MSVU Senate Minutes -- April 28 2003
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2010-04-15T13:30:31Z
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Senate, Mount Saint Vincent University
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Senate Meeting April 28, 2003
Rosaria Boardroom 7:30 p.m.
Present: S. Brown (Chair), R. Bérard, I. Blum, S. Boyd, S. Bruhm, K. Dewar, W. Doyle, S. Drain, R. Farmer,
M. Fitzgerald, F. French, P. Glenister, C. Hill, L. Lewis, G. Logan, M. Lyon, S. Medjuck, D. O'Connell, P.
O'Neill, D. Norris, S. Seager, K. Slack, L. Steele, L. Theriault, P. Watts, A. Whitewood, D. Woolcott
Guests: M. Landreville, R. MacNeil
Regrets: P. Baker, B. Casey, F. Harrington, J. McLaren, D. Nevo, S. Perrott
1. Approval of Agenda
Moved by G. Logan, seconded by S. Bruhm the approval of the agenda. CARRIED.
2. Approval of Minutes of March 3, 2003
Moved by M. Fitzgerald, seconded by S. Boyd the approval of the Minutes of March 3, 2003 as amended
with a change from "new" to "mini" under 7.12 Committee on Teaching and Learning. CARRIED.
3. Business Arising from the Minutes
There was no business arising from the minutes.
4. President's Announcements
Further to her comments at the March Senate meeting concerning the Federal budget, Dr. Brown
advised that a new Provincial budget was announced, and summarized the highlights as it pertained to
education spending. Of most interest was $5.1 million that is being put into student debt relief. This was
not as much as was removed from that envelope a number of years ago, but this is seen to be a step in
the right direction. The rules for governing it seem complicated, and Dr. Brown has heard our Students'
Union representatives speak about those rules, and notes they have a good grasp and can respond to
any questions. A total of $6 million is being added to the envelope that ideally should have been added
to the base. The Mount's portion is $380,000. This brings the total funding for universities to around
$206 million. Dr. Brown reminded Senators that funding was as high as $211 million in the early 1990s,
and with a decade of increased costs provides some perspective. CONSUP met with the Minister of
Education, Hon. Angus MacIsaac, and the Minister of Finance, Hon. Neil LeBlanc, and had productive
discussions on issues for more operating funding, addressing the serious issue of lack of capital funding
and the prospect of multiâ year funding.
Dr. Brown was pleased to formally announce that she has received notification about the winners of the
three awards that are presented at Convocation. The winner of the Alumnae Award for Teaching is Dr.
Della Stanley, the winner of the Instructional Leadership Award is Meg Raven, and the winner of the
Research Excellence Award is Dr. Ron Van Houten.
5. Question Period
There were no questions.
6. Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
Moved by S. Drain, seconded by W. Doyle to move in camera to conduct the first round of ballots for
Honorary Degree candidates. CARRIED.
Moved by L. Steele, seconded by G. Logan to move from in camera after the first round of ballots for
Honorary Degree candidates. CARRIED
7. Committee Reports (Standing and Ad Hoc)
7.1 Senate Executive
7.1.1. Faculty Council â Notice of Motion
Moved by D. Woolcott, seconded by L. Steele to disband faculty council.
A Senator questioned whether something could be done via the internet, possibly a listâ serve to inform
faculty of matters that may interest them. D. Woolcott said that comments received during the faculty
council survey indicated there is interest from the Mount community to have discussion in various
venues. S. Brown indicated she would be willing to explore, in the appropriate form, ways in which we
can ensure there are forums when there are issues. CARRIED.
7.1.2 Notice of Motions â Revisions to Senate Byâ Laws 14.3.1, 14.3.2, and 14.9
S. Brown advised that these notices would be given at today's meeting and voted on at the Senate
meeting on Friday, May 2.
7.1.3 Notice of Motion â Revision to Senate Byâ Law 14.12
S. Brown noted there was an error on page 18 of the documentation and indicated that under
"Membership of the Committee" it should read five (not six) fullâ time tenured faculty.
7.2 Academic Appeals Committee
L. Theriault reported there are two appeals before the committee and two appeals pending.
7.3 Academic Policy and Planning
7.3.1. Academic Calendar Dates
D. Woolcott summarized and explained the proposed changes to the current Guidelines for Setting
Academic Calendar dates.
