University Council Handbook
September, 2014
Office of the University Secretary
University of Saskatchewan
Contents:
Reference Information about University Council
Schedule of Council meetings
List of Council members
Conflict of Interest
Guidelines for Council minutes
Guidelines for Motions
Reference Information about University Governance
Information Sheet on University Governance
Statutory Authorities
Reference Information about Committees
List of Council and University Committees
Guidelines for Committees and Committee Minutes
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3
6
7
9
11
13
15
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Related document links:
Committee membership list
Council Bylaws and Regulations
See the website for agendas, documents, news, committee reports, etc. at
http://www.usask.ca/secretariat/governing-bodies/council/index.php
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Reference Information about University Council
Schedule of Council meetings for 2014-15
2:30 pm in ARTS 241 (Neatby-Timlin Theatre)
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
The Council Agenda is posted online at http://www.usask.ca/secretariat/governingbodies/council/agendas.php Council members will usually receive their agenda and other
materials on the Friday before the meeting. Please email regrets to
Lesley.Leonhardt@usask.ca
Deadline for receipt of committee reports to be copied for the next agenda is
13 days prior to the meeting. Deliver or email reports to Lesley.Leonhardt@usask.ca
(phone 4632) at the Office of the University Secretary.
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University Council Membership – 2014/2015
The following members have full voting privileges:
Ex Officio
Interim President -Gordon Barnhart
Interim Provost and VP Academic -Ernie Barber
College Faculty Representatives
Name
Mary Buhr
Michael Nickerson
Peter Stoicheff
Ken Wilson
Daphne Taras
John Rigby
Gerry Uswak
TBA
Michelle Prytula
Jay Wilson
Georges Kipouros
Aaron Phoenix
Adam Baxter-Jones
Trever Crowe
Carol Rodgers
Nancy Gyuresik
Sanjeev Anand
Tamara Larre
Vicki Williamson
Rachel Sarjeant-Jenkins
Preston Smith
Bill Roesler
Lorna Butler
Louise Racine
Kishor Wasan
Ed Krol
Douglas Freeman
TBA
Carl Still
Tammy Marche
Andrew Gabriel
Rob Lindemann
TBA
Christian Eberhart
Kevin Ogilvie
Lorne Calvert
Barbara Langhorst
Murray Hamilton
Brian Gobbett
College/Department
Dean, Agriculture and Bioresources
Agriculture and Bioresources
Dean, Arts and Science
Biology
Dean, School of Business
Management and Marketing
Dean, Dentistry
Dentistry
Dean, Education
Education
Dean, Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Dean, Graduate Studies and Research
Graduate Studies and Research
Dean, Kinesiology
Kinesiology
Dean, Law
Law
Dean, Library
Library
Dean, Medicine
Biochemistry
Dean, Nursing
Nursing
Dean, Pharmacy and Nutrition
Pharmacy and Nutrition
Dean, Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Medicine
Dean, St. Thomas More College
St. Thomas More College
Horizon College & Seminary
Academic Dean, Horizon College
Principal, Emmanuel & St. Chad
Lutheran Theological Seminary
President, Lutheran Theological Semin.
