APC00-10-19M
ACADEMIC POLICY COMMITTEE
Minutes of Meeting
Date: Thursday, October 19, 2000
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Committee Members: Ms. Cynthia Archer, Dr. Harold Atkinson, Dr. Noel Hurley, Dr. Ed King, Dr. Dietmar Lage,
Dr. Michael Salter (Chair), Mr. Andrew Sasso, Prof. Anne Snowdon, Dr. Andrzej Sobiesiak, Dr. Alden Warner, Ms.
Nicolette Westfall
Absent: Ms. Alma Arguello, Prof. Tony Blair (regrets), Prof. Mary Gold (regrets), Mr. Eric Harbottle, Mr. Faisal
Khan, Dr. Ihor Stebelsky, Dr. David Symons,
Invited Guests: Dr. Veronika Mogyorody
In Attendance: Ms. Renée Wintermute (Secretary)
3.1
Approval of Agenda
Motion to approve agenda - Dr. Dietmar Lage
Seconded - Dr. Ed King
Carried
3.2
Approval of Minutes
Minutes of October 4, 2000
Motion to adopt the minutes - Dr. Andrzej Sobiesiak
Seconded - Dr. Noel Hurley
Carried
3.3
Business Arising from the Minutes
The agenda items, first-year retention, local recruitment efforts and PLAR update, have been added to the
2000-2001 APC schedule and the revised APC calendar has been distributed electronically to members.
The Chair informed the Committee that the Bookstore policy issue is external to the APC as it is not within
the latter=s mandate to survey ancillary enterprises. It was agreed that Dr. Atkinson, Mr. Harbottle and Mr.
Jim Butler will meet regarding this issue and that the Committee will address the matter only if the former are
unable to reach a satisfactory solution.
3.4
Outstanding Business
The question was raised of the relationship between the rise in full-time enrolment and the decrease in parttime students. It was suggested that perhaps part-time students were switching to full-time status, thereby
directly affecting enrolment numbers. However, it was also noted that perhaps the figures reflect the
University=s focus on full-time student recruitment. The Chair suggested that discussion on these questions
should be deferred to a later meeting. He informed the Committee that Mr. Mike Houston has been invited to
report on >Local Recruitment Efforts= at the February 1, 2001 APC meeting and that, although he deals
particularly with first-year recruitment, Mr Houston may be better equipped to answer questions such as
these.
3.5
Reports/New Business
3.5.1 Request for Additional Evening and Weekend Courses - APC #3.5.1
Recommendations 1 & 3, regarding increasing the number of evening courses and offering weekend
courses, were addressed. It was noted that there is currently no mechanism in place whereby the demand
for evening courses can be precisely quantified. Dr. King explained that the numbers provided were not
firm. He stated that the suggested increase in the number of evening and weekend courses was geared
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APC Minutes: October 19, 2000
APC00-10-19M
more toward an increase in the variety of courses offered so that non-traditional students could complete
their program in a more timely fashion. Given this, members agreed that a rotation between day and night
courses could be implemented thereby ensuring variety and ensuring that there would be no consequent
decrease in full-time day courses.
Members were informed that due to the current distinction between distributive course models (webdelivered courses, distance education courses, etc.) and residency requirement courses, possible flexible
learning solutions regarding the issue of evening and weekend courses must abide by the residency
component. Members also noted that it may be unreasonable to suggest an increase in evening courses for
all disciplines. AAUs need to examine the specific needs of their students and to tailor course offerings
accordingly.
Regarding weekend courses specifically, members stated that in the past student attendance had not been
favourable and that three consecutive hours or more in a classroom may negatively affect the efficiency and
concentration of the instructor and the students. Dr. Mogyorody stated that possible lifestyle and family
implications must also be taken into account when examining flexible learning issues. For instance,
demographically, parents and caregivers generally prefer weekend courses while faculty may find that these
course offerings impinge on the little time they have with their families.
The Chair suggested that the Working Group, working with the Centre for Flexible Learning (CFL), further
examine these issues. Members agreed that more qualitative and quantitative data should be collected
from both faculty and, traditional and non-traditional students. It was agreed that the Working Group would
report back to the APC at the February 14, 2001 meeting.
Discussion turned to recommendation 2. It was agreed that AAUs, in consultation with the Office of the
Registrar, should take the initiative with this matter. The former should be requesting faculty and student
feedback on potential evening time slots and when possible setting the schedule accordingly. It was further
suggested that AAUs should also start requesting feedback on weekend and evening courses and other
flexible learning models.
It was agreed that the Chair, Dr. King and Dr. Mogyorody will formulate a letter to AAUs requesting that they
consider increasing both the level and number of evening/weekend courses next year.
3.5.2 Distance Education and How Sarnia and Chatham Fit Into the General Plan
The Working Group, chaired by Dr. Lage, will be ready to report on this issue at the next APC meeting.
Action: Distance Education information from the CFL will be sent to the secretary and circulated to the membership
for the next meeting.
3.6
Question Period/Other Business
Members were informed that Dr. Warner, acting on behalf of the Chair and APC, will be tabling the IT Report
at the November 16, 2000 Senate meeting. Dr. Veronika Mogyorody and Mr. Roger Lauzon will be present
to answer any questions.
3.7
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn - Dr. Harold Atkinson
Seconded - Prof. Anne Snowdon
Carried
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