MinutesofUniversityCouncil
2:30p.m.,Thursday,May22,2014
Neatby‐TimlinTheatre
Attendance:J.Kalra(Chair).SeeAppendixAforlistingofmembersinattendance.
JohnCourtney,professoremeritusofPoliticalStudiesandSeniorPolicyFellowattheJohnson‐
ShoyamaGraduateSchoolofPublicPolicypresentedatributeforProfessorDuffSpafford,
DepartmentofPoliticalStudiesandaminuteofsilenceensued.
Thechaircalledthemeetingtoorderat2:40p.m.,observingthatquorumhadbeenattained.
1. Adoptionoftheagenda
KALYNCHUK/MICHELMANN:Toadopttheagendaascirculated.
CARRIED
2. Openingremarks
Dr.Kalra,chairofCouncil,providedopeningremarkswelcomingDr.GordonBarnhartasthenew
interimpresidentoftheuniversityappointedonMay21,2014,tobeginMay22,2014.Council
welcomedDr.Barnhartwithapplause.Guestsandmediawerewelcomed,andthechairexplained
themeetingproceduresanditemstobeaddressedatthemeeting.
ThechairemphasizedthefollowingmajorprinciplesofCouncil:thatCouncilenjoysacademic
freedom;itisacollegialself‐governingbodywiththeresponsibilitytogovernitselfaccordingly;
anditisthegovernancebodywhereacademicmattersareconsideredanddecisionsmade.
ThechairthankedtheformerpresidentIleneBusch‐Vishniacandformerprovostandvice‐
presidentacademic,BrettFairbairnfortheirservice.
ACouncilmemberaskedabouttheimplicationsofexecutivesolidarityandhowCounciloperatesas
acollegialbody.Henotedheunderstoodthattheexecutivesoncampuscarryoutdecisions;
however,thedecisiontoterminateDr.Buckinghamforcriticizingdecisionswithrespecttothe
SchoolofPublicHealthwasmadepriortoCouncilconsideringthematteroftheSchoolofPublic
Health.Thisledtothesuppositionthattheuniversityadministration,asdecisionmakers,were
makingdecisionsonbehalfofCouncil.ThememberaskedhowCouncilmatterswillcomebefore
Councilforconsiderationinthefuture.Thechairnotedthatthisisaquestionforthepresident,and
hewouldwaitforthepresident’scomments.
3. MinutesofthemeetingofApril17,2014
TheincorrectspellingofProfessorBrooke’snamewasnoted.
DAUMSHANKS/MICHELMANN:ThattheCouncilminutesofApril17,2014be
approvedascorrected.
CARRIED
4. Businessfromtheminutes
Therewasnobusinessarisingfromtheminutes.
5. ReportofthePresident
PresidentGordonBarnhartthankedCouncilforthewarmwelcome.Henotedthatheisinanacting
positionuntiltheuniversityisabletochooseanewpresidentwhichwillprobablybeayearto18
months.HecommittedtodohisbesttoservethecampusandprovinceofSaskatchewan.
Dr.Barnhartprovidedabriefsummaryofhishistoryoncampusnotingthathecameasastudentto
theuniversityin1963,completedhisundergraduatedegreeandhonoursdegreeandthenreturned
latertocompletehisPh.D.Heexpressedhisgoalasoneofmakingtheuniversityahappierplace
thanithasbeenasoflate.RegardingTransformUS,thepresidentnotedthathehadnotyetbeen
abletofullydigesttheprocessbutwouldreviewitinthenearfuture.Healsostatedhisintentto
identifywheretheuniversitystandscurrentlywithrespecttotheprojecteddeficittodetermine
howmuchhasbeensavedtodateandwhatfurthersavingsarerequiredifthereisstillaprojected
gap.Ineconomizingtosavemoney,heindicatedhishopeistodosoinarelativelypainlesswayto
minimizethehurttostaff,facultyandstudents.
Dr.Barnhartalsoadvisedthatheverymuchrecognizesacademicfreedom,freespeech,andthatis
whattheuniversityisallabout.HerecalledCouncilbeingaforumforhealthyfreespeechinthe
pastandhisbeliefthataslongasspeechisrespectfulandthoughtful,goodresultsarise.He
advisedthatitistimetomoveon,toturnthepageandlooktothepositivethingsbeingdoneon
campusandgetbacktotheuniversity’struevaluesofeducation,students,researchandmakingthis
provinceabetterplace.Thepresidentadvisedthathewillmeetwithbothstudentbodiesinthe
nextfewdays,andthattheuniversity’sgoalistoeducatestudents.Henotedthatasconvocation
approaches,Councilhastheopportunitytoattendtocelebratewithstudentsandtheirfamiliesthis
importantoccasion.HestressedthatheisheretolistentowhatCouncilhastosay,andtohear
Councilmembers’suggestionsofwhatcanbedonedifferentlyinthefuture.Thepresidentadvised
thathisroleisnottofindallofthesolutions,buttolistenandlearnhowtodobetterwithout
throwingstonesatthepast.Thepresidenttheninvitedquestions.
