MinutesofUniversityCouncil
2:30p.m.,Thursday,December18,2014
Neatby‐TimlinTheatre
Attendance:J.Kalra(Chair).SeeAppendixAforlistingofmembersinattendance.
AtributetoProfessorJamesBrooke,DepartmentofMathematicsandStatistics,waspresentedby
ProfessorJacekSzmigielski,professorintheDepartmentofMathematicsandStatistics.Amoment
ofsilencewasobserved.
Thechaircalledthemeetingtoorderat2:45p.m.,observingthatquorumhadbeenattained.
1. Adoptionoftheagenda
B.BRENNA/ZELLO:Toadopttheagendaascirculated. CARRIED
2. Openingremarks
Dr.Kalra,chairofCouncil,providedopeningremarks.Theuniversitysecretarywelcomedthenew
representativefromtheEdwardsSchoolofBusiness,Prof.SureshKalagnanamandthechair
welcomedthetwonewstudentmembers,JenniferBarrett,AgricultureandBioresources,and
KatrinaBarth,WesternCollegeofVeterinaryMedicine.Thechairnotedtheusualproceduresfor
debateanddiscussion,andtheitemstobeaddressedatCouncil.
3. MinutesofthemeetingofNovember20,2014
Theuniversitysecretaryadvisedofarequestedcorrectiononpage8oftheNovember20,2014
meetingminutestoreviseinitem8.2ReportfromtheGSAtoadd“andfaculty”tothethirdlastline
soitreads,“numberofemailsofsupportfromstudentsandfacultyregardingthedefamatory
comments…”.
FINDLAY/D.BRENNA:ThattheCouncilminutesofNovember20,2014beapproved
withtheonecorrectionasnoted.
CARRIED
4. Businessfromtheminutes
ThechairadvisedthataresponsetothequestionsraisedbytheD’Eon/Solosemotionpassedatthe
November20,2014Councilmeetingwouldbeprovidedbythevice‐presidentfinanceand
resourcesattheFebruary2015Councilmeeting.
5. ReportofthePresident
PresidentGordonBarnhartnotedhewasmovedbythetributetoProf.Brookeasheknewhim
beforejoiningtheuniversity.
Thepresidentspoketohisreport.Headvisedthathewascontinuingtoensureastrongand
collaborativeleadershipteam;enhanceaccountabilityandtransparency;andgivecareand
attentiontobothinternalandexternalstakeholders.Regardingexternalstakeholdershenotedthat
hehadrecentlyattendedanumberofalumnieventsaspartofhistourinRegina,WeyburnandLa
Ronge;andalsoinEdmonton,CalgaryandOttawa.InparticularhenotedhisvisittotheUofS
nursingcampusinRegina,whichhefoundquiteamazingandthatthishadbeenthefirsttimethe
1
universitypresidenthadvisitedWeyburnsince2002(buthewassurprisedthathewasunableto
visitanyoneatthehighschoolinWeyburnalthoughherequestedavisitandalsodroppedbythe
school).
ThepresidentreportedonhistriptoChina.HehostedalumnieventsinbothHongKongandChina,
attendedbymanyrecentgraduatesoftheUofSsomeofwhomtravelledhourstoBeijingattheir
ownexpensespecificallyfortheevent.HealsoconductedproductivemeetingswiththeUniversity
ofHongKongandBeijingNormalUniversity;signedaformalmemorandumofunderstandingwith
ShantouUniversity;andstrengthenedtherelationshipwithourcurrentflagshippartner,the
BeijingInstituteofTechnology.Thepresidentalsometwithanumberofpotentialdonorswhichhe
washopefulwouldresultinsomesizeabledonations.Thepresidentnotedthathetravelledto
Chinaoneconomyclassandthathiswifejoinedhimatherownexpenseinanattempttokeeptheir
travelcoststoaminimum.
ThepresidentnotedtheSaskatchewanGovernment’sannouncementoftheirinternational
educationstrategy:encouragingstudentstostudyabroad;increasinginternationalstudentscoming
toSaskatchewan;andgrowingmoreinternationalworkingrelationshipswithglobalresearch
partners.
ThepresidentprovidedanupdateontheAboriginalachievementweeknotingthatitwasscheduled
forFebruary2‐6,2015witha“leadership”theme.HealsoprovidedanupdateontheGordonOakes
RedBearStudentCentreadvisingthatitwasexpectedtobecompleteinApril2015andasoft
openingwastentativelyplannedforApril/MaywiththeofficialopeningoccurringinSeptember
2015.
ThepresidentnotedthatoneofthecommitmentsmadeinSeptemberwasinrelationtoAboriginal
engagementandheadvisedthattworelatedconversationcafeswereheldengagingcloseto200
students,facultyandstaffindiscussingpossibleactionsinkeyareas.HenotedthatHeather
Magotiaux,vice‐presidentadvancementandcommunityengagement,wascurrentlyawaywithill
healthandhopedtofurtherthispriorityinthenewyear.
ThepresidentspokeabouttheConfuciusInstituteoncampusadvisingthattheyhavehad
approximately120studentstakenon‐creditclassessinceJanuary2013.StudentstakefreeChinese
languagetraining.ThepresidentnotedthatweneedtoencouragestudentstostudymoreMandarin
andalsotoworkwithuniversitiesinChinatooffermoreclassesinEnglishtoallowmoreofour
studentstostudyabroad.HeexplainedthatprofessorsattheConfuciusInstitutewerenotpartof
theUofSacademicfacultycomponentsowehadnosayoverwhowashired,butwedohavesome
influenceoverwhatistaughtandthestudyofMandarin.
