MinutesofUniversityCouncil
2:30p.m.,Thursday,January23,2014
Arts241,Neatby‐TimlinTheatre
Attendance:J.Kalra(Chair).SeeappendixAforlistingofmembersinattendance.
AtributetoDr.IanMcDonald,formerdeanoftheCollegeofMedicineandprofessor
emeritusfromtheDepartmentofPsychiatry,wasdeliveredbyDr.DavidKeegan,clinical
professorandprofessoremeritusfromtheDepartmentofPsychiatry.Atributewasalso
giventoDr.DavidPopkin,professoranddeanemeritusfromtheCollegeofMedicinebyDr.
FemiOlatunbosun,professorfromtheDepartmentofObstetrics,Gynecologyand
ReproductiveSciences.Amomentofsilencewasobserved.
Thechaircalledthemeetingtoorderat2:48p.m.
1.
Adoptionoftheagenda
TYLER/RIGBY:Toadopttheagendaascirculated.
CARRIED
2.
Openingremarks
ThechairextendedNewYear’sgreetingstoallinattendanceandnotedthattheCouncil
newsletter,“CouncilMatters”,wasdeliveredtoallfacultybyemailonDecember24thand
ispostedontheCouncilsectionoftheuniversitysecretary’swebsite.
3.
MinutesofthemeetingofDecember19,2013
AcorrectiontotheminuteswasrequestedandagreedtobythePresident,toaddattheend
ofthefirstsentenceofthelastparagraphonthesecondpage,theclause:“…andstudent
academicmatters.”followedbythesentence,“Thepresidentagreedwiththisprinciple.”
BRENNA/TYLER:ThattheCouncilminutesofDecember19,2013beapprovedas
circulatedwiththenotedamendment.
CARRIED
4.
Businessfromtheminutes
Therewasnobusinessarisingfromtheminutes.
5.
ReportofthePresident
PresidentIleneBusch‐Vishniacprovidedupdatesonthosesignificantmattersshehas
workedtoaddressoverthefallterm.TheCollegeofMedicinecontinuestoadvanceThe
WayForward,astheimplementationplanforthecollege’svision.Theprovincial
governmentsupportstheplanandiswillingtoworkwiththeuniversityinthe
developmentofanalternativefundingplanwhichwillprotectfacultytimeforteachingand
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research.ThepresidentreportedthatrecentlysheandColumSmith,actingdeanofthe
CollegeofMedicine,servedonapanelfortheCanadianCollegeofHealthLeaderswith
leadersfromtheSaskatoonHealthRegion,andthattheycontinuetoworkonbuilding
strongrelationshipswiththehealthregions.
RegardingVision2025,thepresidentadvisedthataftertwomonthsoffocusinginternally,
shehasturnedherfocusexternally,meetingwiththeFSIN’sEducationCommittee.
MeetingsarealsoscheduledwiththeChamberofCommerce,DeputyMinisters’Counciland
otherstogathercommentsandfeedback.Workcontinuesonareviseddraft.Thetentative
scheduleisthattheVision2025documentwillbesubmittedtoCouncilforconsiderationof
endorsementinApril.
Thirdly,thepresidentcommentedbrieflyontheTransformUSinitiative.Meetingshave
concludedwitheachunitleaderwithbudgetauthority,andthroughthesemeetingsshehas
learnedanincredibleamountofwhatisoccurringoncampus.
Regardingthefederalandprovincialbudgets,whichwillbereleasedinthenextmonth,the
presidentadvisedthatbothareexpectedtobetight.Thepresidentnotedshecontinuesto
consultfederallyandprovinciallyandpressthecausefortheuniversitiesatlarge,andalso
provinciallyspecificallyfortheneedsoftheUniversityofSaskatchewan.
