MinutesofUniversityCouncil
2:30p.m.,Thursday,September18,2014
Neatby‐TimlinTheatre
Attendance:J.Kalra(Chair).SeeAppendixAforlistingofmembersinattendance.
Thechaircalledthemeetingtoorderat2:32p.m.,observingthatquorumhadbeenattained.
1. Adoptionoftheagenda
DOBSON/MEDA:Toadopttheagendaascirculated.
CARRIED
2. Openingremarks
Dr.Kalra,chairofCouncil,providedopeningremarks,welcomingallinattendanceandnotingthere
wouldbeareceptioninthefoyeroutsidetheNeatby‐Timlintheatretomarkthefirstmeetingofthe
year.HenotedtheimportanceoftheyearaheadasCouncilcelebratesthe20thyearanniversaryof
itsestablishmentasarepresentativebodyunderthe1995UniversityofSaskatchewanAct.A
numberofactivitiesandeventsareplannedtomarktheoccasionatCouncilmeetingsthroughout
theyear.
ThechairextendedaparticularwelcometothosestudentCouncilmembersandmembersofthe
USSUandGSAstudentexecutivebodiespresent.HealsorecognizedthechairoftheUniversityof
SaskatchewanFacultyAssociation(USFA)andextendedregretsonbehalfofmembersofthe
UniversityofSaskatchewanBoardofGovernorsandtheChairofUniversitySenate,whowere
invitedtothemeeting,buthadschedulingconflicts.Thechairalsothankedthosememberswho
attendedthepresentationpriortothemeetingtitled,“DemystifyingKerrandKing–Part1”.A
secondpresentationwillbeofferedbasedontheinterestexpressedinthepresentationevaluation
forms.
ThechairannouncedthatMs.SandraCalverhadbeenpromotedtoassociatesecretary,academic
governanceandinthisrolewouldprovideleadsupporttoCouncil.Inadditiontocontinuingasthe
coordinatoroftheplanningandprioritiescommittee,Ms.Calverwillalsobethekeyresource
persontothecoordinatingcommittee,governancecommitteeandthenominationscommittee.Ms.
ElizabethWilliamson,universitysecretary,willcontinuetooverseethecallfornominationsand
electionofmemberstoCouncilandserveasamemberofthegovernancecommittee.
Thechairreviewedtheproceduresfollowedforseatingofvotingandnon‐votingmembers,the
usualproceduresfordebate,andrequestedthatmembersofthemedianotrecordthemeeting
proceedings.ThechairinformedCouncilthathehadbeennamedastherecipientofapetition
postedonwww.change.orgrequestingthatUniversityCouncilrescindtheVision2025document
andreturntheUniversityofSaskatchewantothepeople.ThechairemphasizedthatCouncilhas
alwaysworkedandcontinuestoworkunderthreemajorprinciples:Councilhasalwaysenjoyed
academicfreedomandcontinuestovalueit;Councilisacollegialself‐governingbodyandgoverns
itselfaccordingly;andCouncilistheuniversity’sacademicgovernancebodywhereacademic
mattersareconsideredanddecisionsaremade.
Thechairremindedmembersthatnominationsforelectionasmemberatlarge(one‐yearterm)
andelectiontofacultyrepresentative,WesternCollegeofVeterinaryMedicinecloseonSeptember
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19th.MemberswereaskedtodiscusstheimportanceofCouncilwiththeircolleaguesandtomake
othersawareoftheopportunitytoserveCouncilbystandingforelection.
Inclosing,thechairnotedthathewouldneedtoleavethemeetingearlyduetotravel,andwouldat
thattimerequestthatProfessorBobTyler,vice‐chairofCouncil,chairtheremainderofthe
meeting.
3. MinutesofthemeetingofJune19,2014
WOTHERSPOON/BRENNA:ThattheCouncilminutesofJune19,2014beapprovedas
circulated.
CARRIED
4.
Businessfromtheminutes
4.1 MotionfromIndividualCouncilmember:Motiontorescindapprovalofdocument
Vision2025:FromSpirittoAction
Thechairprovidedthebackgroundtothemotion,whichwassubmittedandconsideredbyCouncil
atitsJune19,2014meeting,withtheendresultofapprovalofamotiontopostponeconsidering
themotionuntiltheSeptember,2014meetingofCouncil.AccordingtoKerrandKing,amotionto
rescindapreviouslyapprovedsubstantivemotionisnotamendableandapprovalisbyamajority
ofthevotescast.ThechairthensetouttheprocesstobefollowedfordebateandinvitedProfessor
JohnRigby,moverofthemotion,tospeaktothemotion.
