SENATE OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Open Session

APPROVED BY SENATE

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

Monday, July 8, 2013 at 5:30 pm at the West Mall Complex (Room 3210)

Open Session

Present:

Paul Percival, Vice-Chair

Acierno, Kyle

Birmingham, Elina

Burley, David

Chapman, Glenn

Corbett, Kitty

Craig, John

Cupples, Claire

Delgrande, Jim

Driver, Jon

Eckman, Charles

Elle, Elizabeth

Geisler, Cheryl

Jawanda, Harvey

Jozaghi, Ehsan

Khan, Humza

Laitsch, Dan

Leacock, Tracey

Lehal, Japreet

Liljedahl, Peter (for Wade Parkhouse)

Lu, Yoko

Norouzi, Yasmine

Pappas, Panayiotis

Paterson, David

Pierce, John

Pinto, Mario

Quarmby, Lynne

Rajapakse, Nimal

Ruben, Peter

Shaffer, Catherine

Shapiro, Daniel

Shapiro, Lisa

Tingling, Peter

Truong, Tesicca

Warner, D’Arcy

Kate Ross, Registrar and Executive Director, Student Enrolment

Kris Nordgren, Recording Secretary

Absent:

Antle, Alissa

Brennand, Tracy

Easton, Stephen

Eikerling, Michael

Flodr, Sarah-Sophia

Francis, June

Golnaraghi, Farid

Gordon, Robert

Hedley, Nick

Jermias, Johnny

Kessler, Anke

Kopahi, Moe

Kwon, Caleb

Leznoff, Daniel

Magnusson, Kris

McRae, Jennifer

Myers, Gordon

O’Neil, John

Pavsek, Christopher

Percival, Colin

Perry, Tom

Petter, Andrew

Schellenberg, Betty

Shaw, Chris

Somers, Julian

Taylor, Carole

Thiara, Karanvir Singh

Wakarchuk, Forrest

Wussow, Helen

In Attendance:

Arnold, Anne-Kristina,

Cameron, Rob

Dill, Ryan

Nicholls, Glynn

Northwood, Ingrid

Rogers, Nicole

S.M. July 8, 2013

Page 2

Approval of the Agenda

The agenda was approved as distributed.

Minutes of the Open Session on June 10, 2013

The minutes of the open session on June 10, 2013 were approved as distributed.

Business Arising from the Minutes

There was no business arising from the minutes.

Report of the Chair

The Vice-Chair reported that the Chair is visiting Israel and Palestine with a delegation of

Canadian university presidents. The delegation intends to build relationships with leading

academic institutions, particularly in the areas of science, technology and education.

The Vice-Chair reported that SFU has been recognized as one of the top 100 universities under 50

years old by Times Higher Education (THE). The list showcases the rising stars of post-

secondary education and SFU has moved up to #26 from #30 last year.

The Vice-Chair reported that SFU was successful in three SSHRC Partnership Grant applications,

including one joint application. Each will receive $2.5 million to mobilize research knowledge

for academic and non-academic communities. Marianne Ignace, faculty member in the

Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Department of First Nations Studies, is

leading a partnership between the University’s First Nations Language Centre and 22 community-

based First Nations groups to preserve and revitalize First Nations languages and culture in BC

and the Yukon. Judith Marcuse, adjunct professor in the Faculty of Education, will lead a group

of artists and researchers in creating resources and providing education and leadership in the field

of art for social change. John Calvert, faculty member in the Faculty of Health Sciences, is

participating in a partnership, led by McMaster University, which will focus on the future of

disability policy in Canada.

The Vice-Chair reported that the SFU 50

Anniversary campaign is underway, with a special

campaign launch event planned for September 9, 2013 in Convocation Mall.

The Vice-Chair noted that September 24, 2013 is Terry Fox Day, with the annual Terry’s Cause

on Campus walk/run event scheduled to raise awareness of and raise funds for cancer research

and prevention.

Question Period

There were no questions submitted for question period.

Reports of Committees

Senate Committee on University Priorities (SCUP)

Suspension of Admission to the Multimedia Computing Specialist Major (S.13-95)

Motion

Moved by J. Driver, seconded by P. Pappas.

S.M. July 8, 2013

Page 3

“That Senate approve the suspension of admission to the Multimedia Computing Specialist Major

Program in the School of Computing Science within the Faculty of Applied Sciences, effective

Spring 2014.”

Rob Cameron, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, was in attendance to respond

to questions.

Question was called and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

ii)

Occupational Ergonomics Certificate (S.13-96)

Motion

Moved by J. Driver, seconded by P. Ruben.

“That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors the Full Program Proposal for

an Occupational Ergonomics Certificate in the Department of Biomedical Physiology and

Kinesiology within the Faculty of Science, effective Spring 2014.”

Ryan Dill and Anne-Kristina Arnold, faculty members in the Department of Biomedical

Physiology and Kinesiology, were in attendance to respond to questions.

Question was called and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

iii)

Joint Major in Chemistry and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (S.13-97)

Motion

Moved by J. Driver, seconded by L. Quarmby.

“That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors the Full Program Proposal for a

Joint Major in Chemistry and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry in the departments of

Chemistry and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry within the Faculty of Science, effective

Spring 2014.”

