MinutesofUniversityCouncil
2:30p.m.,Thursday,October23,2014
Neatby‐TimlinTheatre
Attendance:J.Kalra(Chair).SeeAppendixAforlistingofmembersinattendance.
Thechaircalledthemeetingtoorderat2:32p.m.,observingthatquorumhadbeenattained.A
tributetoDr.GeorgeLee,formerHeadofAgriculturalEconomics,whopassedawayinMay,2014,
waspresentedbyWilliamBrown,ProfessorandHead,BioresourcePolicy,BusinessandEconomics
DepartmentintheCollegeofAgricultureandBioresources.
1. Adoptionoftheagenda
BARNHART/KALYNCHUK:Toadopttheagendaascirculated.
CARRIED
2. Openingremarks
Dr.Kalra,chairofCouncil,providedopeningremarks,recallingsomeofthehistoryofCouncilin
recognitionofthe20thyearanniversaryofCouncil’sestablishmentasarepresentativebodyunder
the1995UniversityofSaskatchewanAct.TherepresentativeCouncilmetforthefirsttimeon
December6,1995inConvocationHall,andthefirstorderofbusinesswastoelectachairanda
vice‐chair.Dr.KalrapresentedthenamesoftheCouncilchairssince1995andrecognizedthe
currentvice‐chairandchairsofCouncilcommittees,theuniversitysecretaryandassociate
secretary,andtheelectedstudentcouncilorsfromeachcollegeinattendance.Recentlyappointed
deansinattendancewereintroducedandthanksextendedtothosewhoattendedthepresentation
“DemystifyingKerrandKing–Part1”priortotheCouncilmeetingonCouncil’srulesoforder.
Thechairinvitedtheuniversitysecretarytoannouncethemostrecentelectionresults.Elizabeth
Williamson,universitysecretary,reportedthatthememberatlargeelectionresultedinProfessor
MarcelD’Eonbeingelectedtoaone‐yeartermexpiringJune30,2015,andtheelectionoffaculty
representativefortheWesternCollegeofVeterinaryMedicineresultedinProfessorAndyAllen
beingelectedtoathree‐yeartermexpiringonJune30,2017.
Dr.Kalrasharedtheusualproceduresfordebateanddiscussionandtheprotocolformembersof
themedia,indicatingthathesoughtCouncil’scooperationinfollowingtheseguidelinesand
thankingmembersandguestsinanticipationoftheiradoptionoftheprocedures.Thechair
emphasizedthatCouncilcontinuestoworkunderthreemajorprinciples,basedupontheexercise
byCouncilofacademicfreedom,collegialselfgovernance,andacademicdecisions.Inclosinghis
remarks,thechairnotedthesignificantitemsbeforeCouncilandindicatedhisexpectationofa
respectful,thoughtfulandsubstantivediscussion.
3. MinutesofthemeetingofSeptember18,2014
Acorrectionwasnotedtothesecondsentenceofthesecondparagraphofitem4onpage2to
replacethephrase“actingandfuturepresident”withthephrase“actingorfuturepresidents.”
DOBSON/SENECAL:ThattheCouncilminutesofSeptember18,2014beapprovedas
amended.
CARRIED
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4.
Businessfromtheminutes
Amemberreferredtoitem12OtherBusinessandnotedsincetheSeptemberCouncilmeeting,the
decisionhasbeenmadetomovetoappealtheSimsdecision.Heexpressedthathefoundthis
decisionpuzzlinganddisappointingatbest,particularlyasheattendedthejudicialreviewand
viewedwhatheperceivedtobeaweakcase.Heposedthreequestions:Whomadethedecisionto
appeal?Howdoesthatdecisionrelatetoturningthepageontheshamblesanddisgracewehave
livedthroughrecently?Howmuchdidthelitigationcosttodate?Thepresidentagreedtoanswer
thesequestionsinconjunctionwiththedeliveryofhisreport.
Mr.GregFowler,vice‐presidentoffinanceandresourcesreportedonthequestionofendowment
balancesandwheretheuniversitysitsrelativetoitsU15peerswithrespecttoendowmentfunds.
AsreportedbyCanadianAssociationofUniversityBusinessOfficers(CAUBO),theuniversityis12th
ofthe15U15universitiesandhas$232.0Minendowmentfunds(detailedinformationattachedas
AppendixB).