ThepresidentreferredtotheU15groupofCanadianuniversitiesandquotedfromarecent
publicationbytheU15toillustratewhyitmattersthattheUniversityofSaskatchewanisa
partoftheU15,asfollows:
U15universitiesaremajorcontributorstoCanada’sscience,technologyand
innovation(ST&I)ecosystem.Werepresenta$5.3Bannualresearchenterprise,
attractmorethan85%oftheprivatesector’sinvestmentinuniversityresearch,
receive80%ofCanada’scompetitiveresearchawards,andholdaportfolioofmore
than2800activeintellectualpropertylicences.Ourresearcherspartnerwith
thousandsofsmall,mediumandlargebusinesstohelptheminnovateandbecome
increasinglygloballycompetitive.Weeducatemorethan565,000peopleannually,
attractmorethanone‐thirdofCanada’stotalinternationalpost‐secondarystudents
(andmorethanhalfofCanada’sinternationaluniversitystudents),andproduce
about75%ofCanada’sPhDs.Ourinstitutionsemploymorethan100,000people
andhaveaneconomicimpactofmorethan$100billionannually.1
Thepresidentthencalledforquestions.ACouncilmemberreferredtoacommentmadeby
RobertCampbell,PresidentofMountAllisonUniversity,regardingrelianceonrevenue
frominternationalstudentsthatresultsindependenceonaparticularstreamoffunding
andthiswouldbeaconcernforauniversityinaninappropriateway,andaskedwhether
PresidentBusch‐Vishniachadsimilarconcerns.Inresponsethepresidentconcurredwith
whatshebelievedPresidentCampbellwassayingtotheextenthehasidentifiedthata
1U15ResponsetoFederalST&IConsultationPaper,SeizingCanada’sMoment:MovingForwardinScience,
TechnologyandInnovation,January24,2014,U15GroupofCanadianResearchUniversities
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percentageofgovernmentfundingistargetedforspecificpurposesandhasincreasedover
time,whichremovesthedecision‐makingfromwhereitbelongs.
ACouncilmembernotedanumberofletterstotheeditorofTheStarPhoenixregarding
TransformUScutsandaskedsenioradministrationtocommentonwheretheuniversity’s
budgetneedsareatthismoment.Thepresidentadvisedthatsenioradministrationhas
beenclearabouthowthedeficitamountwasderived,andinvitedtheprovosttorespond
moredirectly.
Dr.FairbairnnotedthatherespondedtosimilarquestionsatthelastCouncilmeeting.In
summary,theadministrationidentifiedin2012thatbasedonreasonableassumptionsthe
universitywouldfacea$44Mdeficitby2016ifnoactionweretaken.Actionshavebeen
takenresultinginreducingthedeficitby$15Mby2016andmaintainingabalancedbudget
throughbothpermanentandone‐timemeasures.Asaresult,approximatelyone‐thirdof
thebudgetarygaphasbeenaccountedfor,whichrepresentssignificantprogress;two‐
thirdsofthegapremainstobeaddressedtoachieveabalancedbudgetin2016and
sustainabilitybeyond.TheCouncilmemberaskedwhetherafinancialtownhallcouldbe
heldtoconfirmthecutsthathaveinfactbeenmadetoassistindecision‐making.The
provostnotedthatinspringthemulti‐yearbudgetframeworkisupdatedandaddressedat
theBoardandCouncil.Alsoadministrationwillpresenttheframeworktothecapitaland
financebudgetsub‐committeeoftheplanningandprioritiescommitteeofCouncil.Dr.
Fairbairnagreedthatthebudgetcouldbereviewedagainatatownhallandcommittedto
alsothinkingaboutothermeansinwhichtomaketheuniversity’sbudgetaryinformation
moreaccessible.Inthemeantime,hereferredCounciltotheinformationprovidedonthe
universitywebsitefromthefinancialtownhallsheldlastyear.
ACouncilmembernotedthattherehavebeenwidespreadquestionsaboutthedeficitand
askedwhetherintheinterestoftransparency,theadministrationwouldworkwiththe
unionsoncampustohaveanindependentauditexaminationtodemonstrateifthedeficit
claimedbyadministrationiscorrect.Thepresidentnotedthatthisisaquestionforthe
BoardofGovernorswhichhasfinancialauthorityandadvisedthattheuniversity’sfinancial
booksareindependentlyaudited.Administrationiscurrentlyindiscussionswiththe
UniversityofSaskatchewanFacultyAssociationaboutthetransparencyoftheinformation.