ThepresidentnotedthathiswishfortheUniversityCouncilwastomovetohavingstudentssitting
inthefrontrowasthiswasmorethansymbolicandhegavehisassurancetoCouncilthathe
wantedtoworkashardaspossiblewithCounciltomaketheuniversitythebestwecanfroman
academicpointofview.HewashopefulthatCouncilwouldaccepthisnewyear’sresolutiontoall
workforthesamegoalandforthestudentsoftheuniversity.
Thepresidentthenaskedforquestions.ACouncilmembersuggestedthatpartnershipswith
Chinesepartnersshouldbeontheuniversitywebsitebecausetransparencywasimportant.He
notedthatChinahasrecentlymovedtohaveclosed‐circuittelevisioncamerasintheiruniversity
classroomsandherecommendedthattheUofSprepareforenhancedvigilanceofpartnership
agreementsandthevaluesofthisuniversity.Thepresidentrepliedthathedidnotseeanyreason
whythepartnershipagreementscouldnotbeonthewebsiteandhebelievedthattheConfucius
Instituteagreementnolongerhadtobekeptconfidential,andifhewascorrectthentheagreement
wouldbeputontheuniversity’swebsite.Regardingclosedcircuitcamerashenotedthatifthe
2
ConfuciusInstitute’sclassesweretaughthereoncampushedidnotbelievecamerasshouldbeused
inthoseclassrooms.
ACouncilmembernotedthatshewashappytohearthattheuniversityacknowledgesthe
importanceofChinaasapartnerandtheimportanceoflanguages.ShecommentedthatMandarin
wasnowtaughtintheDepartmentofReligionandCulturealthoughonlyfourcoursesayear
becausetheywereusingsessionallecturers.Shecommentedthatshehadheardthatcoursesbeing
taughtbytheConfuciusInstitutehadtobetakenupbytheuniversityaftertheinitialfourorfive
yearswhichwasgoodforstudentsononehand,butalsocreatedadilemmaasthedepartmentdid
nothaveenoughmoneytooffercreditedcoursesinMandarinandintheculture.Thepresident
thankedtheprofessorforhercommentsandsupportoftheimportanceofMandarinandhenoted
thathercommentswouldberaisedwithProvostBarber.
ACouncilmembernotedthattherewereconcernsabouttheConfuciusInstitutehonoringacademic
freedomandadvancingChina’ssoftpowersinternationally,aswellasotherconcernswhichwas
whymanyotheruniversitieshadnotwelcomedtheseinstitutesontheircampuses.Heaskedhow
theinternationalactivitiescommitteewascomingonthereviewofthesedecisionsregarding
repressiveregimes.Thepresidentadvisedthathewasnotawareoftheinternationalactivities
committee’sactivities.Regardingacademicfreedom,henotedthattheConfuciusInstituteswerein
CanadatoteachthelanguageandsomeChinesecultureanddidnotviolatewhattheuniversity
believedin.HeadvisedthathehasnotexperiencedorseenthattheConfuciusInstitutewastrying
tofoistontheUofSthepropagandaoftheviewsofcentralChina.
6. ReportoftheProvost
PattiMcDougall,vice‐provostteachingandlearning,spoketotheprovost’sreportonbehalfof
ProvostBarberashewasill.Shenotedthattheprovosthighlightedanumberofactivitiesinhis
reportbeginningwiththeeightpriorityactivitiesandcontinuingwithactivitiesincollegesandthe
OfficeoftheVice‐PresidentResearch.
ACouncilmembernotedthesurveyreferencedintheprovost’sreportconnectedtotheservice
designanddeliveryprojectsuggestingthatthesurveywasominous,onerousandgratuitousand
giventherecenteventsoftheuniversityanotheriterationofacultureofsurveillance.Hesuggested
thattherewasaconsultancyparadoxwheretheuniversitywasrelyingmoreonexternalexpertise
thanbygrowingtheinternalcapacitytomakethedeterminationsonourownandsuggestedthat
ScottMadden,theconsultantforthisprojectappearednottohaveexperienceinuniversitywork.
HeaskedhowmuchtheuniversityhadpaidScottMaddenforthisprojectandwhethersenior
administrationrealizedthatpeoplefeltthreatenedbythisactivityespeciallygiventhelast18
months.GregFowler,vice‐presidentfinanceandresources,respondednotingthathisofficehad
beenworkingwiththestaffontheinventoryandbeenassuringstaffthatthiswasnotaboutjobloss
butmoreaboutdoingourjobbettertoservetheuniversityanditsmandate.Hecommittedto
provideinformationonthecostofScottMadden.Healsonotedthatthisprojectwouldresultina
proposalforthedeanstolookatandthatadministrationhadalotofinvolvementfromfunctional
leadsandourstaff.
JimPulfer,SenaterepresentativetoCouncil,advisedthattherehadbeenanetsavingofabout$7M
byhavingfacultyretirefromtheuniversity,andthatitsoundedlikeitwouldgotowardthepension
fund.Heencouragedtheprovostusethesavingstohirebrightnewstaffmemberstoassist
graduatestudentstolearn.Vice‐ProvostMcDougallrespondednotingthatonpage2ofthe
provost’sreportitspeaksto$4.67Minfundinggoingtocollegesfollowingtheretirementincentive
thisspringwhichwillbeareinvestmentintofacultypositionsincolleges.
