Amended by Senate

S.M. December 7, 2009

DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY SENATE

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

Monday, November 2, 2009 at 5:30 pm in Room 3210 WMC

Open Session

Present

Stevenson, Michael, President and Chair of Senate

Beale, Alison

Brennand, Tracy

Chapman, Glenn

Cbiu, Christina

Dow, Greg

Driver, Jon

Easton, Stephen

Fee, Jane (representing L. Cormack)

Fizzell, Maureen

Funt, Elliot

Geisler, Cheryl

Gibson, Eli

Godson, Ali

Harding, Kevin

Hiscocks, Graham

Krane, Bill

Laba, Martin

Leznoff, Daniel

Magnusson, Kris

Myers, Gordon

Nesbit, Tom

O'Neil, John

Owen, Brian (representing L. Copeland)

Parkhouse, Wade

Patel, Ravi

Paterson, David

Pavsek, Christopher

Percival, Colin

Percival, Paul

Pinto, Mario

Popowich, Fred (representing N. Rajapakse)

Ruben, Peter

Russell, Robert

Sahinaip, Cenk

Tiffany, Evan

van der Wey, Dolores

Warner, D'Arcy

Williams, Tony

Ross, Kate, Registrar and Secretary of Senate

Grant, Bobbie, Recording Secretary

Absent

Bezglasnyy, Anton

Francis, June

Golnaraghi, Farid

Gordon, Robert

Hannah, David

Janes, Craig

Joffles, Michel

Lee, Shara

Li, Fiona

Louie, Brandt

MacGrotty, Alysia

Marshall, Beth

McArthur, James

Moubarak, Cnstel

Nadison, Ada

Noble, Cameron

Peters, Joseph

Pierce, John

Plischke, Michael

Scott, Jamie

Shapiro, Daniel

Thompson, Steve

Wakkary, Ron

Woodbury, Rob

Zelezny, Joseph

In attendance:

I-iibbitts, Pat

Hinchliffe, Jo

S.M. 2 November 2009

Page 2

Approval of the Agenda

The Agenda was approved as distributed.

Approval of the Minutes of the Open Session of October 5, 2009

Reference was made to the last paragraph of section 5 on page 3. Clarification was made

that the discussion on grades related to information on averages for high school grades

which is not currently available on the IRP website. A misspelling of Senator Shapiro's

name on page 1 was also noted for correction.

Following the above-noted correction and clarification, the Minutes were approved.

Business Arising from the Minutes

There was no business arising from the Minutes.

Report of the Chair

Paper S.09-115 - President's Agenda 2009/2010 (For Information)

During discussion of this item, the President was encouraged to establish a priority and put

more emphasis on the support of existing programs that were already very successful and

productive but very often were overlooked in resource allocation. The Chair indicated it

was not his intention to proceed

in a way that overlooked highly successful and productive

programs nor did he believe that

had been the case

in the past but, he recognized that

perception was a significant part of reality and he would pay attention to the matter.

ii)

SFU Surrey

The Chair reported that resources had been obtained for SFU to occupy Podium 2 at the

Surrey campus. Senate was informed that this was part of the planning process for

expansion in Surrey and includes the capacity to install laboratories to properly support a

full array of programs at Surrey, especially in the Sciences. On behalf of the University,

the Chair expressed thanks and appreciation to members of the Senior Administration at

Burnaby and Surrey, and to colleagues in the various programs at Surrey for their

concerted efforts to make this possible.

iii)

SFU Burnaby

The Chair also reported that funding was also available from a grant under the Knowledge

Infrastructure Program for the renovation of the Science Chemistry laboratories on the

Burnaby campus.

Question Period

The Chair reported that two questions had been received. The first question from

R. Patel concerned a request for information about whether it would be possible to obtain

a report comparing the number of classes at various times to the number of classes at the

same times the previous year in order to see if any changes have occurred following the

S.M. 2 November 2009

Page 3

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implementation of the new scheduling policy. Senate was advised that information of this

kind is generally available on the Institutional and Research Planning website; however,

the data for Fall semester 2009 was not yet available. Request has been made for IRP to

provide a report, and it is anticipated that the information will be available for the next

meeting of Senate.

ii)

The second question from E. Tiffany concerned why the final document of the

Task Force on Teaching and Learning had not come to Senate for discussion prior to

implementation. Clarification was requested about the process to be followed regarding

implementation of the TLTF recommendations.