Theprovostaddedthatonecanonlyauditfinancialinformationfromthepastsothe
currentandprioryearscanbereviewedbutthatanauditwouldnotapplytoprojected
budgets.Henotedthatonecanreviewthemulti‐yearbudgets,butthisisdifferentthanan
auditofpastinformation.
ACouncilmemberreferredtotheU15mandatethatthepresidenthadquotednotingthat
facultyaspireforeverythinginthismandateandagreewithit,butshewonderedabout
mattersbeyondthismandate–forexamplewithrespecttoartisticwork.Thepresident
agreedthateverythingthatwasinthequotedparagraphisreflectiveofasourceofpride
fortheuniversity,buttherearecertainlyotherpieces,suchasartisticworkand
engagementofAboriginalstudentswhicharealsosourcesofpridefortheuniversity.
ACouncilmembernotedthetimingoftherecentTransformUStownhallmeetingsand
suggestedthatthetimeswerenotconvenientforstudentsoralumniandrecommended
havinganothertownhallmeetingatwhichallstakeholderscanattend,perhapsinthe
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evening.HealsonotedthatthespiritofCouncil’svoteinJanuary2013toapprovethe
undertakingofprogramprioritizationincludedconsultationwithstudentsinthis
prioritization.Heexpressedthathethoughtthisshouldbeacontinuedintentand
encouragedfurtherconsultationwithstudents.Thepresidentexplainedthattherewere
fourtownhallmeetings,thestudentswereinvitedtothreeofthemandthefourthwasfor
departmentheads.Inadditiontothesemeetingsthereweremechanismsputinplaceto
collectresponsesincludingemails,lettersandpostingstothewebsite.Thepresidentnoted
thattherehasbeenconcernexpressedthatwhenthetaskforcereportswerereleasedit
wasjustbeforeoratthebeginningoffinalexams;however,theUSSUexecutivewas
consultedandrecommendedthatthereportsbereleased.
Thepresidentadvisedthatthereisadesiretocontinuemovingtheprocessforwardsothat
someactionsmaybetakenthisyearasevenashortdelaycouldhaveasignificantimpact,
resultingintheneedtomakedeepercutslateron.Thepresidentalsoclarifiedthatshewas
askedwhyifshehadtimetomeetwith33unitleadersshedidnothavetimetomeetwith
theUSSUexecutive.Thepresidentnoted,infact,shemeetswiththeUSSUandGSA
executivemonthly,andwillbemeetingwiththemthiscomingMonday.Thesemeetings
willcontinuebecausestudentsareimportant.Also,thedeanshavebeenaskedasthey
speakwiththeirunitsregardingTransformUStoensuretheyareincludingthestudentsin
theircollege.
ACouncilmemberaskedwhetherthepresidentwasdisappointedwiththelevelofstudent
response.Thepresidentadvisedthatshewasnotdisappointed.Studentswereplacedon
thetaskforcesbecausetheybelongedthere;thestudentvoiceswereinfluential,theywere
heardandtheyhadanimpact.TherearealsostudentmembersonCouncil,Senateandthe
BoardofGovernors.Shestatedthatitisnottruethatanyofthesearetokenstudents,but
ratherthesestudentsarepeoplewhohaveplayedanimportantroletomakesurestudents
areheard.Also,morestudentreactionhasbeenreceivedonline.Thepresidentadvised
shebelievesbecausewehavepromisedallstudentsthatiftheyarecurrentlyinadegree
programtheywillnotbeimpacted,thatanumberofstudentshavedeterminedthatthey
neednotaddressthisissue.TheCouncilmemberaskedwhetherconsultationishappening
atcollegeandunitlevels,towhichthepresidentadvisedthatallunitshavebeenaskedto
makesureconsultationoccurs.AsanexampleshecitedthemeetingthattheCollegeofArts
andScienceheldwithitsstudentsthepreviousafternoon.