Principal, St. Andrew's College
St. Peter's College
Gabriel Dumont Institute/SUNTEP
Briercrest College & Seminary
Term Expires
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 20, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
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Members at Large
Name
William Albritton
William Bartley
Peta Bonham-Smith
Michael Bradley
Bev Brenna
Dwayne Brenna
James Brooke
William Brown
Gap Soo Chang
Hongming Cheng
Ravindra Chibbar
Moira Day
Dirk de Boer
Gordon DesBrisay
Rainer Dick
Roy Dobson
Alexander Ervin
Len Findlay
Kevin Flynn
Richard Gray
Jim Greer
Liz Harrison
Calliopi Havele
Nadeem Jamali
Kathleen James-Cavan
Jay Kalra (Chair to 2015)
Jill Johnstone
Richard Julien
Ramji Khandelwal
Lisa Kalynchuk
Frank Klaassen
Franz-Viktor Kuhlmann
TBA
Yen-Han Lin
Veronika Makarova
Lawrence Martz
Venkatesh Meda
Allison Muri
Bram Noble
Matthew Paige
David Parkinson
Rob Pywell
Chary Rangacharyulu
Jaswant Singh
Kathleen Solose
Robert Tyler
Andrew Van Kessel
James Waldram
Keith Walker
Fran Walley
Hui Wang
Erin Watson
Terry Wotherspoon
Thomas Yates
Gordon Zello
College/Department
Microbiology and Immunology
English
Biology
Physics and Engineering Physics
Education
Drama
Mathematics and Statistics
Agriculture and Bioresources
Physics and Engineering Physics
Arts and Science
Plant Sciences
Drama
Geography and Planning
History
Physics and Engineering Physics
Pharmacy and Nutrition
Archaeology and Anthropology
English
English
Bioresource Policy, Business and Economics
Computer Science
Physical Therapy
Microbiology and Immunology
Computer Science
English
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Biology
Religion and Culture
Biochemistry
Medicine
History
Mathematics and Statistics
TBA
Chemical and Biological Engineering
Chemical and Biological Engineering
Geography and Planning
Chemical and Biological Engineering
English
Geography and Planning
Chemistry
English
Physics and Engineering Physics
Physics and Engineering Physics
Veterinary Biomedical Sciences
Music
Food and Bioproduct Sciences
Animal and Poultry Science
Psychology
Educational Admin/Public Policy
Soil Science
Chemical and Biological Engineering
Library
Sociology
Soil Science
Pharmacy and Nutrition
Term Expires
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2016
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2017
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Student Members (term expires June 30, 2015):
TBA
Gabe Senecal
Jessie Munro
Marina Jones
Wendy Li
Jamie Labrecque
Izabela Vlahu
Kirsten Jones
Zachary Huywan
Aleina Haines
TBA
Jaylynn Arcand
Dillan Radomske
TBA
Agriculture and Bioresources
Arts and Science
Edwards School of Business
Dentistry
Education
Engineering
Graduate Studies and Research
Kinesiology
Law
Pharmacy and Nutrition
School of Physical Therapy
Medicine
Nursing
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
Affiliated and Federated Colleges:
Monica Iron
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
Vacant
St. Thomas More College
Emmanuel & St. Chad
Horizon College & Seminary
Gabriel Dumont
Lutheran Seminary
St. Andrews College
St. Peter's College
Briercrest College & Seminary (will not appoint)
NON-VOTING PARTICIPANTS
The following are entitled to attend and participate in meetings but are not entitled to vote:
Sarah Binnie, Senate representative
Karen Chad, Vice-president Research
Ranjan Datta, Vice-president Academic, GSA
Terrence Downey, President, St. Thomas More College
Max FineDay, President, USSU
Greg Fowler, Vice-President Finance and Resources
Russell Isinger, University Registrar and Director of Student Services
Heather Magotiaux, Vice-president University Advancement
Jim Pulfer, Senate representative
Desiree Steele, Vice-President (Academic Affairs), USSU
Elizabeth Williamson, University Secretary
(USSU and GSA executive terms end April 30)
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Conflict of Interest, from the Council Bylaws
V.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
1.
Council Proceedings
(a)
It is necessary to distinguish between the roles of the “representative” members of the Council, on the one
hand, and the “at large” and ex officio members, on the other, with respect to their obligations to bring
pertinent information to the Council or to committees of the Council and to report back to their
constituents. However, there is no distinction with respect to the exercise of judgment and decisionmaking in Council meetings and in deliberations of a committee of the Council. Members of the Council
and members of committees of the Council will have as their principal concern the welfare of the
University community. They will exercise independent judgment and may not act as agents of any person
or organization.
(b)
There are no restrictions on the rights of a Council member to participate in debate and to vote on any
matter that comes before the Council. However, a Council member who has a conflict of interest with
respect to a matter that comes before the Council will disclose the conflict when speaking on the matter in
Council proceedings.
2.
Committees of Council
(a)
A member of a committee of the Council will conduct herself or himself so as to avoid conflict of interest or
the appearance of conflict of interest.
(b)
A member of a committee will disclose and identify a conflict of interest or perceived conflict of interest
affecting that member.
