transfer

has been working fairly successfully in having all member institutions recognize

the same grades for transfer credit. If SFU failed to recognize D grades,

difficulties might result for potential transfer students. A recent report prepared

by Analytical Studies has in fact established that transfer students perform very

well and opinion was expressed that academic standards do not seem to be at

issue.

Concern was also expressed about D graded courses being used to meet

prerequisite standards. However, it was pointed out that prerequisite

requirements are a separate issue and acceptance of a D grade for transfer does

not imply acceptance of that course as a prerequisite.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

iv)

Paper S.97-5 - Revision to Policy Minimum Admission Averages

Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by J

Osborne

"that Senate approve, as set forth in S.97-5, the changes to the policy

on minimum admission averages"

N. Heath, Director of Admissions, and R. Blackman, Chair of the Senate

Committee on Undergraduate Studies were in attendance in order to respond to

questions.

Senate was advised that the underlying change to the policy is that admission for

students from BC institutions should not be different from admission from other

• Canadian provinces. Brief discussion followed with respect to the operational

process of this policy and Senate was provided with details of procedure for

specific types of admission.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Paper S.97-15 - Faculty of Science - Diverse Qualifications

Motion 1-a)

Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by J

Osborne

"that Senate approve the following amendments to the Diverse

Qualifications Admissions Policy, section 3:

S.M. 06/01/97

Page 5

that when a Faculty opts out of the Diverse Qualifications policy,

the overall maximum target for Diverse Qualifications admissions

will be amended from 10% of the total university admissions, to

10% of the total university admissions less the proportion of

admissions relating to the opting out Faculty"

A suggestion to delete the words

'proportion of'

was accepted as a friendly

amendment.

Senate was advised that the policy as previously passed by Senate did not

contain provisions for Faculties wishing to opt out, and motions 1-a and 1-b are

before Senate to establish procedures in this regard.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION 1-A AS AMENDED

CARRIED

Motion #1-b

Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by J

Osborne

"that when a Faculty opts out of the Diverse Qualifications policy,

the status of that Faculty's representative on the Diverse

•

Qualifications Admissions Committee be changed to become a non-

voting observer on the Committee"

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION 1-B CARRIED

Motion #2

Moved by C. Jones, seconded by M. Wortis

"that the Faculty of Science be permitted to opt out of the Diverse

Qualifications Admissions Policy starting with admissions for the

Spring Semester 1998"

Senate was advised that following the approval of the DQ policy by Senate, the

Faculty of Science engaged in a lengthy debate relating to the question of opting

out of the policy. A special referendum was held within the Faculty and the

Faculty voted to opt out. A brief summary of the reasons for the Faculty's

decision was presented to Senate as follows. Firstly, there are very strong

sentiments within the Faculty that academic success in SFLJ's Science program is

strongly linked to a student's level of academic achievement in secondary

schools. Secondly because of space and resource limitations, the Faculty wishes

to maximize the number of students completing the first year program and going

on to complete degrees. Thirdly, in order to compete with UBC and other

• universities who make offers of admission as early as January, the Faculty is

moving towards offering students earlier admission. DQA will delay

consideration for admission which might lead admissible students to take up

offers of admission elsewhere and could in turn lead the Faculty to admit

S.M. 06/01/97

Page 6

students with lower than desired GPAs. The Faculty feels that students who

have a lower GPA (plus other skills/ qualifications that may well suit them

eventually for a university education) have other options available to them such

as attending community college. In addition, students who are admitted under

the DQA policy can still take Science courses at SFU provided they have the

required prerequisites and space is available. In summary, Senate was advised

that the Faculty of Science, particularly in times of financial restraint, wishes to

put their time, effort, and energy in attracting students who excel in their

academic studies at secondary school and to ensure those students continuance

in the Majors program within the Faculty.

A question was raised as to why this motion was before Senate since the policy

approved by Senate contained a clause which allows Faculties to opt out. It was

pointed out that the policy wording was contradictory as it also contained the

caveat 'as Senate wishes'. Brief discussion on this issue ensued.