The Vice-President, Academic provided brief background information with respect to the

process followed thus far. Senate was advised that although the final report was not yet

complete, the Task Force had asked whether consideration could be made to moving

ahead on a couple of recommendations which they felt were important. One was the

development of an advisory group provisionally called the University Council on

Teaching and Learning. That group, which would be broadly representative and include a

significant number of faculty members, would review the final recommendations of the

Task Force and propose an implementation plan for those recommendations. The initial

term for this advisory council would be from December 2009 to August 2010.

Establishing the advisory council in advance would allow expeditious review of the

recommendation once the final report is complete.

With regard to Senate's role vis-à-vis the final report, Senate was advised that the

recommendations of the Task Force would be vetted through the proposed Council, to

the Vice President Academic, and then forwarded to the appropriate body for action. In

many cases the appropriate body would be a Senate committee and ultimately Senate but

recommendations dealing with administrative structures would not necessarily come to

Senate. Instead the recommendation would go to the appropriate department in the

University where the changes were taking place. So the entire report of the Task Force

would not come to Senate for approval but, once the final report was available, it would

be brought forward to Senate for information and discussion. Individual recommendations

in areas related to Senate's authority would come forward for approval by Senate.

Reference was made to the statement of purpose, a preamble to the Rules of Senate, and

opinion was expressed that the recommendations in the report, particularly the creation of

the Council on Teaching and Learning, appear to fall under the authority of Senate as

outlined in that statement. It was also pointed out that during consultations with the

University community strong opposition to the creation of the Council had been

expressed by many faculty members and even entire Departments/Faculties and, there

appeared to be a broad sense among faculty that much of the criticism and feedback was

not taken to heart by the Task Force. The Vice-President, Academic assured Senate that

none of the recommendations affecting teaching and learning in the University would be

implemented without coming to Senate if that was appropriate given the nature of the

proposed change.

A question was posed as to what extent the mandate of the University Council on

Teaching and Learning duplicates the mandate of the Senate Committee on University

S.M. 2 November 2009

Page 4

Teaching and Learning. Opinion was expressed that SCUTL was approved by Senate to

deal with many of the same topics as this new Council and suggestion was made that

SCUTL would be a more appropriate body to deal with these issues. It was reiterated that

the proposed Council would make recommendations to the Vice President Academic

who in turn would refer them to the appropriate body which could include the Senate

Committee on Teaching and Learning.

Opinion was expressed that the concerns being voiced seemed to hinge on the nature of

the proposed Council on Teaching and Learning. Opinion was expressed that the title

evoked a sense of governance and suggestion was made that perhaps this interim group

could be referred to as an advisory committee with a mandate to provide advice on how

to deal with the recommendations of the Task Force. A decision as to whether or not to

create a new body such as a Council on Teaching and Learning could then be made at a

later stage. The Vice-President, Academic indicated he would take the suggestion under

advisement.

In response to a question as to how members of the Council would be chosen, Senate was

advised that the Council would consist of faculty, staff and students and members would

be chosen in various ways depending on their status.

Discussion ensued with regard to the scope of Senate's authority, the difficulties of

bicameral government, and the legal jurisdiction of the preamble outlining the purpose of

noted that it was not uncommon for policy to be formulated outside of Senate and

then proposals affecting the implementation of policy as a whole or parts of the policy

subsequently brought to Senate for debate and approval.

Reference was made to comments characterizing the group currently being formed as an

advisory body through the appointment process of University Teaching Fellows. It was

noted that in the papers received for the nomination of Fellows, these appointments were

not primarily identified as advisory but had fully developed duties with significant

responsibilities beyond just advising in areas such as teaching philosophy, capacity to assist

colleagues with teaching, and the development of teaching.

An opinion was expressed that although the Task Force took the consultation process

seriously, they did not appear to have given serious consideration to the comments

received in the process, especially with respect to the opposition voiced against the

creation of the Council on Teaching and Learning, and a suggestion was made that a

motion to approve the proposed Council should come to the next meeting of Senate for

approval.

The Chair informed Senate that debate had considerably exceeded the time allotted for

Question Period and that discussion would be closed. Many important issues were raised

that the Chair expected would be taken under advisement by the Vice-President

Academic.

S.M. 2 November 2009

Page 5

Reports of Committees

Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules

Paper S.09-116 - Revision to Universit y

Policy GP 4— Unscheduled Cancellation

of Classes (For Information)

P. Hibbitts, Vice-President Finance and Administration was in attendance in order to

respond to questions. Senate received the revisions to Policy GP 4 for information.

