Minutes Template

Acadia University Senate
Minutes

SENATE MEETING OF 15 OCTOBER 2002

A meeting of the Senate of Acadia University occurred on Tuesday, 15 October 2002, beginning at
4:07 p.m. with Chair Ian Wilks presiding and 43 members present.

1) Minutes of the Meeting of
9 September 2002
It was moved by L. McDonald and seconded by R. Raeside that the Minutes of 9 September 2002 be approved.
Two spelling errors were noted.
MOTION WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED.

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

      -re Today's Agenda

      -re Senate Membership

-re Terms of Reference for the
      Faculty Elections Officers

Regrets were received from J. DeWolfe, D. Kruisselbrink, J. Mills, K. Ogilvie, S. Phillips, R. Proulx, C. Saulnier, and G. Vaughan.
The Chair announced a change to the meeting’s agenda: Item 5)a) would be an addition in the form of a motion from the Acadia Students Union. Notice of motion was emailed to all Senators the day after the agenda was sent out, and so the 10-day requirement for notice of motion has in fact been satisfied.
He welcomed M. Marin, Executive VP, SRC; and K. Turnquest as guests. Both are SRC representatives on the Board of Governors, and were present to speak to the motion on financial accessibility.
The following were welcomed as new members of Senate: J. Hennessy, J. Clemons, and M. West.
Appreciation was expressed to L. White, a Board representative who is finishing a three-year term on Senate.

He requested that the By-Laws Committee review Article VIII (q) of Senate Constitution and By-Laws and report back to Senate.

    b) From the Vice-President
      (Academic)
M. Leiter announced that the Annual Academic Honours Event will be held Friday, 25 October 2002; he encouraged faculty to attend.

3) Approval of List of
   Graduates for Convocation of
   October 2002 (023-06-CON) It was moved by M. Leiter and seconded by T. Archibald that the List of Graduates for the Convocation of October 2002 be approved.
The list of potential graduates for the Convocation of October 2002 (APPENDIX A) was examined by degree category for errors. None were found.
MOTION WAS CARRIED.
It was moved by M. Leiter and seconded by L. McDonald that any candidate for an Acadia degree, diploma or certificate who should receive a grade or otherwise qualify or be disqualified between this Senate meeting and the forthcoming Convocation, shall be considered by the Chair of the Admissions and Academic Standing Committee, the appropriate Dean and the Registrar, acting as an ad hoc committee of the Senate, they having the power to make consequential amendments to the graduation list.
MOTION WAS CARRIED.

4) Business Arising from the
   Minutes
   a) By-Laws Committee-
      Senate's Notice of Motion
      Process (023-01-LAW)

It was moved by P. Corkum and seconded by T. Archibald that Article V of the Senate Constitution and By-Laws be amended to read "Amendment of these By-Laws may be effected by a majority vote at any regular meeting of Senate, provided that at least thirty days notice of motion of such amendment has been duly given before that meeting”.
P. Corkum spoke to this motion, explaining that the current notice of motion requirements for amendments specify that notice must be given in the meeting prior to the meeting in which the amendment is moved and voted on; this causes a problem in cases where Senate meetings are cancelled. The change in wording prevents this problem from arising.
MOTION WAS CARRIED.

    b) Nominating Committee-
      Members on the Task Force
      on Academic Integrity
      (023-07-NOM)

It was moved by P. Corkum and seconded by J. Hennessy that the Nominating Committee Report, as attached to today’s agenda, be accepted. This report nominated the following as members of the Task Force on Academic Integrity: Jean DeWolfe, Chair, Malcolm Grieve, Faculty of Arts; Gary Ness, Faculty of Professional Studies; Andrew Mitchell, Faculty of Pure and Applied Science; Robert Wilson, Faculty of Theology; Jeffrey Britton, Student Senator; and Tanja Harrison, Librarian.
The Chair called for further nominations three times and, hearing none, declared that nominations were closed.
MOTION WAS CARRIED.
The Chair declared the persons named to be elected.