ProfessorRigbystatedhisreasonforintroducingthemotionwasquitenarrowandspecific,and
hadasitsbasisthefactthattheVision2025documentrepresentedtheleadershipofapresident
who,afewweeksafterCouncilapprovingtheVision2025statement,wasremovedfromher
positionbytheBoardofGovernors.Therefore,itdidnotseemreasonabletohimtobindthe
institutionandtheactingorfuturepresidentstothepreviouspresident’sstatement,irrespectiveof
whetherthevisionstatementwasagoodandusefulstatementorapoorstatement.Theissuewas
thatapresident,whoshortlythereafterceasedtobepresident,championedthestatement.He
recalledthediscussionattheJuneCouncilmeetingandconveyedhisownviewofthediscussion:
thatthosewhoopposedthemotionbelievedthegoodinthevisionstatementwouldbelostifthe
motionwasrescinded,andthatthosewhofavouredthemotionsawtheeventsoverthepasttwo
yearsasdisastrous,andviewedthemotionasameanstoexpresstheirdissatisfaction.Professor
Rigbyindicatedthathehadbeenheavilyinvolvedinplanningattheinstitutionoverthepastten
years.Basedonthedegreetowhichothershaveinterpretedthemotionasanindictmentof
planning,henotedthathenolongersupportedthemotionandwouldbevotingagainstit.He
concludedhisremarksbyexpressingthathewasveryinterestedtohearthedebateand
perspectivesofhisfellowcouncilors.
ThechairindicatedthemotionwasbeforeCouncilandopenfordebate.ACouncilmember
conveyedhisrespectforProfessorRigby’sopinionandthecomplicatedmatterofthedocument
beforeCouncil,andindicatedthathewasspeakinginfavourofthemotion.Henotedthatcompeting
understandingswillexistafterthevoteistakeneitherwayandcomparedthevotetoareferendum
vote,wherefeelingsrunhighandtherearegoodargumentsonbothsides.HerecalledthatCouncil
approvedthevisionstatementwitharingingendorsementafterPresidentBusch‐Vishniacagreed
toremoveonesectionofthedocumentwhenheobjectedtoitsmanagerialoverreach.Hecompared
thedocumenttoTransformUSandexpressedthehopethatjustastheuniversitycansalvagethe
bestoutcomesandinsightsofTransformUSsoistheuniversityabletosalvagetheverybestofthe
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Vision2025document.However,duetotheopeningtoneofthedocument,hebelievedthevision
documentshouldberescindedandthatanewdocumentbecreated.
ACouncilmemberspokeinfavourofthemotion,indicatingthatthebasisforheropinionwasdue
totheinadequateprocessofconsultation,withlessthanaweekoffeedbackprovidedforthelatest
versionofthedocumentcirculated.ShealsonotedthatshedidnotseethechangesPresident
Busch‐VishniacagreedtomakeinthedocumentbeforeCouncil.SheproposedthatCouncilrescind
thedocument,andthatthedocumentberesubmittedtoCouncilinitsentiretyforfurther
discussionatthenexttwomeetingsofCouncilfollowedbyavote.Theuniversitysecretary
confirmedthatanoversighthadoccurredandthedocumentbeforeCouncildidnotreflectthe
amendmentsapprovedbyCouncilwhenitapprovedtheVision2025documentinApril2014,andit
shouldhavereflectedthose.
AnewlyappointedCouncilmemberexpressedhisconfusionregardingthedocument,andwhether
thedocumentrepresentedanotherexerciseintop‐downplanningorwhethertheobjectionswere
simplypuffery.Heindicatedhisconcernisthattoomuchoftheuniversity’sbudgetisbeing
divertedawayfromthestudentsandteachingandbeingdirectedtowardbuildingaresearch‐
intensiveuniversity.
ThechairnotedthatpriortotheCouncilmeeting,amemberofCouncilprovidedhimwithsigned
copiesofapetitionurgingUniversityCounciltorescindtheVision2025document.Thechairread
fromthecovernote:“NowthatBusch‐Vishniachasbeenremovedfromthepresidency,itistimefor
theuniversitytoturnthepageandrethinkitsvision,buildingonthepresentMissionStatement,
whichbegins:‘TheUniversityofSaskatchewanbelongstothepeopleofSaskatchewan.Asan
academiccommunity,ourmissionistoachieveexcellenceinthescholarlyactivitiesofteaching,
discovering,preservingandapplyingknowledge.’AmotiontorescindVision2025willbevoted
uponattheSeptember18,2014Councilmeeting.Shoulditpass,thismotionwillkeepthecurrentU
ofSMissionStatementinplaceuntilanewPresidentandtheUofScommunitydetermine
otherwise.”Thepetitionreads,“We,theundersigned,supportthefoundingandhistoricpromise
thattheUniversityofSaskatchewanbelongstothepeopleandthereforerespectfullyrequestthat
theUniversityCouncilrescindVision2025.”Thechairindicatedthathewantedtosharethe
substanceofthepetitionwithCouncilsothatmemberswereawareofthepetitionandwhatpeople
werebeingaskedtosign.Thechairadvisedthathehadbeeninformedthatapproximately360
individualshadsignedthepetition.
