A meeting of the Senate was held at 20:00 on Tuesday, May 18, 1993 in Room 113, McNaughton Building.

Transcription

1 1 ' R. L. N. J. E. J. R. J. H. R. M. J. D. T. UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH SENATE Tuesday, May 18, 1993 A meeting of the Senate was held at 20:00 on Tuesday, May 18, 1993 in Room 113, McNaughton Building. The following members were present: M. Rozanski ( Chair) Brenda Whiteside (Secretary) Ankli G. Hofstra D. Percy Adams A. G. Holmes R. L. Peterson I. Bailey W. Hughes S. K. Pfeiffer I. Bakker D. J. Hume W. C. Pfeiffer K. Balon W. James D. H. PIetsch K. Barclay K. Jeffrey D. G. Porter M. Barham P. D. Josephy J. B. Rattray R. Barta Dawn Kelk E. G. Reiche S. Bayley P. G. Kevan D. Reid Benson D. Knight B. A. Richardson Beverley-Burton R. P. Knowles H. J. Robinson B. Black P. Krell A. Sadanand J. Blackburn J. Law F. Schryer Bray M. Le Maguer B. H. Sells Sarah M. Bull G. Manning R. Shuebrook B. Calvert M. L. Matthews J. C. Shute K. Cassidy G. Maxie J. J. Simpson H. W. Chapman L. J. McCutcheon E. J. Squires D. Chouinard L. McDonald J. B. Stone L. W. Conolly R. J. McLaughlin B. D. Sullivan Bernard Cummins Sarah Meharg G. Sumner-Smith M. R. F. E. C. P. W. V. D. B. J. Cyr J. E. Miles E. R. Swart S. Downey L. P. Milligan R. L. Thomas T. Evers G. S. Mittal J. A. Tindale L. Fletcher J. P. Mokanski J. P. Vaillancourt Fuller K. Mose M. Wall Gentry J. L. Mottin J. Walsh D. Graf E. Nagy N. P. Westwood L. Gray Joshua Newlands K. Wilson G. Grieve N. O. Nielsen R. B. Woodrow R. Henry D. L. Noakes D. M. Woolcott M. Hilliker D. P. Ormrod G. Yovanovich Dr. Conolly called the meeting to order and welcomed Dr. Rozanski to his first meeting of the Senate. He then turned the Chair over to Dr. Rozanski. I APPROVAL OF AGENDA Barham/Mottin that the agenda for the meeting of May 18, 1993 be approved. The motion was carried.

2 I' II REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR Dr. Rozanski thanked the members of Senate for their warm welcome. He then remarked on a few issues which are presently facing the University of Guelph. 1. Social Contract Talks: Dr. Rozanski remarked that the social contract situation is fluid, with no confirmed notion of what the end result will be. However, the talks highlight the fact that universities are entering a new and difficult time and points to a need for universities to be more forward in what they do and more aggressive in generating diverse sources of revenue to perpetuate quality research and teaching. Collaboration with industry is essential as long as the mission of the University is protected and upheld. He informed Senate that COU and the Academic Colleagues met and agreed to the philosophy of approaching the social contract in a manner which represents all employee groups, not just as employees and employers, but as an academic community. To facilitate this process, the expanded group drafted a Statement of Objectives. Dr. Rozanski has met with the consultative forum regarding this issue and is committed to keeping this committee involved in the process. 2. OMAF: The situation regarding OMAF has also not been finalized. Rita Burak came to the University of Guelph to meet personally with Dr. Rozanski to discuss the partnership between the University and OMAF. She helped explain OMAF's situation and Dr. Rozanski also explained Guelph's situation. Both sides now better understand this unique partnership and are committed to working diligently to protect the integrity of its research activity as well as they can. 3. AWARDS: The following were approved at the March and April meetings of Senate: A. L. A. Middleton will receive the John Bell Award. Walter Bilanski will receive a Professor Emeritus. Thomas John Holland will receive the Medal of Merit. Thomas A. Brzustowski will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science and Simon Streatfeild an Honorary Doctor of Music.

3 The Senate Awards Committee has selected the following winners: Winegard Medal - Tim Mau, CSS Forster Medal - Paul Van Katwyk, CSS Governor General's Gold Medal - Karen Houle, Arts Governor General's Silver Medal - Rodney Harrison, CPES Governor General's Bronze Medal - Michael Wilkes, Diploma Vaughan Medal - Chris Parent, CBS III READING AND DISPOSING OF MINUTES OF THE SENATE MEETING OF TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1993 Stone/Meharg that the minutes of the Senate meeting held April 20, 1993 be approved. The motion was carried. IV BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES Leonard Conolly informed the Senate that the budget that was considered at the May 1993 meeting went to the Board of Governors for approval. The Board of Governors did not approve the $1 million deficit and asked that a balanced budget be presented at the June meeting. In the interim, the University was informed that there will be a reduction in the transfer payments of $900,000, which must be found for the budget. In addition, the University is facing a possible further $7 million cut under the Social Contract Talks. All changes to the budget will be brought to Senate for consideration. V READING OF ENQUIRIES AND COMMUNICATIONS There were no enquiries and communications. VI QUESTION PERIOD It was questioned what the University of Guelph's response will be to the decision of the government to disband the URIF program. Dr. Milligan responded that the University of Guelph has been very successful at obtaining matching funds under this program, and its discontinuation is cause for concern. He will be in touch with the appropriate people urging its reinstatement. T. Bray updated the Senate on Spring enrolment; up 7.1% overall, with both full-time and part-time showing an increase. New fulltime student enrolment has declined slightly, while new part-time student enrolment has increased. It was suggested that in the future it would be helpful to have FTE's attached to the summary. It was questioned if the Board of Graduate Studies has yet considered alternative mechanisms for the Distinguished Graduate Thesis. This has not yet been discussed. The Distinguished category is still available until September. 3

