Minutes Template

Acadia University Senate
Minutes

SENATE MEETING OF 14 February 2000

A meeting of the Senate of Acadia University occurred on Monday, 14 February 2000, beginning at 4:05 p.m. with Chair Maurice Tugwell presiding and members present.

1) Minutes of the Meeting of
10 January 2000

It was moved by G. Bissix, seconded by J. Sacouman that the minutes of 10 January 2000 be approved.
MOTION CARRIED.

2) Announcements and
Communications
       a) From the Chair
           -re regrets

Regrets were received from B. Griffith, A. Irving, J. MacLeod and L. McDonald

           -re Vacancy on Senate
               Nomination
               Committee

T. Regan will fill the vacancy on the Senate Nomination Committee until June 2001.
The Chair advised that a list of vacancies on Senate and Senate Committees is being compiled and those responsible for filling those vacancies will be notified to do so for the April meeting of Senate.

           -re International Student
               Representative on
               Senate (990-51-BOG)

A letter dated 14 February 2000 from George Bishop, Chair of Acadia’s Board of Governors (APPENDIX A) was read concerning the Senate request to increase the membership of Senate by adding an international student representative. This request was not approved by the Board of Governors.

    b) From the President K. Ogilvie shared general information available to this date with regard to the provincial budget. University presidents through CONSUP have been lobbying on behalf of universities to make the public aware of university budget matters and also to bring attention to the deferred maintenance issues at all universities. The government is moving into a critical decision-making period at the conclusion of a three-year budget.
In reply to any questions from the floor, and referring to the Board of Governor's last full meeting, D. Looker asked for information regarding the board’s decision on the governance of the University. K. Ogilvie replied there is no information available at this time, but it was his understand that a public announcement would be made by the Board in due course.
In response to questions from D. Looker concerning communication between the Board of Governors and Senate, the President confirmed that George Bishop is the newly appointed Chair of the Board of Governors. He concluded that the Chair of Senate would be the first to be communicated with regarding of any decisions affecting Senate.

    c) From the Vice-President
         (Academic)

M. Leiter informed the Senate that Acadia has made application to the Foundation for Innovation, for establishing a Center for the Study of Bosphere Change. He complimented the faculty members from biology, chemistry, geology, and environmental science for their contribution to developing the proposal. If awarded, this will enable an enhancement (new laboratories, and equipment) of Patterson Hall.
The Academic Sector Planning Committee is now receiving responses from the three faculty planning committees to the planning document prepared by the ASPC and they will be reviewed February 28th.
The Academic Program Review Committee is identifying reviewers and initiating a self-study for the review of Continuing and Distance Education as well as a cluster review of Sociology, Political Science, and Economics. Also this committee is looking at literacy issues. A group of senior students will be tested soon and their results compared with similar testing of entrance level students. The purpose is to assess changes in literacy over the course of a university degree program. Also this committee has delivered a revised report on the cluster review of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science.
D. Retson asked what is the goal of the literacy testing? M. Leiter replied it was an effort to determine the latest measure of literacy accomplishment at Acadia.

3) Business Arising from the
     Minutes
    a) Academic Program
       Review Committee-revised
       report on Cluster Review of
       Biology, Geology, and
       Environmental Science
       (990-49-APR)

It was moved by M. Leiter, seconded by J. Boyd that the revised report from the Academic Program Review Committee on the cluster review of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science be accepted by the Senate.
It was clarified that if this report was accepted, it would completely replace the previous one.
N. VanWagoner asked if the cluster review process has had any feedback or measurement of effectiveness. M. Leiter replied to the effect that three reviews are done in one process which is efficient and worked well.
P. O’Neill asked if this cluster review procedure would be reviewed now that such a review has been done.
M. Leiter confirmed that the Academic Program Review Committee is following a review procedure that was passed by the Senate; therefore the committee is not compelled to question that procedure. It is the Senate’s procedure and should be reviewed by the Senate.
M. Tugwell spoke as a member of the Economics Department, which is currently under review using this procedure.   There are a number of questions to answer and until the procedure is used and lived, a true evaluation cannot be given. The procedure must be evaluated at some point, but he felt one review using this procedure is not enough to do so. The report on the floor concerning the first cluster review is positive in regards to the procedure used.
MOTION CARRIED.

b) Senate Library Committee
        - Arts Faculty Council
        resolution concerning the
        Senate Library Committee
        (990-19-LIB)

This item was deferred until the March meeting of Senate.