    c) Nominating Committee-
      Chair of the Senate Library
      Committee (023-08-NOM) It was moved by P. Corkum and seconded by B. Matthews that the Nominating Committee Report, as attached to today’s agenda, be accepted. This report nominated Dr. Barry Moody for the position of Chair of the Senate Library Committee. This position is a three-year term ending 30 June 2005.
The Chair called for further nominations three times and, hearing none, declared that nominations were closed.
MOTION WAS CARRIED.
The Chair declared B. Moody elected.

   d) By-Laws Committee -
      Membership of the Senate
      Library Committee
      (023-09-LAW)

It was moved by P. Corkum and seconded by S. Ash that the By-Laws Committee Report on Article VIII (e) of the Constitution and By-Laws, as attached to today’s agenda, be accepted.
P. Corkum referred to the Minutes of the last Senate meeting in which the basis for this motion is discussed. This amendment would give the membership of the Library Committee greater year-to-year continuity.
She also commented on the terms “Divinity College” and “Faculty of Theology”; the By-Laws Committee believes that “Faculty of Theology” is more appropriate in this circumstance.
In closing, she spoke of the role previously given by the Constitution and By-Laws to the member from Theology. This was a limited role, allowing that member a say only on matters concerning the Theology collection. This limitation was perhaps appropriate when the Committee dealt with the allocation of funds for the Library collection, but is not now appropriate, given that responsibility for allocation now rests with the University Librarian.
M. Grieve pointed out that Bill 30, on which the Constitution and By-Laws is based, refers to “Faculty of the Acadia Divinity College” and if this change is accepted it may mean wider changes throughout the Constitution.
It was moved by M. Grieve and seconded by T. Archibald that the wording of Article VIII(e)(i) be changed to “one member of faculty of the Acadia Divinity College”.
L. McDonald noted that there are two terms: “Faculty of Theology”, which designates the institution as it relates to Acadia University, and “Acadia Divinity College”, which designates the institution as it relates to the Convention of the United Baptist Churches. He said he therefore has two titles: Principal of the Acadia Divinity College and, in relation to the University, Dean of the Faculty of Theology.
T. Archibald pointed out that the Constitution and By-Laws establishes the membership of many Senate Standing Committees in terms of representation from the three Faculties of Arts, Science and Professional Studies. Speaking of a fourth Faculty is not in keeping with this practice. The disadvantage of the label “Faculty of Theology” is that it suggests that the Divinity College should have parity of representation on those Committees.
MOTION TO AMEND WAS DEFEATED (11/5).
MAIN MOTION WAS CARRIED.
The Chair concurred with the By-Laws Committee that an examination of the Constitution and By-Laws should take place to regularize references to the Faculty of Theology, as part of that Committee’s annual review of that document.

5) New Business
   a) Financial Accessibility of
      Acadia University
      (APPENDIX B)
      (023-09-SRC)