Astudentguestnotedthatthepresidenthasusedtheterm“negativedebate”inhiscommentsand
inquiredastowhatthismeant.Thepresidentadvisedthatdebateisalwayspositiveandhealthy,
butifpeopleareangryorinsultinginthecourseofdebate,thandebatecouldbenegative.
ACouncilmemberaskedthepresidenttorespondtothequestionaskedearlierinthemeeting
regardingwhatgovernancechangesCouncilmightexpect.Thepresidentadvisedthatthereisalist
ofdutiesthatCouncilisresponsibleforandthattheuniversityhasfourdeliberativebodies:the
BoardofGovernors,Council,SenateandtheGeneralAcademicAssembly,andthateachhasan
importantrole.Aspresident,heindicatedthathedidnotseethathewouldlimitinanywaythe
authoritiesofthesebodies,butaskedthatifthisweretheperception,thatCouncillethimknow.
Aguestaskedwhyitisimportanttoturnthepageadvisingthathefeltitneededtobereadand
understoodfirstandthatthereshouldbesomesortofinquiryintopractices,expectations,and
protocolsthatcancausethetypeofeventsthatoccurredoverthelastweek.Withoutthisanalysis,
heindicateditwastooeasytoassumethatthecircumstancesandclimatehadnothingtodowith
theoccurrenceandjustdependedonanindividual.Heexpressedthehopethatthepresidentwill
devisewaystomonitortheuniversitysothatsucheventsdonotoccuragain.Thepresidentstated
thathewouldlookintoit.Anotherguestsuggestedthatthefiringofatenuredprofessorwasa
teamdecisionandthattheuniversitycommunityneededtoknowwhowasinvolvedinmakingthe
decision.Thepresidentadvisedthathewasnotinvolved.Anotherguestnotedthatoverthelast
twoyearsoncampustherehasbeenstress,anxietyandfear,inpartduetotheTransformUS
process.Inauniversityofthissize,hesuggestedthatthereareotherwaysofdealingwiththe
deficit,andthatitisnotknownifthereisadeficitbecausethereisnopublicaccounting.He
suggestedthatthepresidentcarefullystudywhatTransformUSisallaboutashebelievedit
soundedlikeadraconianmovetokillsmallerprogramsandamalgamatethemwithlargerunits
thathavenothingincommon.HesuggestedthattheTransformUSprocessjeopardizesthe
programsasitisdifficulttoidentifysynergies,andthiscreatesanxietyinthemindsofstudents
whoaretheuniversity’sprimarystakeholders.Heaskedthepresidenttofindanalternativemeans
todealwiththedeficitandtrashtheTransformUSprocessabsolutely.
ACouncilmembernotedthattomoveforwardthereisaneedtoknowwherewearenowand
althoughheisnotaskingforjudgmentstobemadehebelievedthatthequestionastohowwegot
towherewearenowisanessentialonetodeterminefromwhencewecanemergeandhowtogo
aboutdoingthat.Heaskedthepresidenttodeterminewhatwasateameffortandanon‐team
effortregardingDr.Buckingham’sdismissalandmakeitknowntoCouncil.
ACouncilmemberadvisedthatasanelectedmemberheisundernocompulsiontospeakorvotein
anymanner,otherthaninaccordancewithhisownviews,butthathebelievedsomemembersof
Councilmaypossiblyfeelthreatenedtovoteinaparticularway.Heaskedthepresidentwhether
hewaspreparedtoreleasethesemembersandallowthemtovotetheirconscienceandthat
mandatedblockvotingshouldnotbepermittedinCouncil.Thepresidentstatedhisbeliefinthe
importanceofCouncilmembersspeakingtheirmindsandadvisedthathewouldlookintothis
further,butthatthereareinstances,suchascabinetsolidarityandaboardspeakingwithonevoice
afteradecisionhasbeenmade,whenseniorleadersspeakwithonevoice.
Aguestnotedthatshewouldliketheuniversitytolookforremediesthatarebothbroadanddeep
andrecommendedamendmentstoTheUniversityofSaskatchewanActtopromoteacademic
freedomandthepeople’suniversity.Shenotedthattheneedtoproceedcautiouslyregarding
decisionswhichweremadeunderaperversionofinterestandaskedthepresidenttohelpthe
universitydothis.