Moved by D. Woolcott, seconded by K. Dewar the adoption of the revised Guidelines for Setting
Academic Calendar Dates. CARRIED.
With regard to study days, a Senator asked whether an additional study day might also be added in the
second term when the minimum teaching day requirement allows. L. Theriault, a member of the subcommittee
looking at this matter, advised that with some of the changes to the proposed dates it is
possible that a second study day might be added if the minimum teaching day requirement had been
satisfied. Another Senator pointed out that this provision was made in the framework section of the
new proposed Guidelines.
7.3.2 Policy & Procedures for Review of Academic Support Units
Moved by D. Woolcott, seconded by M. Lyon to approve the Policy and Procedures for the Review of
Academic Support Units. CARRIED.
Referring to page 4 of CAPP's document under the heading "Conducting the Review," a Senator asked
how enrolment levels might apply to some of those briefs. D. Woolcott said that enrolment levels might
be more significant in some unit reviews than others. Insofar as assessing student demand and service
levels, CAPP felt that enrolment levels are for the most part an appropriate consideration in the Review
Committee's report. The Senator queried the Art Gallery's inclusion in the list of Academic Support
Units, noting that the Art Gallery occupies a different status in the University community than some of
the other units listed. D. Woolcott said CAPP felt that parts of the Art Gallery's mandate would apply to
academic support and, insofar as those parts are concerned, the inclusion of the Art Gallery in the list of
Academic Support Units is appropriate. CAPP had sent the document to all of the units named and asked
for feedback on the draft policy, receiving no feedback from the Art Gallery that they did not see
themselves in this framework.
Referring to "Appendix C â Timeline," a Senator asked whether the seventeen month timeline could be
reduced, noting that by the time a unit review had been completed, many changes could have taken
place rendering the information out of date by the time Senate considered the review. D. Woolcott
noted that the most important element, the selfâ study component, is significant in terms of the people
in those units thinking about their mission and mandate, and being engaged in assessing how well they
are meeting the needs of all the different stakeholders. Given the added workload these reviews will
involve, on top of its existing responsibility for periodic Reviews of Academic Departments, CAPP may
need to find ways to streamline the process as they go through and learn.
A Senator asked whether, in the context of support to students, CAPP had considered including Financial
Services. D. Woolcott said that CAPP felt the administrative side of the University might have its own
review process for some units that are more strictly administrative or ancillary operations. The Senator
thought that Financial Services' strong connection with Admissions and the Registrar's office might make
a review of one awkward without the other.
7.3.3 Report on the Review of the Department of Modern Languages (For Information)
D. Woolcott introduced a report from CAPP for information containing its review of the Department of
Modern Languages, including a Summary of CAPP's Recommendations, and the Recommendations of
the Review Committee. A Senator asked for clarification on appropriate ways for a small department,
without a dedicated curriculum planning committee, to involve students "more formally" in the
curriculum planning process, as discussed on page 39. D. Woolcott said that when a department is
undertaking a major curriculum review, which is often the case when it is involved in a selfâ study,
students could be invited to participate in the process by being invited to attend a meeting or series of
meetings on curriculum planning where student input is the focus.
A Senator expressed some concern about CAPP's endorsement of the Dean's recommendation that
faculty become more actively involved in recruitment activities including high school visits (page 43).
The Senator felt this was the role of the Public Affairs Department, and was a workâ load issue that
would require negotiation within the Collective Agreement. It was clarified that this was more of a
suggestion where the department involved was interested, rather than a requirement.
