DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE

Minutes of a Meeting of the Senate of Simon Fraser University held on?

Monday, January 9, 2006 at

5:30

pm in Room 3210 WMC

Open Session

Present:

Stevenson, Michael, President and Chair of Senate

Absent:

Apaak, Clement

Breden, Felix

Brennand, Tracy

Caufield, Sarah

Corbett, Kitty

Delgrande, James

Fleming-Saraceno, David

Gordon, Robert

Grimmett, Peter

Halpern, Erica

Hayes, Michael

Honda, Barry

Javed, Wasseem

Louie, Brandt

Magee, Sean

McArthur, James

Pinto, Mario

Scott, Jamie

van Baarsen, Amanda

Williams, Peter

Black, Sam

Budd, James

Dickinson, John

Dickinson, Peter

Easton, Stephen

Easter, Martin

Fizzell, Maureen

Gordon, Irene

Harder, Derrick

Haun cr1 and, Norbert

Heift, Trude (re p resenting J. Driver)

Joffres, Michel

Krane, Bill

LaBrie, John

Lewis, Brian

Love, Ernie

MacKenzie, Christine

MacLean, David

Owen, Brian (representing L. Copeland)

Percival, Cohn

Percival, Paul

Pierce, John

Plischke, Michael

Schellenberg, Betty

Shaker, Paul

Smith, Don

Tilley, Kevin

Uhlmann, Sasha

Warner, D'Arcy

Waterhouse, John

Weeks, Daniel

Wong, Josephine

Woodbury, Robert

Zandvliet, David

In attendance:

Anderson, Gail

Davison, Allan

Kawasaki, Tsuyoshi

MacAlister, David

Perry, Tom

Taboada, Maite

Heath, Ron, Registrar

Watt, Alison, Director, University Secretariat

Grant, Bobbie, Recording Secretary

S.M. 9 January 2006

Page 2

Approval of the Agenda

Following the withdrawal of agenda item 6.A.vi - Senate paper S.06-6 - Cohort Special

Arrangements Program - Master of Global Health, and the addition of an item under

Other Business - Search Committee for the Associate Vice-President, Students and

International, the Agenda was approved.

Approval of the Minutes of the Open Session of December

2005

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 reported that a series of questions regarding issues affecting post-secondary

education had been sent by AUCC to all parties in the Federal election. Detailed replies

are available on the web site of AUCC. In general, responses suggest that all parties take

higher education very seriously and support improvements in funding. The Chair also

reported that he had been in touch with all candidates running in the Lower Mainland

with respect to the same issues. Local candidates were provided background information

with an invitation to contact him if they wished to pursue any of the issues in detail.

The Chair reported that detailed discussions about funding are currently taking place with

the Provincial Government. The Perrin Assessment and Review of the last funding

letters to universities resulted in recommendations similar to those of the TUPC. The

Ministry and Treasury Board have authorized adjustments that should provide

universities some short-term relief this year. Although recommendations for continuing

and sustained funding are still unknown, there appears to be a commitment to follow

through on the Accessibility Plan to add 25,000 seats in higher education, and there is

acknowledgement that proper funding for this expansion needs to be in place. Detailed

budget consultations within the university will begin this month and funding letters are

expected to be received following the next budget.

In a report on the activities of the Board of Governors, the Chair advised that the Board

had approved the Ethical Procurement Policy.

Question Period

In response to a question as to whether the TUPC report referred to by the Chair was

available, the Chair indicated that since the report was advice to the Minister there may

be issues around confidentiality, but it was suggested that the Vice-President Finance and

Administration be contacted in this regard.

S.M. 9 January 2006

Page 3

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6. ?

Reports of Committees

A) ?

Senate Committee on University Priorities

Paper S.06-1 - Extended Minor in the Asia-Canada Program and deletion of the

Asia-Canada Minor

Motion 1

Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by J. Pierce

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

proposal for an Extended Minor in the Asia-Canada program, in the

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences"

T. Kawasaki, Political Science/Humanities, and T. Perry, Associate Dean, were in

attendance in order to respond to questions.