5. ReportofthePresident
PresidentGordonBarnhartreferredthoseinattendancetohiswrittenreport.Herecalledthatthe
fallisabusyseasonintermsofgovernanceandthemonthofOctoberinparticular,withCouncil,
SenateandtheBoardofGovernorsallmeetinginOctober,inadditiontothecelebrationofFall
Convocation.Ashispresidencycontinues,heindicatedthathisfocusisbeginningtoshiftfromthe
internalworkingsoftheuniversitytotheuniversity’sexternalrelations,particularlywithdonors
andalumni.
PresidentBarnhartreportedonarecentmeetingwithmembersoftheTreasuryBoardandthe
interestoftheprovincialgovernmentinthevarioussavingsaccountsforspecificprojects,andthe
futurepurposetowhichfundswillbeallocated.OthertopicsofinterestincludedtheCollegeof
Medicineandaccreditation,andPresidentBarnhartthankedDeanPrestonSmithforanexcellent
presentationtomembersoftheTreasuryBoard.TheTreasuryBoardisalsointerestedinthe
potentialcollaborationandcooperationoftheuniversitywiththeUniversityofReginaand
SaskatchewanPolytechnicregardingcoursecredittransferrecognition.
TherecruitmentofAboriginalstudentstotheuniversitycontinuestobeanimportantmatterof
interesttotheTreasuryBoard.Thepresidenttooktheopportunitytocorrectanerrorinthe
morning’seditionoftheStarPhoenix,whichpublishedthatthe2,121selfidentifiedAboriginal
studentsenrolledattheuniversityin2014isadeclinefromthe2,363selfdeclaredAboriginal
studentsenrolledin2013.Thepresidentstatedthattheoppositeistrue,andtheattendanceofself
declaredAboriginalstudentsisincreasing.The2013figurereportedincludesstudentsregistered
acrossallterms,whereasthe2,121figurereportedisbasedonenrolmentfiguresinthe2014fall
term.AcomparisonofAboriginalstudentsregisteredinthefallterm2013tothefallterm2014
showsa10.2%increaseinAboriginalstudentsregistered.InOctober,theBoardofGovernors
approvedthecreationof90newchildcarespacesinanewfacility.As35%ofthestudents
requiringchildcareareAboriginalstudents,theincreaseinchildcareseatsisapositive
developmentintherecruitmentofthoseAboriginalstudentsforwhominadequatechildcareisan
obstacletopostsecondaryeducation.
ThepresidentreportedonrecentstopsinhisprovincialtourandapendingvisittoChinatovisit
withdonorsandpotentialdonors.Hecongratulateduniversityofficialswhoassistedinmitigating
therecenttransitservicedisruption.HealsorecognizedMs.SusanMilburn’sserviceaschairofthe
BoardofGovernors.Ms.Milburnhassteppeddownaschairaftereightyearsofservice.Mr.Greg
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SmithwillserveasnewchairoftheBoardofGovernorsandMr.LeeAhenakewwillserveasvice‐
chair.
ThepresidentrespondedtotheearlierquestionsregardingthedecisiontoappealtheSims
arbitrationdecisionandindicatedthatthedecisiontoappealwasadecisionhemadebasedonlegal
adviceandtheadviceandcounselofmembersofthepresident’sexecutivecommitteeandthe
university’sHumanResourcesDivision.Thegrievancefiledbytheuniversity’sfacultyassociation
resultedinanarbitrationdecisiondeliveredbyarbitratorAndrewSimsinfavouroftheUSFA,and
thenanappealofthatfindingresultedinalowercourtdecisioninfavouroftheUSFA.President
BarnhartindicatedtheuniversityhasappealedthelowercourtdecisiontotheSaskatchewanCourt
ofAppealandisseekingacourtdecisionforclarityonwhetherthecollectiveagreementorthe
UniversityofSaskatchewanActtakesprecedenceinmattersoftenure.Thedecisiontoappealisnot
relatedtothequestionofthepresidenthavingvetoauthorityoverdecisionsontenure.
InresponseseveralpointsweremadebyCouncilmembersagainstthedecisiontoappealrelatedto
concernsthattherecentlyratifiedcollectiveagreementwasincontradictiontothedecisionto
appealtheSimsdecision,andfurtherthatthedecisiontoappealwasverydamagingtothemorale
offacultymembersandthenewatmosphereoncampus.PresidentBarnhartmaintainedthatthe
decisionwasnotincontradictionwiththemostrecentagreementwiththeUSFAandfocusedona
specificquestionintermsofthepowersoftheUniversityActversustheagreement.Regardingthe
costofproceedingtoacourtdecision,thepresidentcommittedtorespondingtothequestionafter
hewasabletogatherthenecessaryinformation.