4 VII UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. VIII REPORTS OF STANDING BOARDS AND COMMITTEES 3. Board of Undergraduate Studies J. Mottin, Chair, presented the report. Proposal for the Granting of Credit for CAAT Transfers In light of recent concerns regarding the number of credits granted to Agricultural Diploma graduates who are transferring to degree programs other than B.Sc. (Agr) students, the statement on page 15, "up to six credits may be granted to Agricultural Diploma graduates who are transferring to degree programs other than B. Sc. (Agr)," will be deleted, as will the corresponding statement in the calendar copy. Mottin/Chapman that Senate approve the revised policy on the granting of advanced standing to students from CAAT programs, with the amendment, for implementation in the Fall The motion was carried. (b) Calendar Change: Declaration of Schedule of Studies Mottin/Bailey that Schedule of Studies be defined in the calendar and that the calendar make clear the requirement for students to declare a schedule by entry into Semester three. The motion was carried. (c) Recommended Course Additions and Deletions for the 1994/95 Undergraduate Calendar The Library discrepancy for the course has been resolved. Mottin/Mokanski that Senate approve the course additions and deletions as presented for inclusion in the 1994/95 Undergraduate Calendar. The motion was carried.

5 (d) Proposed Changes to the B.A.Sc. Program Mottin/Barham that Senate approve the proposed changes in Schedules of Studies for: Applied Human Nutrition Major, Family and Social Relations Major, and Gerontology Major (including Co-op). The motion was carried. Mottin/Barham that Senate approve the changes in the Schedule of Studies for the Child Studies Major (including Co-op) and the deletion of areas of emphasis in Early Childhood Education and Exceptional Child and the Family. The motion was carried. (e) Proposed Changes to the B.Sc. (Agr) Program On page 57: Environmental Biology, Semester four, the option presently available, Information Management or Introduction to Computing, will be deleted. Mottin/Hume that Senate approve the restructured Schedule of Studies for the Environmental Biology Major and the corresponding reduction from four areas of emphasis to two: Environmental Quality and Protection. The motion was carried. (f) Proposed Changes to the B.Sc. Program Mottin/Sells that Senate approve the deletion of Specialized Honours Human Biology. The motion was carried. Mottin/Hofstra that Senate approve an area of emphasis in Human Population Biology in Specialized Honours Human Kinetics. The motion was carried. B. Whiteside will determine why the course has two different titles, Human Factors and Operational Biomechanics, and Ergonomics. Senate was assured that the new area of emphasis in Human Population Biology should not have a significant enrolment impact on the service courses.

6 Mottin/Hofstra that Senate approve the deletion of the Entomology Minor. The motion was carried. (g) Study Abroad Opportunity: Villefranche-sur-mer The motion as stated is inappropriate. the following: As such, Jim Mottin moved Mottin/Barham that Senate receive the report on the Villefranche-surmer semester for infor.mation. The motion was carried. This opportunity came to Senate for information only, given that the Board of Undergraduate Studies has the authority to approve such opportunities. It is the Board's belief that informing Senate of these decisions is appropriate. The courses taken in the six-week format had students attending double the number of weekly contact hours to ensure sufficient total contact hours. Concern was raised regarding the language capability. The document showed that eight students did not have any knowledge of the French language. This is unfortunate given that these students live together in residence and are therefore not required to learn the language. R. Barham responded that the intent of the program is not'to enhance student's language, although this would be a positive benefit; rather it is hoped that there will be both cultural and language development. Students at the University of Guelph are generally only English speaking making it impossible to obtain sufficient enrolment if French was a requirement. However, there is a planned initiative to encourage students to house with a French family, thus facilitating language development. (h) List of Graduands: Spring Convocation 1993 Mottin/Holmes that Senate approve the List of Graduands for the Spring Convocation The motion was carried. Concern was raised by members of Senate that receiving the list on the evening of Senate is not worthwhile. This does not provide adequate time for departmental advisors to follow-up on names which seem inappropriate. In addition, there are printing and environmental costs. J. Mottin reported that the Board of Undergraduate Studies has this item on its agenda. It is hoped that a recommendation for change will be brought forward in the Fall.