Opinion was expressed that it was inappropriate to reject the DQA process

without having any direct experience with the policy. However, there was a

general feeling that policy decisions of this sort should remain at the discretion of

the Faculty and since Senate had already approved the option of opting out, it

should allow the Faculty of Science to do so. It was suggested that the

performance of any Science students admitted under the DQA policy between

now and Fall 1997 be formally measured as part of the impact review of the

Diverse Qualifications Admissions policy.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Senate was advised that the first intake of DQA students occurred this Spring

1997 semester. The Committee considered approximately 150 cases and

admitted approximately 35 students, two of whom were admitted to the Faculty

of Science. In that total, approximately five students would most likely have

been admitted in the next 10% of descending GPA rank. Three out of the total

were Grade 12 students, the others were transfer students, degree holders and

mature students. This ratio reflects the general make-up of admissions for the

Spring as the largest admission of Grade 12 occurs in the Fall semester.

e) ?

Senate Committee on Academic Planning/Senate Committee on

Continuing Studies

i) ?

Paper S.97-12 - Proposed Non-Credit Certificate Programs

Motion #la

Non-Credit Certificate Program in North American Business Practices

Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by A. Chan

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Page 7

"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of

Governors; as set forth in S.97-12, the Non-Credit Certificate

Program in North American Business Practices"

Kathryn Hanson, Associate Director, Extension Credit was in attendance in order

to respond to questions.

Reference was made to the statement of general purpose, and opinion was

expressed that this appeared to be a non-academic program which was not

directly related to the central purpose of the University to provide educational

opportunities to residents of Canada and, in particular, to the people of BC.

Suggestion was made that the program was being proposed to make money for

the University and concern was expressed that no financial information with

respect to costs and revenue had been presented to Senate for consideration.

It was pointed out that the program, although targetted toward international

students, was open to Canadian students, and that the abbreviated courses,

taught by SFU faculty members, were similar to second and third year Business

Administration courses. In response to a concern expressed about taking

teaching resources away from core academic programs, Senate was advised that

the courses taught in non-credit programs are taught on overload with stipend.

• Discussion ensued with respect to budget implications and Senate was advised

that this was expected to be a cost-recovery program which would be cancelled if

all expenses could not be met by tuition revenue. It was noted that, in general,

successful non-credit programs in Continuing Studies which generate money

support basic teaching and research needs within the University and that

Continuing Studies initiatives service a very important need and demand in the

community which result in benefits to SFU's reputation and economy. It was

noted that there is nothing in the University Act to preclude Senate from

considering the economics of new programs as part of its criteria of approval and

it was suggested that budget information should be part of future discussions of

all new credit and non-credit programs.

Discussion followed with respect to the process of selection for admission and

evaluation procedures for successful completion of the certificate.

Moved by M. Wortis, seconded by P. Percival

"that the motion be tabled"

Senate was advised that the intent of the motion to table was to obtain additional

details on budget information, and required a majority vote.

•

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION TO TABLE FAILED

Question was called on the main motion,

and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

S.M. 06/01/97

Page 8

Motion #1-b

Non-Credit Certificate Program: UniGIS - A Telelearning Program in

Geographic Information Systems

Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by J

Pierce

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

Governors, as set forth in S.97-12, the Non-Credit Certificate

Program: UniGIS - A Telelearning Program in Geographic

Information Systems"

The program is built on the work and success of programs that have already

been offered in Austria and England in Geographical Information Systems and

offers instruction through the Internet and other forms of distance education. If

approved, SFU, through the Department of Geography, will become the North

American distributor of this module. Senate was advised the program is

structured in such a way that if it meets the requirements of students, it may be

upgraded at some point to a degree program.

Discussion ensued with respect to budget requirements of the program. Senate

was advised that SFU and the UniGIS Consortium have agreed to forego

overhead for the first year in order to get the program operational, and once

operational, the program is planned to provide full cost recovery. It was pointed

out that an important ongoing function of a university is to develop ideas and

new programs, and it is important to recognize that the time and energy faculty

and staff put into program development are inherent costs to the university. In

response to a concern expressed about the level of computing resources required

to support a telelearning program, it was noted that the majority of students will

be located all around North America and will be using local service providers.

Brief discussion took place with respect to the market demand for this type of

program. Senate was referred to Page 12 of the documentation which provides

information about market analysis, and the success of the program already

offered in numerous universities in Austria and England was noted.

Question was called, and a vote taken. ?

MOTION CARRIED

C) SENATE COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC PLANNING/SENATE

COMMITTEE ON UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES/SENATE

COMMITTEE ON ENROLMENT MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING

N. Heath, Director of Admissions, and R. Blackman, Chair of the Senate

Committee on Undergraduate Studies were in attendance in order to respond to

questions. ?

S.M. 06/01/97

Page 9

i) ?