AmemberreferredtotheupcomingvisitofthepresidenttoChinainlateNovemberandreports
thatthousandsofuniversitystudentsarebeingbrutalizedinHongKongandsuggesteditwouldbe
usefulforthepresidenttorefertotheletterfromtheCanadianAssociationofUniversityTeachers
(CAUT)regardingacademicfreedomandtheroleofConfuciusinstitutesinCanadianuniversities.
Thepresidentnotedthatthevisitwillfocusonmeetingwithdonorsandindividualsfrom
universitiesandisnotassociatedwiththeprotestsoftheUmbrellaRevolutionoccurringinHong
Kong,andthatcommentswouldnotbemadetohostsregardingthehostcountry’spolicies.A
memberexpressedhiscontinuingconcernregardingtheuniversity’srelationshipwithChinaand
requestedassurancethattheinternationalactivitiescommitteeofCouncilwasconsideringthe
university’srelationshipwithoppressiveregimes.ThechairassuredtheCouncilmemberthathis
concernshadbeenbroughttotheattentionoftheinternationalactivitiescommittee.
6. ReportoftheProvost
ThepresidentconveyedtheregretsofDr.Barber,interimprovostandvice‐presidentacademic,and
invitedquestionsontheprovost’sreport.Amembermadenoteofthecommentoninstitutional
rankinginstrumentsintheprovost’sreportandobservedthatanimportantdistinctionamong
rankinginstrumentsrelativetotheuniversity’sperformanceisthenumberoffacultymembersof
theinstitution.Henotedinparticularthatbasedonthedefinitiontheuniversityuses,thenumber
offacultymembersmaybeoverreported.Asthisnumberisusedinthedenominatorformanyof
theperformancemeasuresitmaybecausingouruniversitytoberankedlower.Thefaculty
memberaskedforanexplanationregardingtheextenttowhichthisishappening.Thevice‐provost,
teachingandlearningindicatedthatshewouldconveythesepointstoDr.Barberandmadenoteof
aprojectunderDr.Barber’sleadershiptoconsidervariousmetricsreportedandhowtheuniversity
mightbetterpositionitselfrelativetoinstitutionalrankingsystems.
Amemberquestionedthestatementintheprovost’sreportthattheuniversityisinthebottomof
theU15listofuniversitieswithrespecttotuitionandstudentfees,referringtotheStatistics
CanadadataontuitionreleasedinAugust.Accordingtothisdata,theUniversityofSaskatchewan
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andtheUniversityofReginaaresecondhighestintermsoftuitionfees.Henotedthatthe
university’stuitionincreasesafter1995wereremarkableandthattuitionrevenue,asasubsidy
fromstudents,nowrepresents31%oftheuniversity’soverallbudget,comparedto11%inthepast.
Hereferredtowhathetermedasthecrisisoftuitionandattributedtheincreaseasnecessaryto
supporttheuniversity’sresearchintensityandincreaseinitsadministrativecomplement.The
presidentcommittedtotakingthemember’sconcernstoDr.Barber.
Anon‐memberreferredtotherecentdirectiveinhercollegetospendcollegesurplusfundsand
requestedanexplanationofthisdirective,whichisreportedascomingfromtheprovincial
government.Inresponse,thepresidentoutlinedtheinventoryofaccountfundspresentedtothe
TreasuryBoardresultingintherequestbytheTreasuryBoardtoreporttotheBoardonthe
purposeofthesefundsbyDecember.TheCollegeofMedicineandtheWCVMholdthelargest
amountoffundsinreserve.Theintentistobegintoapplythesefundsagainstthespecificpurposes
forwhichtheyhavebeenheld.ThedeanoftheEdwardsSchoolofBusinessspokeonthematterof
reserves,resultingintheschool’sreviewofthesecollegefunds.Thereviewconcludedthatalmost
allofthereservefundsaredonormonies,whicharesegregatedandheldforaspecificpurpose.Asa
resulttheESBhasspentmuchtimeremovingthesefundbalancesfromthegovernment’spurview
duetotheirrestrictednature.
