MSVU Senate Minutes -- March 3 2003
Date
2010-04-15T13:37:14Z
Authors
Senate, Mount Saint Vincent University
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Description
SENATE MINUTES
Senate Meeting March 3 , 2003
Rosaria Boardroom 7:30 p.m.
Present: S. Brown (Chair), P. Baker, R. Bérard, I. Blum, S. Bruhm, B. Casey, K. Dewar, W. Doyle,
S. Drain, R. Farmer, M. Fitzgerald, F. French, P. Glenister, G. Logan, M. Lyon, J. McLaren,
D. Nevo, P. O'Neill, S. Perrott, S. Seager, K. Slack, L. Steele, L. Theriault, P. Watts, A. Whitewood,
D. Woolcott
Guests: M. Landreville, M. Adams
Regrets: S. Boyd, D. Norris, L. Lewis, D. O'Connell
S. Brown introduced Jillian Speirs, the recording secretary, and Mark Adams, a student.
1. Approval of Agenda
Moved by M. Fitzgerald, seconded by M. Lyon approval of the agenda. CARRIED.
2. Approval of Minutes of January 20, 2003
Moved by G. Logan, seconded by D. Nevo approval of the minutes of January 20, 2003. CARRIED.
3. Business Arising from the Minutes
There was no business arising from the minutes.
4. President's Announcements
The Secretary of Senate will soon be sending out a call for nominations for Honorary Degrees. The
nomination forms have been revised by the Senate Executive Committee to garner more background
information. The deadline for receiving nominations will be early April.
Following up on her announcement at the last Senate meeting concerning the new Federal budget, S.
Brown was pleased to report that the government has allocated more money to the three granting
councils and for graduate scholarships at the Masters and Doctoral level across all disciplines. When the
new initiatives are fully phased in, there will be support for 2,000 Masters and 2,000 Ph.D. students, and
60% of the new scholarships will be in humanities and social sciences. The President's Office has a
quantity of background information.
5. Question Period
A Senator asked for clarification on the Canadian Research Chair selections, and in particular at what
point it was decided to change the Tier 2 to a Tier 1 chair and how many nominations had been received
for the Tier 2 position. D. Woolcott advised that three applications were received following the closing
date of midâ October 2002. From these, the committee forwarded one name to the community for
feedback. At a meeting in December, the committee discussed the response to the advertisement for
nominations, noting its disappointment there were not more applications. In terms of trying to fill the
first designated allocation of CRCs from a limited number of applicants, and with a deadline of April 1,
2003 to get a nomination to Ottawa, it was decided, rather than lose an opportunity to put forth a name
by the deadline, to consider the possibility of a Tier 1 chair. A meeting of the Joint Committee was
convened to get agreement on the process to be used to solicit nominations. The CRCSC sent a note to
the entire community asking for possible nominations at a Tier 1 level and received several, as well as
feedback on the Tier 2 application.
6. Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
7. Committee Reports (Standing and Ad Hoc)
7.1 Senate Executive
There was no report from Senate Executive.
7.2 Academic Appeals Committee
L. Theriault reported that an appeal was just received that the committee will consider in the near
future.
7.3 Academic Policy and Planning
7.3.1 Updates to April 2002 Academic Plan
i. D. Woolcott reported that at the last CAPP meeting they approved a request from the Department of
Biology to advance its review by one year into the current round of reviews. Projected staffing
requirements have been shown to 2006. Noting that the library was mentioned very briefly in the
original plan that came to Senate in April 2002, she said that CAPP recognized the need to highlight the
significance of the library in the academic operations of the university by addressing several issues the
Library Committee had submitted to CAPP: to examine the library allocation formula, and the need to
develop more readily accessible means for students, faculty and others working away from campus to
access electronic materials that are housed in the library. The report also discussed the vacancy in the
position of University Librarian. The committee is in the process of working on a search committee for a
University Librarian.
In response to the question of whether the University Librarian would fill an existing position, D.