(c)
A member of a committee will abstain from voting in committee proceedings on matters on which he or
she has a conflict of interest. When appropriate, the member will withdraw from all committee
deliberations with respect to the matter.
(d)
The chairperson or a member of a committee will be entitled to raise the question whether another
member has a conflict of interest or perceived conflict of interest on a matter before the committee.
(e)
The chairperson or a member of a committee is entitled to ask another member who has or is perceived to
have a conflict of interest to withdraw from the deliberations of the committee or to refrain from voting on
a matter before the committee.
(f)
If a request referred to in paragraph (e) to withdraw from the deliberations of the committee or to refrain
from voting on a matter before the committee is denied by the member to whom the request is directed,
the fact that the request was made and was denied will be recorded in that portion of the committee’s
report relating to the matter.
3.
Conflict of Interest Defined
A conflict of interest exists for a member of Council or a member of a Council committee when, with respect to a
matter being considered by Council or the committee:
(a)
the decision being made is such that the member could not reasonably be expected to exercise independent
judgment because of the effect the decision would or would be likely to have on the member or a person
closely related or closely associated with the member; or
(b)
as a result of occupying a position or holding an office in an organization, the person is legally obligated to
subordinate the interests of the University to the interests of the organization when dealing with the
matter.
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UNIVERSITY COUNCIL – GUIDELINES FOR MINUTES
Statutory authority:
Procedures governing Council meetings are under the following authority:
The University of Saskatchewan Act, 1995
Council’s Bylaws and Regulations
Kerr and King, Procedures for Meetings and Organizations, Third Edition
Relevant excerpts from the Act
55: Unless the council decides otherwise, the secretary is the secretary to the council.
61 (1) the Council may:
(a) regulate the conduct of its meetings and proceedings
62(1) Within 10 days of every meeting of the council, the secretary shall give each dean and
department head a written copy of all motions passed by the council at the meeting
(2) On receipt of the written copy of a motion pursuant to subsection (1), every dean and
department head shall post the written copy in a conspicuous place that is readily
accessible to students and faculty members.
Relevant excerpts from Council Bylaws and Regulations
5(h) The meetings of the Council and of committees of Council will be conducted in
accordance with the rules of order contained in Procedures for Meetings and Organizations,
Third Edition by Kerr and King.
Relevant excerpts from Kerr and King
114. Preparation of Minutes
Minutes are the permanent record of the proceedings of a general or committee meeting
of an organization. The minutes are prepared by the meeting secretary…and include the
following basic items:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
The date, time, and place of the meeting
The name of the person in the chair and of any changes in the chair;
The number of members present and where practical their names;
All rulings made by the chair and the nature and result of any appeals that arise
from these rulings
All motions properly moved, including the name of the mover and seconder;
The results of all votes taken
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7)
A list of all reports and documents introduced during the meeting, with copies of
these reports being attached to the official copy of the minutes;
8) A summary of significant points raised during the debate of motions, but not a
verbatim account of the speeches;
9) Any commitments made by officers or any other persons present at the meeting;
10) The time of adjournment
11) The signature of the meeting secretary.
Minutes need to be clear, accurate, brief, and objective. With respect to the last of these,
it is important to remember that the minutes are no place for the expression of personal
opinions, interpretations, or commentaries on the debates. In the cause of accuracy, the
secretary is entitled to ask questions on the meaning of motions, remarks, or proposals,
and to determine the names of movers of motions or speakers in a debate.
Protocol for minutes
“The Secretary will indicate the tenor of the discussion without attribution of comments to
particular Council members unless they are speaking ex officio, e.g. as Provost, as Dean of a
College, etc. or unless a member asks that the comments be on record (normally at the same
meeting).
The Secretary will also record commitments, e.g. to investigate something, including the name
of the person who will be responsible for undertaking the commitment and/or for bringing a
report back to Council.”
