APPROVED BY SENATE
Minutes of a Meeting of the Senate of Simon Fraser University held on
Monday, March 5, 2012 at 5:30 pm at the West Mall Complex (Room 3210)
Open Session
Present:
Andrew Petter, President and Chair
Acierno, Kyle
Black, Sam
Brandhorst, Bruce
Brennand, Tracy
Chapman, Glenn
Craig, John
Cupples, Claire
Cyr, Dianne
Dhillon, Arinder
Driver, Jon
Easton, Stephen
Eckman, Charles
Fontaine, Marc
Francis, June
Garneau-Scott, Christi
Gordon, Robert
Kohn, Jordan
Krane, Bill
Kropinski, Mary Catherine
Kugler, DD (representing C. Geisler)
Laitsch, Dan
Leacock, Tracey
Li, Paul
Magnusson, Kris
Moghaddamjoo, Sara
Myers, Gordon
Nilson Levisohn, Michelle
O’Neil, John
Palis, Heather
Parkhouse, Wade
Paterson, David
Pavsek, Christopher
Percival, Colin
Percival, Paul
Peters, Joseph
Pilarinos, Andreas
Pinto, Mario
Rajapakse, Nimal
Jo Hinchliffe, Assistant Registrar
Shelley Gair, Recording Secretary
Ruben, Peter
Russell, Robert
Somers, Julian
Tashakor, Pasha
Warner, D’Arcy
Wussow, Helen
Absent:
Armstrong, Arthur
Chen, Alexander
Fizzell, Maureen
Golnaraghi, Farid
Hughes, David
Kong, Shuyu
Lee, Benjamin
Leznoff, Daniel
Mann, Geoff
McRae, Jennifer
Perry, Tom
Pierce, John
Robinsmith, Stacey
Sahinalp, Cenk
Shapiro, Daniel
Shaw, Chris
Taylor, Carole
Woodbury, Rob
Yeung, Lorenz
In Attendance:
Busumtwi-Sam, James
Haunerland, Norbert
Lee, Jacy
Yam, Lorraine
Yellowhorn, Eldon
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1.
Approval of the Agenda
The agenda was approved as distributed.
2.
Minutes of the Open Session on February 6, 2011
The minutes were approved as distributed.
3.
Business Arising from the Minutes
The breadth requirements for the Joint Major and Honours program in Earth Sciences and
Chemistry were confirmed as satisfying university regulations, as approved at the February
Senate meeting.
4.
Report of the Chair
The chair reported that the provincial budget included an allocation of $260,000,000 across the
system for deferred maintenance, which is good news for SFU’s aging infrastructure, but also a
cut of $20,000,000 in year two and $30,000,000 in year three of a three year plan for post-
secondary education. Concern has been expressed by all university presidents and college
presidents in B.C. over the reduction of funding.
SFU’s strategic vision was launched successfully. Some highlights on the website include an
animation of the strategic vision and an interactive map that records the international activities of
faculty, students and staff. A number of administrative staff and students from SFU went to
Victoria to meet with key ministers, deputies and other officials with the purpose of sharing
information about SFU, the strategic vision and concerns around the budget.
The chair reported that he will be going to London to participate in a panel on the topic of
university relationships with community at the British Council’s Going Global conference. It was
also reported that the Surrey Open House was both well organized and well attended.
5.
Question Period
A question was raised regarding whether or not students from the United States will be eligible
for student loans as a result of our accreditation process. Senate was informed that although
American students can get student loans, it is more complex to administer. The administration of
research grants and student loans should be easier with accreditation which will help SFU
diversify the international student population.
A question was submitted previous to the meeting concerning the lack of nominations received
within some faculties in response to the recent call for nominations for faculty positions on
Senate. The question asks specifically whether or not the Senate Committee on Agenda and Rules
(SCAR) has considered a suggestion made previously at Senate, to open up vacant faculty
positions for nominations outside those faculties. Senate was informed that this has been
discussed at SCAR and that further work was mandated to look at some options to address this
issue.
An opinion was expressed at Senate that part of the reason there may be a lack of nominations is
that faculty feel overworked and find it difficult to commit more time to meetings
.
It was also
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expressed that some may feel attending Senate meetings are not an effective use of their time
since motions are rarely defeated. Another opinion was expressed that if the Senate committees
are doing their work well, most items should be approved at the Senate level.
6.
Reports of Committees
A) Senate Committee on International Activities (SCIA)
i)
Annual Report (S.12-41)
Senate received the annual report for SCIA for information. It was suggested that the various
membership tables be consolidated into one membership table in the future and a question was
raised regarding two membership positions in the report that are not listed on the website. Senate
was informed that the issue of the membership tables will be taken under consideration and the
membership discrepancy will be investigated.
Concern was expressed over the lack of international activity in certain parts of the world, such as
Africa and South America. Senate was informed that efforts have been made at creating greater
partnerships with African universities and that there is a growing interest. As well, there are plans
for the president to travel to South America with a larger delegation to try and strengthen future
connections.
A question was raised in regards to students being sent on exchange programs to areas that may
be dangerous. Senate was informed that students are not sent to any country that has been
determined to be dangerous.
A question was raised regarding whether there is a lower limit on the number of participants for a
field school and whether or not the university pays for the expenses of the faculty involved.
Senate was informed that there normally is a lower limit of participants, based on anticipated
expenses and an appropriate cost for students, and that the travel and accommodation expenses of
the faculty members involved are covered by the university.