7.4 Graduate Studies
7.4.1 Graduate Studies Curriculum Proposals
M. Lyon noted there was an error on page 50, and distributed a corrected page 50.
7.4.1.1 Child and Youth Studies
a) Deletion of courses
i) GCYS 6000, Seminar in Early Childhood Education
ii) GCYS 6020, Seminar in Assessment of Young Children
iii) GCYS 6030, Seminar in Early Intervention
iv) GCYS 6040 Seminar in Youth Care
b) Deletion of GSPY 6823, Psychology of Child and Adolescent Development from MA(CYS) program
requirements.
c) Addition of new courses
i) GCYS 6011, Developmental Issues for Children and Youth
ii) GCYS 6012, Social Issues for Children and Youth
iii) GCYS 6013, Intervention and Evaluation for Children and Youth
d) New title, course number and calendar description
i) GCYS 6070, Seminar in Child Care Administration
Moved by M. Lyon, seconded M. Fitzgerald the deletion of GCYS 6000, GCYS 6020, GCYS 6030, GCYS
6040, the deletion of GSPY 6823 from the MA(CYS) program requirements, the addition of new courses
GCYS 6011, GCYS 6012, and GCYS 6013, and the approval of a new title, course number and calendar
description for GCYS 6070 which would become 6014, Administration of Leadership in Child & Youth
Care. CARRIED.
7.4.1.2 M.Ed. (Educational Psychology), Education of Students who are
Blind or Visually Impaired Concentration, Proposed Changes
S. Brown noted two errors in the agenda and asked Senators to make corrections to 7.4.1.2. (d) (i) GEPY
6916, not 6919, and to 7.4.1.2. (f) (i) GEPY 6913, not 6919.
a) Deletion of Course
i) GEPY 6900 Issues in the Education of Those Who are Blind,Visually Impaired, Deaf or Hard of
Hearing
b) Deletion of requirement in the program of one half unit from
i) GEPY 6642, Theory and Practice of Human Relations
ii) EDUC 5133, (Acadia) Communication and Human Relations
iii) EDUC 5083, (Acadia) Communication and Consultation in Inclusive Education
c) Reduction of number of required units from 6.5 to 5.5 units
d) Deletion of Course
i) GEPY 6916, Curriculum and Instructional Strategies for Students who are Visually Impaired
e) Addition of Courses
i) GEPY 6918, Curriculum and Instructional Strategies for Students who are Visually Impaired I
ii) GEPY 6919, Curriculum and Instructional Strategies for Students who are Visually Impaired II
f) Change in title and calendar description
i) GEPY 6913, Braille Codes and Instructional Principles
ii) GEPY 6914, Technology and Adaptive Aids for Visually Impaired Students
Moved by M. Lyon, seconded by F. French the deletion of GEPY 6900, the deletion of the requirement in
the program of one half unit from GEPY 6642, EDUC 5133, and EDUC 5083, the reduction of the number
of required units from 6.5 to 5.5 units, the deletion of the course GEPY 6916, the addition of the courses
GEPY 6918 and 6919, and the change in title and calendar description of GEPY 6913 which will become
GEPY 6913 Literacy for Students who are Blind/Visually Impaired, and GEPY 6914 which will become
GEPY 6914 Assistive Technology for Students who are Blind/Visually Impaired. CARRIED.
7.4.1.3 M.Ed. (Educational Psychology), Education of Students who are
Deaf or Hearing Impaired Concentration, Proposed Changes
a) Deletion of Course
i) GEPY 6900 Issues in the Education of Those Who are Blind,Visually Impaired, Deaf or Hard of
Hearing
b) Deletion of requirement in the program of one half unit from
i) GEPY 6642, Theory and Practice of Human Relations
ii) EDUC 5133, (Acadia) Communication and Human Relations
iii) EDUC 5083, (Acadia) Communication and Consultation in Inclusive Education
c) Reduction of number of required units from 6.5 to 5.5 units
d) Deletion of Course
i) GEPY 6901, Implications of Deafness for Diagnostic Assessment and Curriculum Access
e) Addition of Courses
i) GEPY 6909, Implications of Deafness for Diagnostic Assessment and Curriculum Access I
ii) GEPY 6910, Implications of Deafness for Diagnostic Assessment and Curriculum Access II
f) Deletion of Course
i) GEPY 6902, A Comparative Analysis of Language Development in Students with Normal Hearing and
Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
g) Addition of Courses
i) GEPY 6922, A Comparative Analysis of Language Development in Students with Normal Hearing and
Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing I
ii) GEPY 6923, A Comparative Analysis of Language Development in Students with Normal Hearing and
Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing II
h) Change in title and calendar description
i) GEPY 6903 Aural/Oral Communication Science Part I
ii) GEPY 6904 Aural/Oral Communication Science Part II
iii) GEPY 6905, Sign Language for Teachers
Moved by M. Lyon, seconded by F. French the deletion of GEPY 6900, deletion of the requirement in the
program of one half unit from GEPY 6642, EDUC 5133, and EDUC 5083, the reduction of the number of
required units in the program from 6.5 to 5.5 units, the deletion of GEPY 6901, the addition of GEPY
6909 and GEPY 6910, the deletion of GEPY 6902, the addition of GEPY 6922 and GEPY 6923, and the
change in title and calendar description for GEPY 6903 which will become Audiology/Auditory
Development for Students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, GEPY 6904 which will become Aural/Oral
Rehabilitation, and GEPY 6905 which will become Communication for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing.
