Acadia University Senate
Minutes


SENATE MEETING OF 9 May 2001

A meeting of the Senate of Acadia University occurred on Monday,  9 May 2001, beginning at
10:00 a.m. with Chair Ian Wilks presiding and 40 members present.
 
1) Minutes of the Meeting of 
    12 March 2001

Since no meeting of the Senate was held in April 2001, the most recent Minutes were those from 12 March 2001.

It was moved by M. Grieve, seconded by R. Morrison that the minutes of 12 March 2001 be approved.

THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
 

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

     -re Visitors

     -re Today's Agenda

     -re Senate Membership
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

     -re Admissions & Academic
          Standing Committee (Policy) 
          (001-53-AAS)


 

Regrets were received from P. Cook, J. DeWolfe, M. Forrest, A. Irving, D. MacKinnon, J. MacLeod, L. McDonald, P. Myers, G. Phillips, N. Van Wagoner.

The Chair welcomed visitors A. Guay, S. Maitzen, and K. Smythe.

He noted that item 5)c) would be deferred until the September meeting. 

He announced that the following Senators were retiring:  M. Tugwell, J. MacLeod, E. Reekie, P. Cabilio, M. Gibson, L. McQueen, R. Petrykanyn, K. Robertson, S. Deaton, E. Lemire, M. Nugent, and P. Myers.  Appreciation was expressed for their service to Senate.

He welcomed the new student representatives to Senate, three of whom were present:  B. Gullick, SRC President; J. Britton, SRC VP (Academic); and S. Sansonetti, representing Arts.  The other two undergraduate student Senators are:  S. Price, representing Science; and L. Caldwell, representing Professional Studies.  The graduate student representative will be chosen in September.
 
 

He reminded Senate that M. Forrest and D. MacKinnon had raised certain concerns about academic policy at the end of the March meeting; he reported that these concerns had been forwarded in writing to M. Leiter (APPENDIX A).
 

    b) From the President K. Ogilvie congratulated faculty and students on a very successful academic year; he praised the quality of Acadia’s programs, the success of students in competitions, the recognition of faculty members at many conferences, and their record of publication.  Various granting issues have been addressed by the administration, and it is hoped the steps taken will be positive for Acadia.  The President closed by encouraging all faculty to attend Convocation and the associated events of the weekend.
 
    c) From the Vice-President
      (Academic)
 
 
 
 

  d) From the Registrar      
      (001-52-REG)


M. Leiter announced that the old gym/pool will be renovated to provide kinesiology labs.  A teaching equipment fund has been established for a variety of teaching-related requests from the faculties.  The V-P (Academic) was pleased to note that Acadia is at its highest ever level of financial awards from NSERC.  Funding from SSHRC was not at the same level.  This matter will be studied further. 

J. Cayford explained that the School of Music changes as attached to today's agenda are administrative changes only and not new courses.
 

 3) Approval of List of Graduates
      for the Convocation of May
      2001 (001-54-CON)

The list of potential graduates for the Convocation of May 2001 was distributed and examined by degree category for errors. (APPENDIX B)

It was moved by M. Leiter, seconded by G. Ness that the List of Graduates for the Convocation of May 2001 be accepted.

In reply to a question from the floor, the Registrar explained that degrees in association with Nova Scotia Teachers College still attract students even though this institution no longer exists; she said that this situation could potentially continue until graduates of that other program are no longer teaching.  This matter will be investigated further with the Department of Education.

J. Cayford reported that there were eight instances of the B/D rule invoked for this convocation.  This rule states that any student who gets D+ in a course, but who also has a counteracting B in the same subject, may be permitted to graduate with that deficiency.

She also noted that there were seventeen students who were removed from the convocation list because of debt above $100 owing to the university.

MOTION WAS CARRIED.

It was moved by M. Leiter, seconded by W. McLeod 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 Convocations, 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 -
      Duties & Responsibilities of
       Nominating Committee
     (001-47-LAW)

 
 
 

