Acadia University Senate
Minutes


SENATE MEETING OF 14 NOVEMBER 2005

A meeting of the Senate of Acadia University occurred on Monday, 14 November 2004, beginning at
4:12 p.m. with Chair Ian Wilks presiding and 44 members present.
 
1)   Minutes of the Meeting of
      11 October 2005
 
It was moved by S. Franceschet and seconded by L. McDonald that the minutes of Tuesday, 11 October 2005 be approved. 
 
MOTION WAS CARRIED.

2) Announcements and
   Communications
   a) From the Chair
      -re Regrets
 
 
      -re Visitors
 
 
 
      -re Senate Membership
 
 
      -re Special Senate Meeting
 
 
 
      -re Agenda

 
 
 
 
Regrets were received from S. Bondrup-Nielsen, P. Cook, G. Dinter-Gottlieb, A. Irving, S. MacDougall, G. Ness, and J. Roscoe.
 
Guests in attendance at this meeting were:  Shane Donovan, VP (Academic) Office; Walter Isenor, Chair of Scholarships, Prizes, & Awards Committee; and Matt Calfin, Dean of Students.
 
The Chair welcomed newly appointed Board of Governors representative to the Senate, Andrew Smith.
 
Senators were reminded of the special meeting of Senate to discuss the Strategic Planning Report on Monday, 21 November 2005 beginning at 4:00 p.m. in BAC 241.
 
The Chair indicated one addition to the agenda: under item 5) Other Business  a) TIE 2006-2007 University Timetable.  It was agreed to add this item to the agenda.
 b) From the Vice-President
       (Academic)
      -re Strategic Planning
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
      -re Academic Searches
 
 
 
   
 
      -re Current Events at AU
 
 
R. Nilson expressed appreciation for the feedback on the first draft of the Strategic Plan.  This is an evolving document which will eventually be taken to the Board of Governors.  He was looking forward to the special meeting of the Senate to discuss and debate this document.  He felt that the core of Acadia is in the academic programs, therefore Senate has an important part to play in the plan, which will be representative of the information received.  R. Nilson emphasized the importance of faculty taking part in the dialogue opportunities to develop this document.
 
In reply to a question from the floor, the VP(A) confirmed that the Strategic Plan document is the result of a year's input and it is still an evolving one.  The "final" report as referred to at the last Senate meeting was that after input received and it was ready to go to the University community.  Following input from units on campus, and further debate and discussion, this document will be reviewed.  R. Nilson outlined the time line this document will take and confirmed that no academic program will be implemented/adopted/enacted until it has the approval of the Senate.
 
Search committees for the Dean of Arts, Dean of R&GS, Director of the School Business, and Director of the School of Computer Science  have been active.  R. Nilson asked that any comments or feedback on any candidate be forwarded to his office.  He also encouraged Senators to bring forward any suitable candidate names for positions at Acadia University.
 
R. Nilson announced the establishment, on campus, of the Ethnocultural Diversity Centre lead by J. Sacouman and the Acadia Digital Cultural Observatory lead by S. Symons.  He congratulated both faculty members on the work they have done in establishing these centres.  The VP(A) also congratulated Acadia students who won first and third place in a field of twenty teams at the annual APICS Program Competition in October and then moved to a regional north eastern North America competition in New York, where they placed sixth.  R. Nilson also announced that Shanti Johnson has received the Canada Hope (CHAR) Competition Scholarship.
 
In regards to the recent MacLean's Magazine University Rating, the VP(A) was pleased with the results but felt that Acadia has room to improve.

  c) From the Chair of Faculty P. Corkum reminded Senators that Faculty Council has a scheduled meeting November 17th beginning at 3:00 p.m. in BAC 244.  One item on the agenda is discussion on the current Strategic Plan.

  d) From the Dean of Theology L. McDonald advised that a recent TV show "Dateline" included Acadia University faculty member, Craig A. Evans.

  3) Business Arising From the
   Minutes
   a) Faculty of Acadia-
      Constitution Amendment
      (056-11-FAU)
 
 
 
 
It was moved by P. Corkum and seconded by H. Wyile that the amendments to the Constitution of the Faculty of Acadia University as attached to the October minutes, as notice of motion, be approved.
 
P. Corkum spoke to this motion.  She noted that the Senate By-Laws Committee reviewed the Faculty Constitution and found that there were numerous conflicts and incorrect wording; therefore, these recommended amendments have been taken to faculty and approved and are now before Senate for approval. 
 
MOTION WAS CARRIED.

  4) New Business
   a) Timetable, Instruction  
      Hours, & Examination
      Committee-Special
      Accommodations for
      Students with Learning
      Disabilities  (056-12-TIE)
 
 
 
 
 
It was moved by A. Mitchell and seconded by S. Markham-Starr that the report, as circulated (APPENDIX A), from the Timetable, Instruction Hours, & Examination Committee, on special accommodations for students with learning disabilities be accepted.
 