Approved by Council November 2005
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UNIVERSITY COUNCIL – GUIDELINES FOR MOTIONS
Types of Motions 1:







Motion to receive: In receiving a document, Council acknowledges that a report has
been presented but leaves open the question of what actions, if any, should be taken as a
consequence. Approval of a motion to receive a report means that the committee is
discharged (unless it is a standing committee) and is relieved of further responsibility for
the matter. The motion to receive a report is neither debatable nor amendable. By
receiving a report, Council is not bound by the report’s findings or recommendations
contained within it; such recommendations may be considered and adopted (or not) in a
subsequent motion or at a later meeting.
Motion to accept: This is much like a motion to receive, except that it enables the
report to be debated. It is used when a report contains significant information but no
specific recommendations. Since a report is a historical document that contains the
findings and conclusions of a committee, it cannot be amended, even when a meeting
does not agree with its contents. The motion to accept a report is debatable, but cannot
be amended.
Motion to recommend for approval: This motion is used where the document
being reviewed is under the jurisdiction of one of the other governing bodies of the
university (such as the Board or Senate), to indicate that Council has looked at it and is in
agreement with the findings and/or recommendations contained within it.
Motion to approve in principle [or to endorse]: Such a motion indicates that
Council is in agreement with the general direction and intent of a document, but has not
yet approved any specific actions in it; these (if they are under Council’s jurisdiction)
would require a subsequent motion to approve them.
Motion to approve: in approving a document, Council also approves the particular
findings and recommendations put forth within it.
Motion to ratify: This is used in rare circumstances, such as when a negotiated
agreement is put to the membership for approval.
Motion to adopt: This motion has an element/flavour of ‘owning’ what is being
recommended—for example, Council could adopt a document that lays out a procedure
for something under Council’s jurisdiction (such as procedures for program deletion), or
a bylaw change. Once adopted, there is an expectation that Council itself will implement
the substance of the motion, and that there is a long-term commitment to its intent.
approved by the Coordinating Committee Dec 2/08 and revised Dec 3/10
1
For the source of these definitions, see particularly Kerr & King, Sections 85, 92,113, 118, 140, 141 and Appendix 1.
9
Notice of Motion
The purpose of a Notice of Motion is to ensure that members have an opportunity to know in
advance what topics will be on an agenda, and thus to judge the importance of attending the
meeting to register their vote. Once a notice of motion is given, other motions on the same
topic will generally be allowed by the chair, and/or amendments—even fairly significant
ones—can be made to the motion without further notice.
Council’s Bylaws indicate that “a motion to amend the bylaws will be preceded by a notice of
motion presented in writing to the members not less than 30 days prior to the date of the
meeting at which the motion is considered.”
Other motions dealing with substantive matters requiring consideration by members of
Council require only 10 days’ written notice of motion. Where there is uncertainty about
whether a motion deals with ‘substantive matters,’ the Chair makes a ruling. The requirement
for 10 days’ notice may be suspended upon vote of two-thirds of the members present and
voting at a Council meeting.
A recommendation to Council contained in a committee report is deemed to be a notice of
motion if the report containing the recommendation is included with the agenda of the
meeting at which the report is considered.
Kerr and King (Procedures for Meetings and Organizations) indicate that Notice of Motion
can be made by the executive, committees, or individual members, and that they must include
the name of the mover and the seconder of the motion. Movers and seconders of any motion
at Council must be members of Council and must be present at the meeting at which the
motion is debated and voted upon.
Motions from individual members of Council
Individual members of Council may present motions to Council in any one of three ways:
1) send a Notice of Motion to the Coordinating Committee along with supporting
documentation; the Committee will then either put it on the Council agenda or refer it to a
committee, which will then report back on the matter to the Coordinating Committee and to
Council;
2) send a Notice of Motion directly to the University Secretary to include with agenda
materials for the next Council meeting, to be included with the agenda materials for that
meeting as a Notice of Motion for the following meeting; or
3) propose from the floor at a Council meeting that an item and/or motion be added to the
agenda. This would then require a 2/3 majority vote to be added to the agenda, and the
motion could be dealt with at that meeting.
approved by the Coordinating Committee Dec 2/08 and revised Dec 3/10
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The Governance Structure of the U of S
Tricameral Governance Structure
In accordance with The University of Saskatchewan Act, 1995, our university has a
tricameral governance structure, which means it has three governing bodies:
Board of Governors
The Board of Governors is responsible for fiscal oversight and administers and manages property, revenues and finances.