Agraduatestudentguestcommentedthatthecurrentmissionstatementspeakstotheuniversity’s
aimtoservetheUniversityofSaskatchewanandtheformerpresidentopposedthisstatement,
notingthatitistheequivalenttoslavery,andaskedwhetherthepresidentwillconsiderbringing
thisbacktotheVision2025statement.Thepresidentadvisedthathewillhavetolookatitand
couldnotmakeacommentatthistime.
ACouncilmembernotedthatattherecentGeneralAcademicAssemblyinApril,agraduatestudent
raisedaquestionabouttheformerpresidentlookingintoamatterofacultureofintimidationatthe
SchoolofPublicHealthandaskedthepresidenttolookintothis.
AgraduatestudentguestaskedhowlongthedeliberationsonTransformUSwilltakeandsuggested
thatdecisionsofthistypenotbemadeattheendofthestudenttermwhichwasdoneinthepast
whentheplanwasreleasedonMay1st.
Astudentguestnotedthathehadbelievedtheroleofdeansistorepresenttheircollegesand
recentlyhehasheardadifferentroledescribed.Thepresidentrespondedthathewilllookintothe
roleofdeans.
Astudentguestnotedthattuitionswereincreasedby5%thisyearandthestudentbodywastoldit
wasbecauseotheruniversitieswereincreasingtuition.Heaskedwhetherthepresidentwilllook
intothismatterandwhetherthereisanyhopeofrevertingthisdecisionandifsowhen.The
presidentnotedthatinhisrecollectioninthepasttheuniversityattemptedtofindthemedianof
increasesbeingdonebyotheruniversitiesandalthoughhedidnotknowifthatcontinuestobethe
casehewilllookintoit.HealsonotedthattuitionincreasesfallwithintheroleoftheBoardof
Governors.
ACouncilmemberaskedthepresidenttoworkwiththechairtofindareconciliationofCouncil
bylawswhichstatethatCouncilmemberswillexerciseindependentjudgmentandnotactasany
agentofanyrepresentativebodyororganization.
Anon‐Councilmembernotedthattherehasbeenmobilizationacrossthecampus,provinceand
countryregardingthesacrosanctnotionoftenure.Henotedthatoverthepast40yearsthecollegial
processhasbeenbaseduponthedeliberationsofmanycommitteesthathavebeendecidingonthe
academicacumenofourcolleaguesandthathasnowbeenreversedonwhathebelievedtobea
technicality.Astenureisacriticalfundamentalaspectofbeingafacultymember,which
encompassesacademicfreedom,heaskedthepresidenttolookathowthishashappenedasthere
isaneedtoknowandunderstandthepastinordertomoveintothefuture.Heaskedthatthe
tenuredecisionbegiventothefacultyasoutlinedinthecollectiveagreement.Thepresident
advisedthatthishasalreadybeenafocusforhimandthattheBoardofGovernorsismeetingnext
weekanditwillbeontheiragenda.Henotedthathesharesthefacultymembers’sorrowasa
formerstudent,facultymemberandalumniofthisuniversity.
Anon‐Councilmemberadvisedthatmanyhaveobservedsecurityguardsandsupportpeople
escortingpeopleoffcampusfollowingtheirlossofemployment,andthishurtshertoseecolleagues
escortedoffthecampusandtoldnottoreturnandthatthisinfluencesthewholecampus
environment.Sheaskedforassurancethatthiswillbere‐evaluatedanddiscontinuedinthe
immediatefuture.Thepresidentagreedwiththefacultymember’scomments,statingthathedid
notapproveofhavingescortsintermsofpeopleleavinganoffice.Thepresidentadvisedthatwe
needtotreatallofourpeoplewithgreatdignityandiftheeconomiccircumstancesmeanweneed
fewerpeople,andhehopedthatthatisnotthecasebutcouldnotpromise,hewouldassurethat
thesetypesofescortswillnothappenunderhiswatchasitisaninsulttopeople’sdignity.
ACouncilmemberencouragedeveryonetounderstandtomakeCouncilmeetingsasoundingboard
andseethisaswherepeoplecanbringtheirfirstideasandthattheycanhelpdebateorbrainstorm
onissues.SheaskedthatCouncilmembersthinkofthosefacultymembers,whohavenotyet
receivedtenure,andwhatcanbelearnedfromtheserecentexperiences.
Thepresidentthankedallfortheircommentsnotingthatalthoughsomewerenotgentlenonewere
rude.TheCouncilchaircommentedthathewasimpressedwiththepresident’sopenness,abilityto
listenandthepresident’sstatementthateverypersonistobetreatedwithdignityandrespect.He
askedCounciltothankthepresidentforhisopennessandrespectwhichwasgreetedwith
applause.