4) New Business
    a) Academic Sector Planning
        Committee - Requirements
        for Declaring a Major
        (990-20-APC)

This item was deferred until the March meeting of Senate.

    b) Curriculum Committee -
        Education (990-44-CRE)
        Business (990-45-CRE)

It was moved by W. McLeod, seconded by M. Forrest that the curriculum changes for Education and Business as attached to this agenda be accepted.
MOTION CARRIED.

        Philosophy (990-46-CRE) It was moved by T. Regan, seconded by W. McLeod that the revised curriculum changes for Philosophy (APPENDIX B) be accepted.
MOTION CARRIED.

    c) Posthumous Degree for J.
        Robinson (990-47-PRE)

It was moved by M. Leiter, seconded by W. McLeod that John Hugh Robinson be awarded the degree Bachelor of Business Administration posthumously at the Spring Convocation in May 2000.
MOTION CARRIED.
It was clarified that items of this nature will come to the Senate on an individual, as needed basis.

    d) Scholarships, Prizes and
        Awards Committee -
        Annual Report for 1998-
        1999 (990-48-SPA)

It was moved by P. Cabilio, seconded by A. Mitchell that the Annual Report of the Scholarships, Prizes and Awards Committee dated 23 December 1999 be accepted by the Senate.
G. Pyrcz expressed concern about this report. He prefaced his comments by saying that in no way should his concern be taken as negative regarding the Provost or the work done by this SPAC. His concern was with the obvious conflict between the committee’s duty to determine how winners of scholarships, prizes and awards are to be selected, as set out in the committee's purpose and duties, and the new role of the Provost as required by the Board of Governors. This requirement is stated in the way of a condition the Investment Committee of the Board placed upon a recent commitment of $100,000 to support a recruitment proposal brought to the Investment Committee by the Provost. According to the committee's report, the condition was that decisions regarding the awarding of this money not be made by the scholarship committee of Senate, but rather by the Provost. G. Pyrcz's concern was that by accepting the report of the committee, Senate would be authorizing a major shift in the way scholarship decisions could take place at Acadia and that the current conditions imposed by the investment committee of the Board may be in violation of Bill 30, 1968, the Act governing the powers and responsibilities of Senate at Acadia University. The Act indicates that it is the responsibility of the Senate to exercise authority over all matters pertaining to the awarding of scholarships of Acadia University.
P. Cabilio added it was the Board’s decision to give the funds directly to the Provost rather than the Senate Committee. When funds for recruitment came from the Board, the previously allocated $15,000 for this task, allocated by the Scholarship Committee, was withdrawn.
P. Cook confirmed the funds were given to the recruitment program, not to the Provost.
K. Ogilvie stated that the Board of Governors regularly receives donations and monies from donors who specify that the funds are to be used at their own discretion and must decide if the use of these funds would fall under the wishes of the donor. These are not routine funds of the University, but specific funds given for specific uses. Therefore, from the Board's perspective there is not a liability issue with this matter.
D. Looker noted that none of the conditions mentioned by K. Ogilvie apply to the actions under question and targeted donations are still administered under the purview of Senate.
It was moved by J. Sacouman, seconded by G. Pyrcz that this report be tabled.
MOTION CARRIED.
It was moved by G. Pyrcz, seconded by P. O’Neill that the question of funds from the Investment Committee of the Board of Governors be reviewed by the Scholarships, Prizes and Awards Committee and then report the findings to Senate.
MOTION CARRIED.

e) Board of Governors
        Decision re International
        Student Representative as a
        member of Senate

This item was dealt with under Announcements and Communications.

    f) Library Committee -
        Recommendations on the
        proposal to shift from
        acquisition of print journals
        to electronic journals.
        (990-50-LIB)

It was moved by D. Andersen, seconded by L. McQueen that because the Senate Library Committee recognizes the inevitability of the trend to electronic journals, and because there are some related concerns (e.g. archiving), it is the SLC’s recommendation that, first, when the change to electronic sources affects one department that department is to be consulted directly; and second, when the proposed change affects several departments that the SLC be consulted.
D. Andersen spoke on this motion, highlighting the concern about archiving, meaning if a publishing company ceases to exist, the availability of back issues of journals no longer is there.
MOTION CARRIED.