University Council
University Council is responsible for academic oversight and directs the university’s academic affairs on matters ranging
from degrees, scholarships and programs to evaluation, academic integrity and admission.
Senate
Senate gives graduates, the community and key stakeholders a voice in university affairs.
Senate
Public voice
Board of Governors
Financial oversight
University Council
Academic oversight
University Administration
Board of Governors
As one of the three governing bodies of the university, the Board of Governors is responsible under
The University of Saskatchewan Act, 1995 for overseeing and directing all matters respecting the
management, administration and control of the university’s property, revenues and financial affairs.
This includes
construction and maintenance of buildings, equipment and capital assets;
appointing the president and other senior officers of the university and fixing salaries;
compensation and terms of employment for all employees, and pension plans for retirees;
overseeing the university’s finances, investments and pension plans;
providing for the establishment and/or disestablishment of colleges, schools, departments,
endowed chairs and institutes;
affiliation and federation with other educational institutions;
setting of tuition and other fees; and
establishment and oversight of good governance practices, including regulating the conduct
of its meetings, establishing its committees and making bylaws respecting matters over which
it has responsibility.
Committee Structure
Membership
11 members, including:
five members appointed by
government
two members elected by
senate
one member elected by
faculty
the president of the
University of Saskatchewan
Students’ Union
the president
the chancellor
Board of Governors
Governance
and Executive
Committee
Audit
Committee
Finance and
Investment
Committee
Human
Resources
Committee
Land and
Facilities
Committee
www.usask.ca/secretariat
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The Governance
Structure of the U of S
University Council
Membership
Council oversees and directs the university’s academic affairs. It
grants academic degrees, diplomas and certificates;
grants scholarships, prizes, fellowships, bursaries and exhibitions;
approves all academic programs, new programs and program deletions;
authorizes the board to establish new colleges, schools, departments, endowed
chairs and institutes;
prescribes methods and rules for evaluating student performance;
disciplines students for academic misconduct and hears student appeals;
prescribes qualifications for admission;
sets the academic schedule;
reviews library policies;
makes recommendations on physical and budgetary plans for the university; and
makes recommendations on any other matters it considers to be in the interest
of the university.
105 members, including:
the president
the provost
two elected members from each college
and affiliated and federated college, one
of whom may be the dean
two librarians, one of whom may be the
university librarian
one elected student representing each
college and each affiliated and federated
college
54 elected faculty
Committee Structure
University Council
Academic Programs Committee
Coordinating Committee
Governance Committee
International Activities Committee
Planning and Priorities Committee
Research, Scholarly and Artistic Work Committee
Scholarships and Awards Committee
Teaching, Learning and Academic Resources Committee
Nominations Committee
Senate
The senate is the university’s window on the province and the province’s window
on the university. They have authority to approve
admission requirements and quotas (on the recommendation of council);
new colleges, schools, departments (on the recommendation of council);
affiliations and federations (on the recommendation of council);
non-academic student misconduct regulations;
awarding of honorary degrees; and
appointment of examiners for professional societies.