AnundergraduatestudentintheCollegeofArtsandSciencecommentedthatshewas
disappointedinhearingthatthepresidentwasnotdisappointedinthestudentresponse,
becauseshewasdisappointedinthestudentresponse.Thestudentnotedthatthereisa
feelingofexclusivitythatsurroundsthisprocessandthatthestudentsarenotbeingtaken
seriously.Shepointedoutthefactthattherewasapublicreactiontakenwithabanneron
theoverpassoverCollegeDriveandthatstudentsfeeltheirvoicesarenotbeingheard.She
alsoexpressedherdisappointmentthatallofthetownhallmeetingswereatthesametime
andencouragedsenioradministrationtobemoresupportiveofstudentinvolvement,
notingthatspeakingwithstudentassociationsandbodiesisnotthesameasspeaking
directlywithstudents.
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6.
ReportoftheProvost
BrettFairbairn,provostandvice‐presidentacademic,referredmemberstohiswritten
reportinthemeetingmaterials.Henotedthatearlierintheweekaletterwassenttoall
membersoftheGAAfromthechairofcouncilandhimselfinresponsetoquestions
receivedthattouchedonmattersofgovernanceandhowdecisionsaremadeatthe
university.Thisletterprovidedinformationontheuniversity’stricameralgovernanceand
decision‐making.UniversityCouncilconsidersbothacademicandfinancialmattersin
makingitsdecisionsandthisisveryimportanttobothCouncilandtheGAA.Dr.Fairbairn
addedthatCouncil,andnotablyCouncil’splanningandprioritiescommittee,isan
extremelyimportantpartnerforhiminhiswork.
RegardingTransformUS,Dr.Fairbairnadvisedthattheconsultationperiodextendstothe
endofthemonthandfollowingthatPCIPwilldevelopanimplementationplan,usinga
principledapproach.Throughtheongoingconsultationsandotherformsofinput,themes
ofquestionsandcommentsfromthosemeetingshavebeenrecorded.Theprovostadvised
thathehopestobeinapositiontoprovidemoreinformationonPCIP’sprogressin
February.Hisintentisthattheplanwillberelativelyshortandcoherentconsistingof10to
20pages,whichwilloutlineareasofworktobedoneattheuniversityandhowtoproceed
witheach.Theplanwillcommentontheinformationcollectedindevelopingthatplanand
provideanupdateontheprocess.
Theprovostcalledforquestions.ACouncilmembernotedthathewasnotsurprisedthat
theUSFAanduniversityadministrationappeartobeonacollisioncourseoverthe
reductionofacademicpositions.Heexpressedthatprovidingallrelevantbudget
informationtothefacultyassociationandotherunionswouldprovidevalidityonthe
projectedbudgetaryshortfallandassistintheprocess.Heaskedwhytheprovostwasnot
willingtoopenthebooksandprovideevidenceofabudgetaryshortfall.Theprovost
advisedthatthisinformationmightbesomethingthatadministrationaddresseswith
unions,butnotthroughUniversityCouncil,asthereisadifferencebetweencollegialself‐
governancewhichisthemandateofCouncil,andemployerandemployeediscussions
whichtakeplacewithcollectivebargainingunits.Theprovostnotedthatitisalso
importanttotalkaboutfinancialmattersatCouncilandparticularlywiththeplanningand
prioritiescommittee.Heexplainedthatdisclosingfurtherinformationwillbereviewed
withinalloftheserelationshipstotheextentappropriatewithineachrelationship.
Theprovostadvisedthathehastakencaretoregularlytalkaboutthekeydriversinthe
university’sbudgetandbrieflyrecappedthese:70%oftheuniversity’srevenueisfromthe
provincialgrant,followedbytuitionfeerevenueandthenothermiscellaneousrevenue.On
theexpenditureside,75%iscompensationtoemployeesoftheuniversity.Theuniversity’s
keysourceofrevenuefromtheprovinceisoptimisticallyprojectedtoincreaseby2%per
year.Giventhesekeydrivers,ifnoactionistaken,therewillbegrowingdeficitsoverthe
years.Themulti‐yearbudgetupdatesbudgetaryprojectionsannually.Reportsarealso
issuedeachyearontheuniversity’sbudget.Theprovostnotedthatitisalwayspossibleto
communicatemoreandthathewouldlookforadditionalmeanstocommunicatethe
university’sfinancialposition.