AvisitortoCouncilcommentedontheabsenceintheprovost’sreportofmentionoftherecent
resignationofMs.PaulineMelis,assistantprovost,InstitutionalPlanningandAssessmentandthat
hewishedtoacknowledgeandthankMs.Melisforherextraordinaryserviceandcontributionsto
theuniversity.
7. StudentSocieties
7.1ReportfromtheUSSU
DesireeSteele,vice‐president,academicaffairsoftheUniversityofSaskatchewanStudents’
UnionpresentedthereporttoCouncil.Shecommentedonthebusyfall,referringtothemonth‐
longtransitdisruptionandofferedthankstoJeffDumba,associatevice‐president,Financial
ServicesDivisionandPattiMcDougall,vice‐provostteachingandlearningforarrangingfor
alternatebusserviceforstudents.Recently,theUSSUexecutivevisitedtheprovince’sregional
colleges.Ms.Steeleattestedtotheimmensevalueofthesecampusesforprovidingeducationat
thelocallevelandaccesstoimproveddistanceanddistributededucation.
ApriorityoftheUSSUissupportingauniversity‐widestrategyformentalhealth.Mental
HealthAwarenessweekisNovember3–7,2014.TheUSSUisworkingwiththevice‐provost,
teachingandlearning,thecoordinatorofStudentHealth,andthechairoftheplanningand
prioritiescommitteeonaspecificmentalhealthstrategy.Thisinitiativeincludesaworking
grouptogatherinformationonmentalhealth,reinforcetheimportanceofresponding
effectivelytothosewhosufferfrommentalillness,andpromoteanenvironment,which
supportswellbeingsothathealthdoesnotdisintegrateintomentalillness.
Aspartofbeingaresearch‐intensiveuniversity,theUSSUcontinuestobeengagedwiththe
universityinitiativeledbythevice‐presidentresearchtoensureundergraduatestudentshave
accesstoresearchaspartoftheirundergraduatestudies.Workcontinuestoensurethat
consultationwithstudentsontuitionisrealizedinameaningfulmanner.Ms.Steeleindicated
thatstudentshaveauniqueperspectiveintermsofacademicprogramquality,expansionand
changesrelativetotuition.ThetransitiontoTABBSisanopportunitytoreshapetheprocess
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anddiscussprioritieswithstudents.TheUSSUisworkingwiththesenioradministrationto
facilitatediscussionswithstudentsregardingtuitionwithinthecolleges.
8.
7.2 ReportfromtheGSA
IzabelaVlahu,presidentoftheGraduateStudents’Association(GSA),presentedthereportto
Council.Ms.VlahucongratulatedtheUSFAonhostingtherecentacademicfreedomevent.
Approximately80graduatestudentsparticipatedinconversationsaboutacademicfreedomat
theGSACommons.
TheGSAisworkingwiththeUSSUtofacilitatetheparticipationofstudentsattheGeneral
AcademicAssembly.Ms.Vlahuthankeduniversityadministrationforrespondingtothetransit
disruption.Shenotedthatanumberofgraduatestudentsmadeuseofthealternatebusservice
andthatmanygraduatestudentsrespondedbyofferingtogivearidetofellowstudents,which
waspositive.
Ms.VlahuannouncedtheresignationofMr.MohammadRafati,vice‐presidentoffinance,who
resignedinordertodevotemoretimetohisstudies.AreplacementforMr.Rafatiwillbe
soughtthroughtheregularprocesses.
MotionsfromCouncilmembers
8.1 Reportfromthegovernancecommittee
ProfessorRichardGraypresentedthereportonbehalfofDr.LouiseRacine,committeechair.
Thegovernancecommitteereviewedthemotionssubmittedtothecommitteebythe
coordinatingcommitteetodeterminewhether,initsopinion,themotionsaspresentedwere
withinCouncil’spowersandauthorityaswrittenintheUniversityofSaskatchewanAct1995.
Thecommitteewasinformedinitsdeliberationsbythelegalopinionobtainedfromthe
universitylawyerandcommentsofproponentsofthemotions,whowereinvitedtospeakto
themotionsatthecommitteemeeting.Thecommittee’sdeterminationisthatthemotionsas
wordedexceedCouncil’sjurisdiction,andthereforearenotacceptableintheircurrentform.
Thecommitteedoes,however,recognizetheneedtoaskforadditionalfinancialinformation.
