AGENDA ITEM NO: 8.1
REQUEST FOR INPUT
Gordon Hill, Chair, Academic Programs Committee
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PRESENTED BY:
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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
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UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
DATE OF MEETING:
February 26, 2009
SUBJECT:
Administrative revisions to the Examination Regulations
COUNCIL ACTION:
For input only
DISCUSSION SUMMARY:
At the October 2008 meeting of Council, the Academic Programs Committee had
proposed a number of revisions to the Examinations Regulations and there was an
extensive discussion at Council regarding these changes. As well, the Committee
received approximately 30 memos and comments from faculty and departments regarding
these proposed revisions.
As we reported to the January Council meeting, APC has established a subcommittee on
examination regulations to undertake a substantive review and revision of these
regulations. The Teaching and Learning Committee of Council has also been asked to
participate in this subcommittee. The subcommittee is working to develop a
comprehensive policy on academic courses which will include procedures and best
practices for management of academic courses, assessment of student performance, and
the conduct of examinations. Developing this policy will be a lengthy process, likely
extending into 2010 to ensure that there can be extensive consultation with colleges and
faculty.
However, pending this larger policy revision, a number of administrative changes to the
existing regulations are still required. The subcommittee asked SESD to determine what
revisions to the examination regulations are required for immediate implementation, and
the attached document shows these administrative changes.
It should be noted that most of the comments and concerns raised by faculty in October
primarily addressed the substantive changes in that document, relating to class
management and student assessment (such as, for example, codifying the course outline,
including attendance expectations).
The administrative changes which also had been proposed in October were not
controversial; their approval is now more urgent so that they can be implemented in the
administration of examinations in the April final examination period. The attached
revisions to the existing examination regulations policy have been drafted by the Student
and Enrolment Services Division to cover the administrative revisions to the regulations.
This document also includes the rationale for each change.
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The Academic Programs Committee of Council is bringing these forward to Council at
this meeting so that any concerns about these administrative changes can be discussed
and addressed.
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NEXT STEPS:
Following this discussion, the Academic Programs Committee of Council intends make
any necessary revisions to this document and then request approval of these revisions at
the March meeting of University Council, so that they can be implemented for the April
examination period.