ACouncilmemberrecalledthatthehistoryoftheapprovalofthe1993MissionStatementwasnot
withoutcontroversyandthattherewasmuchdiscussionleadinguptothepresentationofthefinal
documentregardingwhatwouldnowbereferredtoasAboriginalengagementasbeingcoretothe
document.ThereferencetoAboriginalengagementwasexcisedfromthedocument,andthe
documentwasnarrowlypassed.Henotedthattheuniversityisnowenteringwhatcouldbetermed
asaninterludestageandthatitisnotyetknownwhattheendofthatinterludewillbe.Therefore,
heaskedmembersofCounciltothinkcarefullyaboutturningawayfromaclearstatementof
AboriginalengagementinthenewmissionstatementwithintheVision2025document.
ACouncilmembernotedthathefoundtherevisionistapproachdistastefulasitseemsasthough
theprocessesforquestioningTransformUShavefailedandasaresultofaseriesofparticular
actions,PresidentBusch‐Vishniacisnolongerthepresident.HenotedthatCouncilwasnotpartof
thedecisiontochangetheleadership,andthatthereforehewouldbevotingagainstthemotion.
ACouncilmemberspokeofthecultureoffearhehasobservedexistingoncampusthelastfew
years,whichhasworkeditswayintotheworkingsofCouncil.Henotedthathehadraised
questionsatCouncilonbehalfofdifferentCouncilmembersduetothisfear.AlthoughCouncilisa
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collegialrepresentativebody,almosteverypersonintheroomhasapersonofauthorityoverthem
alsointheroom.AdministrationasksthatCouncilmembersengagecriticallyatCouncil,whileat
thesametimemanymemberswishasaprotectivemechanismtostayquietforfeartheymaylose
theirjobiftheyspeakout.Henotedtheeventsofthisspringdemonstratethatthisfearisnot
irrational.HestatedthatCouncilmembersshouldvotetheirconscienceinthemannertheybelieve
tobeappropriate,andthatforthisreasonhewasgoingtovoteforthemotion,insupportofthe
creationofanewvisiondocumentundertakeninaspiritofcollegialcooperation.
ACouncilmembercommentedontherushedconsultationprocess,particularlyinthelatterstages
ofthedocument’sdevelopment.Shenotedmanymembersoftheuniversityareconfusedaboutthe
prioritiesoftheuniversityduetoTransformUS,andthatmanyofthesevaluesarealsoreflectedin
thevisiondocument.Forthesereasons,shestatedshewouldvoteinfavourofthemotion.She
furthernotedthatrescindingtheapprovalofthedocumentdoesnotpreventthoseideasregarded
asvaluablefrombeingretainedandreflectedinanewdocument.
Amemberindicatedhewouldspeakagainstthemotionasalargemajoritycarriedtheapprovalof
thevisiondocument,andthatforCounciltonowrescinditsapprovalwouldbeadirectreversalof
itsearlieropinion.Heindicatedthattherearemanygoodelementstothedocument,andthatthe
documentmightberevisedinthefuture.Heexpressedthathedidnotperceiveanyparticularrisk
tomembersasaresultofspeakingtheirmindatCouncilandencouragedallmemberstospeak
theirminds.
Anon‐memberofCouncilwhoidentifiedhimselfasthevice‐presidentoftheIndianTeacher
EducationProgramStudentCouncilencouragedCouncilmemberstomakeafreshstartandcreatea
newdocument,whichwouldreflectgoalsrelatedtoAboriginalinitiativesdevelopedinconsultation
withAboriginalstudents.
ACouncilmembernotedthatindividualsfromthecommunity,inadditiontotheuniversity
community,signedthepetition.Sherecalledthatthe2002visiondocumentwaseloquent,confident
andinspiring,whereasshefoundtheVision2025documentdisturbingasitcontainedan
operationalsectiononplanning,containingstatements,suchas,“Wewilldefineasetof
performanceindicators.”Forthisreason,sheindicatedsheintendedtovoteinfavourofthe
motion.