6. ReportoftheProvost
Thechairnotedthatthereiscurrentlynoprovosttopresentthewrittenreport;however,thereare
individualspresenttorespondtoanyquestionsonthereport.Therewerenoquestions.
7. StudentSocieties
7.1 ReportfromtheUSSU
MaxFineDay,presidentoftheUniversityofSaskatchewanStudents’Union(USSU)presented
thereport.HewelcomedInterimPresidentBarnharttotheuniversityandintroducedthenew
USSUvice‐presidents:EliasNelson,vice‐president,operationsandfinance;JackSaddleback,
vice‐president,studentaffairs;andDesiréeSteele,vice‐presidentacademic(whowasabsent).
Heacknowledgedtheguests,inparticularthestudentspresentatthemeetingtodaynoting
thathehasbeenimpressedwithhowstudentshaveparticipatedinthepastweekandshown
theircareabouttheuniversityandthankedthemfortakingthetimetodoso.Hethanked
PresidentBarnhartfortakingtheinterimroleandlookedforwardtomeetingwithhimand
talkingaboutthefutureoftheuniversity.
Mr.FineDaynotedthattheuniversityisinatoughspotrightnowasthepeople’suniversity
hashaditsimagetarnishedontheinternationalstage.Headvisedthatheisproudtobea
studenthereandmanystudentsandfacultyarebeingrecognizedforprestigiousawardsbutit
willtakemoretorestoretheuniversity’sreputationthanthesupportofitsstudentsand
faculty.Mr.FineDayadvisedthatTransformUSwasnotconductedcollegiallyorconsultatively
andnowtheuniversityissufferingtheconsequences.Heagreeditistimetoturnthepageand
urgednewleadershiptothinkcarefullyandpurposefullyonhowtomoveforward.Headvised
thathewouldexpectthatifstudentsarenotbroughtin,theuniversitywillagainbeintrouble
andtherearemanystudentswillingtobeinvolved.Henotedthatstudentsdonotwant
anothertownhallortobetoldtolookattheblog,orhaveinformationtalkedatthem.
Universitybuildingisachangeeffortandshouldbedrivenwiththatinmind,and
administrationshouldactivelybringincollegeleadershipandtheUSSU.Mr.FineDayadvised
thatstudentsareinterestedandcapableinbeingincludedinthesedecisionsandthathe
lookedforwardtomakingthisareality.Henotedthattheuniversityisstrong,butonlywhen
allpartiesworktogether.
7.2 ReportfromtheGSA
IzabelaVlahu,presidentoftheGraduateStudents’Association(GSA),presentedthereport.
Shenotedthatthepastfewweekshavebeenveryeventfulandbeingnewlyelectedherfirst
concernistorecognizethegraduatestudents’concerns.Shestatedthatgraduatestudents
haveseriousconcernswiththeTransformUSprocessandhaveexpressedthisinanumberof
ways.SeverallettershavebeensenttotheBoardofGovernorsexpressingconcernswith
universityleadershipandTransformUS.Theirconcernsinclude:reputationoftheuniversity;
importanceofefficientandaccountablegovernance;validityofthedeficit;importanceof
studentinvolvementinTransformUSandallprocessesattheuniversity;andeliminationof
programs.Manystudentsalsoexpressedtheirfeelinginthestudent‐organizedrally,
“DefendUS”.Ms.VlahustatedthatthefeelingoftheGSAisthatstudentsneedtogaintrustin
theuniversityleadershipandthatTransformUSneedstobecompletelyreconsidered.Asmuch
asstudentsareheretostudyandconductresearchandhelpwiththedisseminationof
knowledge,itispartoftheirroletobeactivistsanddefendtheidealsinwhichtheybelieve,
includingacademicfreedom.Ms.Vlahuwelcomedstudentactivismasconstructivecriticism.
Shestatedthattheinvolvementofstudentsandfacultymemberswilldemonstrateonthe
internationalscenethattheuniversityhassubstanceandwillimprove.