It was moved by J. Britton and seconded by G. Ness that
Whereas Acadia university has the highest tuition fees in the country; and,
Whereas tuition at Acadia University has increased 151% in the last ten years; and,
Whereas the results of the 2001 Maclean's rankings show that Acadia University ranks 15th out of 21 primarily undergraduate institutions in terms of the percent of its budget devoted to scholarships and bursaries; and,
Whereas the average student debt load of the graduating class of 2003 will be upwards of $40,000; and
Whereas the Acadia Students' Union has presented a document to the Senate of Acadia University highlighting the desperate state of Acadia University's financial aid program and financial policy and the implications thereof;
Be it resolved that the Senate of Acadia University recognize the desperate state of Acadia University's financial aid program and financial policy respecting tuition fees.
J. Britton clarified that this motion is not asking Senate to endorse the ASU document “A Question of Priority and Commitment” (APPENDIX C), which will be presented to the Board of Governors on October 25 and was distributed to all Senators prior to this meeting. This motion asks the Senate 1) to formally recognize the desperate state of Acadia's financial aid program and the financial policy in respect to tuition; and 2) to support the ASU motion to the Board (APPENDIX D). This motion to the Board will ask it a) to formally recognize the state of Acadia's financial aid programs and policy respecting tuition; b) to instruct administration to immediately strike a special committee to investigate the issues surrounding financial aid and tuition; c) to mandate the committee to present final recommendations at the Board's winter meeting in February 2003, and d) to instruct that the special committee be comprised of the Vice President Finance of Acadia University, who shall act as Chair, the President of Acadia University, two members of the Faculty, and the President and Executive Vice President of the Acadia Students' Union.
M. Marin spoke to this motion, and referred to “A Question of Priority and Commitment” in way of highlighting major findings concerning financial accessibility at Acadia University.
Extensive discussion followed. It was noted that the scholarships and bursaries come from the operating budget. The students argued that any profit made at Acadia should go toward keeping tuition fees down. As it stands, Acadia students are accessing financial aid on a significant scale; of the graduating class of 2002, 48% responding to a survey indicated they were student loan recipients and over 50% of those indicated a debt load over $25,000.
T. Archibald noted that the Senate Scholarship, Prizes, and Awards Committee, which includes three student representatives, is in place to handle the issues raised in this report. Why not refer this matter to that Committee?
M. Leiter agreed that student funding is an important issue, one with which we should certainly be concerned; but he argued that the wording of this motion is problematic – especially parts of the preamble.
It was moved by M. Leiter and seconded by T. Archibald that this motion be tabled pending the outcome of a report from the Scholarship, Prizes, and Awards Committee.
MOTION TO TABLE THE ORIGINAL MOTION WAS CARRIED. 22/12

b) Financial Accessibility of
      Acadia University
      (023-10-SRC) It was moved by J. Britton and seconded by G. Ness that
Whereas Acadia University has the highest tuition fees in the country; and,
Whereas tuition at Acadia University has increased 151% in the last ten years; and,
Whereas the results of the 2001 Maclean's rankings show that Acadia University ranks 15th out of 21 primarily undergraduate institutions in terms of the percent of its budget devoted to scholarships and bursaries;
Be it resolved that the Senate of Acadia University support the motion being put forward by the Acadia Students' union to be considered by the Board of Governors of Acadia University at the Annual Meeting on October 25th, 2002.
It was moved by T. Archibald and seconded by B. Matthews that the last paragraph of the motion be amended to read “Be it resolved that the Senate of Acadia University support a request by the Board of Governors of Acadia University to the effect that the Scholarship, Prizes, and Awards Committee of Senate investigate issues related to those in the ASU document and report recommendations to the January 2003 meeting of Senate”.
M. Marin argued that the motion as thus amended would accomplish nothing, since it is the Board that determines expenditures, and that ultimately must decide on increases in student support. M. Peddle provided some insight into the financial difficulties students have been facing in recent years because of high tuition and living expenses at Acadia University. P. Corkum reminded Senators that there is a Financial Aid Committee to assist students.
It was argued that SPAC deals in scholarship money, and thus has a narrower focus than is needed for the sort of investigation proposed in the motion, an investigation which needs to focus on financial accessibility to the University; the investigation needs to address loans, bursaries and need based programs generally.
MOTION TO AMEND WAS DEFEATED.
It was moved by M. Leiter and seconded by B. Matthews that the last paragraph of the motion be amended to read “Be it resolved that the Senate concurs with the ASU that financial aid is a matter of urgency and urges the Board of Governors to consider it an issue of high priority. Furthermore, Senate requests that the Board of Governors strike immediately a special community to investigate the issues of the ASU”.
It was moved by N. Van Wagoner and seconded by G. Ness that the amendment be amended to read “Be it resolved that the Senate concurs with the ASU that financial accessibility is a matter of urgency and urges the Board of Governors to consider it an issue of high priority. Furthermore, Senate requests that the Board of Governors strike immediately, a special committee to investigate the issues presented by the ASU”.
SUB-AMENDMENT WAS CARRIED.
MOTION TO AMEND WAS CARRIED.
MAIN MOTION WAS CARRIED WITHOUT DISSENT.