B)
Senate Committee on Enrolment Management and Planning (SCEMP)
i)
Enrollment Plan 2012/2013; Undergraduate Admission Targets for 2012/2013 (S.12-42)
Motion 1
Moved by J. Driver, seconded by S. Easton
“That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors the 2012/2013 Enrollment Plan
attached as Appendix A to
Summary for Senate
.”
Clarification was requested in regards to the graduate enrolment totals being projected to increase
when funding appears to be decreasing. Senate was informed that departments have been
encouraged to actively manage their enrolments within the funds available.
A question was raised as to why the targets for the Faculty of Science have gone down when it
appears Science has grown every year for the past few years. Senate was informed that the
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graduate numbers are determined in consultation with the individual faculties and that Science
purposefully reduced the enrolment targets across their programs.
Question was called and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
Motion 2
Moved by J. Driver, seconded by S. Easton
“That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors the 2012/2013 domestic
undergraduate admission targets to each Faculty, by semester and basis of admission category as
indicated in Table C1 in Appendix C.”
Question was called and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
Motion 3
Moved by J. Driver, seconded by S. Moghaddamjoo
“That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors the 2012/2013 international
undergraduate admission targets to each Faculty, by semester and basis of admission category as
indicated in Table C2 in Appendix C.”
Senate was informed that starting in Fall 2012, the admission process will have separate GPA
targets, or levels, for international and domestic students. This change will assist in controlling
the two different enrolments as separate populations. As well, the IELTS scores have been raised
for admission purposes starting in the Summer 2012 term. It was acknowledged that even though
this is a start in dealing with the wide range of English language capabilities at SFU, more will
need to be done in the area of ongoing support. A report that was previously submitted to Senate
on this topic has been circulated to the faculties for comment and is now being processed for
further action.
Question was called and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
C) Senate Committee on University Priorities (SCUP)
i)
Change of First Nations Studies Program to Department (S.12-43)
Motion
Moved by J. Driver, seconded by J. Francis
“That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors the proposal to change First
Nations Studies from a Program to a Department within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.”
A comment was made that the success of the First Nations Studies program shouldn’t diminish
the need to support aboriginal students who are studying in other disciplines. A concern was
raised regarding the small size of the department. It was clarified that members from other
departments and faculties will be recruited when necessary to help meet the requirements of
departmental committees, such as the tenure and promotion committee.
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Question was called and a vote taken.
MOTION CARRIED
ii)
Centres and Institutes Renewal Applications (S.12-44)
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on University Priorities, acting under
delegated authority, reviewed and approved the renewal of the Centre for Scientific Computing
for a five year term.
D) Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (SCUS)
i)
Criminal Records Checks for Students in Undergrad Courses (S.12-45)
Senate received information regarding the amendments to the Criminal Records Review Act
(CRRA) and the new requirement for students to consent to a special CRRA Criminal record
check before enrolling in undergraduate courses with a practicum component involving work
with children or vulnerable adults.
ii)
Curriculum Revisions – Faculty of Applied Sciences (S.12-46)
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting under
delegated authority, approved new courses and revisions to existing courses and programs in the
Faculty of Applied Sciences (Engineering Science, Computing Science, Systems One).
iii) Curriculum Revisions – Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (S.12-47)
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting under
delegated authority, approved revisions to existing courses in the Faculty of Arts and Social
Sciences (Linguistics, Political Science).
iv) Curriculum Revisions – Faculty of Communication, Art & Technology (S.12-48)
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting under
delegated authority, approved revisions to existing courses in the Faculty of Communication, Art
& Technology (Communications, Contemporary Arts, Interactive Art and Technology).
v)
Curriculum Revisions – Faculty of Environment (S.12-49)
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting under
delegated authority, approved new courses and revisions to existing courses and programs in the
Faculty of Environment (Archaeology, Geography).
vi) Curriculum Revisions – Faculty of Science (S.12-50)
Senate received information that the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, acting under
delegated authority, approved new courses and revisions to existing courses and programs in the
Faculty of Science (Mathematics, Physics).
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E)
Senate Graduate Studies Committee (SGSC)
i)
Annual Report 2010-2011 (S.12-51)
Senate received the 2010-2011 annual report for the Senate Graduate Studies Committee for
information.
ii)
General Graduate Regulation 1.5.1 (S.12-52)
Senate received information that the Senate Graduate Studies Committee, acting under delegated
authority, approved revisions to GRR 1.5.1 for the purpose of aligning the graduate and
undergraduate grading practices.
iii) Criminal Records Checks for Students in Graduate Courses (S.12-53)
Senate received information regarding the amendments to the Criminal Records Review Act
(CRRA) and the new requirement for students to consent to a special CRRA Criminal record
check before enrolling in graduate courses with a practicum component involving work with
children or vulnerable adults.
iv) Curriculum Revisions – Faculty of Education (S.12-54)
Senate received information that the Senate Graduate Studies Committee, acting under delegated
authority, approved revisions to an existing course and an existing program in the Faculty of
Education.
7.
Other Business
i)
Election Report to Senate (S.12-55)
Senate received the results of student elections to Senate, the Board of Governors, and the Senate
Graduate Studies Committee for information.
8.
Information
i)
Date of the next regular meeting – Monday, April 2, 2012.
Open session adjourned at 6:30 pm and Senate moved directly into the closed session.
Jo Hinchliffe
Assistant Registrar
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