8. Research,scholarlyandartisticworkcommittee
ProfessorCarolineTait,chairoftheresearch,scholarlyandartisticworkcommittee,presentedthis
informationitemtoCouncil.Inherinitialcommentsshenotedhersadnessattheeventsthathave
occurredandencompassedhercolleagues. 8.1 Reportforinformation:undergraduateresearch
ProfessorTaitadvisedthattheresearch,scholarlyandartisticworkcommitteelookedatthe
practiceandconceptofundergraduateresearchthisyearandhowitcouldbeincorporated
intodailypracticesinthecurriculumtoenhanceresearch.Recognizingthatthereneedstobea
balancebetweenadvancinginnovativeandcreativeinitiativeswhilerecognizingpressureson
facultyresourcesandtime,thecommitteebelievesthatintegratingundergraduateresearch
intothecurriculumisdoableandsupportedbystudents.SheinvitedallofCounciltoreadthe
reportprovidedandsendanyquestionstothecommittee.Shethankedfellowcommittee
membersfortheirhardworkandalsothankedSandyCalver,committeesecretaryforher
effortsinsupportingthecommittee.
Inclosing,ProfessorTaitalsoinvitedsuggestionsfromCouncilmembersregardingareasof
priorityandfocusforthecommitteeinthecomingyear.
9. NominationsCommittee
EdKrol,chairofthenominationscommitteepresentedthisreporttoCouncil.
9.1 Requestfordecision:Nominationstocommitteesfor2014‐15
ProfessorKrolnotedtheprocessthecommitteefollowedindevelopingthelistofnominees.
Headvisedthatthecommitteelooksattheskillsandexperienceofthenomineesand
considersequityinrepresentationandbalanceamongmembers.Inkeepingwiththe
committeetermsofreference,thecommitteesolicitsnominationswidelyfromtheCouncil
andtheGeneralAcademicAssembly.Inrecommendingcommitteechairsthecommittee
considersexperience,leadership,continuityandcommitmentaskeyattributesofchair
nominees.
Inadditiontothenomineeslistedinthenominationscommitteereport,asstatedinthe
handoutdistributedtoCouncilatthemeeting,JoelBruneaufromthedepartmentof
economicshasbeennominatedforathree‐yeartermuntilJune30,2017ontheplanningand
prioritiescommittee.
TheCouncilchaircalledthreetimesfornominationsfromthefloorandnoneweremade.
ACouncilmemberrequestedthatsinceCouncilhasverylittleinformationandknowledge
aboutthecandidatesthatthemotionbetableduntilthereismoreinformationastothe
candidates’qualifications,characteristicsandcriteria,andthemannerofselection.
TheuniversitysecretaryinformedCouncilthattherulesallowforamotiontodefertoa
statedtimesothemotioncouldbedeferredforconsiderationoftheslateofnomineestothe
nextCouncilmeeting.Todosowouldrequireapprovalbyamajorityofthevotescast.A
Councilmemberspokeagainsttherequestforadditionalinformation,supportingthatCouncil
respecttheevaluationsthenominationscommitteehasmade,andindicatingthatifCouncilis
askedtoreviewallnominationsdirectly,thenCouncilhasnoneedofanominations
committee.
SOLOSE/VLAHU*:MotiontodeferthemotiontothenextCouncilmeeting,inorderfor
thenominationscommitteetoprovideinformationtoCouncilregardingthecandidates’
qualifications,andthecriteriaandmannerofselection.
DEFEATED
KROL/WOTHERSPOON:ThatCouncilapprovethenominationstoUniversityCouncil
committees,CollectiveAgreementcommittees,andothercommitteesfor2014‐15,as
providedinthenominationscommitteereportandatthemeeting.
CARRIED
10. GovernanceCommittee
LouiseRacine,amemberofthegovernancecommittee,presentedthisreporttoCouncil.
10.1 Noticeofmotion:Councilbylawsamendments
ProfessorRacinedescribedtheproposedamendmentstotheCouncilBylaws,andnotedthe
rationalefortherequestedmotions,asprovidedinthewrittenmeetingmaterials.
10.2 Requestforinput:AmendmenttoProceduresforStudentAppealsinAcademicMatters
ProfessorRacinenotedthecommitteeisseekinginputwithrespecttotheproposed
amendmenttotheProceduresforStudentAppealsinAcademicMatters,regardingtheabilityto
modifythestudent’sinvolvementwhenthereisaquestionraisedregardingthestudent’s
behaviorandthereisaconcernaboutthewell‐beingorsafetyofothers.Sheadvisedthat
commentscanbesubmittedtoCarolRodgers,committeechair,ortheuniversitysecretary.
TheintentisforthisamendmenttotheProcedurestobesubmittedforapprovalattheJune
Councilmeeting.
10.3 Requestfordecision:Nominationstothenominationscommittee
ProfessorRacinenotedtheCouncilmembersnominatedforthenominationscommittee,and
correctedthedepartmentnameassociatedwithAndrewVanKesseltoreadAnimaland
PoultryScience.TheChaircalledthreetimesfornominationsfromthefloorandtherewere
none.