CARRIED.
7.5 Undergraduate Curriculum
7.5.1 Undergraduate Curriculum Proposals (For Information)
7.5.1.1 Canadian/Political Studies
a) Crossâ Listing of Existing Courses
i) HIST 1100/CANA 1100, Canadian Culture and Society
7.5.1.2 English
a) Changes to Prerequisites
i) ENGL 2220 , Writing to Influence â New prerequisite
ii) ENGL 3330, Myths and Theories About Writing â New prerequisite
7.5.1.3 Mathematics and Computer Studies
a) Change to existing course number, prerequisites and calendar description
i) MATH 2225, Discrete Mathematics
ii) MATH 1131, Discrete Mathematics
7.5.1.4 Business and Tourism
a) Changes to Prerequisites
i) BUSI 4499, Honours Thesis â New prerequisite
ii) THMT 2216, Restaurant and Food Service Management â New
prerequisite
7.5.2 Undergraduate Curriculum Proposals (For Approval)
7.5.2.1 Child and Youth Study
a) Deletion of Existing Program
i) Certificate in Community Residential Services
Moved by S. Medjuck, seconded by M. Lyon the deletion of the Certificate in Community Residential
Services. CARRIED.
7.5.2.2 Business and Tourism
a) Changes to program requirements and calendar descriptions for the
Diploma in Business Administration
Moved by S. Medjuck, seconded by W. Doyle changes to program requirements and calendar
descriptions for the Diploma in Business Administration. CARRIED.
b) Changes to admission criteria for the Business Administration Coâ operative Education Program
Moved by S. Medjuck, seconded by W. Doyle changes to the admission criteria for the Business
Administration Coâ operative Education Program. CARRIED.
c) Changes to the work term sequence in the Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management Program
Moved by S. Medjuck, seconded W. Doyle to change the work term sequence in the Bachelor of Tourism
and Hospitality Management Program. CARRIED.
d) Addition of New Courses
i) BUSI 1188, Coâ op Term I
ii) BUSI 2288, Coâ op Term II
iii) BUSI 3388, Coâ op Term III
iv) THMT 1188, Coâ op Term I
v) THMT 2288, Coâ op Term II
vi) THMT 3388, Coâ op Term III
Moved by S. Medjuck, seconded by W. Doyle the addition of BUSI 1188, Coâ op Term I, BUSI 2288, Coâ op
Term II, BUSI 3388, Coâ op Term III, THMT 1188, Coâ op Term I, THMT 2288, Coâ op Term II, and THMT
3388, Coâ op Term III . CARRIED
e) Addition of course under the Management Concentration and the Management Major
i) BUSI 3305, Managing Eâ Commerce to the Management Concentration and the Management Major
Moved by S. Medjuck, seconded by W. Doyle the addition of BUSI 3305 under the Management
Concentration and the Management Major. CARRIED.
f) Changes to Tourism and Business degree requirements, removing ENGL 1120 as a requirement and
replacing it with one half unit of Humanities elective.
Moved by S. Medjuck, seconded by W. Doyle changes to Tourism and Business degree requirements,
removing ENGL 1120 as a requirement and replacing it with one half unit of Humanities elective.