8.2 Reportfromtheplanningandprioritiescommittee
ProfessorLisaKalynchuk,committeechair,presentedthereport.Theplanningandpriorities
committeeconsideredthetwomotionsintermsofthefinancialimplicationsandthevalueof
thefinancialinformationrequestedinthemotions.Thecommitteealsoinvitedproponentsof
themotionstospeaktothemotions.Theconclusionofthecommitteewasthatthetypeof
auditrequestedwouldnotsolvethegenerallackofunderstandingaboutfinancialinformation,
whichappearedtobethegenesisofthemotions.Sheindicatedtheproblemseemedtobea
generallackofunderstandingaboutfinancialinformationasthebasisforfinancialdecisions.In
response,thecommitteehasnotedthatCouncilwouldbenefitfromadditionalfinancial
information,butconcludedthattheauditrequestedwouldnotaddressthequestionsbrought
upinthemotions.Theplanningandprioritiescommitteehasrequestedtomeetwiththe
provostandvice‐presidentacademictolearnhowPCIPmakesdecisionsontheallocationof
fundsfromtheacademicprioritiesfund.Discussionoftheeightinstitutionalprioritiesisalso
planned,andCouncilcommitteechairshavebeeninvitedtojointhecommitteeinthis
discussion,afterwhichthecommitteewillreportbacktoCounciltobeginadialogueatCouncil
ontheinstitutionalpriorities.
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8.3 Reportfromthecoordinatingcommittee
ProfessorBobTyler,vice‐chairofCouncil,presentedthecommittee’sreport.ProfessorTyler
conveyedtheviewofthecoordinatingcommitteethattheindividualmotionssubmittedare
outsideofCouncil’sauthority,butthatthecommittee’sfindingdoesnotdiminishtheworthy
intentofthemotionsastheyhavebroughttotheforethedesireforgreatertransparencyand
moreinformationonthebasisuponwhichbudgetarydecisionsaremade.Membersofthe
coordinatingcommitteebelievedthatitwasinthebestinterestsofallmemberstofocuson
movingforwardratherthanreviewingfinancialmattersretrospectively.Thecommittee
encouragesCounciltobediligentinthefutureonquestioninganybudgetarydecision,which
willhaveacademicconsequences.
Thechairinvitedquestionsandcomments.Priortodiscussionhenotedthathedidnot
participateindiscussionsoftheplanningandprioritiescommitteeandthegovernance
committeeduetoaperceivedconflictofinterest.
Amembervoicedhisappreciationoftheworkofthecommitteesandhisacceptanceoftheir
determinationsintermsofjurisdictionalrealitiesandtheresponsibilityoftheBoardof
Governorsforfinancialmatters.Henoted,however,thattwoproblemscontinuetobemanifest.
Theopticalproblemremainsofthesequenceofreportsnotingthattheuniversitywasina
financialcrisisandnowisinarelativepositionofprosperity.Hesuggestedthatanalterationof
thisopticgoingforwardwouldhelptorestoretrust.Inaddition,thealignmentofresources
withprioritiesandinvestmentinentitiescanbedamagingtoareasofexcellencenotnamedas
institutionalpriorities.HesuggestedthatitwouldbeworthwhileforCouncilandsenior
administrationtorevisittheopticaldifficultyoftheuniversity’sfinancialhealthandthose
criteriathatdeterminethedistributionofresources.
ProfessorBillBartley,astheseconderofoneofthemotions,readaresponse,summarized
below.HeindicatedthathealsospokeonbehalfofProfessorJamesBrooke,themoverofthe
motion,whopassedawaytheweekprior.Heexpressedhisgratitudetothechairsand
membersofthecommitteesfortheirtimeandattention,andexpressedhisregretthatthe
committeescouldnotsupporttheinclusionofeithermotionontheagenda.Heexplainedthe
motionscameaboutasaresultoftheTransformUSprocess,wherebythemandatedand
historicalpurposeoftheuniversity,asarticulatedintheUniversityofSaskatchewanAct,1995,
“toprovidepost‐secondaryinstructionandresearchinthehumanities,sciences,socialsciences
andotherareasofhumanintellectual,cultural,socialandphysicaldevelopment”wasbelievedto
beunderattack.Thebeliefwasthatthemassiverestructuringoftheuniversityduetoprogram
prioritizationwoulddoirreparabledamagetoalreadyweakeneddepartmentsinthecore
disciplinesconstitutiveofauniversity.ProfessorBartleyreferredspecificallytotheLanguages,
LiteraturesandCulturalStudies,Philosophy,Mathematics,ReligionandCulture,
interdisciplinaryunitssuchasClassical,MedievalandRenaissanceStudies,Women’sand
GenderStudies,andtheFineArtsasprecarious.
