FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES COUNCIL
 
MINUTES

Friday, May 10, 2024
A meeting of the Faculty Council was held on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 10:00 am via Zoom.
 
Guest Speakers:
Dr. Gillian Siddall – President and Vice-Chancellor
Dr. David Barnett – Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
 
G. Siddall announced updates on three major projects that are in progress at Lakehead University.
 
Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program
This joint initiative between Lakehead University and the University of Guelph is well underway.  Students will take the first two years of their degree at Lakehead, and the second two years at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph.  Throughout 2024 and 2025, we will focus on building the two facilities necessary to deliver the first two years of curriculum at the Thunder Bay campus. There was a significant impact of inflation on building costs which meant that additional funding had to be secured.  That is now in place and the first intake of students will start in Fall 2026.
 
Orillia Expansion
After receiving the funding commitment from the County of Simcoe, we are able to move forward with the next phase of planning for the Orillia Campus.  County Council has approved $15 million which will be allocated through annual contributions over the next 10 years.  These funds will be earmarked to support the future expansion of the Orillia Campus, including the growth of student support services, the introduction of new programs, and the buildout of study and learning places.
 
Kendaasiwin Centre
The Kendaasiwin Centre was initially given funding for construction under the Wynne government.  Unfortunately, with the change of parties in Ontario, the funds that were promised were cancelled.  Moving forward, we will be looking for formal consultation with Indigenous groups regarding the development of this project.  This is a very important step toward reconciliation and discussions will begin in the Fall of 2024.
 
Financial Sustainability
Although our international student numbers will remain unchanged, tuition remains frozen.  We will receive an increase of 5% to our base grant which will help.  Lakehead is also eligible for a Northern Grant; however, we do not know how much that will be. 
A formation of a sustainability committee to address the structural deficit at Lakehead University is now underway. This committee will be looking for ways to cut costs as well as ways to generate more revenue.
 
Strategic Planning
The Strategic Plan for 2025/2030 is currently in the consultation phase.  We want to hear from members of our university and the communities we serve, and will be hosting a number of facilitated engagement sessions at Lakehead Thunder Bay in June.  We invite students, staff, and faculty to register here to participate in a session.  Please note, we are limiting registration to 15 people per session with a plan to host additional sessions based on demand.  Members of the community are also invited to provide input through this short, confidential survey, or directly to strategicplan@lakeheadu.ca. All information received through this channel will remain confidential and will not be attributed to any specific person/group.
We have already had several sessions, and there appear to be common priorities already emerging.
 
Submit your thoughts/concerns to the Advisory Committee; share your thoughts!

An open session followed generating the following points:

Faculty expressed concerns with regard to the following: 
·       lack of resources, ie:  tenure track hires; LTA hires
·       lack of money for supplies and/or technology needed to run their programs
·       less staff available to help with community-based projects
·       burn out, ie:  trying to teach classes while continuing research and service
·       having to pay for spaces on campus for events, teaching a class, etc.
 
Ways for Improvement:
·       more cross-listed courses; increased collaboration among departments
·       more focus on “people”; review supports in place for faculty and modify according to results
·       develop new business model for the university in order to generate income

1.
Approval of Agenda
It was moved by and seconded by S. Shahsahabi and E. Chugunov that the agenda be approved.
                        Carried.
2.
Approval of Minutes
Approval of the minutes from April 12, 2024.  (D. Hayes; L. Chambers)
The minutes were accepted as presented.
                       
3.
Business Arising from the Minutes
None.

 4.
Calendar Changes
i) Languages.
The following calendar change was tabled until the September 2024 Faculty Council meeting.
2024-SOC-8469)
 
5.1
Department/School Requests.
 
i)  Two Items as Points of Information submitted by S. Shahsahabi.
S. Shahsahabi spoke about the two articles that he submitted to Council for review.  (Open Letter from the Lakehead University Community; LU Solidarity with Palestine.)  He stated that anyone who is interested to learn more can contact LU Solidarity with Palestine. 
 
5.2
Department/School Reports.
i)  English
It was moved by A. Guttman and seconded by R. Warburton that the recommendation for the renewal of
Dr. Linda Rodenburg as External Adjunct Professor in the Department of English for a four-year term be
approved.
                         Carried.
 