S. Drain, Chair of the English Department, did not find the rationale to be adequate to her concerns.
Reading from a memo sent in December 2002 to J. Young, Acting Chair of the Business and Tourism
Department, S. Drain stated her primary concern was that this change might cut enrollment in that
course by more than 25%, substantially affecting the English Department's course offerings. The same
memo chronicled the sequence of events surrounding the matter and stated that consultation between
the English and Business Departments had not been concluded in a satisfactory manner. S. Drain raised
another matter of concern regarding the Proposal for Change to Existing Program that was included in
the Senate package. She noted some discrepancies in this document from the one presented to Senate
Executive at its March 17, 2003 meeting, and approved for presentation to Senate with some minor
changes. Although the minor changes were made, four additional paragraphs appearing at the end of
the document included in the Senate package, and currently before Senators, did not appear in the
version approved by Senate Executive at its March 17 meeting. Further, the paragraphs that were added
contain an inaccuracy dating back to the Senate Minutes of March 27, 2000 reporting a statement
attributed to her and subsequently corrected by removal at the next Senate meeting. She reiterated
that her department wishes to be consulted, and respectfully requested that Senate require that such
consultation take place. She requested that this motion be removed or defeated.
In response, S. Medjuck noted that she had spoken with both the current Chair of the Business &
Tourism Department, N. Kelleher, and the Acting Chair at the time, J. Young, with the understanding
that consultations had gone as far as they could. W. Doyle noted that the rationale for the change, as
discussed in their Business Department meeting, was not correct in the document before Senate.
Discussion ensued on whether proper consultation had taken between the English and Business
Departments, the confusion resulting from the variation in material distributed to Senate Executive and
Senate, the adequacy of the rationale, and how best to proceed.
Moved by R. Bérard, seconded by S. Seager that this matter be referred back to the Undergraduate
Curriculum Committee to be dealt with at its next regularly scheduled meeting, after which Senate can
look forward to receiving the proposal again for consideration at its October 2003 meeting. CARRIED.
S. Medjuck asked for clarification as to why it was being referred back. R. Bérard replied that there
seems to be some disagreement about whether consultation has taken place and that there are
mechanisms to determine whether consultation has taken place. If those steps are taken and there is
still no resolution between the two departments, then the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee could
say it had taken all possible steps to bring the parties together and, if there was no consensus
resolution, the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee should bring forward its best recommendation.
Moved by D. Norris, seconded by G. Logan to move in camera to conduct the second round of ballots for
Honorary Degree candidates. CARRIED.
Moved by F. French, second by G. Logan move from in camera after the second round of ballots for
Honorary Degree candidates. CARRIED.
7.6 Committee on Appointment, Promotion and Tenure or Permanence for Academic
Administrators (CAPTPAA)
There was no report from CAPTPAA.
7.7 Committee on Information Technology and Services
I. Blum reported that the committee has met once since the last Senate meeting in March, and has
continued its work to set up both an onâ line and written system in the faculty manual for people to get
information about how to access various types of computer facilities and services including things like
how to book a room, equipment, set up groups for classes, etc. They have also addressed the matter of
the usage agreement for logging on to the university network. There was a suggestion that came from a
case at Dalhousie University to strengthen the wording in a particular area but the committee felt that
they needed more information on that topic, both from the human rights and legal point of view. A
Senator asked if, in addition to the computers in the student labs, faculty computers would get Windows
XP in the near future. I. Blum explained that the committee was not sure whether all faculty computers
were capable of handling the mix of packages that are installed currently. He thought the policy might
be that new computers would come with XP installed.
7.8 Library Committee
F. French stated the Senate Library Committee sees the appointment of a University Librarian as a very
important and farâ reaching appointment within the University community. For the information of
Senators, he asked for some further clarification about the nature of the representation on the search
committee. D. Woolcott advised that the guidelines approved by Senate and the senior administration
some years ago about the makeâ up of search committees for senior administrators were being followed.
F. French said the Library Committee is concerned that the search committee appears more narrowly
represented than some committees in the past and, while it may follow the guidelines, it feels some of
the other search committees had broader representation with more membership from different groups.
D. Woolcott advised that she is still working on the composition of the committee and there has been no
announcement yet about its membership, so she felt the question may be premature.
7.9 Nominations Committee
I. Blum distributed a memo in which the Nominations Committee nominated Dr. Steven Bruhm for the
position of Senate representative on the Search Committee for the University Librarian.