Senate Committee on Universit y

Priorities

Paper S.09-117 - Proposal to Dissolve the Centre for International Studies

Moved by J. Driver, seconded by S. Easton

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

proposal to dissolve the Centre for International Studies as a Schedule A

Centre based in the School for International Studies within the Faculty of

Arts and Social Sciences"

•

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

ii)

Paper S.09-118 - Process for Suspension of Admissions to a Program and Program

Termination

Moved by J. Driver, seconded by R. Patel

"that Senate approve the process for Suspension of Admissions to a

Program and Program Termination"

Reference was made to section 5 on page 2 and concern was expressed that programs

could be removed without coming to Senate by departments simply deciding to withhold

funding. It was pointed out that the policy was written in such a way that consultations

would take place with everyone affected by suspension or removal of the program at every

stage in the process. Further concerns were expressed that should faculty positions be

frozen in the future, programs could become untenable to teach because there were no

replacements for faculty members who had left SFU. Senate was advised that there was a

possibility that over a period of years a program could be allowed to disappear as a result of

strategic priorities being placed elsewhere but it was fairly unlikely since decisions with

regard to faculty positions would be done collectively by the department, the Faculty

Dean, and the Vice-President, Academic.

Clarification was requested with respect to the last paragraph on page one which referred

to a procedure for fast tracking. Senate was assured that all stages of consultation would

still have to take place but if there was agreement among all parties involved, the

recommendation could bypass SCUS/SGSC and SCUP and come directly to Senate. A

S.M. 2 November 2009

Page 6

suggestion was made that this could be better clarified in the detailed writing of the

proposal.

In response to an inquiry as to why Senate was not included in the process to suspend

admissions to a program, it was pointed out that from time to time there were valid

reasons to suspend admissions to a program temporarily when there was no intention of

terminating the program. This was more likely to occur in small programs at the graduate

level during times when departments were in the process of renewing their faculty and

wished to suspend admissions until students could be offered the level of support they

needed. A suggestion was made that such matters could be brought to Senate for

information.

K. Harding wished to have his concern dealing with service to students recorded in the

Minutes. Once declared into a program, students have certain protections under the

Calendar but there were undeclared students who were working hard towards a program

and, if their program disappeared before they met the specific requirements to declare, the

University must make it possible for them to continue in it. He wished to stress the

importance of ensuring that all students who have paid their fees in the hope of declaring

into a specific program were not entirely put out when suspension of programs and

program terminations were being considered.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

iii)

Paper S.09-119 - New Program: Graduate Certificate in Modelling of Complex

Social Systems

Moved by J. Driver, seconded by W. Parkhouse

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

proposal for a Graduate Certificate in Modelling of Complex Social

Systems"

F. Popowich, Associate Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences, was in attendance in order to

respond to questions.

A question arose as to why there was a difference between the Faculties with respect to

courses taken internally and externally. Senate was advised that the Faculty of Applied

Sciences and the Faculty of Science normally allowed students to take six credits outside

the Faculty, whereas the norm for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences was to keep the

requirements within the Faculty. All Faculties chose to keep the requirements consistent

with their normal practice. It was pointed out that all requirements were consistent with

program development for a certificate at the graduate level.

Concerns were expressed about quality control, especially in regards to the required

seminar series which did not appear to be under the supervision of any faculty member.

Senate was advised that graduate certificates were essentially add-ons to the original degree

to reflect that there has been an interdisciplinary component in the graduate program. The

purpose of the seminar was to bring groups of students together from a wide range of

S.M. 2 November 2009

Page 7

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areas. A steering committee was responsible for the certificate and they will be responsible

for and participating in the seminar process.

Reference was made to the list of principal and supporting faculty members. C. Sahinaip

wished to record in the Minutes that the committee responsible for the program be

strongly encouraged to increase the participation of additional faculty members in the

program. The Associate Dean of Applied Sciences stated that he saw no problem with this

and he would encourage more faculty to become involved.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

iv)

Paper S.09-120 - Update - SFU Accreditation with the Northwest Commission

on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU') (For Information)

In response to a question as to the impulse for getting involved in the accreditation

process, Senate's attention was drawn to Section 2 on page one which clearly outlined the

reasons. There was no process for accreditation in Canada and the process was well

established in the United States and would be useful when the University needs to

compare itself with comparable universities elsewhere.

Calendar Committee

•

Paper S.09-121 - Revised Schedule of Dates 2010-2013

Moved by J. Driver, seconded by K. Harding

"That Senate approve a revised Schedule of Academic Dates for 2010-

2013"

Hinchliffe, Assistant Registrar and Secretary of the Calendar Committee was in

attendance in order to respond to questions.

Surprise was expressed that in 2010-2011, it appeared that exams were scheduled during

Easter break in April. Senate was advised that although exams may be scheduled on the

Saturday or Sunday, no exams were scheduled on statutory holidays which was consistent

with current practice. It was noted that this same situation had occurred in previous years.