6) Adjournment N. Price moved that the meeting be adjourned. It was 6:20 p.m.

_________________________________
D. Murphy, Recording Secretary

1) Minutes of the Meeting of 9 September 2002	It was moved by L. McDonald and seconded by R. Raeside that the Minutes of 9 September 2002 be approved. Two spelling errors were noted. MOTION WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED.
2) Announcements and Communications a) From the Chair -re Regrets -re Today's Agenda -re Senate Membership -re Terms of Reference for the Faculty Elections Officers	Regrets were received from J. DeWolfe, D. Kruisselbrink, J. Mills, K. Ogilvie, S. Phillips, R. Proulx, C. Saulnier, and G. Vaughan. The Chair announced a change to the meeting’s agenda: Item 5)a) would be an addition in the form of a motion from the Acadia Students Union. Notice of motion was emailed to all Senators the day after the agenda was sent out, and so the 10-day requirement for notice of motion has in fact been satisfied. He welcomed M. Marin, Executive VP, SRC; and K. Turnquest as guests. Both are SRC representatives on the Board of Governors, and were present to speak to the motion on financial accessibility. The following were welcomed as new members of Senate: J. Hennessy, J. Clemons, and M. West. Appreciation was expressed to L. White, a Board representative who is finishing a three-year term on Senate. He requested that the By-Laws Committee review Article VIII (q) of Senate Constitution and By-Laws and report back to Senate.
b) From the Vice-President (Academic)	M. Leiter announced that the Annual Academic Honours Event will be held Friday, 25 October 2002; he encouraged faculty to attend.
3) Approval of List of Graduates for Convocation of October 2002 (023-06-CON)	It was moved by M. Leiter and seconded by T. Archibald that the List of Graduates for the Convocation of October 2002 be approved. The list of potential graduates for the Convocation of October 2002 (APPENDIX A) was examined by degree category for errors. None were found. MOTION WAS CARRIED. It was moved by M. Leiter and seconded by L. McDonald that any candidate for an Acadia degree, diploma or certificate who should receive a grade or otherwise qualify or be disqualified between this Senate meeting and the forthcoming Convocation, shall be considered by the Chair of the Admissions and Academic Standing Committee, the appropriate Dean and the Registrar, acting as an ad hoc committee of the Senate, they having the power to make consequential amendments to the graduation list. MOTION WAS CARRIED.
4) Business Arising from the Minutes a) By-Laws Committee- Senate's Notice of Motion Process (023-01-LAW)	It was moved by P. Corkum and seconded by T. Archibald that Article V of the Senate Constitution and By-Laws be amended to read "Amendment of these By-Laws may be effected by a majority vote at any regular meeting of Senate, provided that at least thirty days notice of motion of such amendment has been duly given before that meeting”. P. Corkum spoke to this motion, explaining that the current notice of motion requirements for amendments specify that notice must be given in the meeting prior to the meeting in which the amendment is moved and voted on; this causes a problem in cases where Senate meetings are cancelled. The change in wording prevents this problem from arising. MOTION WAS CARRIED.
b) Nominating Committee- Members on the Task Force on Academic Integrity (023-07-NOM)	It was moved by P. Corkum and seconded by J. Hennessy that the Nominating Committee Report, as attached to today’s agenda, be accepted. This report nominated the following as members of the Task Force on Academic Integrity: Jean DeWolfe, Chair, Malcolm Grieve, Faculty of Arts; Gary Ness, Faculty of Professional Studies; Andrew Mitchell, Faculty of Pure and Applied Science; Robert Wilson, Faculty of Theology; Jeffrey Britton, Student Senator; and Tanja Harrison, Librarian. The Chair called for further nominations three times and, hearing none, declared that nominations were closed. MOTION WAS CARRIED. The Chair declared the persons named to be elected.
c) Nominating Committee- Chair of the Senate Library Committee (023-08-NOM)	It was moved by P. Corkum and seconded by B. Matthews that the Nominating Committee Report, as attached to today’s agenda, be accepted. This report nominated Dr. Barry Moody for the position of Chair of the Senate Library Committee. This position is a three-year term ending 30 June 2005. The Chair called for further nominations three times and, hearing none, declared that nominations were closed. MOTION WAS CARRIED. The Chair declared B. Moody elected.