6.
Dean’s Report.
May 10, 2024.

Social Sciences & Humanities: Dean’s Report

SSHRC SIG Community-Engaged Research Grant: Community Engagement Session to Develop Strategic Plan for Sustainable ID Services by Dr. Chris Sanders and Dr. Kristin Burnett.
 
Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society’s biennial publication awards to History Alumni and Faculty: Hanna Johnson, HBA 2019, MA 2021) -Ernest R. Zimmermann First Publication Award and George B. Macgillivray Award for the best popular article, “Swedish Immigrants and Religion in Port Arthur and Fort William, 1883-1914” (Paper & Records, 2022)
 
Dr. Tom Peotto (HBA 2006, MA 2007) & Connie Nelson (Professor Emeritus of Social Work) – J.P. Bertrand Award for best scholarly article, “Food Production in the Wabigoon Basin: The First Nine Thousand Years” (Canadian Historical Review, 2022, 103:4).
 
Chair in Finnish Studies (Sept 2024-April 2025): Dr. Jarmo Peltola, associate professor, Economic and Social History, University of Helsinki; host Department of History.
 
Assistant Deans: Dr. Tony Puddephatt (Thunder Bay) and Dr. Jennifer Jarman (Orillia) for a term of 3 years starting July 1, 2024.
 
Mental Health Week: May 6-12
Refer to Student Mental Health Supports and Faculty Opportunities
 
Strategic Plan
Online survey - Email: strategicplan@lakeheadu.ca
 
Blue Box Regulation Annual Reporting
Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA), the regulator for ON to enforce Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act 2016 thru O.Reg.391/21: Blue Box
 
Convocation: Thunder Bay [May 30] and Orillia [June 7]
June 6 – open meetings with faculty based in Orillia campus
 
Spring Jibe May 29 @ Masala Grille 11:45 am- 2 pm
$2 donation for each dine-in buffet/entrée to Student Engagement Fund (SSH Trust Account)
 
BA General Arts
Potential pathway for longtime employees in the education sector to complete a degree and qualify them for teaching thru the Faculty of Education.
 
HBA General Arts
Previously approved by the Faculty Council. Potential to revise the proposal and address comments. Provide students the opportunity to pursue advanced degrees and minor studies.
 
Confederation College
Exploratory discussions with 4 instructors from Interactive Media Development, and the Film Production programs (CC) and Visual Arts (LU) participated by Professor Shahsahabi and Professor Martin. Deans at both institutions and Dr. Beaulieu were present on May 6.
 
Summer Zoom Q& A with NW Senior High Schools
E-mail recruitment blitz to identify schools interested in an hour of QA about SSH programs. Request departments to provide the dean’s office with digital program brochures. Open invitation to any faculty to join forthcoming schedules.
 
University of the Ryukyus
The only public university on the island of Okinawa, Japan. Potential MOU for student exchange, collaborative programs, etc. Okinawans/Ryukyuans are recognized as Indigenous people by the UN (2008) but not by the Japanese government.
 
SSH ‘focus’
Bi-annual highlights of the faculty: research, activities, accomplishments. To be shared with Alumni Relations and Recruitment. Photos from departments are recommended. Possible release dates in May and December from the dean’s office.
 
7.
Other Business.
i)  Retirement Party
A. Guttman announced that there will be a retirement party for Dr. Chris Parkes, Associate Professor, and Mrs. Cindy Haggerty, Administrative Assistant, on Friday, May 31, 2024 in the CASES Lounge (FB2002) at 1:00 pm.  All are welcome.!
 
8.
Next Faculty Council Meeting: 
The next Faculty Council meeting with be held in September, 2024; Date to be determined.
 
9.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:51 am.  (A. Carastathis)
 
ATTENDANCE
Thunder Bay Campus
G. Bonifacio
K. Brooks
K. Burnett
A. Carastathis
L. Chambers
E. Chugunov
A. Guttman
D. Hayes
D. Ivison
C. Sanders
S. Shahsahabi
R. Warburton
S. Viitala - recording
 
Orillia Campus
P. Das
A. den Otter
V. Hébert
R. McVeigh
D. Mackinnon
M. Stevenson
 
Regrets:
I. Lemée
L. Potvin