Membership
119 members, including:
elected alumni
representatives of professional
associations
students and university administrators
Committee Structure
Senate
Education
Committee
Executive
Committee
Honorary
Degrees
Committee
Membership Nominations
Committee
Committee
Round Table on
Outreach and
Engagement
For more information, please visit us online or contact: Elizabeth Williamson, University Secretary, 212 Peter MacKinnon Building,107 Administration Place,
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A2, phone: (306) 966-4632, fax: (306) 966-4530, email: elizabeth.williamson@usask.ca
For The University of Saskatchewan Act 1995, please visit http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/Statutes/Statutes/U6-1.pdf
www.usask.ca/secretariat
12
STATUTORY AUTHORITY of COUNCIL, THE SENATE, AND THE
GENERAL ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY OVER ACADEMIC MATTERS
The University of Saskatchewan Act, 1995
Council’s Authority over academic matters (excerpts)
Powers of council
61(1) The council may:
(a) regulate the conduct of its meetings and proceedings;
(b) determine the quorum necessary to transact business;
(c) grant academic degrees, diplomas and certificates of proficiency;
(d) grant scholarships, prizes, fellowships, bursaries and exhibitions;
(e) where it considers it appropriate on academic grounds, authorize the board to provide for:
(i) the establishment of any college, school, department, chair, endowed chair or institute;
(ii) the disestablishment of any college, school, department, chair, endowed chair or institute;
(iii) affiliation or federation with any educational institution; or
(iv) the dissolution of any affiliation or federation with any educational institution;
(f) prescribe curricula, programs of instruction and courses of study in colleges, schools or departments;
(g) prescribe methods and rules for evaluating student performance, including prescribing examination
timetables and the conduct of examinations;
(h) discipline students for academic dishonesty, including admonishing, dismissing, suspending or expelling
students or imposing fines;
(i) prescribe academic and other qualifications required for admission as a student;
(j) hear appeals by students or former students concerning academic decisions affecting them;
(k) prescribe dates for beginning and ending lectures;
(l) prescribe and limit the number of students who may be admitted to a college or a program of study;
(m) review library policies;
(n) review the physical and budgetary plans for the university and make recommendations respecting those
matters to the president or the board;
(o) make recommendations to the president, the board or the senate respecting any matters that the council
considers to be in the interests of the university;
(p) subject to subsection (2), establish any committees that it considers necessary;
(q) subject to subsection (2), delegate any of its powers to any committee of the council;
(r) exercise any powers that the board or the senate may delegate to it;
(s) appoint members to committees composed of members of the council and members of all or any of the senate,
the board and the assembly;
(t) make bylaws governing the election of members of council mentioned in clauses 53(2)(b) to (g) and (i);
(u) make bylaws respecting any matter over which it has responsibility; and
(v) do any other thing that the council considers necessary, incidental or conducive to exercising its powers, to
promoting the best interests of the university or to meeting the purposes of this Act.
(2) A committee established by the council pursuant to subsection (1) to deal with matters set out in clauses
(1)(h) and (j) must include at least one student as a member of the committee.
Decisions of council
62(1) Within 10 days of every meeting of the council, the secretary shall give each dean and department head a
written copy of all motions passed by the council at the meeting.
(2) On receipt of the written copy of a motion pursuant to subsection (1), every dean and department head shall
post the written copy in a conspicuous place that is readily accessible to students and faculty members.
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Senate’s Authority over academic matters (excerpts)
61(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the following decisions of the council are to be reported to
the senate at its next meeting and are not to be implemented until either the senate confirms the decision or 12
months have passed following the end of the fiscal year in which the decision was made, whichever is the earlier:
(a) a decision to change academic and other qualifications required for admission as a student;
(b) a decision to change the number of students who may be admitted to a college or a program of study;
(c) a decision to authorize the disestablishment of any college, school, department, chair, institute or endowed
chair;
(d) a decision to authorize the dissolution of any affiliation or federation.
Authority of the General Academic Assembly (excerpts)
Power to require council to reconsider
71(1) At a special meeting called for the purpose, the assembly may require the council to reconsider its decision
to authorize the board to provide for any of the following on academic grounds:
(a) the establishment of any college, department or institute;
(b) the disestablishment of any college, department or institute;
(c) affiliation or federation with any educational institution; or
(d) the dissolution of any affiliation or federation with any educational institution.
Power to dissolve council
72(1) At a special meeting called for the purpose, the assembly may pass a motion
directing that the members of the assembly vote to determine whether or not to
direct that the council be dissolved and that elections for a new council be held.
See the full text of the Act at http://www.usask.ca/secretariat/governing-bodies/governingdocuments/index.php for further information, or contact the University Secretary.
14
Reference Information about Committees
List of Council and University Committees
Committee
What does it do?
University Council Standing Committees
Academic Programs Committee
Reviews and approves curricular changes from all colleges, recommends
major curricular changes to Council, oversees policies relating to students
and academic programs.
Coordinating Committee
Develops agendas for University Council. Consists of the chair and vicechair of Council and all Council committee chairs.