3
Anon‐CouncilmembernotedtheUofSprioritiesofactionincludedinter‐professionalhealth
educationandinter‐disciplinaryhealthresearch.Shenotedtherewereover400students
participatinginSWITCH,approximately380fromtheUofSbuttheuniversitydidnothaveanMOU
withSWITCHeventhoughthisorganizationwaskeytoourglobalhealthprogramthroughthe
CollegeofMedicineandanawardwinningprogram.ShenotedthatSWITCHhadfundingchallenges
andwouldbemeetingwithsenioradministrationaboutfurtherfunding.Vice‐provostMcDougall
respondedtothisquestionadvisingthattheysuggestedtoSWITCHinfallthattheuniversityhavea
MOUwiththemasinthepasttheyhadnotbeeninterestedinsuchanapproach.Theyhaveevolved
anddecidedtomoveforwardtoanintegratedpartnership.InadditiontoMedicinetherearemany
studentsinArtsandScienceandothercollegesinvolvedwiththisprogram.Theuniversitywill
formalizeitsrelationshipwiththemandarediscussingformalfinancialsupportandothersupport
andadvicetohelpSWITCHstabilizetheirfunding.Shenotedthatmanystudentswerevolunteers
andsomewereparticipatingthroughformalprograms.
ACouncilmemberaskedabouttheservicedesignanddeliverysurveyandaskedwhyfaculty
memberswerenotapartofthesurvey.Vice‐provostMcDougalladvisedthatthesurveywasnot
aboutsatisfactionorqualitybutratheraninventorydesignedtoaskstaffwhattheydidacross
sevenkeyareas.Nowwiththeresultstherewasaninventoryofinformationtounderstandhowwe
deliverservicestotheuniversityandwherethattakesplace.Thiswillallowustodetermineifwe
aredeliveringourservicesinthebestwayandwheretoimprove.
DeanKishWasan,CollegeofPharmacyandNutrition,advisedthatthecollegewouldbesigninga
partnershipagreementwithSWITCHandwillhavepharmacistsworkingwithSWITCHandour
students,andhopefullynutritionistsaswell.DeanWasannotedthatMinisterDuncanwas
supportiveofthisinteraction.
Anon‐CouncilmembernotedthatamemberofSWITCHhadtogotoeachcollegeandseekfunding
andiftheuniversitywantedtoengageacademicallywithSWITCHthiscouldbedoneandshecalled
foranactionplan.Vice‐provostMcDougalladvisedthatpartoftheMOUwithSWITCHwillbeabout
principlesandabouthowtohavebetterprocesses.DeanPrestonSmith,CollegeofMedicine,also
respondedemphasizingtheimportanceofSWITCHandthevalueplacedonthisprogramand
advisedthattheCollegeofMedicinewouldtakealeadingroleinsupportingSWITCHbothinkind
andwithfinancialresourcestoensuretheycontinuetodotheirgoodwork.
6.1
CollegeofMedicineupdate
Vice‐provostMartinPhillipsonandDeanPrestonSmithprovidedanupdateontheCollege
ofMedicine.
Vice‐provostPhillipsonreportedthatafterTheWayForwardwentthroughCouncil,it
receivedstrongendorsementsfromboththemedicalassociationandaccreditationbody.A
keyfactoroftheplanwastobringforwardleadershipandVice‐provostPhillipsonreported
thatDeanSmithwasprovidingstable,collaborativeandhumbleleadershiptostabilizeand
build‐upthecollege.Overthepast12monthsthecollegehadalso:beenbuildingcapacityby
hiringachiefoperatingofficerandrecruitingvice‐deans,associatedeansanddepartment
heads;hadhiredafull‐timeaccreditationspecialistandfulltimeprojectmanagerworking
ondistributedmedicaleducationprojects;wasworkingwithFinancialServicestoensure
thebudgetwasclearandeffective;andhadreceivedstrongsupportfromtheProvincial
ministries,althoughtherecontinuedtobestrongchallengesandthecollegewasworkingon
anacademicfundingplanwiththeProvinceasacrucialcomponent.Vice‐provostPhillipson
reportedthatstudentperformanceinthelasttwosetsofnationalexamshadimproved;the
newcurriculumhadbeenintroduced;andthecollegewasmakinggoodprogress.Healso
notedthathewouldbegoingonadministrativeleave.
4
DeanSmithreportedontheworkbeingconductedtorealignthefacultycomplement,re‐
conceptualizeresearchandre‐structuregovernancestructures.Headvisedthattheywould
berelentlessbutflexibleinimplementingTheWayForward,andthatthemostimportant
jobhehadwastotakecareofpeoplethroughtheprocessofchange.Hewasinterpreting
TheWayForwardasaneedtoincreasethefacultycomplementintheCollegeofMedicine.
Thecollegehadfacultyinclinicalandbasicsciencesandafewotherfull‐timefacultyin
educationandotherfields.Therewascurrentlytherightnumberofbasicsciencefaculty;
however,regardingclinicalfacultythecollegewillbemovingtoamodelofclinicalfaculty
engagementthatallowsthecollegetovalueeducation,researchandclinicalworkequally.
