MSVU Senate Minutes -- April 24 2006
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2010-04-15T15:14:39Z
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Senate, Mount Saint Vincent University
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Senate Meeting April 24, 2006
Rosaria Boardroom 7:30 p.m.
Minutes of Meeting
Present: S. Brown (Chair), K. Arbuckle, R. Bérard, D. Bourne-Tyson,
K. Blotnicky, I. Blum, K. Darvesh, R. Fisher, P. Glenister, C. Hill, B. King, M. Lyon,
R. MacKay, S. Medjuck, J. Mills, D. Plumb, J. Sharpe, B. Taylor, L. Theriault, P. Watts,
A. Whitewood, D. Woolcott, R. Zuk
Regrets: J. Britton, C. Brushett, A. Davis, C. French, F. French, J. Gordon,
E. Hicks, N. Kayhani, A. MacGillivary, R. Morris, M. Raven, M. Whalen
Guests: M. Landreville, K. Manning, L. Nash, R. West
1. Approval of Agenda
Moved by B. King, seconded by S. Medjuck that the agenda be approved as circulated.
CARRIED.
2. Approval of Minutes of March 6, 2006
Moved by D. Bourne-Tyson, seconded by P. Watts that the Minutes of the March 6, 2006
Senate Meeting be approved as circulated. CARRIED.
3. Business Arising
3.1 Nominations Committee report regarding participation by Librarians
on Senate Standing Committees (from November 28, 2005 Senate
Meeting)
S. Brown noted that Senate Executive has now received the Nominations Committee
report regarding participation by Librarians on Senate Standing Committees. The report
will be on the agenda for the May 5, 2006 Senate Meeting.
4. Presidentâ s Announcements
S. Brown recalled that she had previously commented on the challenges of keeping the
post-secondary education agenda before the federal government. She noted that the
recent Speech from the Throne identified five priorities none of which included postsecondary
education, but there is some optimism that with continuing lobbying postsecondary
education will find a place in the next round of priorities.
S. Brown commented that she recently participated in two consultations, one being on
the nexus among teaching and learning and research which included discussions about
exposing students to research in a meaningful way. The other consultation was with the
Millennium Scholarship Foundation to discuss how universities might work with other
partners to enhance accessibility, particularly for under-represented groups.
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She then noted that a number of universities are refusing to participate in the Macleanâ s
Survey of Graduate Satisfaction so, at this point, it is unclear whether or not the survey
will be done.
She concluded her remarks by acknowledging the presence of Kerri Manning, Lloyd
Nash, and Ryan West as guests at the meeting. Effective May 1, 2006 they will begin
their term as student representatives on Senate.
5. Question Period
No questions were raised.
6. Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
7. Committee Reports (Standing and Ad Hoc)
7.1 Senate Executive
7.1.1 Revised CAPTPAA Procedures & Criteria document
I.Blum noted that the revised CAPTPAA Procedures & Criteria document maintains the
original intention of ensuring that a common standard for rank, tenure, and permanence
be maintained and applied across the university for both faculty and administrators
holding academic rank. He noted that the assessment process parallels the Collective
Agreement and involves departmental, faculty and university stages of consideration. He
observed that the major changes being proposed are stylistic and procedural. Stylistic
changes include a reordering of the clauses into common thematic categories, and the
addition of a table of contents.
D. Woolcott noted her appreciation not only for the table of contents but the clarity of the
document and commended the sub-committee for their efforts. S. Brown thanked the
sub-committee comprising I. Blum, F. Harrington and S. Martin for successfully
undertaking such a large task.
Moved by I. Blum, seconded by R. Zuk that Senate approve the revised procedures and
criteria for awarding academic appointments as stated in the document dated March 30,
2006 which was distributed to Senators in advance of the meeting. CARRIED.
7.1.2 Notice of Motion Proposed revisions to By-law 14.4 Terms of
Reference for CAPTPAA
The proposed revisions to By-law 14.4 Terms of Reference for CAPTPAA will be on the
agenda for the May 5, 2006 Senate Meeting.
7.2 Academic Appeals Committee
L. Theriault noted that two student appeals are still before the committee.
7.3 Academic Policy and Planning
D. Woolcott announced that the MPHEC has recently approved the proposed MA/MPR
degree.
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7.3.1 Academic Plan Update (for information)
D. Woolcott noted that the Academic Plan Update is an item routinely brought to Senate
on an annual basis for information. She noted the current update contains information
regarding academic staffing projections, a revised schedule for the review of academic
programs, and the review schedule for academic support units.
7.4 Graduate Studies
M. Lyon noted that the Graduate Studies Committee continues to meet regularly but had
nothing to bring forward at this time.
7.5 Undergraduate Curriculum
7.5.1 Curriculum Proposals (for approval)
7.5.1.1 Chemistry/Physics â Change to existing program : Addition
of one half unit in mathematics, statistics or computer
science to the list of requirements for the Advanced Major
(20 unit) Chemistry degree
K. Darvesh observed that the proposed change brings the program more in line with the
Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC) accreditation guidelines.
Moved by S. Medjuck, seconded by K. Darvesh that Senate approve the addition of onehalf
unit in mathematics, statistics or computer science to the list of requirements for the
Advanced Major (20 unit) Chemistry degree. CARRIED.
7.5.1.2 History â Addition of new course HIST 3338 Canadian-
American Relations: Advanced Study (half unit)
P. Watts inquired about the possibility of this course being offering through distance
education and was encouraged to pursue this with the instructor.