Paper S.97-6 - Faculty of Science - Admission requirement changes

Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by C. Jones

"that Senate approve, as set forth in S.97-6, the changes to the

admission requirements in the Faculty of Science"

Senate was provided with a brief summary of the differences between the current

regulations and the proposed changes. The proposed changes will bring the

admission requirements of the Faculty of Science more into line with SFU general

admission requirements and also into alignment with current admission

practices at other universities in the province. These changes will assist students

applying to more than one university for admission, allow a cleaner calculation

of GPA for admission, and more clearly inform students of the standards the

Faculty of Science is setting for admission. In light of the fact that the Faculty of

Science has removed itself from the DQA policy, concern was expressed that

students who may have had a bad year in Grade 12 would now not be

considered for a Science program.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

. ?

d) SENATE COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC PLANNING/SENATE

GRADUATE STUDIES COMMITTEE

Paper S.97-7 - Graduate Curriculum Revisions - Faculty of Applied

Sciences

Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by B. Clayman

"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of

Governors the curriculum revisions for the Faculty of Applied

Sciences, as set forth in S.97-7 as follows:

S.97-7a School of Computing Science

Non-thesis option for the M.Sc. in Computing Science"

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Senate received information that SGSC, acting under delegated authority,

approved new courses as set forth in

S.97-7b

in the School of Engineering

Science.

ii)

Paper S.97-8 - Curriculum Revisions - Faculty of Arts

Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by B. Clayman

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Page 10

"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of

Governors the curriculum revisions for the Faculty of Arts as set

forth in S.97-8 as follows:

S.97-8a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program -

Addition of a non-thesis course option

S.97-8b Department of Psychology -

Changes to Program in Clinical Psychology

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Senate received information that SGSC, acting under delegated authority,

approved new courses and revisions of a minor nature to existing courses as set

forth in S.97-8a Liberal Studies Program, and S.97-8b Department of Psychology.

iii)

Paper S.97-9 - Graduate Curriculum Revisions - Faculty of Business

Administration

Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by B. Clayman

"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of

Governors the curriculum revisions for the Faculty of Business

Administration as set forth in S.97-9 - Co-op Education Program in

the MBA Program"

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Senate received information that SGSC, acting under delegated authority,

approved new courses as set forth in S.97-9.

iv)

Paper S.97-10 - Graduate Curriculum Revisions - Faculty of Education (For

Information)

Senate received information that SGSC, acting under delegated authority

approved minor revisions to the Administrative Leadership Program.

Paper S.97-11 - Revision to Graduate Regulation 1.3.6 - Admission as a

Special Student

Moved by D. Gagan, seconded by B. Clayman

"that Senate approve, as set forth in S.97-11, revisions to Graduate

Regulation 1.3.6 - Admission as a Special Student"

Amendment moved by L. Boland, seconded by C. Reed

the

"that

last

the

sentence

phrase

more

the first

than

paragraph

one semester'

Graduate

added to

Regulation

the end of

1.3.6"

S.M.06/01/97

Page 11

• Senate was advised that some departments find it useful to make limited use of

this regulation to allow graduate students to take undergraduate courses and the

amendment would allow limited use while preventing an abuse of the

regulation.

It was noted that the original intent of the Special Graduate Student status was to

allow graduate students, who are not seeking a degree at SFU, to take an

occasional course. Students intending to enter a graduate program at SFU who

do not meet program qualifications, should be admitted as Qualifying Students

or be given provisional admission. Degree holding students who wish only to

enrol in undergraduate courses can enrol as second degree holders or as Special

Undergraduate Students. Some departments are using the Special Graduate

Student status to circumvent the original intention of the regulation.

Question

and a vote

was

taken.called

on the amendment,

AMENDMENT

(11 in favour, 12

FAILED

opposed)

Discussion took place with regard to process, and Senate was provided with

examples of how this category can be used to benefit both the student and the

university. It was noted that since the regulation was prefaced by the word

'normally', exceptions would still be possible.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CONTINUING STUDIES

i) ?

Paper S.97-13 - Annual Report (For Information)

Senate received the Annual Report of the Senate Committee on

Continuing Studies for information.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON UNIVERSITY BUDGET

i) ?

Paper S.97-14

Annual Report (For Information)

Following a very brief discussion about the capital budget and SCUB's

role with respect to it, Senate received the Annual Report of the Senate

Committee on University Budget for information.

OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

INFORMATION

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

February 3, 1997.

i s ?

The Assembly moved directly into Closed Session at 9:50 pm

Alison Watt

Director, Secretariat Services