RACINE/DOBSON:ThatCouncilapprovethenominationstothenominations
committeeeffectiveJuly1,2014asprovidedinthegovernancecommitteereport,
andEdKrolaschairofthenominationscommitteeforaoneyeartermeffectiveJuly
1,2014toJune30,2015.
CARRIED
11. PlanningandPrioritiesCommittee
Dr.FranWalley,chairoftheplanningandprioritiescommittee,presentedthisinformationitemto
Council.Sheadvisedthatthecommitteehadmorethanonediscussionabouttheplanandhowit
mightcometoCouncil.Itwasacknowledgedthattheplanisnotthecommittee’sbutrather
ownershiprestswiththeprovost’scommitteeonintegratedplanning(PCIP).Althoughtheplanhas
alreadybeenreleasedtotheuniversitycommunity,itwasultimatelyagreedthattheplanningand
prioritiescommitteewouldformallysubmittheTransformUSactionplantoCouncilinrecognition
ofthecommittee’smandateforuniversity‐widestrategicplanning.Dr.Walleyadvisedthatthe
intentistoinvitediscussionoftheactionplan.Regardingthecommittee’scontributiontothe
actionplan,Dr.WalleyadvisedthatthecommitteereviewedadraftversionoftheplanatitsApril
23rdmeetingprovidingsuggestionsandcommentsandinresponsetheplanwasmodifiedbyPCIP
andonApril30ththecommitteereceivedthefinalactionplanandprovidedfurthercomments.Dr.
Walleyadvisedthatthereportispresentedforinformationwithnoaccompanyingdetailedanalysis
fromtheplanningandprioritiescommitteeastheactionplanwasreceivedanddiscussedbutno
recommendationsweremadewithrespecttosubstantivechanges.Theaccompanyingproject
briefsandsummarywerenotreviewedbythecommitteepriortoreleaseoftheactionplanby
PCIP.Dr.Walleyadvisedthatthecommittee’scommentscentereduponareasforclarification
withintheactionplan,Council’sjurisdictionalauthority,theneedforconsultation,andenhancing
studentaccessibilityandunderstandingoftheplan.
Dr.WalleyspoketoanemailshereceivedfromaCouncilmemberearlierintheweekaskingfor
informationregardingthecommittee’sdiscussionsanddeliberationsparticularlywithregardsto
thepassagesonpage25ofthereportthatbegins,“finally,PCIPseesanimportantopportunityto
partnerwithUniversityCouncilanditscommitteesintheactionsthatfollowfromtheTransformUS
taskforcereports.”ThepassagegoesontodescribevariousscenariosinwhichPCIPintendsto
partnerwithCouncil.Dr.WalleyadvisedthattheCouncilmemberindicatedhewasconcernedthat
thistreadsonCouncil’sauthority,andinquiredwhatcanbedonetoensureindependenceofthe
planningandprioritiescommitteefromPCIP.Dr.Walleyadvisedthatitseemedappropriateforher
toprovidetheanswertoCouncildirectly.Dr.Walleyadvisedthatthecommitteediddiscussthis
passageinparticularandtheauthorityofCouncilingeneralonbothApril23rdandApril30th.She
thensharedexcerptsfromthosetwocommitteemeetingsthatspeaktothisissue(attachedas
AppendixBtotheseminutes).Dr.WalleyinformedCouncilthatshesharedtheseexcerptsofthese
minutestoindicatetheconsiderationanddiscussionsofthecommittee.Consensuswasnot
reachedregardingwordingoftheactionplanabouttheroleofCouncil,butneitherwasthegoalof
thecommittee’sdiscussiontoreachconsensusgiventhatthedocumentisnotownedbythe
committee.Anychangestothedraftorfinalversionoftheactionplan,althoughinformedbythe
discussionsatthecommittee,wereleftentirelytoPCIPtomake.
Dr.Walleyadvisedthatatarecentplanningandprioritiescommitteemeeting,thepossibilitythat
Councilmaysignalawishforthecommitteetothoroughlyreviewtheactionplanandprovidea
reporttoCouncilwasdiscussed.Thecommittee’shopeisthattoday’sdiscussionatCouncilwill
providedirectionforplanningandprioritiescommitteeinthisregard.Dr.Walleyadvisedthatshe
wouldbepleasedtotakeanyquestionsregardingtheroleoftheplanningandprioritiescommittee
withrespecttotheactionplan,butinvitedCounciltodirectanyotherquestionsabouttheplanto
GregFowler,vice‐presidentfinanceandresourcesandvice‐chairofPCIP.