7 4. Board of Graduate Studies D. Ormrod presented the report in A. Summerlee's absence. (b) Announcements Additions to Graduate and Associated Graduate Faculty Ormrod/Chapman that Senate receive this report for infor.mation. The motion was carried. (c) New Program Proposals Ormrod/Kelk that Senate approve the proposed M.Sc. by Course Work and Major Paper in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science. The motion was carried. Ormrod/Barham that R. Lewis be granted speaking privileges. The motion was carried. Ormrod/Fletcher that Senate approve the proposed MMS by Course Work and Major Paper in the School of Hotel and Food Administration. On page 88 under courses in other programs, Economics will be included to the list. There was also concern with the statement that "foreign applicants must take the TOEFL test." It was advised that this should be rewritten to "applicants whose mother-tongue is not English." The motion, with the document amended, was carried. (d) List of Graduands: Spring Convocation 1993 Ormrod/Percy that Senate approve the List of Graduands for Spring convocation The motion was carried. 1

8 I' 5. Research Board B. Sells, Chair, presented the report. Research Board Report on Activities for 1992/93 Sells/James that Senate receive the Research Board Report on 1992/93 Activities for infor.mation. The motion was carried. 8. Committee on Awards H. Rattray presented the report in D. Lynn's absence. New Award Rattray/Sadanand that Senate approve the Mars Scholarship. The motion was carried. 11. Committee on International Activities Policies for International Educational Activities B. Woodrow, Chair, presented the report. B. Sells, Chair of the International Education Sub-Committee, the committee responsible for drafting the document was available to field questions. Woodrow/W. Pfeiffer that Senate approve the document, Policies for International Education Activities. It was suggested that the document should highlight the University of Guelph's commitment to actively guard against colonizing practices. It was agreed that a friendly amendment to the document would be accepted if a positive statement could be drafted. It was commented that while this document is a good start, as it pulls together what is happening presently at the University of Guelph, there are still some concerns: The University of Guelph must continue to press the government in the area of visa fees. The exorbitant visa fees are one of the primary deterrents to international students attending the University of Guelph. g

9 (b) (c) The University of Guelph needs to be diligent in trying to increase the language capabilities of its students. Without adequate,language capabilities, the possibility for education at the international level is severely limited. While it may be appropriate to encourage students to study overseas, one must also bear in mind the increased cost of doing so. To encourage these opportunities without coupling it with a bursary system produces an elitist program. It was suggested that one of the recommendations should be to establish a bursary program. This recommendation was countered by a Senator who argued that many of these programs are not elitist. In fact, under exchange opportunities, students pay their tuition here and ofteri find the living costs overseas cheaper. In addition, there are avenues available to request support for travel and OSAP is now more accommodating to students studying overseas. It was suggested that the University should consider becoming more involved in international cooperative education programs, which would allow students to be paid as they travel and work abroad. (d) (e) The document does not have the necessary economic clout to ensure its recommendations are implemented. Presently, the main constraint to increased activity is the lack of resources. It was pointed out that one of the recommendations - (b) to promote cultural diversity amongst our students - could have significant fiscal implications. If one is committed to supporting international students, resources will need to be made available to provide language training. Dr. Rozanski responded that he is very interested in ESL and is examining possibilities to assist in this effort without significant cost. It was questioned if promoting cultural diversity will impact on Canadian students, i.e., will Canadian students lose positions as the University of Guelph accepts more foreign students? The document recommends that the Senate Committee on Student Development assess the "mix" and bring forward any recommendation for. There is no statement at this point as to the appropriate balance. However, it is not anticipated that Canadian students will be penalized. (f) The document has not risk and liability. encouraged to travel the risk. dealt with the issue of exposure to The more students and faculty are in the international arena, the greater The Committee on Study Abroad and Exchange Programs is presently examining this issue.

10 (g) The report does not address the structures that need to be in place to support these activities. It is hoped that the Academic Restructuring Committee will examine this matter. The motion was carried. Woodrow/Bakker that Senate approve the action recommendations appended to the document. The motion was carried. The following suggestions will be referred to the International Education Committee: The word "regularly" in each of the recommendations should be replaced with "annually." As the units attempt to expand these opportunities, Library resources should be considered. In times of fiscal constraint, the international journals are the first to be cut. In addition, the introduction of new international opportunities will most likely require additional library resources. When attempting to encourage the expansion of the number of foreign students on campus, the Liaison Office should look to students who have recently immigrated to Canada. This group is not well represented on campus. When the Centre for International Programs is asked to comment on the appropriateness of the quality and quantity of information conveyed to the international community, it should do so keeping the intent of the document in mind. IX NEW BUSINESS Board of Governors' Report to Senate The Board of Governors' Report is provided for information. Some Senator's rose to voice their concern with the possibility of a pension holiday, particularly in light of the fact that the indexation of pensions is at the discretion of the Board on an annual basis. L. Conolly responded that the Board did not vote on this issue, it simply recommended that the Administration discuss the possibility. This discussion will be postponed until the budget situation is clarified. Concern was raised with the Board's decision to require a balanced budget. Historically, a $1 million deficit has been manageable and a balanced budget will result in a surplus. ID

11 There was some discussion as to the usefulness of the Board of Governors' Report in its present format. Dr. Rozanski will review this practice. Senate adjourned at 21:50 on a motion by F. Schryer, seconded by R. Benson. M. Rozanski, Chair II