6) Adjournment M. Grieve moved this meeting adjourn. It was 4:50 p.m.

1) Minutes of the Meeting of 10 January 2000	It was moved by G. Bissix, seconded by J. Sacouman that the minutes of 10 January 2000 be approved. MOTION CARRIED.
2) Announcements and Communications a) From the Chair -re regrets	Regrets were received from B. Griffith, A. Irving, J. MacLeod and L. McDonald
-re Vacancy on Senate Nomination Committee	T. Regan will fill the vacancy on the Senate Nomination Committee until June 2001. The Chair advised that a list of vacancies on Senate and Senate Committees is being compiled and those responsible for filling those vacancies will be notified to do so for the April meeting of Senate.
-re International Student Representative on Senate (990-51-BOG)	A letter dated 14 February 2000 from George Bishop, Chair of Acadia’s Board of Governors (APPENDIX A) was read concerning the Senate request to increase the membership of Senate by adding an international student representative. This request was not approved by the Board of Governors.
b) From the President	K. Ogilvie shared general information available to this date with regard to the provincial budget. University presidents through CONSUP have been lobbying on behalf of universities to make the public aware of university budget matters and also to bring attention to the deferred maintenance issues at all universities. The government is moving into a critical decision-making period at the conclusion of a three-year budget. In reply to any questions from the floor, and referring to the Board of Governor's last full meeting, D. Looker asked for information regarding the board’s decision on the governance of the University. K. Ogilvie replied there is no information available at this time, but it was his understand that a public announcement would be made by the Board in due course. In response to questions from D. Looker concerning communication between the Board of Governors and Senate, the President confirmed that George Bishop is the newly appointed Chair of the Board of Governors. He concluded that the Chair of Senate would be the first to be communicated with regarding of any decisions affecting Senate.
c) From the Vice-President (Academic)	M. Leiter informed the Senate that Acadia has made application to the Foundation for Innovation, for establishing a Center for the Study of Bosphere Change. He complimented the faculty members from biology, chemistry, geology, and environmental science for their contribution to developing the proposal. If awarded, this will enable an enhancement (new laboratories, and equipment) of Patterson Hall. The Academic Sector Planning Committee is now receiving responses from the three faculty planning committees to the planning document prepared by the ASPC and they will be reviewed February 28th. The Academic Program Review Committee is identifying reviewers and initiating a self-study for the review of Continuing and Distance Education as well as a cluster review of Sociology, Political Science, and Economics. Also this committee is looking at literacy issues. A group of senior students will be tested soon and their results compared with similar testing of entrance level students. The purpose is to assess changes in literacy over the course of a university degree program. Also this committee has delivered a revised report on the cluster review of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science. D. Retson asked what is the goal of the literacy testing? M. Leiter replied it was an effort to determine the latest measure of literacy accomplishment at Acadia.
3) Business Arising from the Minutes a) Academic Program Review Committee-revised report on Cluster Review of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science (990-49-APR)	It was moved by M. Leiter, seconded by J. Boyd that the revised report from the Academic Program Review Committee on the cluster review of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science be accepted by the Senate. It was clarified that if this report was accepted, it would completely replace the previous one. N. VanWagoner asked if the cluster review process has had any feedback or measurement of effectiveness. M. Leiter replied to the effect that three reviews are done in one process which is efficient and worked well. P. O’Neill asked if this cluster review procedure would be reviewed now that such a review has been done. M. Leiter confirmed that the Academic Program Review Committee is following a review procedure that was passed by the Senate; therefore the committee is not compelled to question that procedure. It is the Senate’s procedure and should be reviewed by the Senate. M. Tugwell spoke as a member of the Economics Department, which is currently under review using this procedure. There are a number of questions to answer and until the procedure is used and lived, a true evaluation cannot be given. The procedure must be evaluated at some point, but he felt one review using this procedure is not enough to do so. The report on the floor concerning the first cluster review is positive in regards to the procedure used. MOTION CARRIED.