Anon‐memberspokeoftheuseoflanguageintheVision2025documentandexpressedthatinhis
opinionthedocumentreadasthoughitwerewrittenbytechnocratsratherthanthosewithagift
foreloquenceandinspiration.Anothernon‐memberagreed,notingthatthedocumentwasterribly
written,andthatitsemphasisonteamexperienceandteamresearchwouldnevertemptanyfirst‐
classmindstojointheuniversity.Severalothernon‐membersalsospokeagainstthedocumentand
urgedCouncilmemberstovoteinfavourofthemotionduetothedamagingeventsoverthepast
months,citingthatthedocumentwascreatedatatimewhensocialjusticewaslackingandthe
governancemodeloftheuniversityconsistedof‘perp’walksoffcampus.AsTransformUShas
largelybeenrescinded,CouncilmemberswereurgedtoalsorescindtheVision2025document,due
toitscloseassociationwithTransformUS.
ThechairinvitedProfessorRigbytoprovideanyclosingremarksregardingthemotion.Professor
RigbydeferredthequestiontoProfessorLisaKalynchuk,seconderofthemotion.
ProfessorKalynchukindicatedsheplannedtovoteagainstthemotionforthesamereasons
identifiedbyProfessorRigby,namelythatthespiritofthemotionhasbeentakenoutofthecontext
sheandProfessorRigbyintended.ShealsonotedthathavingbeeninvolvedwithTransformUSthat
shebelievedtheVision2025documentwasdistinctfromtheTransformUSprocess.
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Thechaircalledforthevote.
RIGBY/KALYNCHUK:ThatCouncilrescindthemotionmovedbyDr.Walleyandseconded
byDr.KalynchukofApril17,2014approvingthedocumentVision2025:FromSpiritto
ActionasthenewinstitutionalvisiondocumentoftheUniversityofSaskatchewan.
CARRIED(39infavour,27opposed)
Anon‐memberinquiredwhetherthesuggestionmadeattheJuneCouncilmeetingthatthe
internationalactivitiescommitteeconsiderdevelopingguidelinesorpoliciesabouttheuniversity’s
relationshipswithcountrieswithrepressiveregimeshadbeenreferredtothecommittee.Thechair
confirmedthatthesuggestionhadbeenreferredtotheinternationalactivitiescommittee.
5. ReportofthePresident
PresidentGordonBarnhartextendedcongratulationstoCouncilchairProfessorJayKalraforbeing
amongthe2013RBCtop25CanadianimmigrantawardwinnersandcommendedProfessorKalra
onthisaccomplishment.ThepresidentalsoexpressedappreciationtotheUSSUandGSAstudent
bodiesfororganizingasafewelcomeweekforstudents.HealsocommendedCarolRodgers,deanof
theCollegeofKinesiologyandBasilHughton,athleticdirectorofHuskieAthleticsfortakingthe
actiontoinitiatedrugtestingformembersofthefootballteamandsuspendingthestudentwho
testedpositive,despitebeingundernoobligationtotakethisactionundertherulesofanysporting
organization.Thepresidentindicatedthatthisactionclearlydemonstratestoothers,including
otherCanadianuniversities,thattheUniversityofSaskatchewandoesnotcondonecheating.
Thepresidentcontinuedhisintroductorycommentsbyindicatingtheuniversitycampushasjust
comethroughacrisis.Astheuniversitymovesforwardtherearemanypositiveactivitiesto
celebrate,andhenamedseveralofthese,suchas,therecentjobandcareerfairhostedatthe
universitywhichwasattendedbyhundredsofstudentsandhadover140displaysandtherecent
$5.0MdonationfromtheCanolaGrowers’Associationtofundachairinteachingandresearchin
theCollegeofAgricultureandBioresources.Hestatedhisbeliefintheuniversity’sgovernance
modelandhisgreatrespectforacademicfreedomandtreatingpeoplewithdignityandrespect.
Overthesummer,thepresidentnotedheattendedtheseniorleadershipforumretreat,metwith
deans,studentmembersoftheUSSUandGSA,Councilcommitteechairs,donorsandalumni,and
manyothers.Asaresult,hediscoveredthatthemoodandtenoroncampushasgreatlyimproved.
Althoughmuchworkremains,hisbeliefisthattheexperiencestheuniversityhasundergonewill
makeitstrongerasaninstitution.
Dr.Barnhartspokeofhisroleasinterimpresident,anditsvariousinternalandexternalobligations.