Ingrid Northwood, Undergraduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Molecular Biology

and Biochemistry, was in attendance to respond to questions.

Question was called and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

iv)

Joint Honours in Chemistry and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (S.13-98)

Motion

Moved by J. Driver, seconded by P. Ruben.

“That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors the Full Program Proposal for a

Joint Honours in Chemistry and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry in the departments of

Chemistry and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry within the Faculty of Science, effective

Spring 2014.”

Ingrid Northwood, Undergraduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Molecular Biology

and Biochemistry, was in attendance to respond to questions.

Question was called and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

S.M. July 8, 2013

Page 4

Senate Guidelines for External Reviews of Academic Units (S.13-99)

Motion

Moved by J. Driver, seconded by J. Pierce.

“That Senate approve the revised Senate Guidelines for External Reviews of Academic Units.”

Glynn Nicholls, Director, Academic Planning and Budgeting, was in attendance to respond to

questions.

Question was called and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (SCUS)

Curriculum Revisions – Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (S.13-100)

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

delegated authority, made revisions to existing courses in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

(Humanities).

ii)

Curriculum Revisions – Faculty of Health Sciences (S.13-101)

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

delegated authority, made revisions to an existing course in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

iii)

Curriculum Revisions – Faculty of Science (S.13-102)

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

delegated authority, added new courses and made revisions to existing courses in the Faculty of

Science (Molecular Biology and Biochemistry; Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology).

Senate Graduate Studies Committee (SGSC)

Curriculum Revisions – Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (S.13-103)

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

authority, added new courses and made revisions to existing courses and programs in the Faculty

of Arts and Social Sciences (French; Gerontology; Psychology; Sociology and Anthropology).

ii)

Curriculum Revisions – Faculty of Education (S.13-104)

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

authority, made revisions to existing courses and programs in the Faculty of Education.

iii)

Curriculum Revisions – Faculty of Science (S.13-105)

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

authority, made revisions to existing courses in the Faculty of Science (Biological Sciences;

Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology; Mathematics).

Senate Nominating Committee (SNC)

Senate Committee Elections (For Information) (S.13-106)

Senate received a summary of the nominations, positions elected by acclamation, positions

requiring an online vote, and outstanding vacancies for the Senate committees.

Other Business

S.M. July 8, 2013

Page 5

Truth and Reconciliation Commission National Event – September 18, 2013 (For

Information) (S.13-107)

Senate received information regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission National Event

in September 2013 in Vancouver.

The President and Vice-President, Academic, reviewed the request to cancel classes on

September 18, 2013. In response to the request and to recognize the extended nature of the event,

a motion was proposed to recognize the entire week as a special week and to make provisions to

allow for students to attend events associated with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

national event.

Moved by J. Driver, seconded by M. Pinto.

“In recognition of the unique national importance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of

Canada (TRC), and specifically the BC National Event to be held in Vancouver this fall, Senate

supports the designation of September 16

to 22

, 2013 as Reconciliation Week at Simon Fraser

University. Senate encourages all instructors to accommodate, without academic penalty, any

students who wish to participate in TRC and Reconciliation Canada events and activities during

that week. Senate also encourages instructors to incorporate material relevant to the history of

residential schools and the reconciliation process into their courses.”

Nicole Rogers, Government & Community Relations Officer, was in attendance to respond to

questions.

A question was asked whether “participate” meant volunteering only or if it would include

attending sessions. Senate was informed that the intention is to allow people to attend events, not

simply to be organizers.

Clarification was requested whether the accommodation would be for the entire week or only

September 18

. Senate was informed that events will be taking place between September 16

and September 22

, and that instructors are encouraged to accommodate students who may wish

to attend events throughout the week.

Questions were asked how faculty could accommodate students who wished participate, whether

students would be penalized for not attending tutorials, labs or lectures, and whether teaching

materials for missed classes would be made available. Senate was informed that the intent is for

students to inform their instructors of their absence and that instructors would be encouraged to

accommodate the request in the manner best suited to the situation.

Questions were asked whether faculty and staff would be included in the accommodation to

attend TRC events. Senate was informed that faculty and staff are outside the scope of Senate’s

responsibilities and that the desires of individual employee groups would need to be taken up with

their respective administrators.

Comments were made that a single day closure would have more impact than a week of

recognition. Senate was informed that since the TRC program was announced more activities

have been planned over a greater proportion of the week; therefore, it was felt that it was

appropriate for the University to recognize the entire week of this event.

S.M. July 8, 2013

Page 6

Clarification was requested regarding the planned events at SFU during the week of recognition.

Senate was informed that the University does not want to compete with the TRC event activities,

so efforts will be made to encourage students to attend TRC events and to build an SFU team for

the Walk for Reconciliation on Sunday, September 22. Other events at SFU may be planned for

the week prior to the event.

The Simon Fraser Student Society was thanked for bringing this item to Senate.

Question was called and a vote taken.

MOTION CARRIED

Information

Date of the next regular meeting – Monday, September 9, 2013.

Open session adjourned 6:28 pm and Senate moved into the closed session after a five-minute

recess.

Kate Ross

Registrar & Executive Director Student Enrolment