b) Senate Library Committee - Arts Faculty Council resolution concerning the Senate Library Committee (990-19-LIB)	This item was deferred until the March meeting of Senate.
4) New Business a) Academic Sector Planning Committee - Requirements for Declaring a Major (990-20-APC)	This item was deferred until the March meeting of Senate.
b) Curriculum Committee - Education (990-44-CRE) Business (990-45-CRE)	It was moved by W. McLeod, seconded by M. Forrest that the curriculum changes for Education and Business as attached to this agenda be accepted. MOTION CARRIED.
Philosophy (990-46-CRE)	It was moved by T. Regan, seconded by W. McLeod that the revised curriculum changes for Philosophy (APPENDIX B) be accepted. MOTION CARRIED.
c) Posthumous Degree for J. Robinson (990-47-PRE)	It was moved by M. Leiter, seconded by W. McLeod that John Hugh Robinson be awarded the degree Bachelor of Business Administration posthumously at the Spring Convocation in May 2000. MOTION CARRIED. It was clarified that items of this nature will come to the Senate on an individual, as needed basis.
d) Scholarships, Prizes and Awards Committee - Annual Report for 1998- 1999 (990-48-SPA)	It was moved by P. Cabilio, seconded by A. Mitchell that the Annual Report of the Scholarships, Prizes and Awards Committee dated 23 December 1999 be accepted by the Senate. G. Pyrcz expressed concern about this report. He prefaced his comments by saying that in no way should his concern be taken as negative regarding the Provost or the work done by this SPAC. His concern was with the obvious conflict between the committee’s duty to determine how winners of scholarships, prizes and awards are to be selected, as set out in the committee's purpose and duties, and the new role of the Provost as required by the Board of Governors. This requirement is stated in the way of a condition the Investment Committee of the Board placed upon a recent commitment of $100,000 to support a recruitment proposal brought to the Investment Committee by the Provost. According to the committee's report, the condition was that decisions regarding the awarding of this money not be made by the scholarship committee of Senate, but rather by the Provost. G. Pyrcz's concern was that by accepting the report of the committee, Senate would be authorizing a major shift in the way scholarship decisions could take place at Acadia and that the current conditions imposed by the investment committee of the Board may be in violation of Bill 30, 1968, the Act governing the powers and responsibilities of Senate at Acadia University. The Act indicates that it is the responsibility of the Senate to exercise authority over all matters pertaining to the awarding of scholarships of Acadia University. P. Cabilio added it was the Board’s decision to give the funds directly to the Provost rather than the Senate Committee. When funds for recruitment came from the Board, the previously allocated $15,000 for this task, allocated by the Scholarship Committee, was withdrawn. P. Cook confirmed the funds were given to the recruitment program, not to the Provost. K. Ogilvie stated that the Board of Governors regularly receives donations and monies from donors who specify that the funds are to be used at their own discretion and must decide if the use of these funds would fall under the wishes of the donor. These are not routine funds of the University, but specific funds given for specific uses. Therefore, from the Board's perspective there is not a liability issue with this matter. D. Looker noted that none of the conditions mentioned by K. Ogilvie apply to the actions under question and targeted donations are still administered under the purview of Senate. It was moved by J. Sacouman, seconded by G. Pyrcz that this report be tabled. MOTION CARRIED. It was moved by G. Pyrcz, seconded by P. O’Neill that the question of funds from the Investment Committee of the Board of Governors be reviewed by the Scholarships, Prizes and Awards Committee and then report the findings to Senate. MOTION CARRIED.
e) Board of Governors Decision re International Student Representative as a member of Senate	This item was dealt with under Announcements and Communications.
f) Library Committee - Recommendations on the proposal to shift from acquisition of print journals to electronic journals. (990-50-LIB)	It was moved by D. Andersen, seconded by L. McQueen that because the Senate Library Committee recognizes the inevitability of the trend to electronic journals, and because there are some related concerns (e.g. archiving), it is the SLC’s recommendation that, first, when the change to electronic sources affects one department that department is to be consulted directly; and second, when the proposed change affects several departments that the SLC be consulted. D. Andersen spoke on this motion, highlighting the concern about archiving, meaning if a publishing company ceases to exist, the availability of back issues of journals no longer is there. MOTION CARRIED.
6) Adjournment	M. Grieve moved this meeting adjourn. It was 4:50 p.m.