Externally,hewillcontinuetoworkwithdonorswhohaveexpressedconcernregardingtheevents
attheuniversityoverthepastmonths.Internally,overthecomingmonths,hewillspendtime
workingwiththeprovostandotherstoformulateaplanregardinginstitutionalpriorities.Asetof
eightinstitutionalprioritieshasbeenidentified,andhesuggestedthattimetobetakentogive
carefulconsiderationastohowtoadvancethesepriorities.Otherchanges,whichwerepartof
TransformUS,willcontinuetobeconsideredbyvariouscollegesinacollege‐upwardasopposedto
atop‐downapproach.HeexpressedthehopethatthisapproachwouldmeetwithCouncil’s
approval,andthathealsohopedtohavefurtherdiscussionwithCouncilregardingthisstrategy.
Astheuniversityisnowhealthyfinancially,thepresidentindicatedthatchangecanbeundertaken
notwithabudgetdeficitinmind,butwiththepromiseandmissioninmindtobeoneofthebest
universitiesinCanada.Hiscommitmentistoensuretheuniversitywillcontinuetobeagood
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stewardofitsfinancialresources,andtoworktocontinuetocreateapositiveatmosphereand
moveforwardtogether.
6. ReportfromtheProvost’sOffice
Interimprovostandvice‐presidentacademicErnieBarberextendedgreetingstoCouncilmembers
andvisitors.Henotedhisroleisoneofsupportingthewellbeingoftheuniversity’sacademic
missionandensuringuniversityprioritiesarealignedwithresources.Heexpressedthathefelt
challengedandprivilegedtoservetheuniversityespeciallyatthistime.Overthepastfewmonths,
hehaslistenedandengagedwithmanypeoplethroughouttheuniversityandneedstocontinueto
listentoothers.
Althoughtherearesomewhodonotagreewiththevisiontobeatoptierresearch‐intensive
university,Dr.Barberindicatedthatheheardthosevoicesinoppositionasacalibratingvoice,to
ensurethatweexplainnotonlywhatwearedoing,butalsowhywearedoingit.Thereisanoverall
sensethatdeansneedtohavealargerroledirectlyinshapingouracademicenterpriseandthat
priorityisgiventorebuildingandrebalancingourrelationshipsanddemonstratingrespectfor
diversity.Confidenceisrequiredtomakedifficultdecisionsinthefaceofuncertaintyandtobe
strongadvocatesfortheuniversityasaplaceoflearninganddiscoveryevenwhenthereisa
disagreementaboutdecisions.
TheseniorleadershipforumretreatinAugustresultedintheaffirmationthattheuniversitymust
enhanceitsoutcomesinlearninganddistanceeducation,thattheuniversitymustbefocusedand
seeresourcesasameanstoanend,thatpeoplearetobetreatedwithrespect,diversityiscritical,
commitmenttoacademicfreedomisessential,andthatrelationshipsrequireworkand
commitment.Dr.BarberreiteratedthecommitmenttoworkmorecollaborativelywithCounciland
Councilcommittees.TheTransformUSactionplanhasbeenreplacedbyasmallersetofeight
projects,whichwillintegratewiththeprioritiesoftheuniversity’sintegratedplan.Otherprojects
willcontinueinamoredecentralizedfashionutilizingaprocessthatmaximizesresourceallocation.
Dr.Barberconcludedhisremarksbyacknowledgingthepainmanyhaveexperiencedoncampus.
Heindicatedthatallpeopleshouldbetreatedwithrespectandshouldnotfearmakingtheirviews
known,includingdeanswhoshouldbringforwardtheirperspectivesonallitemsbeforeCouncil.
Therearemoredecisionstomakeandhardworkahead.However,astheuniversityemergesfroma
budgetadjustmentprocessintorelativefinancialstability,theintentistocontinuetosetpriorities,
ensureresourcesarefullyalignedwiththoseprioritiesandmakedecisionscollectivelyand
collegially.
Vice‐presidentoffinanceandresources,GregFowlergaveabriefpresentation,attachedas
appendixB,asafirststeptoassistCouncilandpromoteabroadunderstandingoftheuniversity’s
financialsituation.Thepresentationhasbeeninformedbydiscussionswithdeansandsenior
administrativeleadersandtheplanningandprioritiescommitteeofCouncil.
Mr.Fowlerindicatedtheprovincialauditisanextensiveauditandallcontrols,fromprocurement
tofinancialreports,arereviewed.Theuniversity’sauditedfinancialstatementsarepresentedto
theBoardforapprovalinJuly,afterwhichtheprovincialauditor’sannualreportissubmittedtothe
provincialgovernmentandtabledinthelegislatureinOctober.Copiesareavailableonlineand
retainedintheuniversityarchivesforsevenyears;alimitednumberofhardcopiesaredistributed.