Mr.Fowlerthenprovidedcomments.HeadvisedthatheandhiscolleaguesonPCIParelistening
carefullytothecommentsoftheplanningandprioritiescommitteeaswellasthecommentsof
PresidentBarnhartandtheBoardofGovernors.HeadvisedCouncilthatgiventhecurrent
circumstances,PCIPhasdecidedtoslowdowntoexaminetheactionplanandtoprovideforfurther
facultyandstaffinputandtolistentotheuniversitycommunity.Themostrecentup‐to‐date
informationonthefiscalstatusoftheuniversitywillalsobeprovidedatafutureCouncilmeeting.
TheCouncilchairnotedthatthisitemhascometoCouncilforinformationandanyinformationcan
besenttoDr.Walley,chairoftheplanningandprioritiescommitteeortheuniversitysecretary.
Thefloorwasthenopenedforquestions.
ACouncilmembernotedaportionwithinthelastparagraphonpage25oftheactionplanwhich
reads,“OtherpotentialareasforCouncil’sconsiderationincludeanexaminationbyCouncil’s
committees,suchastheacademicprogramscommittee,oftheprioritizationframeworkusedbythe
academicprogramstaskforceanditspotentialforincorporationintotemplatesusedbythe
committeewhenproposalsforneworrevisedprogramsarebroughtforwardforapprovalorfor
programtermination.”TheCouncilmembernotedthatthisisclearlyanacademicprograms
committeematteranditappearsthatPCIPisreferringtousebytheacademicprogramscommittee
ofaprocessandproceduresemployedbytheacademicprogramstaskforce.Henotedthatthese
procedureshavecomeunderquiteabitofcriticism;manybelievetheyareirreparablyflawedand
incapableofdiscerningtheconnectionsofthisinstitution,andthattheproceduresrepresenta
reductionist,“roughandready”process.Hecalledfortheacademicprogramscommitteetoact
independentlyanduseitsownbestjudgmentinassessingprograms.TheCouncilmembernoted
thatwhathasbeenseenrecentlyisthattheTransformUSprocesshasbroughttheuniversity
communitytothemostdifficultsituation.Giventhattheactionplanprecededrecenteventshe
statedhisintenttomakeamotion.Afterdiscussiontoclarifythemotion,themotionproposedby
theCouncilmemberwas:“ThattheTransformUSprocessbesuspended,pendingareportto
CounciltotheSenateandtotheBoardofGovernorsofaforensicauditintotheprojecteddeficitof
$44.5M.”
Theuniversitysecretaryindicatedthattherearetwoaspectsofthemotiontoclarify:(1)whether
priornoticeofthemotionhasbeengiven;and(2)whetherthemotionisasubstantivemotion.If
themotionisdeemedtobeasubstantivemotion,asdeterminedbytheChair,thenCouncilshould
followitsrulesandprocedureswhichcallfortendays’noticeofthemotionbeprovidedfor
Council’sconsideration.Sheadvisedthatinthiscasethishasnotbeengiven,andthereforetoadda
substantivemotiontotheagendaoncethemeetinghascommencedrequiresunanimousapproval
byCouncil.
ACouncilmemberarguedthatCouncilhashadayeartoconsiderTransformUSandthereforedoes
notrequirenoticetoconsiderthemotion.AnotherCouncilmemberrequestedthatavotenotbe
takenasaforensicauditisacomplexprocess,requiringtheengagementofmanyparties,andthat
suchanauditmaybeunnecessaryinorderforCounciltoreceiveinformationoutliningthe
university’sprojecteddeficitpicture.
BROOKE/VLAHU*:Toaddtheproposedmotiontotheagenda.
DEFEATED
Mr.FowleradvisedthatthereareelementsintheactionplanoutsideofCouncil’sauthorityinorder
toensureCouncilwasawareofthevaryingactionsintheplan.
TheCouncilmemberthatbroughtthemotionnotedthathevotedagainsthisownmotionduetothe
discussionofthemotionwhichmadehimrealizethatthemotionwasanimpromptumotion,and
suggestedthatperhapsthemotioncouldbere‐workedandsubmittedtothecoordinating
committeeforconsiderationtoaddtothemeetingagendaofthenextCouncilmeeting.
TheCouncilchairinformedCouncilthatanyinformationorinputprovidedbyCouncilmembers
wouldbesubmittedtothechairoftheplanningandprioritiescommittee.Theincomingchairfor
theplanningandprioritiescommitteerequestedinstructionfromCouncilregardingwhether
Councilwishedthecommitteetoprovideananalysisoftheactionplan.TheCouncilchairaffirmed
thatanyrelatedcommentscouldbesubmitteddirectlytothechairoftheplanningandpriorities
committeeortheuniversitysecretary.