The question was called, and a vote taken. ?

MOTION CARRIED

Motion 2

Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by J. Pierce

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

•

? proposal to delete the Asia-Canada Minor program in the Faculty of Arts

and Social Sciences"

The question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

ii)

Paper S.06-2 - Collaborative Major in First Nations Studies between SFU and

Thompson Rivers Universit

. and Post Baccalaureate Diploma in First Nations

Studies

Motion I

Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by J. Pierce

"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the proposal

for a Collaborative Major in First Nations Studies in the Faculty of Arts and

Social Sciences, between SFU (Kamloops) and Thompson Rivers University"

T. Perry, Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, was in attendance in order

to respond to questions.

The question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

S.M. 9 January 2006

Page 4

Motion 2

Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by J. Pierce

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

proposal for a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in First Nations Studies in the

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences"

The question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

iii)

Paper S.06-3 - Minor in Legal Studies, and Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Legal

Studies

Motion 1

Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by J. Pierce

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

proposal for a Minor in Legal Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Social

Sciences"

G. Anderson and D. MacAlister from the School of Criminology were in attendance.

The question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Motion

Moved by

J. Waterhouse, seconded by J. Pierce

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

proposal for a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Legal Studies in the Faculty

of Arts and Social Sciences"

The question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

iv)

Paper S.06-4 Joint Major in Computational Linguistics in the Faculties of Arts

and Social Sciences and Applied Sciences

Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by S. Hunsdale

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

proposal for a Joint Major in Computational Linguistics in the Faculty of

Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Applied Sciences".

M. Taboada, Department of Linguistics, was in attendance.

A question arose with respect to the Topics in Linguistics courses on page 4 concerning

how it would be decided whether these courses would be "suitable" for this program and

what happened if a suitable topic was not offered. Senate was advised that the suitability

S.M. 9 January 2006

Page

• of topics would be decided by the Department, and even if neither of these courses were

offered with suitable topics, the Department offers computational content courses on a

regular basis that would provide options to students to fit their requirements.

A concern was raised that this is a very specialized area that most students would be

unaware of when entering the University and they might lack adequate preparation. M.

Taboada noted that different entry levels into the program were anticipated, and the

Department felt that first and second year students would have no difficulty entering the

program and fulfilling the requirements. It was noted that Cognitive Science is another

program that students become acquainted with in their first and second years, and this

program was quite popular with good enrolment. In response to a question about whether

Computational Linguistics would draw enrolments away from Cognitive Science, Senate

was advised that although there is some overlap in requirements and there is a question as

to whether students would be allowed to major in both programs, the Department did not

feel that the programs would interfere with each other.

The question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

V) ?

Paper S.06-5 - Graduate Diploma in Global Health

Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by D. MacLean

"that Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the proposal

for a Graduate Diploma in Global Health in the Faculty of Health Sciences"

A. Davison, Faculty of Health Sciences, and D. MacLean, Senator and Dean of the

Faculty of Health Sciences were available to respond to questions.

With reference to the statement on page 2 concerning budgetary discussions being in

progress, Senate was advised that full budgetary discussions have now been concluded.

It was noted that the content of GLOH 510 might be challenging for students who would

be returning to University after working for some time in the health field, and a question

arose as to whether there were plans to provide tutorial support for this course. Senate

was advised that the course was fairly basic and unlikely to require that kind of support.

However, if this problem arose the Faculty would take steps to address it.

The question was called, and a vote taken. ?

MOTION CARRIED

vi) ?

Paper S.06-6 - Cohort Special Arrangements Program - Master of Global Health

The above-noted paper was withdrawn from the Agenda.

S.M. 9 January 2006

Page 6

vii) ?

Paper S.06-7 - Merck Frosst Chair in Statistics and Information Sciences for

Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases

Moved by J. Waterhouse, seconded by D. MacLean

"that Senate approve the terms of reference for the Merck Frosst Chair in

Statistics and Information Sciences of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal

Diseases in the Faculty of Health Sciences"

A senator asked whether there would be further discussion of this item at the Board, and

was advised by the Chair that there would be further consideration of the terms of

reference since they also require the approval of the Board of Governors.