DeanSmithreportedthatthecollegehadengagedconsultantstodevelopaphysician
resourceplanandtheconsultantshaddoneanenvironmentalscanofdoctorsinthe
province.Itwasdeterminedthatbetweenuniversityandcommunity‐basedfaculty,there
wasapproximately60FTEofacademictimebeingspentbycliniciansinSaskatoon.Asa
comparison,inHalifaxthereare150FTEwithapproximatelythesamesizeofmedical
school,similarsizeresidencyprogram,andmoreresearchbutasimilarnumberof
scientists.Comparably,thereare450cliniciansinCalgaryandtheydevote33%oftheir
timetoacademicworkequalingapproximately150FTE.Wehaverelationshipswith1200
doctorsbutthelevelofengagementacrossthe1200wasalotlessthaninotherprovinces.
Therefore,weneedtogotoanewplan.Wearetheonlymedicalschoolthathaseverbeen
onprobationtwiceinCanada;andwehavefewerdoctorshighlyengagedwiththeCollegeof
Medicine,ascomparedtootherprovinces.
Thedeanadvisedthathehadbeenworkinghardtore‐conceptualizeresearchintheCollege
ofMedicine.Currentlytheyareconductingafulltimesearchforapermanentrolefora
vice‐deanofresearchandworkingtomovetoateamsciencemodelofresearch.TheUofS
hasbetterresourcesthantheUniversityofManitoba,QueensUniversityandDalhousie
University,andanenormousopportunityinourresearch.Thecollegewasworkingonan
applicationforastrategyforintegratedresearchandapotential$30Moffederalmoneyfor
additionalpatientfocusedresearch.
Thedeanreportedthathehadstabilizedtheleadershipinundergraduateeducationatthe
collegeandhiredanewchiefoperatingofficer.Therewasnolongeravice‐deanoffaculty
engagementashehadtakenthatroleonhimselfandinthisrolehadbeengettingtoknow
manyfaculty.Thedeanreportedthathehadbeentosixofthehealthregionsandintended
tovisitallwithinhisfirstyear.Hespokehighlyoftheassistantdeanofquality,Dr.Athena
Connell,soitwaspossibleandprobablethattheaccreditorswillsaythecollegeisdoinga
goodjobbutwewillremainonprobationuntiltheycomebackforanothervisit.Thiswas
hisexperienceatDalhousie.
RegardingtheSchoolofPhysicalTherapy,thedeanreportedthatitwouldhaveitsregularly
scheduledaccreditationinFebruaryandtheschoolwasready.Aswell,thecollege’spost‐
graduateprogramwouldgoforitsregular6‐yearcyclereviewin2015.
ThedeanreportedthattheywillbemeetingwiththeProvincialgovernmentaboutanew
engagementstrategyforcompensationofcommunity‐baseddoctors.
Inconclusion,thedeanadvisedthatthecollegehadgreatstudentsandresidents,andgreat
researchwasbeingconducted.Hefoundthecollegewaslookingforstabilitybutreadyfor
changeandithadaconsiderableamountofenergy.HebelievedthattheCollegeof
Medicinewouldbethebestofthesmallmedicalcollegeswithin5years.
5
DesiréeSteele,USSUvice‐presidentacademic,askedasarepresentativeofthestudents
affectedwithinthecollege,forDeanSmithtoprovideanupdatetoCouncilonthemeetings
heldwithstudentsinlateNovember.DeanSmithadvisedthatthereweretwomeetings
withthestudentbodyinthefallandanumberofmeetingswiththestudentexecutive.He
wasawayandmissedtheNovembermeetingbutbelievedtherewerediscussionsabout
tuition.Hereportedthathehadaskedtomeetwiththestudentexecutivetoengagefurther
withthestudentbodyinthecomingyear.
ACouncilmembernotedthathewasahealthresearcherbutnotintheCollegeofMedicine
andreportedthattherehadbeengoodresearchdonebyindividualsoutsideoftheCollege
ofMedicine.Heencouragedthedeanandotheradministratorspresenttoconsiderwaysto
addresshealthresearchdonebythoseoutsideoftheCollegeofMedicineandinsocial
sciencesandhumanitiesastheywerefeelingsomewhatignored.Headvisedthathealth
researchoncampuswouldbebetteroffiftherewasaconversationacrosscampusonhow
healthresearchwasbeingundertaken.Thedeannotedthatasafamilydoctorhewasused
tomeetingwithothersandhadagoodmeetingwithagroupofneurosciencesfromacross
severalcollegesandthethemeoftheconversationwashowtoreachoutandcollaborate
andmoveforward.HealsoadvisedthathespokewiththedeanofArtsandScienceabout
themedicalhumanities.HenotedthatatDalhousiewhereheworkedpreviously,theyhad
oneofthestrongestmedicalhumanitiesgroupsinthecountryandhewouldliketomove
thisforwardattheUniversityofSaskatchewanaswell.
InclosingDeanSmiththankedVice‐provostPhillipsonforhisworkwiththeCollegeof
Medicinenotingthatthecollegehadappreciatedthecollaborativeandconsultativenature
inwhichhetookonthechallengeofmovingthecollegeforward.Thiscommentwasmet
withapplause.
7. StudentSocieties
7.1ReportfromtheUSSU
DesiréeSteel,vice‐presidentacademicaffairsoftheUniversityofSaskatchewanStudents’
Union(USSU)presentedthereporttoCouncil.Shenotedthatherwrittenreportwas
containedinthemeetingmaterials.SheadvisedthatUSSU’sAGMwasheldonNovember20th
whereavarietyofmotionswereintroduced.Shewasexcitedtoengagesomeofthehardto
reachconstituencieswithnewcommitteesandwashopingtousetheinformationlearnedfrom
themtomoveforward,especiallytheirinternationalcommittee.ShenotedthatCouncil’s
internationalactivitiescommitteedidnothavealottodowithinternationalstudentsatthe
universityandtheUSSUwouldbelookingtobringforwardsomeconcernsinthisarea.