Woolcott indicated that the University Librarian would help define appropriate staffing requirements for
the library. A note of concern was registered that the university librarian position should not be
combined with IT&S responsibilities, since this scenario had not worked out in the past. D. Woolcott
addressed this concern by stating that, although the librarian would need to be well versed in modern
technology as it relates to library services, there was no intention to combine IT&S responsibilities with
the job of University Librarian.
ii. D. Woolcott introduced a motion to initiate academic reviews on a periodic cycle for academic
support units, adapting the process and guidelines used for academic programs. She provided the
background to this request for an external review process. CAPP is in the process of finalizing draft
guidelines and policy for review of academic support units, including IT&S, omitted inadvertently from
the list of units. In June, CAPP will review action on implementation of recommendations in the April
2002 Academic Plan and report to Senate in the fall.
Moved by D. Woolcott, seconded by M. Lyon that external reviews, on a periodic cycle, be initiated for
academic support units adapting the process and guidelines used for review of academic programs.
CARRIED.
7.4 Graduate Studies
M. Lyon reported that the Graduate Studies Committee has adjudicated a competition for graduate
student scholarships (valued between $2,000 and $5,000), and has awarded ten.
7.5 Undergraduate Curriculum
7.5.1 Undergraduate Curriculum Proposals (For Information)
7.5.1.1 Cultural Studies
a) Change to Prerequisite
i. CULS 2201 â Critical Debates in Cultural Studies â New prerequisite
7.5.1.2 Business & Tourism
a) Crossâ Listing of Existing Courses
i. BUSI 3311 â Small Business Management â New Calendar Description
ii. THMT 3311â Small Business Management â New Calendar Description
iii. BUSI 4446 â New Venture Creation for Business and Tourism â New Prerequisites and Calendar
Description
iv. THMT 4446 â New Venture Creation for Business and Tourism â New Prerequisites and Calendar
Description
7.5.2 Undergraduate Curriculum Proposals (For Approval)
M. Lyon noted that, although the Senate package included the material, three items missing from the
agenda would be addressed by appropriate motions.
7.5.2.1 Business and Tourism
a) Changes to Existing Programs
i) BUSI 4446/THMT 4446 â Addition of New Venture Creation for Business and Tourism to the
Management, Hospitality Management and Tourism Development concentrations.
Moved by M. Lyon, seconded by W. Doyle that BUSI 4446 now crossâ listed with THMT 4446 be approved
for addition to the Management, Hospitality Management and Tourism Development concentrations in
the Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Programs. CARRIED.
ii) BUSI 3311/THMT 3311 â Addition of Small Business Management to list of courses for a concentration
in Tourism and Hospitality Management
Moved by M. Lyon, seconded by W. Doyle that BUSI 3311 now crossâ listed with THMT 3311 be approved
for addition to the list of courses for a concentration in Tourism and Hospitality Management. CARRIED.
iii) Standardization of Terminology used in the Business program, which refers to "concentrations", and
the Tourism program, which refers to "specializations".
Moved by M. Lyon, seconded by W. Doyle to change the terminology in the Bachelor of Tourism
program from "specializations" to "concentrations". CARRIED.
b) New Course Proposals
i) BUSI 2060 â Personal Finance
Moved by M. Lyon, seconded by W. Doyle the approval of the new course BUSI 2060. CARRIED.
ii) BUSI 4466 â Financial Markets Investments
iii) BUSI 2263 â Canadian Securities Course
Moved by M. Lyon, seconded by W. Doyle the approval of the new courses BUSI 4466 and BUSI 2263.
CARRIED.
c) Deletion of Existing Course
i) BUSI 4462 â Financial Markets Investments
Moved by M. Lyon, seconded by W. Doyle the deletion of BUSI 4462. CARRIED.
d) Change to Existing Program
i) Addition of Finance to the list of areas available for Major in the Business Program.
Moved by M. Lyon, seconded by W. Doyle the addition of Finance to the list of areas available for Major
in the Business Program. CARRIED.
7.5.2.2 Public Relations
a) Change to Calendar Descriptions
i) PBRL 2015 â Audiovisual Communications
ii) PBRL 4012 â Textâ based Media: Theory and Practice
Moved by M. Lyon, seconded by J. McLaren the proposed change to PBRL 2015 and PBRL 4012.
CARRIED.