d) By-Laws Committee - Membership of the Senate Library Committee (023-09-LAW)	It was moved by P. Corkum and seconded by S. Ash that the By-Laws Committee Report on Article VIII (e) of the Constitution and By-Laws, as attached to today’s agenda, be accepted. P. Corkum referred to the Minutes of the last Senate meeting in which the basis for this motion is discussed. This amendment would give the membership of the Library Committee greater year-to-year continuity. She also commented on the terms “Divinity College” and “Faculty of Theology”; the By-Laws Committee believes that “Faculty of Theology” is more appropriate in this circumstance. In closing, she spoke of the role previously given by the Constitution and By-Laws to the member from Theology. This was a limited role, allowing that member a say only on matters concerning the Theology collection. This limitation was perhaps appropriate when the Committee dealt with the allocation of funds for the Library collection, but is not now appropriate, given that responsibility for allocation now rests with the University Librarian. M. Grieve pointed out that Bill 30, on which the Constitution and By-Laws is based, refers to “Faculty of the Acadia Divinity College” and if this change is accepted it may mean wider changes throughout the Constitution. It was moved by M. Grieve and seconded by T. Archibald that the wording of Article VIII(e)(i) be changed to “one member of faculty of the Acadia Divinity College”. L. McDonald noted that there are two terms: “Faculty of Theology”, which designates the institution as it relates to Acadia University, and “Acadia Divinity College”, which designates the institution as it relates to the Convention of the United Baptist Churches. He said he therefore has two titles: Principal of the Acadia Divinity College and, in relation to the University, Dean of the Faculty of Theology. T. Archibald pointed out that the Constitution and By-Laws establishes the membership of many Senate Standing Committees in terms of representation from the three Faculties of Arts, Science and Professional Studies. Speaking of a fourth Faculty is not in keeping with this practice. The disadvantage of the label “Faculty of Theology” is that it suggests that the Divinity College should have parity of representation on those Committees. MOTION TO AMEND WAS DEFEATED (11/5). MAIN MOTION WAS CARRIED. The Chair concurred with the By-Laws Committee that an examination of the Constitution and By-Laws should take place to regularize references to the Faculty of Theology, as part of that Committee’s annual review of that document.
5) New Business a) Financial Accessibility of Acadia University (APPENDIX B) (023-09-SRC)	It was moved by J. Britton and seconded by G. Ness that Whereas Acadia university has the highest tuition fees in the country; and, Whereas tuition at Acadia University has increased 151% in the last ten years; and, Whereas the results of the 2001 Maclean's rankings show that Acadia University ranks 15th out of 21 primarily undergraduate institutions in terms of the percent of its budget devoted to scholarships and bursaries; and, Whereas the average student debt load of the graduating class of 2003 will be upwards of $40,000; and Whereas the Acadia Students' Union has presented a document to the Senate of Acadia University highlighting the desperate state of Acadia University's financial aid program and financial policy and the implications thereof; Be it resolved that the Senate of Acadia University recognize the desperate state of Acadia University's financial aid program and financial policy respecting tuition fees. J. Britton clarified that this motion is not asking Senate to endorse the ASU document “A Question of Priority and Commitment” (APPENDIX C), which will be presented to the Board of Governors on October 25 and was distributed to all Senators prior to this meeting. This motion asks the Senate 1) to formally recognize the desperate state of Acadia's financial aid program and the financial policy in respect to tuition; and 2) to support the ASU motion to the Board (APPENDIX D). This motion to the Board will ask it a) to formally recognize the state of Acadia's financial aid programs and policy respecting tuition; b) to instruct administration to immediately strike a special committee to investigate the issues surrounding financial aid and tuition; c) to mandate the committee to present final recommendations at the Board's winter meeting in February 2003, and