Theuniversity’soverallconsolidated2013/14revenueswere$1.0B.Theoperatingbudgetand
reserveis$484.0M.AsreportedtoCouncillastJune,$32.0Minsavingsoverallhasbeenachieved
since2012.Asaresult,theuniversityisinadifferentandbetterfinancialsituationthanin2012.
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Aslidewasprovidedshowingtheactualoperatingbudgetrevenuesandexpensesovertimesince
2006/07andprojectedoutto2015/16.Mr.Fowlerpointedoutthattheprojecteddivergence
betweenoperatingbudgetrevenueandexpensesisprojectedasmuchlessinthefuture,thanthat
seenintheactualsof2012/13.Withreferencetothedeficit,heemphasizedthatinspeakingofthe
deficit,thereferencehasalwaysbeenaprojecteddeficit,astheuniversityhasnotincurredadeficit
inthepastfewyears.Heindicatedthatthemoniesallocatedtocollegesareheldintheirfundsand
unspentmoniesincollegefundsdonotrevertbacktocentralaccounts.
MeetingsareoccurringamongfinancialteamstoconsiderinvitingmembersofCounciltocome
togetherinsmallerworkgroupsifmembershavespecificquestionsabouttheuniversity’sbudget,
whichtheywantanswered.Mr.Fowlerindicatedhisjobdoesnotentailresourceallocation.The
presidentandprovostallocateresourcesandhisjobasvice‐presidentoffinanceandresourcesisto
explainresourceallocations.Heclosedbyindicatingthathisteam,togetherwithMr.JeffDumba,
associatevice‐president,FinancialServicesDivision,isopentoprovidingmorefinancial
informationtoCouncil.
Questionswereinvited.Theprovostwasaskedhisopinionoftheconsequencesandimplicationsto
theuniversity’steachingmissionasresourcesaredirectedtowarditsresearchmission.The
provostobservedthateverysingleuniversityamongtheU15groupingofuniversitiesisnotedfor
itsstudentsuccessinadditiontoitsresearchsuccess.Studentsinaresearch‐intensiveenvironment
haveadifferentexperiencethaninanon‐research‐intensiveenvironment.Ataresearch‐intensive
university,studentsexperiencetheenvironmentasaplacewherelearningisimportant,andthe
creationofnewknowledgeandthecategorizationandexplanationofthatknowledgearealso
important.Inthismanner,boththelearninganddiscoverymissionsareliftedup.
Amemberaskedabouttheinstitutionalpriorityto“alignouradministrativeservicescultureto
supportandfacilitateouracademicmission”notingthatallfacultyareinterestedinbeingbetter
teachersandresearchers,butthereisanincreasingadministrativeburdenassociatedwithteaching
anddoingresearch.Theprovostindicatedthattheintentistofocusadministrativeservicessothey
demonstrablysupportourmissioninlearninganddiscovery.Aleaderwillbeidentifiedforeachof
theeightstrategicpriorities,andeachleaderwillcommunicategoalsandtimelinestoCouncil.The
vice‐presidentfinanceandresourceswillleadtheadministrativeservicesinstitutionalpriority.
Thedifficultyfacedbysomedepartmentsinmountingtheirprogramsduetolossoffaculty
membersasaresultoftheretirementincentiveplanwasraised.Inparticular,itwasclaimedthat
theDepartmentofMathematicsandStatisticswasmissinginstructorsfor18ofitscoursesinthe
secondterm.Theprovostacknowledgedthisconcernandindicatedthatanurgentpriorityisto
workwithdeanstoreinvestresourcestoaddressthenon‐strategicwithdrawaloffacultyresources
thatoccurredinresponsetotheretirementincentiveplanasanoperatingbudgetadjustment
measure.
Anon‐memberreferredtotheprovost’sstatementthatanimportantdecisionwasmadeovera
decadeagofortheuniversitytobeoneofCanada’stieroneuniversitiesandnotedthatsayingthe
universitywillberesearchintensivedidnotmakeitsowithoutprovidingsufficientresources.The
provincealsoneedsabroadbasedcomprehensiveeducationforAboriginalstudents.Inresponse,
Dr.Barberindicatedhewasnotconvincedthattheuniversitydidnothavetheresourcestobe
activeandinfluentialinresearchatthelocal,globalandnationalscale,insomecases.Fromits
foundingwiththeestablishmentofacollegeofagriculture,theuniversityhasbeenengagedwith
research.Theexpectationoftheprovinceisthattheuniversitywillbeengagedinteachingand
learning,knowledgecreationandknowledgedissemination.Theuniversityisinformedbyits
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interactionwithcommunities,andthegoaltoengagemorewithAboriginalcommunitiesisnot
antitheticaltothegoalofbeingresearchintensive.