5
ACouncilmemberreferredtothearticlebytheeconomist,EricHowe,inthelatestissueof
VOXandaskedtheprovostifhehadaresponsetothekeypointsraisedinthatarticle.The
provostadvisedthathehasseenacopyofthearticleandalthoughhedidnotwishto
debateoneperson’sexpressionofopinion,hedidnotethatmanyofthecommentsdelving
intothenatureofthetaskforceprocesswereaskewofhisreadingoftheprocess.The
provostadvisedthathavingreadthetaskforcereportshethoughtitwasclearthatthe
groupsusedtheirjudgmentandtookmanyaspectsintoaccount,asappropriatetoany
prioritizationmethodology.
CommentswerereceivedfromaCouncilmemberwhoexpressedhisbeliefthatthereis
deepskepticismamongstudentsandfaculty,thatthereisapredispositiontoexclude
studentsandtoinfantilizefacultyandthatadministrationshouldtaketheskepticism
seriously.Headvisedthatthereisaninitiativeforagrouptohaveameetingwiththe
BoardofGovernorsandthereisalsoaninitiativetohaveaspecialGAAmeeting.The
Councilmembernotedthattheprovostwasshowinganinclinationtoimplementthe
recommendationsratherthanbeginagain,andthatanumberoffacultymembersarevery
stronglytransforminganxietytoinitiative.Theprovostnotedthattheseinitiativeswere
unknowntohimandthathewouldlookintothemfurther.Inresponse,aCouncilmember
spokeinsupportofadministrationworkingproactivelytoheadoffabudgetarycrisisand
thatalthoughheacknowledgedtheprocesswasnotperfect,thatnoprocesswouldbe,and
thatitwasbettertoworktogetherthanagainsteachother.
7.
StudentSocieties
7.1 ReportfromtheUSSU
MaxFineDay,presidentoftheUSSU,spoketothechallengesfacingtheuniversity
withtheTransformUSprocess.Henotedthathebelieveditisaprocessthatis
failingthewholeuniversitycommunity,notjuststudents.Headvisedthatin
conversationswithstudentsthestudentsfeelunheardanduninvolvedwhichthey
arefindingdisappointing.Hestatedthatstudentscanandshouldbeabletobe
representedonfurtherdecidingbodiesintheTransformUSprocess.
Mr.FineDayreferredtoapublicletterfromthepresident,whichspoketoinputin
thetaskforcegroupsfromstudents,andthatfindingfurthereffectivestudentinput
nowlieswithstudentadministrators.Mr.FineDaystatedthatinfact,theUSSUor
anyotherstudentassociationhashadnocommunicationfromsenior
administrationonofferingstudentinputintothisprocess,whichhebelievestobea
troublinglackofprocess.HeadvisedthatthepresidentdidconsulttheUSSUwith
regardtothereleaseofthereports,andtheUSSUexecutivedidwantthereportsout
assoonastheywereavailabletoprovidethemosttimeforstudentstogothrough
them;however,theUSSUwasnotconsultedonthetimeline.Headvisedthat
releasingthereportsattheheightofexamsandwithholidaystofollowresultedin
studentsbeingrequiredtogothroughpagesofreportsduringatimewhenstudents
wereotherwiseoccupied.Mr.FineDaystatedthatstudentleadersshouldbe
consultedspecificallybysenioradministration.
6
Mr.FineDayadvisedthathemovedthefollowingresolutionatUSSUCouncilwhich
waspassedunanimously:
Whereasstudentassociations,theUSSUandstudentconstituencieshavenot
andwillnotbeformallyconsulted;
And,whereasthetimelineforconsultationisinadequateduetothe
complexityofthereportsandthesignificanttimerequiredformeaningful
reviewanddiscussion;
And,whereasthereisnostudentrepresentationontheProvost’sCommittee
onIntegratedPlanning;
And,whereasstudenthaveexpressedconcernwiththeimplementationof
thereportsmovingforward,
ThereforebeitresolvedthattheUniversityStudents’Councilonbehalfofits
membershaslostconfidenceintheTransformUSprocess.
