MSVU Senate Minutes -- March 26 2001
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2010-04-15T13:12:25Z
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Senate, Mount Saint Vincent University
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Senate Meeting
Rosaria Boardroom March 26, 2001
A meeting of the Senate was held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 26, 2001, in the Rosaria Board
Room.
Present: S. Brown (Chair), R. Bérard, I. Blum, S. Boyd, S. Drain, M. Evans, D. Furrow, P.
Glenister, F. Harrington, C. Hill, N. Hill, B. Hodkin, K. Kienapple, B. King, M. MacMillan, C.
Mathieson, L. Neilsen, D. Nevo, C. Nickerson, M. Raven, T. Roberts, E. Rosenthal, R. Sampson,
L. Theriault, R. Warne, P. Watts, J. Woodsworth.
Regrets: C. Ferns, B. Frank, N. Parsons, S. Perrott.
Guests: D. Forbes.
1. Approval of Agenda
Moved by C. Hill, seconded by F. Harrington that the agenda be approved as circulated.
CARRIED
2. Approval of Minutes of February 26, 2001
Moved by R. Warne, seconded by B. King that the minutes of February 26, 2001 be approved as
circulated. CARRIED
3. Business Arising from the Minutes
There was no business arising.
4. President's Announcements
S. Brown received notification that the MPHEC has approved the Masters Program, Teaching
English as a Second Language. She is still awaiting notice of approval for the Cultural Studies,
History/Information Technology and Philosophy/Religious Studies programs. The MPHEC has
requested that MSVU have quality assurance policies for academic offerings.
S. Brown reported that the Nova Scotia Advisory Board on College and Universities is
underway. The Board now has a full membership and is beginning to meet.
5. Question Period
Senate discussed the Student Awards Night. Several Senators expressed concern that the
Students' Union has inherited responsibility for the event. They felt that organizing the event was
an onerous task and that responsibility for the event should be distributed. A Senator believed
that in the past a committee consisting of students, Student Affairs, Athletics and Recreation and
faculty were responsible for the event. Some members of Senate expressed concern that the
ceremony was too long. As well a Senator stated that the tone of the event was not what many
students and faculty expected. Senate agreed that discussion of this topic should continue at
meetings of Chairs, Students' Union, and the Student Affairs Committee. T. Roberts requested
that comments and complaints regarding this topic should be forwarded to the Students' Union.
As well, she invited Senators to forward any questions regarding the event to her.
A Senator expressed concern over the dissolution of the provincial program which provides
university education funding to welfare recipients. The Senator inquired about MSVU's
intervention on behalf of this program. S. Brown stated that she has written a letter to the
Minister of Community Services. The issue was also raised at CONSUP. S. Brown encouraged
interested parties to contact the Department of Education to express their concerns.
6. Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business
7. Committee Reports (Standing and Ad Hoc)
7.1 Senate Executive
7.1.1 Revision of By-law 14.6
Moved by K. Kienapple, seconded by S. Drain that Senate approve the revisions to By-Law
14.6. CARRIED
7.1.2 Senate Meeting Times
S. Brown reported that Senate Executive had received very little input on this topic. Therefore,
Senate Executive recommends that the Senate meeting times remain as is.
7.2 Academic Appeals Committee
No report
7.3 Academic Policy and Planning
J. Woodsworth reported that CAPP will have some items to bring forward at the next Senate
meeting.
7.4 Graduate Studies
L. Theriault reported that the Committee has met to review proposals for ethical approval of
thesis topics.
7.5 Undergraduate Curriculum
No report
7.6 Committee on Appointment, Promotion and Tenure or Permanence for Academic
Administrators (CAPTPAA)
7.6.1 Recommendation for the Status of Professor Emeritus
Moved by R. Bérard, seconded by L. Neilsen to move the meeting in camera. CARRIED
Senate discussed CAPTPAA's recommendation for Professor Emeritus. Senate approved
CAPTPAA's recommendation for the Status of Professor Emeritus.
Moved by W. Doyle, seconded by P. Watts to move the meeting from in camera. CARRIED
7.7 Committee on Information Technology and Services
7.7.1 Revision of By-law 14.5
Moved by I. Blum , seconded by J. Woodsworth that Senate approve the revisions to By-Law
14.5 as amended. CARRIED
Moved by I. Blum, seconded by P. Watts that the membership section be amended as follows:
"Ex-officio members.