InresponsetoaquestionfromaCouncilmemberastowheretheuniversitystandsamongU15
memberswithrespecttorevenuefromtrustsandendowments,Mr.Fowlerindicatedthathedid
nothavethatinformationreadilyavailablebutcouldprovideitatthenextmeeting.Fromprevious
comparisons,hesurmisedthattheuniversity’sstandingwouldbequitelowformanyreasons,
includingalowerpopulation.
7. StudentSocieties
7.1 ReportfromtheUSSU
Desirée Steele,vice‐president,academicaffairsoftheUniversityofSaskatchewanStudents’
Union(USSU)presentedthereporttoCouncil.Shespokeofthefreshmoodoncampuswiththe
dissipationofTransformUS.Shethankedtheinterimpresidentandprovostformakingthe
rightdecisiontorectifytheprocessandcomebacktogetheragainasacommunity,recovering
respect,collegiality,andacademicintegrityandsharedinvestment.
TheUSSUiseagertomovetheuniversityinthedirectionoftheeightstrategicprioritiesand
partnerwithadministrationandthewideruniversitycommunityinthisrealization,inafuller
waythaninthepast.ShespokeoftheUSSU’sconfidenceintheabilityanddesireoftheinterim
presidentandinterimprovosttocarryoutthecoreissuesoflearninganddiscoveryas
emphasizedinthepastmonths,andnotedthemanyopportunitiesforconversationsthe
presidentandprovosthavecreatedwiththeUSSU.Sheconcludedbythankingthosein
attendancefortheirdemonstratedcommitmenttogovernanceandtheuniversity.
7.2 ReportfromtheGSA
IzabelaVlahu,presidentoftheGraduateStudents’Association(GSA),presentedthereportto
Council.TheGSAhasbeenactiveoverthesummertryingtomaketheassociationmore
efficient,forinstancemovingentirelytoelectroniccommunicationtobooktheGSACommons.
Sherecognizedthepresident’sattendanceattheGraduateStudents’AssociationOrientation
andreportedtheeventwassuccessful,safe,wellattendedandfeaturedmanystudent
presentationsandperformances.
TheGSA’sprioritiesarelikelytochangeoverthecourseoftheyear,butcoreprioritiesinclude
theactiveengagementofgraduatestudentsinuniversitygovernanceaselectedmembers.The
graduatestudentbodyispleasedwiththedirectiontheinterimpresidenthastaken.TheGSA
isdedicatedtoworkingwithmembersoftheuniversitytoensuretheuniversitywillcomeout
inastrongerposition,butthereisconcernforthewellbeingoftheuniversityasaresultofthe
facultypositionslostthroughtheretirementincentiveplan.
Ms.VlahuthankedtheCollegeofGraduateStudiesandResearchforthesupportthecollege
makestotheGSAeachyear,notinginparticulartheincreasedsupportreceivedthisyearfor
studentbursaries.Inclosing,sheinvitedallinattendancetotheGSAandUSFAco‐sponsored
eventonSeptember30thwhichwillfeatureguestspeakerDr.JimTurk,executivedirector,
CanadianAssociationofUniversityTeachers(CAUT),speakingonAcademicFreedom:Basic
versusInnovativeResearch.
Thechairexcusedhimselfandvice‐chairProfessorBobTylerassumedtheroleofchair.
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8. Planningandprioritiescommittee
Dr.LisaKalynchuk,chairoftheplanningandprioritiescommittee,presentedthecommitteeitems.
8.1 Itemforinformation:ReportonAnnualCapital
ProfessorKalynchuknotedtheAnnualCapitalPlanidentifiesmajorcapitalprojects,priorities
andactivities,andformspartofthemulti‐yearcapitalplan.Thecommittee’sfeedbackonthe
documentinfluencedtherevisionstothefinalversionofthedocument,whichwassubmitted
totheBoardofGovernorsforapprovallastJune.Amemberaskedwhythecommittee’sreport
andsuggestedrevisionswerenotsubmittedtoCouncilforapprovalpriortosubmissionofthe
documenttotheBoard,asthecommitteeissubordinatetoCouncil.ProfessorKalynchukasked
thatCouncilinthismattertrustthecommitteetodoitsbesttoprovidefeedbackasa
representativeagentofCouncil,basedontheknowledgethecommitteewillreportbackto
Council.