ACouncilmembernotedthatshewouldbeinterestedinlearningwhatconcernstheplanningand
prioritiescommitteehadandwhatadvicetheygavetoPCIPthatmayormaynothavebeen
considered.Dr.Walleyrepliedthatthiswasnotedinthereadingoftheminutesexcerptsfromthe
committee’sApril23rdandApril30thmeetings.
ACouncilmembernotedthatinapreviousquestiontherewasareferencetotheacademic
programscommitteeandtheroleitshouldbetakingandheinvitedthechairoftheacademic
programscommitteetocomment.Thechairoftheacademicprogramscommitteespoketothe
independenceofthecommitteeandthecommentsintheactionplan.Hestatedthatthecommittee
doesnottakedirectionfromPCIPregardingthecriteriabywhichthecommitteeassesses
programs.Thecommitteeispresentlyreviewingandclarifyingthecriteriabywhichprogramsare
assessedtoensureconsistency,andwillsubmittherevisedcriteriatoCouncilforinformationonce
itsreviewiscomplete.
12. Academicprogramscommittee
12.1 Requestfordecision:TerminationoftheGeneralHonoursdegree
RoyDobson,chairoftheacademicprogramscommittee,presentedthisitemtoCouncil.He
advisedthattherearenostudentsenrolledintheprogrampresentlyandthatothermeans
existforstudentstoobtainanhonoursdegree.
DOBSON/KROL:ThatCouncilapprovetheterminationoftheGeneralHonoursdegree
(intheCollegeofArtsandScience),effectiveSeptember2014.
CARRIED
13. Otherbusiness
Dr.Walley,chairoftheplanningandprioritiescommitteenotedthatasnofeedbackhadbeen
offeredinrelationtothecommitteeprovidingCouncilwiththecommittee’sanalysisofthe
TransformUSactionplan,thatthisquestioncouldberevisitedattheJuneCouncilmeeting.
ThechairnotedthatanycommentsontheplancouldalsobesenttoGregFowler,vice‐president
financeandresourcesandvice‐chairofPCIP.
14. Questionperiod
ACouncilmembernotedthatheappreciatedthecommentsmadeatthemeeting;andreferencedin
particularProfessorTait’snotethatthisisnotatimeoftriumphbutatimeofsetbackforthe
institution,notwithstandinghispleasureattheappointmentofDr.Barnhart.Herequestedthatthe
coordinatingcommitteeconsiderbringingforwardamotiontorescindthemotionapprovingthe
Vision2025document,andthatifthecommitteedeclinestobringforwardthemotion,thatthe
committeeexplaintoCouncilwhythecommitteebelievesthedocumentshouldstand.Headvised
thatitseemsinappropriatethatCouncilwouldbindanyfuturepresidenttoaplanapprovedthree
weeksprior.
ACouncilmembernotedthatthetwocircleswithwhichsheisfamiliarincludethecircleswithher
Indigenouscolleaguesandalsowithhernon‐tenuredcolleagues.Sheadvisedthatpeopleinthese
twocirclesarenervous,scaredandangryandshewishedtomakethereflectionthatcontributions
fromthesetwocirclesmightnothappenpromptlyandaskedtohavesomespacetohearfrom
peoplefirstasthatinputmaycomeafterthereisasteptowardscreatingmoretrust.
ACouncilmemberaskediftheplanningandprioritiescommitteehadaccesstofinancial
informationandthetotalbudgetoftheuniversity.Dr.Walley,chairofplanningandpriorities
committee,confirmedthatthecommitteeregularlyreceivesinformationabouttheuniversity’s
budget.
Anon‐Councilmemberaskedthepresidentwhetherhewouldstepasidefromtheboardofthe
InternationalMineralsInnovationInstitute,ashisserviceontheIMIIboardandhisservicetothe
universityaspresidentrepresentsaconflictofinterest.PresidentBarnhartconfirmedhewouldbe
steppingdownfromtheIMIIboard.
15. Adjournment
Thechairnotedthefinalmeetingofthe2013‐14yearwillbeJune19,2014,andencouragedpeople
toattend.
DOBSON/MICHELMANN:Thatthemeetingbeadjournedat4:49p.m.
CARRIED
Nextmeeting–2:30pm,June19,2014
*IzabelaVlahu,waselectedaspresidentoftheGraduateStudents’AssociationeffectiveMay1,
2014.SheassumedthatthismeantshealsobecameaCouncilmemberatthattime.Infact
studentCouncilmembersbegintheirtermJuly1,thereforeMs.VlahuwasnotaCouncilmember
atthismeeting.