The question was called, and a vote taken. ?

MOTION CARRIED

Senate Committee on Continuing Studies

i) ?

Paper S.06-8 - Annual Report (For Information)

J. LaBrie, Senator and Dean of Continuing Studies was available to respond to questions.

The Annual Report of the Senate Committee on Continuing Studies was received by

Senate for information without discussion.

Senate Graduate Studies Committee

1) ?

Paper S.06-9 - Faculty of Education - Graduate Curriculum Revisions (For

Information)

Senate received information that the Senate Graduate Studies Committee, acting under

delegated authority, approved a change in prerequisite for EDUC 876 and a minor

Calendar change concerning the composition of the Ed.D. supervisory committee.

Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies

i) ?

Paper S.06-110 - Change to Admission Requirements to the Faculty of Arts and

Social Sciences

Motion 1

Moved by C. MacKenzie, seconded by J. Pierce

"that Senate approve a change to the requirements for admission to the

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) such that effective Fall 2006,

students currently enrolled in other Faculties at SFU must have a GPA of

2.0 or greater to enter the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences"

The question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED ?

S.M. 9 January 2006

Page 7

Motion 2

Moved by C. MacKenzie, seconded by I. Gordon

"that Senate approve a change to the requirements for admission to FASS so

that effective immediately, if a student withdraws or is required to withdraw,

and if the student is, at that time, in the FASS, and if that student is

subsequently readmitted to the University, s/he shall be permitted to re-enter

FASS, even though their SFU CGPA is less than 2.00"

After various questions were posed about the rationale for this policy a lengthy

discussion ensued. Several senators provided information about this matter, indicating

that it was intended for those who had been required to withdraw and their GPA was

below 2.0. In most cases, these students attend another institution and do better in their

academic work but when they return to SFU their original GPA is still below 2.0. By

this motion, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences was prepared to provide a

mechanism for FASS students to seek readmission to the University but was not prepared

to accept students who had been required to withdraw from other programs. Students of

other Faculties would be in a different situation, such as Business Administration

students who are required to maintain a 2.25 CGPA. A Business student whose grades

drops below 2.0 and is required to withdraw, could not now be re-admitted to the

University in FASS.

Another senator asked whether a student who is re-admitted under these conditions would

be put immediately back on academic probation, and the Registrar indicated that the

student would be on academic probation until such time as his/her CGPA improves and is

above 2.0.

The question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Motion 3

Moved by C. MacKenzie, seconded by J. Pierce

"that Senate approve a change to the requirements for admission to FASS so

that effective immediately, students in Science and Tech One may not transfer

into the FASS until the end of the second semester following their admission

to the Science One or Tech One programs"

Reference was made to the statement in the rationale for this motion that implied

problems in the Surrey programs, and a Senator expressed the opinion that it might be

better to address that issue rather than approve the current motion. Senate was advised

that there had been an unprecedented situation in which students who were not qualified

0 ?

to be admitted to other programs had been admitted into the Tech One program, and then

S.M. 9 January 2006

Page 8

had transferred into FASS after only one semester. The proposal is designed to address

this situation and preserve the integrity of the cohort nature of the Surrey programs.

Brief discussion followed with respect to admission requirements for Surrey and whether

similar restrictions were being considered for the Surrey Explorations program. It was

noted that both Science One and the Surrey Explorations programs had the same

admission standards as other programs on the Burnaby campus. A question arose as to

why FASS was the only Faculty included in the motion, since presumably students could

transfer into other Faculties in the same way. Senate was advised that the other Faculties

have not experienced any problems, and if problems arose in the future they would be

addressed on a Faculty by Faculty basis.

The question was called, and a vote taken. ?