Ms.Steeleprovidedcommentsonopentextbooksadvisingthatfacultycannowreceive
remunerationforreviewsofopentextbooksintheBCcampuscollectionandshewashopeful
thatthiswasasteptomaketheuniversityandfacultymoreagreeabletoopentextbooks.She
encouragedCounciltofollowthelinkprovidedinthewrittenmaterialsandthefreeworkshop
onopentextbooks.
RegardingtheupdateprovidedbythedeanoftheCollegeofMedicine,Ms.Steelenotedthatshe
waspleasedtohearwhatwashappening.SheencouragedDeanSmithtoengagewithstudents
andcontinuetobestrategicindoingthisasitwouldbeeasytooverlookstudents.Shenoted
thattheteamworkingontherestructuringwasinthebestpositiontokeepstudentsinformed.
SheencouragedallofCounciltokeepinmindthatstudentsalsoliketoknowwhatisgoingon
andtokeepstudentsinmindwhenplanningandcommunicatingtheirplans.
6
Regardingconsultationintheareaoftuition,Ms.Steelenotedthatitwaspositivetoseethe
reportthatwenttotheBoardregardingtheconsultationthathadoccurredandwas
encouragedbythis.ShethankedCouncilforthefurtheranceoflearninganddiscoverywith
studentsoncampus.
7.2 ReportfromtheGSA
IzabelaVlahu,presidentoftheGraduateStudents’Association(GSA),presentedthereportto
Council.Shenotedthatherwrittenreportwascontainedinthematerials.
Regardingtuitionfeeincreasesandtherelatedconsultations,shenotedthatshehadnotheard
ofanyengagementthroughtheGSAortheacademicprogramthatshewasinvolvedin.She
advisedthattheGSAreachedouttothedeanofArtsandScienceandhadagooddiscussion
andthatasummaryoftheseoutcomeswereincludedinherreport.Sheencouragedthatwhen
therewasanannouncementofconsultationwithstudentsthatitbemadeclearwhatthis
meantassometimesitincludedconsultingwithstudentleadersonly,whichwasokayaslong
asthemembershipwasawareofwhatwasbeingdone.
Ms.VlahureportedthattheGSAwashappytohaveinitiatedapartnershipwiththeUSSUon
supplyingtheUPassandtheGSAstudentswerehappierandtherewaslessconfusion.
RegardingtheGSAweekinMarch2015,Ms.Vlahunotedthatthisyearwillbethethirdannual
galaandtherewillbeaconferenceorganizedbythevice‐presidentacademicoftheGSA.She
alsoadvisedthattherewillbeathree‐minutethesiscompetitionandencouragedthoseCouncil
memberssupervisingPh.D.studentstoworkwiththeirstudentsandattendthecompetition.
AcademicProgramsCommittee
8.
Prof.RoyDobson,chairoftheacademicprogramscommitteepresentedthecommitteeitems.
8.1 Requestfordecision:CertificateofProficiencyinClassicalandMedievalLatin
Prof.DobsonclarifiedwhythisproficiencycertificatewascomingtoCouncilforapproval,
notingthatin2012Councilapprovedacertificatetemplateandthereforetheassociated
programscometoCouncilforinformationonly;butthisprogramwascomingforapproval
becauseithasbeenpastpracticetobringanycertificatestoCouncilinnewareasofstudy.
Prof.Dobsonadvisedthatinthefuture,certificateprogramswillcometoCouncilforapproval
iftheyareeithernotintheCollegeofArtsandScienceoriftheyaresignificantintermsof
financialresources.
Prof.DobsonadvisedthatthiscertificateinproficiencyinClassicalandMedievalLatinwas
intendedtoprovidestudentsnotmajoringinlanguagestohaveaproficiencyinLatin.A
Senatemembernotedthatwhenhereviewedthematerialshethoughtthiswasagoodidea
butwassurprisedthattherewasnoassociatedbudget.Prof.Dobsonrepliedthatthiswas
becausethecourseswerealreadybeingofferedandtherewouldjustbeadditionalstudents
comingtotheclasses.DavidParkinson,vice‐deanoftheCollegeofArtsandScience,advised
thatthisprogramwouldgivestudentstheopportunitytoidentifythegroupofcoursesasan
accreditation.
DOBSON/PARKINSON:ThatCouncilapprovetheCertificateinProficiencyinClassical
andMedievalLatin,effectiveSeptember2015.
CARRIED
7
8.2 Reportforinformation:2015/16AcademicCalendar
Prof.DobsonnotedthatthisreportwasprovidedtoCouncilforinformationandcalledforany
questions.AcouncilmemberaskedwhythefallmidtermbreakwasinNovemberwhich
allowedonlythreeweeksbeforetheendofterm.Hesuggestedthathavingitearlierwould
accommodatemidtermexamsbetterandwouldallowstudentstoregroupbetteraftercoming
back.Healsonotedthatinthedramaprogramthereweretwoproductionsproducedperterm
andhavingthebreakinNovemberlimitedthevalueofteachingintheseproductionsandhe
encouragedadministrationtomovethefallmidtermbreaktoearlierintheyear.