Further to APPENDIX B of the 12 March 2001 minutes of the Senate, it was moved by M. Grieve, seconded by A. Mitchell that Article VIII (b) (ii) of the Senate By-Laws regarding the duties and responsibilities of the Nominating Committee be amended to add:  "to nominate the Chairperson of the Senate Library Committee"
and
Article VIII (e) be amended to read
i
The membership of the Library Committee shall be elected in accordance with Article VI.1 and shall be as follows:
A Chair appointed for a three-year term from the membership of Senate, nominated and elected under the provisions of VIII (b) (ii).
Two members from the Faculty of Arts appointed for a one-year term on a rotational basis throughout all academic units, with no unit sitting twice before other units have served one term.
Two members from the Faculty of Professional Studies appointed for a one-year term on a rotational basis throughout all academic units, with no unit sitting twice before other units have served one term.
Two members from the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science appointed for a one-year term on a rotational basis throughout all academic units, with no unit sitting twice before other units have served one term.
The University Librarian
One professional librarian
One member of the Acadia Divinity College (divinity College Collection only)
The Vice-President (Academic) of the Students Council
One undergraduate student
One full-time graduate student
ii
The duties of the Library Committee shall be:
-- to develop policy recommendations to the library sector regarding a strategic approach to collection development and regarding, for example, issues such as weeding practices (deaccessioning), acquisitions of electronic journals, access/ownership, and decision-making on purchases for the library;
-- to advocate for necessary and appropriate resources for the academic functions of the library;
-- to address academic concerns regarding the library, including the formulation of policy, by making recommendations to the University Librarian and where and when necessary by making motions for Senate to act upon, in addition to making an annual report.

MOTION WAS CARRIED.
 

 5) New Business
  a) i) Nominating Committee -
         Report on Senate and
         Senate Committee
         Vacancies (001-48-NOM) 

 
 

It was moved by P. Corkum, seconded by T. Regan that the Nominating Committee Report to Senate dated 9 May 2001 as attached to today's agenda be accepted.

P. Corkum explained that part of the mandate of the Senate Nominating Committee was to nominate for election by Senate a person to fill the office of Secretary to Faculty, if the Faculty Council has not already done so.  As the last Faculty Council meeting had no quorum, this committee is putting forth the name of D. Stiles for the one-year position.  There was no disagreement with this amendment to the Report.

The Chair called for further nominations three times; hearing none, declared that nominations were closed.

THE MOTION WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED.
 

      ii) Secretariat - Report on
          Senate and Senate
         Committee Vacancies
         (001-49-SEC)

 

A complete list of Senate and Senate Committee vacancies for 2001-2002 to date was noted as attached to the agenda.  J. Cayford reported that names for the Nominating Committee, which she is responsible for, would be brought forward in September.
 

    b) 2000-2001 Annual Reports
       of Senate Committees
       (001-50-REP)
 
 
 

     (i)
     (ii)
     (iii)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

     (iv)
 
 
 
 

     (v)
 
 
 
 
 

     (vi)
     (vii)
     (viii)
     (ix)
     (x)
     (xi)

 
 
 

   (xii)
   (xiii)

It was moved by M. Tugwell, seconded by M. Grieve that the Senate Committee Reports for 2000 - 2001 be received as distributed with today's agenda or at today's meeting. 

These reports were as follows: 
By-Laws Committee
Research Ethics Board
Research & Graduate Studies Committee

K. Ogilvie expressed his appreciation to Research & Graduate Studies for the leadership in presenting the Faculty Showcase.  This event was an excellent opportunity to get an overview of what researchers at Acadia are doing.  L. McQueen reminded Senators that the Library maintains a research display which has received favourable comment from the wider community as well as from within the University.  C. MacLatchy asked what efforts might be planned for improving the funding atmosphere and support for Graduate students on campus, such as graduate teaching assistantships.  R. Perrins replied that a lobby effort on behalf of Graduate Students will take place.
Senate Archives Committee
L. McQueen expressed appreciation for the efforts of Senate in establishing new by-laws and terms of reference for this Committee.
Honorary Degrees Committee.
K. Ogilvie urged Senators to continue to make recommendations to this Committee, and to do so in the proper manner so none are overlooked.  G. Pyrcz expressed the need to include faculty representatives at meetings of this Committee.
Curriculum Committee
Timetable, Instruction Hours & Examination Committee
Honours Committee
Admissions and Academic Standing (Policy)
Admissions and Academic Standings (Appeals)
Board of Continuing and Distance Education (APPENDIX C)
In reply to a question from the floor, K. Smythe confirmed that the meeting dates for this Committee, as indicated in the report, were correct.
Academic Program Review Committee (APPENDIX D)
Library Committee (APPENDIX E)

The Chair noted that reports were not received from the Academic Discipline Appeals Committee and the Faculty Development Committee, as these committees have not met this year. 

MOTION WAS CARRIED
 

 5) c) Faculty of Arts-
     Ratification
     of Constitution
     (001-51-ART)   

 

This item was deferred.
 

 6) Other Business
  a) Additional Meeting of       
      Senate

As per Article IV (1)(b) of the Constitution and By-laws of the Senate, the Chair asked if an additional meeting of Senate was deemed necessary this month.  There was no request for such a meeting.

M. Leiter expressed appreciation to Lorraine McQueen who is ending her term as University Librarian at the end of this academic year.
 

 7) Adjournment B. Moody moved this meeting be adjourned.  It was 11:12 a.m.