d) to instruct that the special committee be comprised of the Vice President Finance of Acadia University, who shall act as Chair, the President of Acadia University, two members of the Faculty, and the President and Executive Vice President of the Acadia Students' Union. M. Marin spoke to this motion, and referred to “A Question of Priority and Commitment” in way of highlighting major findings concerning financial accessibility at Acadia University. Extensive discussion followed. It was noted that the scholarships and bursaries come from the operating budget. The students argued that any profit made at Acadia should go toward keeping tuition fees down. As it stands, Acadia students are accessing financial aid on a significant scale; of the graduating class of 2002, 48% responding to a survey indicated they were student loan recipients and over 50% of those indicated a debt load over $25,000. T. Archibald noted that the Senate Scholarship, Prizes, and Awards Committee, which includes three student representatives, is in place to handle the issues raised in this report. Why not refer this matter to that Committee? M. Leiter agreed that student funding is an important issue, one with which we should certainly be concerned; but he argued that the wording of this motion is problematic – especially parts of the preamble. It was moved by M. Leiter and seconded by T. Archibald that this motion be tabled pending the outcome of a report from the Scholarship, Prizes, and Awards Committee. MOTION TO TABLE THE ORIGINAL MOTION WAS CARRIED. 22/12
b) Financial Accessibility of Acadia University (023-10-SRC)	It was moved by J. Britton and seconded by G. Ness that Whereas Acadia University has the highest tuition fees in the country; and, Whereas tuition at Acadia University has increased 151% in the last ten years; and, Whereas the results of the 2001 Maclean's rankings show that Acadia University ranks 15th out of 21 primarily undergraduate institutions in terms of the percent of its budget devoted to scholarships and bursaries; Be it resolved that the Senate of Acadia University support the motion being put forward by the Acadia Students' union to be considered by the Board of Governors of Acadia University at the Annual Meeting on October 25th, 2002. It was moved by T. Archibald and seconded by B. Matthews that the last paragraph of the motion be amended to read “Be it resolved that the Senate of Acadia University support a request by the Board of Governors of Acadia University to the effect that the Scholarship, Prizes, and Awards Committee of Senate investigate issues related to those in the ASU document and report recommendations to the January 2003 meeting of Senate”. M. Marin argued that the motion as thus amended would accomplish nothing, since it is the Board that determines expenditures, and that ultimately must decide on increases in student support. M. Peddle provided some insight into the financial difficulties students have been facing in recent years because of high tuition and living expenses at Acadia University. P. Corkum reminded Senators that there is a Financial Aid Committee to assist students. It was argued that SPAC deals in scholarship money, and thus has a narrower focus than is needed for the sort of investigation proposed in the motion, an investigation which needs to focus on financial accessibility to the University; the investigation needs to address loans, bursaries and need based programs generally. MOTION TO AMEND WAS DEFEATED. It was moved by M. Leiter and seconded by B. Matthews that the last paragraph of the motion be amended to read “Be it resolved that the Senate concurs with the ASU that financial aid is a matter of urgency and urges the Board of Governors to consider it an issue of high priority. Furthermore, Senate requests that the Board of Governors strike immediately a special community to investigate the issues of the ASU”. It was moved by N. Van Wagoner and seconded by G. Ness that the amendment be amended to read “Be it resolved that the Senate concurs with the ASU that financial accessibility is a matter of urgency and urges the Board of Governors to consider it an issue of high priority. Furthermore, Senate requests that the Board of Governors strike immediately, a special committee to investigate the issues presented by the ASU”. SUB-AMENDMENT WAS CARRIED. MOTION TO AMEND WAS CARRIED. MAIN MOTION WAS CARRIED WITHOUT DISSENT.
6) Adjournment	N. Price moved that the meeting be adjourned. It was 6:20 p.m.
_________________________________ D. Murphy, Recording Secretary