RegistrarRussIsingerrespondednotingthathewouldtalktocollegesaboutthis.Thetwo
modelsthatuniversitieswithfallmidtermbreaksfollowwastohavethebreakaroundthe
OctoberholidayortheNovemberholidaytoutilizethestatutoryholiday.Themainreasonfor
theUofShavingitsbreakinNovemberwasbasedonasurveyofstudentsandtwo‐thirds
indicatedtheywouldpreferthebreakinNovember.Therewasalsoafeelingthatthenatureof
studentworktendedtopileupneartheendofthetermandasthisbreakwastorelievesome
stressandaddresssomementalhealthconcerns,itwasfeltthatstudentswouldbebetter
servedbyaNovemberbreak.Theregistrarnotedthatindevelopingthecalendartherewere
ongoingdiscussionswithacademicassociatedeanseveryyearandhewouldraiseitwith
them.
ACouncilmemberaskedwhethertherecouldbeatleastonedaybetweenclassesendingand
examsbeginningandifthiswasnotpossiblethenhavetheTuesday/Thursdayclassesbethe
onestostarttheexams.Theregistraradvisedthat2014wasahardcalendaryearanditwas
knownthatthiswouldbeoneofthetradeoffs.Forthenumberofexamsandspaceavailable,a
certainamountoftimewasrequiredandthepreferenceinthesurveysconductedwasnotto
writeexamsallthewayuptoDecember23rd.Headvisedthattheyweretryingtodowhathad
beensuggestedwithinthelimitsoftheirsystemandinfuturecalendaryearstheyhopedtobe
abletoaddressthis.
9. Governancecommittee
ProfessorLouiseRacine,chairofthegovernancecommittee,presentedthecommitteeitemsto
Council.
9.1
RequestforDecision:ElectionofFacultyMemberstoCouncil,CouncilBylaws,Part
One,s.II
Prof.RacineadvisedthattherecommendedamendmentwastoalignCouncilbylawswithThe
UniversityofSaskatchewanAct,1995.
RACINE/DOBSON:ThatCouncilapprovethefollowingamendmentstoCouncil
Bylaws:
1.
ThereplacementofthestatementinPartOne,II,12:“Shouldvacancieson
Counciloccurbetweenthetimeoftheelectionandthedateofthefirst
Councilmeetinginthefall,suchvacancieswillcontinuetobefilledbythose
unelectedcandidatesonthevotinglistwhoreceivedthegreatestnumberof
votes.”withthestatement,
“Candidatesonthevotinglistwhoreceivethegreatestnumberofvotesare
electedtoCouncileffectiveJuly1.Shouldcandidatessoelecteddeclineor
8
otherwisebeunabletoacceptapositiononCouncil,suchpositionsshall
continuetobefilledbythoseunelectedcandidatesthatreceivedthegreatest
numberofvotes.”
2.
Theinclusionofanewstatementimmediatelythereafter,whichreads:“A
vacancyonCouncilforacollegerepresentativeunderSection53(2)(b)or(c),
alibrarianunderSection53(2)(d)or(e)orafacultymemberunderSection
53(2)(i)shallbefilledbyanelectionheldwithin90daysofthevacancy,if
thevacancyoccurswithin27monthsofthatmemberbeingelected.A
vacancyarisingafterthattimeshallbefilledatthenextannualelection.”
CARRIED
ACouncilmemberaskedwhetherthismeantthatpeoplewhodidnotreceivemuchsupport
couldbeelected.Prof.Dobsonadvisedthattheelectedmemberwouldbethenext
candidateonthelistwhoreceivedthenexthighestnumberofvotesintheelection.The
universitysecretaryadvisedthatcurrentlythiswashowtheCouncilelectionsworkasthere
wasnominimumnumberofvotesrequiredtobeelected.
ACouncilmemberaskedwhoelectsfacultyrepresentatives,towhichtheuniversity
secretaryadvisedthatfacultyrepresentativeswereelectedbythefacultymembersoftheir
collegeandtheterm“faculty”wasdefinedinTheUniversityofSaskatchewanAct,1995.
9.2
Requestfordecision:InternationalActivitiesCommitteeTermsofReference,
CouncilBylaws,PartTwo,s.IV
ACouncilmembercommendedthegovernancecommitteefortheadditionofclause4ofthe
internationalactivitiescommittee’stermsofreferencenotingthatthisprovidedanexplicit
levelofoversighttoallowproposedinternationalpartnershipstobetakentothe
internationalactivitiescommitteeandreceivescrutiny.
RACINE/DOBSON:ThatCouncilapprovetheamendmentstothetermsofreference
oftheInternationalActivitiesCommitteeofCouncilasshownintheattachment.
CARRIED
9.3
Requestfordecision:CollegeofLawFacultyCouncilMembership,CouncilBylaws,
PartThree,s.V
Prof.RacinenotedthatalloffacultymembersintheCollegeofLawsupportedtheproposed
amendment.ACouncilmemberaskedwhowouldappointthegraduatestudenttothe
facultycouncilandsuggestedthatthisindividualbeappointedbytheGSA.Thedeanofthe
EdwardsSchoolofBusinessnotedthatitwasquitecommoninprofessionalcollegestohave
theirownstudentassociationanditwouldbehighlyunusualtogotothegraduatestudent
association.Prof.Racineadvisedthatthegraduatestudentswouldoffertheirnamesand
thatshewouldnotsupportthisbecomingcentralizedbutrathersupportedthegraduate
studentsintheCollegeofLawchoosingtheirownrepresentative.
RACINE/DOBSON:ThatCouncilapprovetheamendmenttothemembershipofthe
CollegeofLawFacultyCounciltoincludeonestudentfromagraduatedegree
programinlaw.