Governance Committee
Reviews Council bylaws, including committee terms of reference; develops
policies and guidelines relating to student academic appeals and conduct.
International Activities Committee
Develops and reviews policies, programming, and strategic directions for
international activities and programs.
Nominations Committee
Nominates GAA and Council members for university committees and
panels.
Planning and Priorities Committee
Reviews and advises Council and the university administration on planning,
budgeting, and academic priorities.
Research, Scholarly and Artistic Work
Committee
Reviews and advises Council on issues related to research, scholarly and
artistic work, including research-related policies.
Scholarships and Awards Committee
Grants awards, scholarships and bursaries open to students of more than
one college or school; advises Council on scholarships and awards policies
and issues.
Teaching, Learning and Academic Resources
Committee
Reviews and advises on pedagogical issues, support services for teaching
and learning and policy issues related to teaching, learning and academic
resources.
Collective Agreement Committees
University Review Committee
Reviews College recommendations for awards of tenure, renewals of
probation, and promotions to Professor. Its recommendations are made to
the President. This committee is prescribed by the Collective Agreement
(15.9.4).
Renewals and Tenure Appeal Panel
From this panel, members are chosen for committees on Sabbatical Appeal,
Promotion Appeal, and Tenure Appeal Committees, and for the President’s
Review Committee. This panel is prescribed by the Collective Agreement
(15.9.5.2).
Other Committees
Student Academic Hearing and Appeals Panel
Mandated by the Council policies on Student Appeals in Academic Matters
and on Academic Misconduct and by the Senate policy for the Standard of
Conduct in Non-academic Matters. Faculty representatives for disciplinary
and appeal committees are selected from this roster.
Policy Oversight Committee
Ensures consistency and coordination in the development, approval and
administration of all University policies.
Joint Committee on Chairs and Professorships
Brings the approving bodies of Council and the Board of Governors to a joint
table to ensure that academic and financial concerns regarding chairs and
professorships can be addressed simultaneously.
Senate Roundtable on Outreach and
Engagement
Supports and advances the university’s outreach and engagement activities,
as recommended in the Foundational Document on Outreach and
Engagement.
Recreation and Athletics Advisory Council
Recommends on recreation and athletic fees charged to students and
reviews reports on expenditures.
Search and Review Committees
As prescribed by the Search and Review Procedures for Senior
Administrators members of Council and of the GAA are selected by Council
for membership on search and review committees for senior administrative
positions.
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UNIVERSITY COUNCIL – GUIDELINES FOR COMMITTEES AND
COMMITTEE MINUTES
Meetings of Council Committees
1. Committee meetings are open to members (voting and non-voting), resource officers and
invited guests only.
2. Quorum for committees is a majority of the voting members, except for the nominations
committee, whose quorum is 2/3 of the voting members.*
3. The President and the Chairperson of Council are ex officio, non-voting members of all Council
committees. They are not counted when determining the quorum of a committee meeting.*
4. An ex officio member may designate an individual to serve in her or his place on a committee of
Council with the same powers as the designator. Such designations shall last for a twelve-month
period of time subject to renewal. In the event that the individual is unable to complete the full
term, another individual can be designated in his or her place. To initiate the designation, the ex
officio member will inform the Chairperson of Council and the Chairperson of the committee
involved. During the period of designation, the ex officio member who initiated the designation
may still attend the Committee meeting from time to time with a voice but no vote. *
5. Standing committees may create subcommittees, including subcommittees composed of
persons who are not members of Council.*
6. Members of standing committees or subcommittees who have disclosed a conflict of
interest will abstain from voting in committee proceedings, and when appropriate will
withdraw from all committee deliberations with respect to the matter.*
Minutes of Council Committees
1. Each standing committee and subcommittee must keep a record of its proceedings in the form of
minutes. Whenever practical, minutes should be approved at the next duly constituted meeting of
the committee.
2. The record shall be open to any member of the committee, whether voting or non-voting.
3. The record is confidential, but excerpts from the minutes may be released at the discretion of the
chair.
4. Each standing committee is required to report at least annually to Council.*
*from Council Bylaws
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