8.2 Itemforinformation:2015‐16OperationsForecast
ProfessorKalynchuknotedthatasummaryofthefeedbackprovidedonthedraft2015‐16
OperationsForecastcouldbefoundinthecommittee’sreport.Ratherthangooverthe
suggestedrevisions,shetooktheopportunitytoreporttoCouncilontherecentmeetingshe
attendedregardingthe2015‐16OperationsForecastheldwithrepresentativesoftheMinistry
ofAdvancedEducationandtheTreasuryBoard.Shenotedshewasimpressedbythe
thoroughnessofthegovernmentattendeesandtheirinterestintheeightstrategicpriorities
identifiedbytheinterimpresidentandinterimprovost.Atthemeeting,universityofficials
explainedthechallengesandopportunitiesthatfacedtheuniversitybaseduponpossible
operatinggrantincreasesof0%,2%and4%.Topicsofparticularinteresttothegovernment
includedtheCollegeofMedicinerestructuringandtheuniversity’sfinancialsustainability.
9. Academicprogramscommittee
ProfessorRoyDobson,chairoftheacademicprogramscommittee,presentedthereportstoCouncil.
HeadvisedthatbothitemswerepresentedtoCouncilforcommentandfeedbackinJune.The
academicprogramscommitteeisextendingthetimeframeforconsultationontherevised
documents,andthereforebothitemsareonceagainbeforeCouncilforfeedbackandresponse.He
askedthatanysuggestionsbeemailedtoalex.beldan@usask.ca.
9.1 Requestforinput:ProposedAcademicCoursesPolicyrevisions
9.2 Requestforinput:ProposedRecommendationsonProgramEvaluationandApproval
Processes
10. Nominationscommittee
ProfessorEdKrol,chairofthenominationscommittee,presentedthereportstoCouncil.
10.1 Requestfordecision:ScholarshipandAwardsCommittee
Thechairindicatedthatnewmembersweresoughtforthescholarshipandawards
committeeduetoresignations.Thevice‐chaircalledthreetimesfornominationsfromthe
floor.Therewerenone.
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KROL/WOTHERSPOON:ThatCouncilapprovethenominationsofRobertScott,
DepartmentofChemistryandRaviChibbar,DepartmentofPlantSciencestothe
ScholarshipsandAwardsCommittee,forthree‐yeartermsrespectivelyendingJune
30,2017.
CARRIED
Thesecondmotionwaspresented.Thevice‐chaircalledthreetimesforanynominations.
Therewerenone.
KROL/WOTHERSPOON:ThatCouncilapprovethenominationofRaviChibbar,to
serveasChairoftheScholarshipandAwardsCommitteeforatermendingJune30,
2015.
CARRIED
10.2 Itemforinformation:NominationsofGAAmemberstotheSearchCommittee
forthePresident
ProfessorKrolindicatedthatacallforexpressionsofinteresttoGAAmemberstoconsider
servingonthesearchcommitteeforthepresidenthadbeenissuedbythenominations
committee,andheencouragedmembersofCounciltoconsiderservinginthiscapacityorto
nominateotherGAAmembers.Thenominationscommitteeintendstosubmitthenamesof
thenomineesselectedtoCouncilattheOctoberCouncilmeeting.Nominationsmayalsobe
madefromthefloor.
Therewassomediscussionofwhatismeantbyensuringbroadrepresentationamongthose
nominatedtoserve.ProfessorKrolclarifiedthatifforexampleadeanofasmallcollegewere
selectedtoserveonthecommittee,thenominationscommitteewouldavoidnominatinga
secondindividualtothecommitteefromthesamecollege.Thecommittee’sintentistoobtain
thebestcombinationofviewpointsacrossarangeofvariables,forexample,ensuringthat
amongthefourGAAnomineesthereisajuniorfacultymemberandaseniorfacultymember.
11. Otherbusiness
Therewasnootherbusinessnoted.
12. Questionperiod
TherewasaquestionofPresidentBarnhartregardingArbitratorSimsdecisionoftheUSFA
grievanceagainsttheuniversity,andwhethertheadministrationwouldappealthedecision.Dr.
Barnhartindicatedthematterisbeforethepresident’sexecutivecommitteeandthathewould
contacttheUSFAchairinthenextfewdaysonceadecisionwasmade.
13. Adjournment
SINGH/ALBRITTON:Thatthemeetingbeadjournedat4:45p.m.
CARRIED
Allpresentwereinvitedtothereceptioninthefoyertomarktheopeningoftheacademicyearand
towelcomenewmembers.
Nextmeeting–2:30pm,October23,2014
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