CARRIED
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10. PlanningandPrioritiesCommittee
Prof.LisaKalynchuk,chairoftheplanningandprioritiescommittee,presentedthecommittee
items.
10.1 Requestfordecision:NameChangeofDepartmentofReligionandCulturetothe
DepartmentofLinguisticsandReligiousStudies
Dr.Kalynchuknotedthattherationaleforthischangewasthatthemembersofthe
DepartmentofLinguisticsrecentlymovedintothedepartmentandthisnamechangebetter
reflectedthefacultymembersandtheactivitiesofthedepartment.Shealsonotedthatthose
onthereligiousstudiessidewerenotcomfortablewiththename“ReligionandCulture”and
thereforethisnamechangehadreceivedfullsupportfromthedepartment.
ACouncilmembernotedthatthenamechangesoundedlikeanoddpairingoftwothings.
Dr.Kalynchukadvisedthatthisdepartmenthadanumberofchangesinthepastfewyears
includinganamechangeandthatthedepartmenthadfourmeetingstodiscussthisname
changeandtheybelieveitreflectedtheiractivities.Astheconstituentsofthedepartment
werehappywiththenamethecommitteethoughtitwasappropriate.Vice‐deanDavid
Parkinsonadvisedthatsuchnamecombinationswerenotunusualandthatreligiousstudies
andlinguisticsgotalongquitewelltogetherandheexpectedthattocontinuewellintothe
future.ThepresidentoftheGSAnotedthatduringtheconsultationitwasreportedthatthe
studentswerealsohappywiththisdecision.
KALYNCHUK/DEBOER:ThatCouncilapprovethechangeofnameoftheDepartmentof
ReligionandCulturetotheDepartmentofLinguisticsandReligiousStudies,effective
May1,2015,andthatCouncil’sBylawsbeamendedtoreflectthenewnameofthe
department.
CARRIED
10.2 Requestforinformation:Councilcommitteeconsiderationofinstitutionalpriorities
Dr.KalynchuknotedshefeltitwasimportantforCounciltobegintoengagewithsenior
leadershiparoundtheeightprioritiesthatwereidentifiedinSeptember.Thereforeshe
invitedthechairsoftheCouncilcommitteestojointheplanningandprioritiescommitteeto
reviewthestatusofworkonthesepriorities.Shereportedthattherewasarobust
discussionfromwhichsheextractedthreegeneralthemes.
Thefirstthemewaslowenrolmentprogramsandconcernsaboutsupportinglowenrolment
programsinthefutureandhowtodothisbestandhowtoidentifywhichprogramsprovided
enoughvaluetocontinueandwhichdidnot.Dr.KalynchuknotedthatCouncilalreadyhada
lowenrolmentpolicyandthattheplanningandprioritiescommitteewouldrevisitthis
policytoseeiftherewereguidelinesthatcouldbeputinplaceandifsothatwouldbedone
withCouncilchairsandCouncil.Thesecondthemethatemergedwashowtoprioritizeareas
ofstrategicimportanceasitwasimportantforCounciltotalkabouthowwebalance
resourcesandthedangerofstrategicareasshiftingovertime.Shealsonotedthataconcern
washowtheuniversitycouldinvestinstrategicprioritieswithoutstarvingotherareasof
activitythatwereimportanttotheacademicmissionoftheuniversity.Thethirdthemewas
aroundsharedservicesandsupportforfacultymembers’teachingandresearch.Dr.
Kalynchukidentifiedthatthispriorityprovidedanopportunityforseniorleadershiptowork
withfacultytoprovidethekindsofsupportthatfacultyneededtoachievetheirteachingand
researchmandate.AsuggestionfromtheplanningandprioritiescommitteetoVice‐
presidentGregFowlerwasthatthiswasagoodopportunityforbetteralignmentaroundthe
10
typesofsupportsfacultyfelttheyneededandDr.KalynchukadvisedthatVice‐president
Fowlerhadindicatedhewasopentothesediscussions.
ACouncilmembernotedthatgiventhesensitivityofthesequestionsandlevelof
apprehensionsomepeoplehad,herecommendedthatinthefirstparagraphofthereportfor
informationthattheterm“criticalscrutiny”oftheseprioritiesbeusedratherthanthe
“advancement”ofthepriorities.Healsosuggestedthatthereportberevisedtoreferto
whendoesitmake“academic”sensetocontinuetoofferlowenrolmentprograms.Another
Councilmembersuggestedthatinthethirdpointregardingsharedservicesthatitreferto
“research,scholarlyandartisticworks”ratherthanjust“research”.
ACouncilmemberspoketoaconcernregardinglowenrolmentprogramsandsuggestedthat
onemeasureoftheirworthcouldbeiftheyaresocompetitivethattopstudentsgointothe
program.Healsonotedthattherewerecertainthingswewerebetteratthanothersand
thatdidnotseemtofigureintowhathadbeenidentifiedasapriorityarea.Hisexamplewas
thatthingswerebeingdonequitewellintheCollegeofEngineeringyetthisdidnotseemto
beapriorityareaandlastyeartherankingoftheengineeringprogramwentdownafter
manyyearsofhighrankings.Healsonotedthatgivingstrategicimportancetocertainparts
oftheuniversitywaspervasiveandnocommitteehaddecidedonthequalityorprofileofthe
peopleintheseareas.Regardingsharedservices,twothingshehadidentifiedasnot
occurringwereprotectingfacultyresearchtimeandprovidingmarkingsupport.Dr.
