Council Matters
June, 2014
The 19th year of our representative Council has been eventful and challenging for the
University of Saskatchewan. For the benefit of members of the General Academic
Assembly, a summary of some of the activities and decisions of Council since December
2013 follows:
PROGRAM PRIORITIZATION
As the university’s governance body responsible for academic decisions, the
TransformUS process of program prioritization occupied Council significantly as
members considered and debated the merits and drawbacks of the process and its
implications for programs and Council’s decision-making authority.
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In February, Council received the report from the planning and priorities
committee providing an assessment of the TransformUS process, in addition to
the responses of all Council committees to the task force reports.
In May, Council discussed the TransformUS Action Plan.
To provide clarity on the process for structural changes to academic entities
(e.g. departmental mergers, disestablishment of a college), the planning and
priorities and academic programs committee chairs presented a joint report on
the process by which Council would consider structural changes, in accordance
with The University of Saskatchewan Act and the bylaws of the university’s
governing bodies.
VISION 2025
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Following the appointment of Interim President Gordon Barnhart, Council
considered a motion at its June meeting to rescind approval of the institutional
vision document titled Vision 2025: From Spirit to Action, in order to permit
further discussion of the mission and direction for the University of
Saskatchewan under the leadership of a new president. Debate concluded with
the approval of a motion to defer consideration of the motion to the September
meeting of Council.
ACADE MIC POLICY CHANGES
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A revised Academic Courses Policy was presented to Council and members were
urged to consider the policy and provide comments due to the policy’s
significance to the teaching of all faculty members; the academic programs
committee will consider the feedback received and present the policy to
Council in September for approval.
The academic programs committee presented Council with a revised program
evaluation template to facilitate the development of new programs by
proponents and to assist the committee in its deliberations. The revised
template uses the existing criteria for the approval of new programs, informed
by the TABBS model, to set out clear expectations of new programs. Feedback
and comments on the revised template are sought, with the final template to be
presented to Council in September for information.
STUDENT POLICY CHANGES
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Council approved the addition of new language to the Procedures for Student
Appeals in Academic Matters to manage the safety of patients and others
involved in student practicum, clinical and work experiences, when student
concerns have been alleged and a hearing is pending.
NEW PROGRAMS
Council approved the following new programs:
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Bachelor of Arts and Science Honours and Four-year degree programs in the
field of Health Studies from the College of Arts and Science
Master of Arts degree program in the field of Women’s, Gender and Sexualities
Studies from the College of Graduate Studies and Research
Certificate of Proficiency in Aboriginal Theatre from the College of Arts and
Science
Master of Science in Marketing from the College of Graduate Studies and
Research
Addition of an Honours depth of study in the Bachelor of Music in Music
Education, College of Arts and Science
Program terminations
Council approved the following program terminations:
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Honours and four-year BScdegrees in Biology and Biotechnology
Honours and four-year BSc degrees in Biomolecular Structure Studies
General Honours degree in Arts and Science
Three-year, four-year and Honours BA and BSc degrees in Geography
Minors in Human Geography and Physical Geography
ADMISSION qualifications
Council approved the following revised admission qualifications, which will be
submitted to the University Senate in October for confirmation:
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College of Medicine admission qualification requirements for the Medical
College Admissions Test (MCAT) of all Saskatchewan residents who apply for
entrance into medicine
Changes to admission qualifications for the Master of Physical Therapy
Changes to admission qualifications for the Master of Nursing (Nurse
Practitioner Option) and Postgraduate Degree Specialization Certificate: Nurse
Practitioner from the College of Graduate Studies and Research
Teaching and Research
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Council received for information an experiential learning concept paper from
the teaching, learning and academic resources committee and a report on
undergraduate research from the research, scholarly and artistic work
committee.
RESEARCH CHAIR
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Council approved the establishment of a Saskatchewan Research Chair in Multiple
Sclerosis Clinical Research
Council is the governing body responsible for all things academic, and it relies on the
collegial model of academic self-governance to do its business. That means that you, as a
member of the General Academic Assembly, have an opportunity to influence the academic
direction of the institution, both by electing members of your college to Council, and by
considering letting your name stand for election to Council or one of its committees. More
information can be found on our web site at www.usask.ca/secretariat/governingbodies/council/index.php. Questions can be directed to university.secretary@usask.ca.
Council meets once a month from September to June. Meetings are open to all, and we
hope you will feel welcome to join us and to watch your Council in action.
Meetings of University Council in the fall term
September 18, 2014
October 23, 2014
November 20, 2014
December 18, 2014
All meetings are on Thursdays in Neatby-Timlin Theatre, Arts 241, at 2:30 p.m.
I wish to thank all GAA members who volunteered to serve on Council committees this
year. Council greatly values the contributions of its committee members who provide
knowledge and expertise to Council’s standing committees, with mandates regarding
university planning and budget, academic programs, governance, international activities,
research and scholarly work, scholarships and awards, and teaching and learning.
On behalf of Council and its committees and of the Council secretariat, I wish all of you a
restful and enjoyable summer and look forward to seeing you in September.
Jay Kalra, Chair, University Council