R. Jotcham spoke to this motion, stating that this report confirmed current practice and centred the responsibility in the Registrar's Office.  She noted that any special arrangements must have the approval of the faculty member involved.
 
MOTION WAS CARRIED.

   b) Acadia Divinity College-
      Curriculum changes
      (056-13-DIV)
 
 
It was moved by L. McDonald and seconded by B. Matthews that the curriculum changes as attached to today's agenda be approved.
 
L. McDonald spoke to this motion and explained the difference between these courses and those offered by the Classics Department with similar title.
 
MOTION WAS CARRIED.

 
   c) 2004-2005 Annual Reports
      from Senate Committees
      (045-46-REP)
      i) Scholarships, Prizes, &
         Awards Committee
 
 
 
 
It was moved by A. Mitchell and seconded by P. Cabilio that the Scholarships, Prizes, and Awards Committee Annual Report for 2004-2005 as distributed for this meeting be received.
 
W. Isenor, of the SPAC, spoke to this report.  He outlined the method used to rank and distribute available funds.  More monies are necessary to compete with other institutions that are offering entrance scholarships.  He felt that there should be monies for all students deserving scholarships, not just the exceptional.  He expressed thanks to the BOG who made a half million dollars available so that scholarships were offered to prospective Acadia students in January/February and it actually put this university's enrolment up above others in the Maritimes.  Referring to the report, W. Isenor noted that the 2005-acceptance rate was 58% as compared to a  previous 34%.  As former chair of the SPAC, he felt input and follow-up over the three years of these students' stay at AU would be beneficial.  Also, a student representative with a three-year term on this committee was recommended to the SRC.  He confirmed that the high school honour courses as well as leadership roles, community work, and athletic participation were taken into consideration in the ranking for scholarships.
 
A. Smith noted that the early offers which went out this year were well organized and well received in the Truro area, where he brought prospective students and their parents together for an information session.  Also the upgrading of the residences rooms was attractive. 
 
In reply to a request from the floor, W. Isenor agreed to provide Senators with a breakdown of how the monies were disbursed over the various faculties.
 
He also noted that the registrar tracks the performance of those who receive a scholarship.  A first year student is required to have an 80% average and subsequence years it is 85%.
 
MOTION TO RECEIVE THIS REPORT WAS CARRIED.

 
d) Vice-President (Academic)-
      Senate Standing
      Committees & Their Chairs
      (056-14-VPA)
 
 
 
The matter of Senate Standing Committees & the Chair for these committees was an initiative from the Vice-President (Academic), who felt that a faculty member should hold the chair position.  Those committees in question included the Timetable, Instruction Hours, & Examination; Curriculum; and Honours.  Therefore, a notice of motion was given in this direction for the next regular meeting of the Senate.  If passed by Senate, this matter would go to the Senate By-Laws Committee for consideration.  This move is to place faculty members in the positions of control and authority on these committees. 
 
The Chair confirmed that the registrar would continue as a member of the committees.

 
5) Other Business
   a) Timetable, Instruction
      Hours, & Examination
      Committee-2006-2007
      Timetable (056-16-TIE)
 
 
 
 
It was moved by P. Eirikson and seconded by R. Nilson that the proposed 2006-2007 University Timetable as distributed at today's meeting be approved (APPENDIX B).
 
W. Bedingfield asked that the some references to graduate program deadlines be removed from this calendar.
 
R. Jotcham confirmed that Remembrance Day is a statuary holiday.
 
MOTION WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED.

     b) Enabling Power for
      Fall Convocation
      (056-17-CON)
 
 
R. Jotcham reported that the enabling power was used to approve and add six names to the graduation list of October 2005.  Every case was a result of late arrival of marks.

7) Adjournment P. Cabilio moved this meeting be adjourned.  It was 5:55 p.m.


_________________________________

D. Murphy, Recording Secretary
 
APPENDIX A
Senate Minutes/Item 4)a)/14Nov05
056-12-TIE
 
 
 
Recommendations relating to special examinations for students with disabilities:
 
Students with disabilities must meet the same admission standards as all other students.
 
Students who are seeking support services from Acadia University on the basis of a diagnosed disability are required to submit documentation to the Director of the Student Resource Centre to verify their eligibility. The support service to be provided by the Student Resource Centre is determined on a case-by-case basis and is based upon the documentation of a disability that currently substantially limits some major life activity including learning. Normally all testing of disabilities will have been completed within the last three years.
 
Once the student’s need has been confirmed by the Director of the Student Resource Centre, the Student Resource Centre and the Registrar’s Office will inform the student’s instructors.
 
The course instructor has the responsibility for the evaluation of each student registered in his or her course. The Student Resource Centre and the Registrar’s Office will assist with alternate arrangements as required. These arrangements may include, but are not limited to providing an alternate location for writing the examination and a proctor to invigilate. This proctor is governed by the regulations that relate to the invigilation of examinations.
If the instructor requires additional details regarding the student’s disability, these will be provided in confidence.