MOTION CARRIED

Paper S.06-11 - Undergraduate Curriculum Revisions - Faculty of Arts and

Social Sciences

Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting

under delegated authority, approved new courses, and minor changes in programs and

requirements in the following departments/programs: Archaeology, Chinese Studies,

Cognitive Science, Contemporary Arts, Economics, English, French, Geography,

History, Latin American Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Sustainable Community

Development. SCUS also approved, under delegated authority, certified Writing,

Quantitative and Breadth courses in a variety of departments/programs; and changes to

FASS breadth requirements effective Fall 2006.

Considerable discussion took place with respect to what impact the requirement of an

additional 12 credit hours of breadth would have on a student whose major was outside of

Arts but was doing an extended minor in Arts. It was noted that FASS already had a

requirement of 30 credits of breadth outside their discipline and the intent of the change

was to specify that 18 credit hours is to be designated breadth and the remaining 12 credit

hours would be general breadth. Furthermore, the Registrar explained that a student

completing a major in Science with an extended minor in Arts, must meet the Science

requirements for the major, but would not be subject to the 30 credit hours of breadth for

students majoring in FASS. It was stressed that the change did not have a negative

impact on students doing extended minors.

The Chair suggested that the Registrar's clarification be included in the minutes to

provide an understanding of the change and suggested that the Committee might want to

review the wording so that the legislation was clearly understood by students and faculty.

Referring to item g. Department of English, Senate was advised that the credit hours for

ENGL 399 should be 3 instead of 4. The Chair noted the change and advised that the

correction would be made.

S.M. 9 January 2006

Page 9

•

ii) ?

Faculty of Business Administration

Paper S.06-12 - Prerequisite changes to existing courses (For Information)

Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting

under delegated authority, approved prerequisite changes for BUS 237, 251, and 272.

iii) ?

Paper S.06-13 - Enrolment Priority System

Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting

under delegated authority, approved changes to the enrolment priority system for new

transfer students for a three semester trial period beginning Spring 2006. The change will

give new transfer students an enrolment appointment that is approximately the same as

that of continuing students with 60 credits. Senate was advised that students transferring

into SFU currently had little registration priority in their first semester and this change

would ensure they would be treated more fairly.

Senate Nominating Committee

i) ?

Paper S.06-14— Elections

Senate was advised that one nomination had been received and Derrick Harder was

elected by acclamation to the position on the Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules.

There were no other nominations. Vacancies will be carried forward to the next meeting.

7. ?

Other Business

J. Waterhouse advised Senate that the newly created position of Associate Vice-

President, Students and International had been filled on an acting basis until August 3 1,

2006, and in order to facilitate a timely search, the permission of Senate was requested to

move ahead with the search process. The search process would be governed by the

existing policy GP 29 Search Committees for Vice-Presidents and Associate Vice-

Presidents and the proposed composition of the search committee would be similar to

other Associate Vice-President positions. If Senate had concerns with the proposed

composition, the Vice-President, Academic stated he would be prepared to postpone this

item to the next meeting of Senate when a revision to GP 29 could be brought forward.

In response to a question as to whether the election of students would be conducted

concurrent with the regular student elections this semester, Senate was advised that if the

process was to go ahead, the election process would start immediately.

A Student Senator noted that students were usually selected by the Student Society rather

than elected by the student population at large, and an inquiry was made as to why the

process for student representation on this committee differed. A further question was

raised as to which other committees required elections. The Vice-President, Academic

advised that the process for student representation appeared to depend on the position

being searched, and although he did not have detailed information on other committees'

memberships at hand, he would be pleased to provide the information at a later date.

S.M. 9 January 2006

Page 10

It was pointed out that normally Senate voted on changes to policy such as this, and a

clarification was requested as to why this was being presented to Senate for information.

Senate was advised that permission was being sought to proceed with establishing the

committee so that a timely search could be undertaken, and that a motion would be

brought to Senate to approve the changes in policy at a later date. Following brief

discussion, the Chair reiterated that the search process would proceed with a call for

nominations, and that the appropriate adjustments in policy would be brought forward to

Senate at the next meeting.

8. ?

Information

The date of the next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, February 6, 2006.

Open Session adjourned at

6:35

pm and Senate moved directly into Closed Session.

Alison Watt, Director, University Secretariat