Faculty Meeting Thursday, November 29, 2007

A meeting of the Faculty Council was held on Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. in the ATAC Board Room 5035.

 

V. Smith welcomed Orillia colleagues and called the meeting to order.

 

 

It was moved by J. Leggatt and seconded by T. Dufresne that the agenda be approved with the following additions:

 

.under item 6, Departmental Reports :

 

i)

delete:

.Philosophy Department - Modular Degree Calendar Changes

ii)

add:

.Visual Arts Department - Calendar Changes

 

                                                                                      Carried.

 

It was moved by G. Siddall and seconded by C. Southcott that the minutes of September 13th be approved. 

 

There was none.

 

i) 

 

Registration is still ongoing until October 28^th.

 

ii)    

 

There is a time-line error in the Policy section for academic appeals on the internet.  The section on academic appeals in the calendar is correct.  The corrected internet version should read that the fall courses may be appealed until March 1^st, and the winter, spring and summer courses may be appealed until October 1^st.  The current policy on the internet gives a time line of 20 working days and is not correct.

 

iii)

 

The recent government holiday announcement does not interfere with any faculty schedule except Education.  This holiday will fall during the normal February break period.

 

iv)

 

The matter of Dean's Awards, which are presented to students with averages of 80% or more, and President's Awards, which are presented to students with averages of 90% or more, was discussed at the last Deans' Council.  Faculties are being asked to consider how to best make these selections.  A system should be in place by May for students at all levels.

 

A discussion followed. 

 

Because different faculties have different grading systems for students, it was suggested that a university-wide computerized statistical model could be developed to ensure fair selections.

 

Council recommended that a common computerized statistical model be adopted for all faculties when selecting Dean's and President's student awards.   

 

i)

 

PTR files are in.  The total of 11 SS&H files consists of 2 for renewal, 5 for tenure and promotion to Associate Professor and 4 for promotion to Professor.

 

10 merit applications are in from the faculty.

 

The Vice-President (Academic) announced a total of 50 merit applications. 

 

ii)

 

PACI will be discussed at the upcoming Space Committee.  Some of the proposals include:

 

.a law school

.the Faculty of Education

.Continuing Education and Distributed Learning

.Visual Arts

.Research Institute in Globalization and Culture.

 

iii)

 

Two new SS&H representatives have been selected to serve on SUSC.  They are C. Parkes and B. Vernier-Larochette.  Currently there is no chair, but it is hoped that this will change at the next meeting.

 

iv)

 

A celebration of SS&H research and scholarly activity will take place on November 16^th from 1-3 pm in the Agora.  It was felt that such a display could highlight more attention on faculty activity.  Currently there is a research week in March that focuses attention on all academic units.  A call for participants by October 22^nd has been circulated. 

 

It is expected that the celebration will become an annual activity. Suggestions for a program and ideas will be gladly received.   It is hoped that the music and visual arts participation as well as a rotating visual screen will enhance the displays.  Those who are expert in such set ups have been asked to assist.

 

vi)

 

Ongoing discussion at Deans' Council regarding academic restructuring has included the suggestion that the Department of Psychology might move into a newly proposed Health Sciences Faculty.  Because of Psychology's traditional place in Social Sciences and Humanities and its large enrolment, such a change will greatly impact the Faculty.

 

T. Dunk asked chairs to bring this matter forward for discussion at departmental meetings.  An analysis of the benefits and costs will provide a better understanding of the impact.  Other departments, schools and faculties are also being asked to consider differing structural ideas.

 

Discussion followed.

 

 vii)

 

At the last Deans' Council, David Hare provided a survey of graduate office space noting that only 20 to 30% of space is currently used.  If this is not corrected, the space in question may be reassigned.  Residence space is full and more residence rooms are required.   It was emphasized that graduate offices should be used to the maximum in order to ensure their continued use.  Students should be reminded of the need to use this space.

 

Discussion followed which included a question on the method used by David Hare for his survey of graduate student offices.  Currently, a space inventory is underway. A report should be available in December and will assist clarifying conflicting space information.

 

viii)

 

Students' request for a film studies program was noted at the Ontario Universities Fair. 

 

An initial meeting will take place with a group from the faculty to discuss a university film studies program.  There was not a general participation call because of the preliminary stage of

the initiative.  There will be a look at other programs to see how they might fit into such a program.

 

ix)

 

Lisa's service will be held on Friday, October 26^th at St. John's Anglican Church on Pearl Street.

 

x)

 

It was decided that discussion and motions surrounding modular degrees will be postponed until November's Council meeting.  Some reasons for this are:  1) The Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies is not yet ready to propose changes.  2) A preliminary meeting with Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism is required to deal with cross-programming. 3) At this time, Music and Visual Arts do wish to participate in modular degrees. 

 

Discussion followed.

 

i)

 

i-a

The Modular Degree motion was removed.

 

i-b

It was moved by J. Leggatt and seconded by H. Smith that the changes to Fourth Year English Courses in Literary Theory be approved.

 

                                                                                      Carried.

i-c

It was moved by J. Leggatt and seconded by J. Roth that the English course changes be approved.

 

                                                                                     Carried.

ii)

 

It was moved by A. den Otter and seconded by D. Bonar that the Orillia multidisciplinary studies:  inquiry calendar changes be approved.

 

                                                                                     Carried.

iii)

iii-a

It was moved by H. Smith and seconded by P. Wakewich that the Women's Studies course and cross-listings changes be approved.

                                                                                     Carried.

iii-b

 

It was moved by H. Smith and seconded by P. Wakewich that the Women's Studies proposed revised course offerings be approved.

 

                                                                                      Carried.

iii-c

 

It was moved by H. Smith and seconded by M. Beaulieu that the Women's Studies honours BA be approved.

 

                                                                                      Carried.

 

iii-d

 

It was moved by H. Smith and seconded by P. Jasen that the Women's Studies four year BA be approved.

 

                                                                                      Carried.

iv)

iv-a

 

It was moved by G. Hayman and seconded by M. Beaulieu that the Psychology changes to the undergraduate program be approved.

 

                                                                                      Carried.

iv-b

 

It was moved by G. Hayman and seconded by H. Smith that the notable changes to Ph.D. admission criteria and addition of a Ph.D. course be approved.

 

                                                                                      Carried.

 

iv-c

 

It was moved by G. Hayman and seconded by G. Siddall that the other calendar changes to Psychology course descriptions be approved.

                                                                                      Carried.

v)

Because there was no representation from Visual Arts, the proposed calendar changes were deferred to the next meeting.

 

There was none.

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m. 

 

 

M. Beaulieu

T. Dufresne

T. Dunk

A. Foshay

D. Hayes

G. Hayman

S. Islam

P. Jasen

J. Leggatt

J. Roth

G. Siddall

C. Southcott

B. Strang

H. Smith

V. Smith

P. Wakewich

 

 

A. den Otter

D. Bonar

L. Clement

E. Auger

M. MacLean

S.D. Stone