7.6 Committee on Appointment, Promotion and Tenure or Permanence for Academic Administrators
(CAPTPAA)
There was nothing to report from CAPTPAA.
7.7. Committee on Information Technology & Services
I. Blum reported that the committee has met twice since the last Senate meeting and has been dealing
with two major items this term. They have been compiling a list of all the policies and procedures for
computer use on campus and are preparing to present them in the faculty manual and possibly onâ line.
The committee has also been wanting to compile a directory of all the available computer services and
practices on campus easily available to all.
The IT&S Committee also dealt with the Word/Wordperfect issue in contacting 70â 100 faculty members.
The committee is unanimous that access to Wordperfect is essential for people's ability to perform
academic work at a normal pace, and until a substitute package is found that meets the academic needs
of these people, it is important to support Wordperfect on campus. The committee was supportive of
moving toward a standard word processing package for internal communications. The Committee
recommends that the decision to discontinue support for Wordperfect be deferred until ways can be
found to accommodate the needs of these Wordperfect users.
A Senator asked if the Committee would be willing to take up the cause of remote access users who are
frustrated with the inability to connect easily from remote locations. Another Senator, referring to the
word processing package debate, wondered why Wordperfect as the standard should have been
considered for replacement. I. Blum advised these matters have been discussed in Committee.
7.8 Senate Library Committee
F. French reported the committee has met once since the last Senate meeting. Library staff is preparing
and gathering data for a selfâ study and putting together potential surveys for students and faculty.
7.9 Nominations Committee
I. Blum reported the committee was scheduled to meet the next day. They are in the process of
conducting elections for various bodies including the Senate.
7.10 Research and Publications
P. O'Neill reported the committee has met twice since the last Senate meeting and has a meeting
scheduled for later this week.
7.11 Student Affairs Committee
K. Slack reported the committee is working on compiling the results of recent surveys of the student
population and making a comprehensive report.
7.12 Committee on Teaching and Learning
D. Nevo reported the committee had two meetings since the last Senate meeting. They discussed the
Distance Learning Course evaluations mentioned in her last report and are trying to determine how to
get more feedback on course evaluations from Distance Learners. The committee decided to expand
their mandate and reâ design the questionnaire for distribution to all students. Plans for Faculty Day are
progressing well and it will take place on August 28, 2003 with a mini teaching showcase, panel
discussions, and several presenters. The topic is "Which Comes First, Pedagogy or Content?" The
committee will make a decision on the winner of the instructional leadership award at their next
meeting.
7.13 Writing Initiatives
There was no report from the Writing Initiatives Committee.
7.14 Undergraduate Admissions and Scholarships
L. Theriault reported the committee has met twice since the last Senate meeting to discuss admission
requirements, particularly Math, and expects to have a report to bring to the April Senate meeting. The
Committee will soon begin entry scholarship program deliberations.
7.15 University Research Ethics Board
There was no report from the University Research Ethics Board.
8. Other Reports
8.1 Board of Governors
P. Baker reported the Board of Governors has met once since the last Senate meeting. The main item
discussed at the meeting was a Report on the 2002 Maclean's rankings which examined the method
used to establish the Macleans's rankings system and the weighting used in that survey. The Board
discussed how MSVU improved, declined or remained the same as the previous year, trying to
determine the relationship between Blueprint directions and the Mount's Maclean's rankings. The key
areas identified for strategic improvement are student services, scholarships and bursaries, faculty
research (particularly SSHRC grants), alumni support, and reputation. There was some discussion around
one of the most interesting components of the rankings, reputation, which counts for 15% of the entire
ranking.
8.2 Students' Union
K. Slack reported the Students' Union has been busy planning awards night. Elections are underway with
voting taking place March 12 and 13, including a referendum on dental coverage within the current
medical plan. They are currently working on their budget for 2003â 04. MSVU Students' Union executives
met with the Minister of Education and N.S. Liberal party leader to discuss education issues. The
Students' Union is reviewing Senate Byâ Laws as they relate to the Students' Union.
9. New Business
There was no new business.
10. Items for Communication
Course changes will be communicated in the next calendar.
11. Adjournment
Moved by M. Fitzgerald, seconded by J. McLaren adjournment of the meeting at 8:45p.m.