Kalynchukrepliedthatmanyoftheissuesheraiseddidcomeupindiscussionatthe
planningandprioritiescommitteeandshehadaskedallCouncilcommitteechairstohave
theircommitteesconsidertheeightinstitutionalprioritiesforfurtherdiscussionandthe
planningandprioritiescommitteewouldalsohavefurtherdiscussionsregardingthepriority
areas.Specificallyregardinglowenrolment,Dr.Kalynchukadvisedthattherewere
programsthatweresmallbutimportantandtherewereanumberofcompellingreasonsto
supporttheseprograms.Theplanningandprioritiescommitteeintendstoidentify
principlesonthisandhopefullydeansandunitleaderswouldusetheseprincipleswhen
makingdecisionsinthefuture.
11. Nominationscommittee
Prof.EdKrol,chairofthenominationscommittee,presentedthereportstoCouncil.
11.1 Requestfordecision:Nominationstotherenewalsandtenureappealpanel
Prof.Kroladvisedthattherenewalsandtenureappealpanelwasanewstandingcommittee
andthenominationscommitteeattemptedtoachieveabalanceofmaleandfemale
members,juniorandseniormembers,andrepresentationacrossdisciplines.Thecommittee
hadalsostaggeredthemembers’initialtermstoensureturnoverofcommitteemembership
onanannualbasis.
ACouncilmemberaskedwhatprocesswasfollowedtowhichProf.Kroladvisedthatthe
nominationscommitteemetandusedtheGAAmembershiplisttoidentifyappropriate
individualstoachievethebalanceacrosstheuniversitythathenoted.Hecommentedthat
theydidnotapproachcertainindividualswhowerealreadyonsomeothercommitteesbut
theydidtrytocastthenetasbroadlyaspossible.
Thechaircalledfornominationsfromthefloorandtherewerenone.
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KROL/D.BRENNA:ThatCouncilapprovethenominationstotherenewalsand
tenureappealcommittee,asshownintheattachedmembershiplist,effective
immediately.
CARRIED
11.2 Requestfordecision:Nominationtotheuniversityreviewcommittee
Anon‐Councilmemberaskedwhatprocessthecommitteefollowedinmakingthis
nomination.Prof.Kroladvisedthatitwasasimilarprocessasdescribedfortheprevious
committeeastheylookedatwhowasavailableandwhohadbeenonthecommittee
previously.Theyalsotendedtowardsfullprofessorstominimizethenumberofpeoplewho
hadtoleavetheroomduringthemeetingsandtheyattemptedtocastthenetasbroadlyas
possible.
ThechaircalledfornominationsfromthefloorandJacekSzmigielskiwasnominatedby
CouncilmemberIzabelaVlahu.
Theuniversitysecretaryadvisedthathavingreceivedanominationfromthefloor,according
totheCouncilBylaws,therequiredelectionneededtobecompletedwithinthenexttwo
weeks.Giventhattherewassomeurgencyinhavingthiscommitteefullypopulatedandthat
itwasshortlybeforetheChristmasholidays,shewouldattempttostarttheelectionon
Friday,December19thifpossibleorMonday,December22ndatthelatestanditwouldclose
onDecember24th.
JimGermida,vice‐provost,facultyrelations,informedCouncilthattheuniversityreview
committeeconsistedof10membersandquorumwasseven.Henotedthatrecentlythe
committeehadbeenunabletoprovidepromptactionsasithaddifficultyobtainingquorum
andthatwaswhytherewassomeurgencyinfillingthisposition.
11.3 Requestfordecision:Nominationtotheplanningandprioritiescommittee
Thechaircalledfornominationsfromthefloorandnonewerereceived.
KROL/D.BRENNA:ThatCouncilapprovetheappointmentofBethBilson,acting
dean,CollegeofLawtotheplanningandprioritiescommitteeeffectiveimmediately
untilJune30,2016.
CARRIED
11.4 Requestfordecision:NominationtothesearchcommitteeforDeanofLaw
Thechaircalledfornominationsfromthefloorandnonewerereceived.
KROL/D.BRENNA:ThatCouncilapprovetheappointmentofMichellePrytulatothe
searchcommitteefortheDean,CollegeofLaw.
CARRIED
11.5 Requestfordecision:Nominationtothesearchcommittee,DeanofEdwardsSchoolof
Business
Thechaircalledfornominationsfromthefloorandnonewerereceived.
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KROL/D.BRENNA:ThatCouncilapprovetheappointmentofDouglasSurteestothe
searchcommitteefortheDean,EdwardsSchoolofBusiness.
CARRIED
11.6 Requestfordecision:Nominationsforthepromotionsappealpanel
ACouncilmembernotedonecorrectiontothewrittenreportprovidedadvisingthatJo‐Anne
DillonisintheDepartmentofMicrobiologyandImmunologynottheDepartmentofBiology.
Thechaircalledfornominationsfromthefloorandnonewerereceived.
KROL/D.BRENNA:ThatCouncilapprovethenominationofJeremyRaynertothe
promotionsappealpanelforatermuntilJune30,2017;and
ThatCouncilapprovethenominationofRichardLongtothepromotionsappeal
panelforatermuntilJune30,2015.
CARRIED
Otherbusiness
12.
Therewasnootherbusinessnoted.
13. Questionperiod
Therewerenoquestions.
14. Adjournment
PARKINSON/DEBOER:Thatthemeetingbeadjournedat4:56p.m.
CARRIED
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