UndertheAct,Council’sbusinessistobe“responsibleforoverseeinganddirectingthe
university’sacademicaffairs.”TheActfurtherempowersCouncil“todoanythingnecessary,
incidentalorconducivetoexercisingitspower,topromotethebestinterestsoftheuniversityor
tomeetingthepurposesofthisact.”ProfessorBartleyindicatedthemotionscallfora
comprehensiveauditofbudgetallocationsandprojectionsoveraten‐yearperiodtoclearup
theconfusionovertheprojecteddeficitandprovideCouncilwithinformationessentialto
determiningpreciselyhowfundshavebeenallocated.WiththisinformationCouncilcanjudge
howwellfundshavebeenspentintheshortandthelongterm,withaviewtostrikinga
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balancebetweenprioritizationandthemandatedresponsibilitytomaintainthecore
disciplinesoftheuniversity.
ProfessorBartleymadenoteoftheimportanceofnotunderestimatingthedistrustfeltby
facultyfortheadministration,adistrustthathasledfacultytobelievethattheuniversity’s
declineoverthelast10yearshascomeaboutbecauseofalong‐term,systematicpolicyof
depletioninfavorofprioritiesmarginaltotheuniversity’seducationalmission.IfCouncilis
confinedtoreviewbudgetaryplans,whichareprospectiveandisnotempoweredtoreviewthe
past,thenCouncilisunabletotakeitsbearingsfrompastpractice.TheinformationtheBoard
willmakeavailableisnotyetknownandthereforetheconcernrelatestoCouncil’saccessto
budgetaryinformation,expresslytheunconsolidatedfinancialstatements.ProfessorBartley
suggestedthatreconstitutingtheformerbudgetcommitteeofCouncilmightassistCouncil.
ACouncilmemberrecognizedthespiritandintentofthemotionsbutnotedthattherehasstill
beennoproperexplanationofhowtheuniversitywentfromasituationofamassiveprojected
deficittoasituationwherethedeficithaslargelydisappeared,andthereforeCouncilneedsto
lookbacktoreceiveanadequateexplanationastohoworwhythissituationoccurred.
ProfessorKathleenSolose,asthemoverofoneofthemotions,readapreparedstatement.She
thankedthecommitteesfortheirconsideration.Shedescribedthemotionassimpleinthat
sinceCouncilisresponsibleforacademicprograms,thataclearviewoftheuniversity’s
financialmattersisnecessaryinordertomakesoundacademicdecisions.Shenotedthat
detailedbudgetarystatementshavenotbeenavailableintheUniversityArchivessince2000.
DetailedbudgetsandfinancialstatementsshouldbereadilyavailabletoCouncil,theGeneral
AcademicAssemblyandtothegeneralpublic,whosemoneytheuniversityisspending.
Therequestistoseethebudgetfiguresataunitlevel,notasaconsolidatedbudget,which
providesverylittleusefulinformation.InthepastaCouncilbudgetcommitteereadily
examinedthesestatements.Inordertoproperlyfulfillitsacademicmandate,Councilneedsto
seewhathasbeenandisbeingspentonitemsthatarebothfundamentaltotheuniversity’s
primaryroleofteachingandresearch,andwhatisbeingspentinareasthatdonotservethis
primaryrole.
ProfessorSolosehypothesizedthatforadeficitof$44.5Mtobeprojected,somevery
intentionalover‐projectionsmusthavebeenmadeastherationaleforcuttingprogramsand
services.Shedescribedtheshrinkageoftheprojected$44.5Mdeficittoa$3.0Mdeficitis
suspectandexpressedthatifCouncilhadaccessoverthepast14yearstoactualfigures,
Councilwouldhavebeenabletomakesoundjudgmentsonthelong‐termcommitmentof
acceptingtargetedcapitalfundingordevelopingexpensivenewfacilities.ProfessorSolose
indicatedshewouldliketoaskCouncilmemberstoconsidermakingamotiontorequestofthe
Boardthatdetailed,notconsolidated,financialstatements,suchaswerecompletedpriortothe
year2000,bemadeavailableintheUniversityArchivessothatCouncilisprovidedwith
sufficientbudgetaryinformationtoallowCounciltoexerciseitsacademicauthority.