Mr.FineDayadvisedthatotherstudentbodiesoncampuswillbeconsidering
similarmotionsasthestudentsfeelleftoutoftheprocess.Henotedthatthisisnot
totakeawayfromtheworkofthetaskforces,especiallythestudentinvolvementon
thetaskforces,howeverforthisprocesstohavelegitimacyitshouldbemetwith
cooperationandnotdivision.Heaskedsenioradministrationtotakeanotherlook
todeterminehowbesttoworktogetherwiththestudentbody.
Mr.FineDay’scommentswerefollowedbyapplause.ThechairthankedMr.FineDay
forhisreportnotinghispleasureathearingstudentcomments.
7.2
ReportfromtheGSA
KiriStaples,vice‐presidentoperationsandcommunicationsfortheGraduate
Students’Association,presentedtheGSAreporttoCouncil.Ms.Stapleshighlighted
thegraduateresearchconferencethatwillbeheldMarch6‐8withthethemeofthe
conferencebeing,‘Curiosity’.Theconferenceisintendedtobeinterdisciplinaryin
nature,withstudentsandresearchersaskedtospeakaboutthepurposeoftheir
researchandwhatmakesthempassionateaboutit.Ms.Staplesstronglyencouraged
bothstudentsandfacultytoparticipateintheconferencetomaketheevent
successfulanddirectedCouncilmemberstotheGSAwebsiteformoreinformation.
Ms.StaplesalsonotedtheGSAawardsgalawhichwillbeheldonMarch8atthe
RadissonHotel.SheencouragedCouncilmemberstoparticipateandattendthe
event.
8.
Research,ScholarlyandArtisticWorkCommittee
CarolineTait,chairofthecommittee,presentedthisitemtoCouncil.
8.1 Itemforinformation:Mid‐yearreport
7
ProfessorTaitnotedthatsheenjoyedworkingwithanexcellentcommittee,and
particularlynotedtheengagementandcontributionsofthestudentmembersonthe
committee.Shehighlightedtheareascoveredbythecommitteeduringtheyear
includingTransformUS,thereviewoftheCollegeofGraduateStudiesandResearch
andtheCollegeofMedicinevisionandimplementationplans.Workcontinuesona
reportonundergraduateresearchthatwilllikelycometoCouncilinApril.
ProfessorTaitrequestedfeedbacktoinformthecommitteeasitconsidersits
prioritiesinthecomingyearandaskedmemberstosendtheirthoughtstoherin
thisregard.Potentialtopicssuggestedtodateincludetheexpressionofartistic
works,interdisciplinarymulti‐research,whichhaschangeddramaticallyoverrecent
years,theguidelinesforIndigenousresearchoncampusandlookingatindustry
partnersinvolvedinmentoringgraduatestudentsandresearchers.
TheCouncilchairnotedthatanyresponsescouldalsobesubmittedtotheOfficeof
theUniversitySecretaryforcommunicationtoProfessorTait.
9.
AcademicProgramsCommittee
ProfessorRoyDobson,chairoftheacademicprogramscommittee,presentedthereportsto
Council.
9.1 RequestforDecision:CollegeofArtsandScienceBA&ScinHealth Studies
ProfessorDobsonnotedthedecisionbeforeCouncilrelatestothehonoursandfour‐
yeardegreeprogramsinHealthStudieswhichhaveanelementof
interconnectedness.Theprogramhasbeendevelopedoveranumberofyearswith
agreatdealofconsultationandhasthreestreamsofconcentration:biology
developmentandhealth;individualsocietyandhealth;andculture,environment
andhealth.
DOBSON/KROL:ThatCouncilapprovetheBachelorofArtsandScience
HonoursandFour‐yeardegreeprogramsinthefieldofHealthStudiesinthe
CollegeofArtsandScience.