- Director of Information Technology and Services
- Director of Distance Learning and Continuing Education or designate
Elected members.
- one member of Senate
- four full-time members of faculty, representing the areas of humanities, social sciences, science
and professional programs
- one student member to be named by the Students' Union
CARRIED.
Moved by D. Furrow, seconded by F. Harrington to amend the elected membership section by
replacing the phrase "four full-time members of faculty, representing the areas of humanities,
social sciences, science and professional programs" with "four full-time members of faculty."
DEFEATED
A Senator expressed concern that as the membership is currently designed, librarians have been
eliminated from sitting on the committee. There was also a discussion regarding the inclusion in
the Committee's membership of representatives from academic departments that teach
technology. Some Senators felt that since these departments are largely affected by the
Committee's policies and procedures they should have representation. As well, they felt that the
University should utilize the expertise available on campus. Other Senators felt that, since
faculty representatives are elected, the affected departments have ample opportunity to ensure
membership on the Committee. Another Senator expressed concern that if the Committee on
Information Technology and Services allowed specific departments in its membership, other
departments would request the same, eliminating broad area representation. D. Forbes replied
that she will forward these comments to the Committee.
D. Forbes and some Senators discussed the rationale for the Director of Information Technology
and Services not serving as the ex officio Chair of the Committee.
7.8 Library
M. Raven announced that the Library has received one new set of lights and two other new sets
of lights will be received in the new budget year. M. Raven also announced that the Library
Award will be divided into two categories: one for students with 7.5 credit units or less from any
institution and another for students with more than 7.5 credits. M. Raven stated that the
Committee is still facing difficulties in creating policy for Novanet Library Privileges for MSVU
Research Assistants/Contract/Grant Employees.
7.9 Nominations
7.9.1 Revision of Guidelines on the Establishment of Search and Evaluation Committees
for Administrative Positions
Moved by K. Kienapple , seconded by C. Mathieson that Senate approve the revised Guidelines
on the Establishment of Search and Evaluation Committees for Administrative Positions.
CARRIED
A Senator stated that faculty members should also make up the majority on Search and
Evaluation Committees for academic administrative positions. I. Blum commented that a faculty
view on these committees is very important and the committees should be acting on behalf of
faculty interests.
7.10 Research and Publications
C. Mathieson reported that portraits of recipients for the Award of Research Excellence were
hung in the library. She announced that F. Bennett, H. Li and K. Darvesh were awarded a
NSERC Equipment Grant. The announcement regarding SSHRC recipients will be announced
later this month. The Committee will be adjudicating the internal grants next week. C. Mathieson
stated that Tri-Council, the National Council on Ethics in Research, the Graduate Studies
Committee and several faculty had sent feedback and recommendations regarding the MSVU
Policies and Procedures: Ethics Review of Research Involving Humans. The Committee on
Research and Publications has revised the document and will submit it for the April 30 Senate
Agenda. The revised document will also be sent to stakeholders for feedback. The Committee is
also developing a set of forms for ethics review that, although not part of the policy, will
eventually accompany the ethical review process.
7.11 Student Affairs
At the April 30 Senate meeting there will be a motion to revise By-law 14.9.
7.12 Committee on Teaching
At the April 30 Senate meeting there will be a motion to revise By-law 14.10.
7.13 Undergraduate Admissions and Scholarships
L. Theriault reported that the Committee has prepared its Blueprint 2000 update. As well,
entrance scholarship offers will be made by April 15.
8. Other Reports
8.1 Board of Governors
No report.
8.2 Students' Union
C. Nickerson announced the Students' Union election results. She reported that the Students'
Union is in a transition phase until the end of April. C. Nickerson reported that approximately
250 people attended the Student Awards Night, at which four Honourary Students' Union
members were announced. C. Nickerson congratulated T. Roberts who was the first recipient of
the Patricia Butler prize.
9. New Business
There was no new business.
10. Items for Communication
The Senate Office will make the changes to the By-laws.
S. Brown will communicate with the new Professor Emeritus.
The Nominations Committee will communicate the Revisions to Guidelines on the
Establishment of Search and Evaluation Committees for Administrative Positions.
11. Other Business
There was no other business.
12. Adjournment
Moved by W. Doyle, seconded by M. Raven that the meeting be adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
CARRIED.