In answer to a question, I. Blum explained that the University has an approved policy for compositions of
search and review committees, and the Nominations Committee usually receives with the request to
staff the position a list describing the committee to be staffed, in terms of its mandate and composition,
and any other special things it may need to do. Usually the committee is under some pressure to
provide a nomination rather quickly while it is important for search and review committees to have a
sufficiently broad range of expertise to ensure that all interests can have adequate representation. I.
Blum noted that the constituency of the faculty has not been addressed directly and, at some point,
Senate should be informed of this and have a chance to comment. D. Woolcott said she did not believe
they had strayed from the published guidelines, but given the level of interest in this she will have
another look and give an update at the next Senate meeting.
Moved by I. Blum, seconded by F. French to nominate S. Bruhm for the position of Senate
representative on the Search Committee for the University Librarian. CARRIED.
I. Blum reported that the Nominations Committee will not be ready with a slate of candidates for Senate
committees at the next Senate meeting. A list of vacancies has been circulated and faculty have been
asked to make suggestions. The deadline for those recommendations is May 2, the date of the next
Senate meeting. I. Blum advised it had been brought to his attention that a committee was inadvertently
left off the list and that there is a vacancy on SCOTL for an Arts & Science representative beginning
January 1, 2004.
7.10 Research and Publications Committee
P. O'Neill reported the committee had recently had its final meeting for year.
7.11 Student Affairs
There was no report from the Student Affairs Committee.
7.12 Committee on Teaching and Learning
K. Dewar reported on behalf of D. Nevo. He advised that Senate Executive has approved the subcommittee's
report on Student Ratings of Instruction and that it would be on the Senate agenda for the
meeting to be held on May 2, 2003. He noted that plans for the Mini Teaching Showcase are proceeding
well.
7.13 Writing Initiatives Committee
There was no report from the Writing Initiatives Committee.
7.14 Undergraduate Admissions and Scholarships Committee
L. Theriault distributed a Summary of the Entrance Scholarship Program which, she advised, represents a
very large offering with a substantial increase over previous years. To date 202 scholarships have been
offered to a cohort of 333 students, that being the total group of applicants who meet MSVU's criteria
for entrance scholarships. Last year there were 312 students in the entrance cohort, and 181
scholarships offered. The top award, The Presidential Scholarship, remains at $7,000. To date 57
students have indicated their acceptance of offers for a total of $142,000. L. Theriault advised the
scholarship program has become one of negotiation with a number of students who would like to come.
7.15 University Research Ethics Board
There was no report from the University Research Ethics Board.
8. Other Reports
8.1 Board of Governors
R. Bérard reported that since the last Senate meeting there was one regular meeting of the Board of
Governors in March, highlights of which were distributed to everyone on the faculty listserve by P.
Baker. Recently a Board of Governors retreat was held which featured Maureen Reid, a government
consultant, speaking about corporate responsibilities as a Board and individual responsibilities as board
members, both legal and ethical.
A. Whitewood, Viceâ president Administration, gave a presentation on the case for capital expansion,
outlining the different categories of information that would form the process for deciding on capital
expansion priorities.
8.2 Students' Union
G. Logan, on the occasion of his departure from Senate, thanked Senate on behalf of himself and the
other Students' Union representatives. He introduced the inâ coming Students' Union President, Ryan
MacNeill and expressed thanks and appreciation to Leah Lewis, outâ going Students' Union President.
8.3 Firstâ Year Seminar Course Advisory Group
S. Drain distributed a Preliminary Course Outline of the Seminar noting slight discrepancies in the names
of the course team. She advised that this reflects a shift in the degree of commitments that faculty felt
able to make to this project which is going ahead out of the volunteer efforts of the individuals involved
as a pilotâ project. If successful, it will go forward on a more permanent basis. Guest lecturers will
supplement the work of the people who will be in the classroom every day. A Senator expressed support
for the course, and wondered if the Students' Union might be interested in sharing with students how
they could become more involved in campus life.
9. New Business
9.1 Selection of Honorary Degree Candidates Business conducted in camera.
10. Items for Communication
Course changes will be communicated in the next calendar.
S. Brown recognized retiring student senators L. Lewis and G. Logan and thanked them for their valuable
contributions to Senate, wishing them all the best in their future endeavours.
11. Adjournment
Moved by G. Logan adjournment of the meeting at 10:20 p.m.