Moved by S. Medjuck, seconded by B. Taylor that Senate approve the addition of HIST
3338 Canadian-American Relations: Advanced Study (half unit). CARRIED.
7.6 Committee on Appointment, Promotion and Tenure or Permanence
for Academic Administrators (CAPTPAA)
7.6.1 Recommendations for the Granting of Emeritus Status
(Confidential Business)
Moved by D. Plumb, seconded by R. Fisher to move into confidential session to conduct
the balloting for the Granting of Emeritus Status. CARRIED.
Moved by C. Hill, seconded by K. Blotnicky to move out of confidential session after the
balloting for the Granting of Emeritus Status. CARRIED
S. Brown reminded Senators that the vote results were to be kept confidential until she
has an opportunity to reach all of the individuals whose appointments would be formally
announced during convocation.
7.7 Committee on Information Technology and Services
D. Plumb noted the committee has met, and one item of interest is the refit of computers
on campus which he described as good news.
7.8 Library
D. Bourne-Tyson noted that the Library Committee had nothing to report at this time.
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7.9 Nominations
I.Blum indicated that recommendations regarding serving on Senate Standing
Committees should be ready for the May 5, 2006 Senate Meeting. The Results of Winter
2006 Elections for vacancies on Senate, Committee on Academic Policy and Planning,
Nominations, University Review Committee and the Board of Governors are noted
below. All appointments were by acclamation.
Committee Individual Elected Term begins Term ends
Senate Prof. Barbara Casey
Prof. Paula Crouse
Dr. Patricia Gouthro
Dr. Jeffrey MacLeod
Dr. Helen Mallette
Dr. Arthur McCalla
Dr. James Sawler
Prof. Marlene Ruck Simmonds
Dr. Suzanne Seager
Dr. Larry Steele
July 1, 2006
July 1, 2006
July 1, 2006
July 1, 2006
July 1, 2006
Immediately
July 1, 2006
Jan. 1, 2007
July 1, 2006
July 1, 2006
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009
Academic Policy
and Planning
Dr. Donovan Plumb
Dr. Anne MacLeave
Jan. 1, 2007
July 1, 2006
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009
Nominations Prof. Paula Crouse
Dr. Anne MacLeave
Dr. Michael MacMillan
July 1, 2006
July 1, 2006
July 1, 2006
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009
University Review Dr. Mary Delaney
Dr. Sue McGregor
July 1, 2006
July 1, 2006
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009
Board of Governors Prof. Ann MacGillivary July 1, 2006 June 30, 2008
7.10 Research and Publications
There was no report.
7.11 Student Affairs
C. Hill noted that the Student Affairs Committee continues to meet to consider changes to
the student judicial system and the Student Life Committee has developed an agenda for
the coming year.
7.12 Committee on Teaching and Learning
B. King said the major activity at the moment is planning for Faculty Day 2006 to be held
on August 31st. It is expected the day will be constructive and forward looking with
issues being discussed in that context.
7.13 Writing Initiatives
B. King noted that a graduate student will be undertaking some writing related research
for the committee which it sees as an opportunity for some substantive research
conclusions.
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7.14 Undergraduate Admissions and Scholarships
L. Theriault distributed and then reviewed information regarding offers as of April 21,
2006 for the 2006-07 Academic Year Entrance Scholarship Program. She drew attention
to the Presidentâ s Scholarships which have been raised to $9,000.00 and are renewable.
She noted the total amount of offers is up by 20%; and up to $60,000 of the total
scholarship fund has been offered to international students.
K. Arbuckle commented that increases in the scholarship awards, and support for
international students is extremely encouraging.
7.15 University Research Ethics Board
There was no report.
8. Other Reports
8.1 Board of Governors
R. Bérard reported that the Board recently heard a presentation from Claire Morris,
President of the AUCC, during which she offered an assessment of the higher education
priorities of the federal government and offered suggestions about how universities might
respond to them. Following that the Board had a session led by D. Woolcott on the
Boardâ s â governance score cardâ to assess various targets, measures and results that
assist with the evaluation of the Universityâ s performance. A. Whitewood also led a
session regarding risk management examining the likelihood and potential impact of a
range of strategic risks identified with the university and identifying the responsibilities
of different Board committees in reporting and discussing those risk factors.
8.2 Studentsâ Union
K. Arbuckle noted the Studentsâ Union focus now is on the transition and training
process with a largely new team coming together as of May 1,2006. She noted that they
had held their annual visioning session earlier in the day which was a good starting point
for the process.
9. New Business
D. Woolcott requested permission from S. Brown to extend the meeting for a short while
so that Senators could â prior to the more formal university wide celebration for the
President on June 23 - informally acknowledge the President at her last meeting as Chair
of Senate, and express their gratitude for all that she has contributed as a Member of
Senate for 14 years, the last ten of which have been as Chair of Senate. The President
graciously consented to the request. K. Arbuckle then spoke on behalf of the students,
B. Taylor on behalf of the faculty and M. Lyon on behalf of the administration. The
President then responded with her thanks and generously noted the tremendous service
and support given by many gathered at the table now and in the past.
10. Items for Communication
The Secretary of Senate will write to individuals who have been acclaimed to serve on
Senate and various committees.
11. Adjournment
Moved by K. Arbuckle, seconded by K. Darvesh, that the meeting adjourn at 8:45.p.m.
CARRIED.