Discussion ensued with respect to scheduling exams on a Sunday. Inquiry was made as to

whether it was possible to find out how many students claim dispensation for taking an

exam on a Sunday. Making accommodation for such students downloaded a significant

burden on faculty members. In most cases, dispensations have been for religious reasons

and, since faculty members have to confirm these requests with the Interfaith Centre, they

might have some data on this issue. Senate was advised that there was currently no data

available but the Registrar would try to get some indication of the numbers.

Senate was reminded of the court case currently involving UBC and issues connected

with teaching and exams on Sunday and the delicacy of the situation was emphasized.

S.M. 2 November 2009

Page 8

Inquiry was made as to whether it was possible for the Calendar Committee to consider

creating a schedule that would avoid having exams on Sundays but Senate was advised that

it was not always possible to have all the exams completed and not use a Sunday in the

timeframe required. It was also noted that if there was compliance with Principle 4, as

outlined on the first page of the Senate paper, the schedule could possibly be adjusted to

avoid Sunday exams.

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies

Paper S.09-122 - Revision to the Membership Revisions with respect to

Delegates for Facult

Undergraduate Committee ChairsU

Moved by B. Krane, seconded by K. Harding

"that Senate approve a revision to the membership provisions of the Senate

Committee on Undergraduate Studies, so that in the event that the

Undergraduate Committee Chair from a Faculty is unable to attend a

meeting of SCUS, the Faculty Dean is authorized to appoint a faculty

replacement"

Question was called, and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

ii)

Paper S.09-123 - Curriculum Revisions - Facult

of Arts and Social Sciences (For

Information)

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

under delegated authority, approved two new options in the Bachelor of Arts program;

restricted the Bachelor of General Studies Degree as a graduation option for FASS students

only; and approved new courses and minor revisions to existing courses and programs in

the following areas: Criminology, Economics, English, Explorations program, First

Nations Studies, Gerontology, History, International Studies, Chinese, Linguistics,

Political Science, Sociology/Anthropology, Women's Studies, World Literature. Senate

also received information that SCUS approved, under delegated authority, WQB

designations in a variety of courses within the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences

iii)

Paper S.09-124 - Faculty of Business Administration - Curriculum Revisions (For

Information)

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

under delegated authority, approved new courses in the Faculty of Business

Administration.

S.M. 2 November 2009

Page 9

iv)

Paper S.09-125 - Facult

of Education - Curriculum Revisions (For Information)

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

under delegated authority, approved a course deletion and minor revisions to an existing

course in the Faculty of Education.

Senate Graduate Studies Committee

Paper S.09-126 - Facult

of Applied Sciences - Curriculum Revisions LEor

Information)

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

delegated authority, approved the deletion of a course in Computing Science and a

revision to the required courses for graduate students in Computing Science to reflect the

course deletion.

ii)

Paper S.09-127 - Faculty of Business Administration

Curriculum Revisions (For

Information)

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

delegated authority, approved a revision to an existing course in Business Administration.

iii)

Paper S.09-128 - Faculty of Communication. Art & Technolog y

- Curriculum

Revisions (For Information'

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

delegated authority, approved minor changes to the general Calendar description of the

Master of Publishing program, and minor revisions to existing courses in the Publishing

program.

Senate Nominating Committee

Paper S.09-129 - Elections

The Secretary reported that no additional nominations had been received. The only name

on Senate paper S.09-129, Rob Gordon was declared elected by acclamation to the Senate

Committee on Continuing Studies. All outstanding vacancies would be carried forward to

the next meeting of Senate.

Other Business

Paper S.09-130 - Election of Fourth Convocation Senator

Information regarding the election of a fourth Convocation Senator was presented to

Senate by D. Warner on behalf of the Convocation Senators. The election process as

outlined in the document would proceed as advertised.

S.M. 2 November 2009

Page 10

Post Meeting Note: Balloting resulted in tied vote between A ldona Businskas and Cynthia Lewis.

In accordance with Senate Rules the Registrar conducted a coin toss to break the tie. Prior to the toss

of the coin, one candidate was designated as 'heads', the other candidate designated as 'tails'. The

coin was tossed and the winner - Cynthia Lewis - was declared elected as Convocation Senator to

replace M. Letourneau for term of office to May 31, 2011.

Information

The date of the next regularly scheduled meeting of Senate is Monday, December 7,

2009.

The Open Session adjourned at 6:45 pm, and Senate moved directly into Closed Session.

Kate Ross

Registrar and Secretary of Senate