CARRIED
9.2 RequestforDecision:CollegeofGraduateStudiesandResearchMAin
Women’s,GenderandSexualityStudies
ProfessorDobsonnotedthatthisprogramwasidentifiedasanimportantareaof
developmentasfarbackas2004.Itisa15‐creditresearchfocusedthesis‐based
master’sprogram.Studentswillbeadmittedeverytwoyearstoallowforasmall
numberoffacultytoaccommodatetheprogram.InresponsetoaCouncilmember’s
questionastowhethertheuniversityhadamaster’sprograminthisarea
previously,ProfessorDobsonadvisedthattherehavebeenundergraduate
programsandspecial‐casemaster’sstudents,butthiswouldbethefirstregularized
master’sprogram.DavidParkinson,vice‐deanoftheCollegeofArtsandScience,
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advisedthattherehasbeenanarrayofundergraduateprograminginwomen’sand
genderstudiesandthisservestobroadenthescopefromthatprograming.The
programprovidesanopportunitytostudentsfromotherdisciplinesandthatfaculty
andstudentshavebeenseekinggraduate‐levelprogramminginthisareaforsome
time.
DOBSON/KROL:ThatCouncilapprovetheMasterofArtsdegreeprogramin
thefieldofWomen’s,GenderandSexualityStudiesfromtheCollegeof
GraduateStudiesandResearch.
CARRIED
9.3 RequestforDecision:CollegeofMedicineAdmissionQualifications
ProfessorDobsonexplainedthatinthepastcompletionoftheMedicalCollege
AdmissionsTest(MCAT)wasonlyrequiredforstudentswhowerenotalready
attendingtheUniversityofSaskatchewanortheUniversityofRegina.Asthenew
MCATismorereflectiveoftheneedsoftheCollegeofMedicineandthestudentsthe
collegeistryingtorecruit,thedecisionsubmittedistorequireallapplicantsto
writetheMCATtofacilitatecomparisonofstudents.Inthepast,theadmission
scoringforstudentswasbased65%ontheinterviewand35%ongradepoint
average;whereasnow50%willbebasedontheinterview,20%ontheMCATand
30%onthegradepointaveragetodeterminethestudent’srankingandtherefore
theireligibilityforadmissiontothecollege’sM.D.program.ProfessorDobson
advisedthattherehasbeenbroadconsultationincludingwithmedicalstudentswho
arestronglyinfavorofthischange.
DOBSON/KROL:ThatCouncilapprovetheCollegeofMedicineadmission
qualificationrequirementfortheMedicalCollegeAdmissionsTest(MCAT)of
allSaskatchewanresidentswhoapplyforentranceintomedicineeffective
forapplicantsasofOctober2015.
CARRIED
10. NominationsCommittee
ProfessorKrol,chairofthenominationscommittee,presentedthereporttoCouncil.
10.1 RequestforDecision:Nominationstoreviewcommitteesforthedeanofthe
EdwardsSchoolofBusinessandthedeanoftheWesternCollegeof
VeterinaryMedicine.
Followingthemotionbeingread,thechairaskedthreetimesiftherewereany
nominationsfromthefloor.Hearingnonethevotewasthentaken.
KROL/WOTHERSPOON:ThatCouncilapprovenominationstothereview
committeesforthedeanoftheEdwardsSchoolofBusinessandthedeanof
theWesternCollegeofVeterinaryMedicineaspresentedinthemeeting
materials.
CARRIED
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11. Otherbusiness
Therewasnootherbusiness.
12. Questionperiod
Therewerenoquestions.
13. Adjournment
InhisclosingremarksthechairencouragedCouncilmemberstoencouragecolleaguesto
runforCouncilpositions,andnotedthatnominationswillcloseonFebruary3,2014.
OnbehalfofCouncil,theChairrecognizedCathieFornssler,committeecoordinator,onher
retirementaftermorethan30yearsoncampus.Hervariouscontributionsthroughthe
yearswerenoted,andshewasthankedinparticularforhermanycontributionstoCouncil.
Agiftwaspresented.
PARKINSON/DOBSON:Thatthemeetingbeadjournedat4:20p.m.
CARRIED
Nextmeeting–2:30pm,February27,2014
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