AmemberchallengedthelegalopinionlimitingCouncil’sauthorityonthepremisethatCouncil
issimplyaskingforfinancialinformationinordertomakebetterdecisionsandisnotdictating
anydecisionsoftheBoard.HeemphasizedthatitisveryimportantthatCouncilpursuethis
distinctionandrefusetohaveitsauthoritycurtailed.Amemberinquiredoftheprocessto
requestthatthebudgetforthecurrentyearandonetotwoyearspreviouslybepreparedinthe
formatinwhichfinancialinformationwaspresentedpriortotheyear2000.Professor
KalynchukindicatedthatCouncilcouldeithermakeamotionaskingforthisinformationor
couldmakethisrequestofoneoftheCouncilcommittees.
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9. Planningandprioritiescommittee
Dr.LisaKalynchuk,chairoftheplanningandprioritiescommittee,presentedthecommitteeitems.
9.1 Itemforinformation:Templatesforthedisestablishmentormergerofdepartments
ProfessorKalynchuknotedthetwotemplatesprovidedtoCouncilareintendedtoprovide
guidanceonthetypeofinformationtheplanningandprioritiescommitteerequiresin
consideringthedisestablishmentormergerofdepartments.Thesubmissionofthetemplates
toCouncilfulfillsacommitmentmadebythecommitteeinthespring.Ifacollegeorschool
weretoeitherdisestablishormerge,theprocessandinformationrequiredwouldbehandled
onanindividualbasis.
ACouncilmemberrequestedadditionalconsiderationoftheeffectofthedisestablishmentor
mergerofadepartmentonthestudentsregisteredinprogramshousedinthedepartment(s).
ProfessorKalynchukagreedwiththeimportanceofensuringstudentneedsareconsidered
andaffirmedthetemplateswouldbereviewedtostrengthenthereferencetostudentneeds
andconsultationregardingtheprogramsassociatedwiththedepartment(s)affected.
10. Nominationscommittee
ProfessorEdKrol,chairofthenominationscommittee,presentedthereportstoCouncil.
10.1 Requestfordecision:NominationsoftheGAAmemberstotheSearchCommitteeforthe
President
ProfessorKrolreportedthattheSearchandReviewProceduresforSeniorAdministratorscite
themembershipofthepresidentialsearchcommitteeasincluding,“FourmembersoftheGAA,
selectedbyCouncil.”InSeptember,thenominationscommitteeinvitedallmembersofthe
GAAandofCounciltoconsidersubmittinganexpressionofinterestinservingonthesearch
committee;20submissionswerereceived.Thenominationscommitteethenheldtwo
meetingstoconsidernomineestothesearchcommittee.Priortoconsideringanynames,the
committeefirstheldadiscussiontodevelopcriteriatoguideitsselectionofnominees,which
criteriaisincludedinthecommittee’sreport.Thecommitteebelievesithasappliedthe
criteriadiligentlyinitsconsideration.Allfournomineeswerechosenfromthosethat
submittedexpressionsofinterest.
ProfessorKrolnotedthatasrequired,thechairwouldalsocallfornominationsfromthe
floor.Iftherearenominations,thewillingnessofnomineestoservewillbeconfirmed,and
theuniversitysecretarywillconductanelectionheldelectronicallywithintwoweeks
accordingtoCouncil’sbylaws,withthefourmembersreceivingthemostvotesnamedtothe
searchcommittee.
KROL/WOTHERSPOON:ThatCouncilapprovethefollowingnominationstothe
SearchCommitteeforthePresident:RichardJulien,DepartmentofReligionand
Culture;PamelaDowne,DepartmentofAnthropologyandArchaeology;PaulJones,
SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability;ClaireCard,DepartmentofLargeAnimal
ClinicalSciences.
Thechaircalledthreetimesfornominationsfromthefloor.InresponseVickiWilliamson,
deanoftheLibrarynominatedProfessorLisaKalynchuk.Theuniversitysecretarynotedthe
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processfornominationsfromthefloorindicatingthatnominationswouldonlybeaccepted
fromCouncilmembers,thataseconderwasnotrequiredforthenomination,andthatCouncil
memberscouldnominatethemselves.Thefollowingnominationsweremadeinresponseto
thesecondcallfornominations:thenominationofProfessorLenFindlaybyProfessorAllison
Muri,ProfessorKeithWilloughbybyDeanDaphneTaras,ProfessorStephenUrquhartby
ProfessorKalynchuk,andProfessorFredPhillipsbyDeanTaras.
Theuniversitysecretaryexplainedthattherewouldbetwovotes:Avotetoapprove
amendingthemotionandthenavoteonthemotion,iftheamendmentisapproved.Ifthe
motionasamendedisapproved,anelectionwillbeheldinaccordancewithPartOne,section
IV.1.e.,CreationandCompositionofCouncilCommitteesoftheCouncilbylaws.Therationale
fortheapplicationofthissectiontonominationstoapresidentialsearchcommitteeisthat
thenominationscommitteetermsofreferenceexplicitlyrequirethecommitteetonominate
individualstoserveonthesearchandreviewcommitteesforsenioradministratorsandthe
presidentialsearchcommitteeisajointcommitteeandCouncilisempoweredtoappoint
memberstojointcommittees.
Ms.Williamsonindicatedspecificallythattheelectionwouldbeheldwithintwoweeksby
electronicvoting.Thesecretariatwillconfirmwithnomineestheirwillingnesstostandfor
election.Nomineeswillalsobeaskedtoprovideabriefbiographyandaphotoofthemselves.
Councilmemberswillbeaskedtovoteforfourindividualsfromtheslateofnominees,and
thefourindividualswiththegreatestnumberofvoteswillbedeclaredaselectedtothe
searchcommittee.ProfessorsKrolandWotherspoonagreedtomoveandsecondthe
amendedmotion.
KROL/WOTHERSPOON:ThatthemotionbeamendedtoreadthatCouncilselect
fourGAAmembersfortheSearchCommitteeforthePresidentbyelectionfrom
amongthefollowingnominees:
RichardJulien,DepartmentofReligionandCulture;
PamelaDowne,DepartmentofAnthropologyandArchaeology;
PaulJones,SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability;
ClaireCard,DepartmentofLargeAnimalClinicalSciences;
StephenUrquhart,PhysicsandEngineeringPhysics;
LisaKalynchuk,DepartmentofMedicine
LenFindlay,English;
FredPhillips,Accounting;
KeithWilloughby,FinanceandManagementScience(AssociateDean,Researchand
Academic)
CARRIED
Theamendedmotionwasstatedwiththeapprovalofthemoverandseconderasfollows:
KROL/WOTHERSPOON:ThatCouncilselectfourGAAmembersfortheSearch
CommitteeforthePresidentbyelectionfromamongthefollowingnominees:
RichardJulien,DepartmentofReligionandCulture;
PamelaDowne,DepartmentofAnthropologyandArchaeology;
PaulJones,SchoolofEnvironmentandSustainability;
ClaireCard,DepartmentofLargeAnimalClinicalSciences;
StephenUrquhart,PhysicsandEngineeringPhysics;
LisaKalynchuk,DepartmentofMedicine
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LenFindlay,English;
FredPhillips,Accounting;
KeithWilloughby,FinanceandManagementScience(AssociateDean,Researchand
Academic)
CARRIED
AmemberinquiredofProfessorKrolwhetherCouncilmemberswhenvotingshouldfollow
thecriterionthattwoofthefourGAAmembersbemaleandthattwoofthemembersbe
femaletowhichProfessorKrolindicatedthatthisdecisionwasapersonalmatterthat
remainedatthediscretionofeachindividualvoting.
10.2 Requestfordecision:NominationtotheUniversityReviewCommittee
KROL/WOTHERSPOON:ThatCouncilapprovethenominationofDarleneFichter,
LibrarytotheUniversityReviewCommitteeforathree‐yeartermendingJune30,
2017.
CARRIED
10.3 Requestfordecision:NominationtotheSearchCommitteeforExecutiveDirector,School
ofPublicHealth
KROL/WOTHERSPOON:ThatCouncilapprovethenominationofToddiSteelmanto
theSearchCommitteefortheExecutiveDirector,SchoolofPublicHealth.
CARRIED
11. Otherbusiness
AvisitorandformerSenatememberonCouncilnotedtotheassemblythatSenaterecentlyelected
Ms.JoyCrawford,formermemberofSenatetotheBoardofGovernors.
12. Questionperiod
Therewerenoquestions.
13. Adjournment
DESBRISAY/HARRISON:Thatthemeetingbeadjournedat4:35p.m.
CARRIED
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