UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE
REQUEST FOR DECISION
PRESENTED BY:
John Rigby, Chair, Planning and Priorities Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
May 15, 2008
SUBJECT:
Approval of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Culture and
Creativity (ICCC)
DECISION REQUESTED:
It is recommended:
That Council approve the Interdisciplinary Centre for
Culture and Creativity as a Type A Centre in the College of
Arts and Science, effective May 15, 2008.
PURPOSE:
The Centre for Culture and Creativity (ICCC) will foster interdisciplinary research and
innovative programming across the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts within the
College of Arts and Science.
CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND:
The proposed ICCC is featured in the 2008/09 – 2011/12 College of Arts and Science
Plan as an administrative structure for innovative programming that will reach across
departments, faculty and students throughout the Division. The concept of the centre was
developed through regular meetings of the Division Heads and is based upon the
successful models of interdisciplinary programming at McMaster University and the
University of Alberta.
CONSULTATION:
The Centres Subcommittee reviewed the ICCC proposal with Associate Dean of
Humanities and Fine Arts Peter Stoicheff on January 21 and March 10, 2008. Following
receipt of the positive recommendation from the Centres Subcommittee that the proposed
centre be approved, the Planning and Priorities Committee considered the proposal at its
March 26 and April 9, 2008, meetings.
SUMMARY:
The First Integrated Plan provides the possibility for centres to develop, manage and take
responsibility for multi-disciplinary graduate programs. The ICCC Centre will encourage
interdisciplinary programming independent of departmental identities and develop new
graduate level programs. The Centre will be supported by reallocation of College
resources, with central funding requested for the positions of Director and Assistant
Director.
The Committees’ discussion regarding the proposal centred upon clarity regarding
resources and understanding of the interdisciplinary research activity envisioned and
research strengths which would accrue through establishing the centre. In addition, a
description of the consultation process undertaken within the Division and indication of
support from the Steering Committee for the Centre’s mandate was requested.
In summary, the Planning and Priorities Committee supports the establishment of the
Interdisciplinary Centre for Culture and Creativity as a Type A centre within the College
and Arts and Science as advancing the University’s goal for enhanced interdisciplinary
research and innovative programming attractive to students.
ATTACHMENTS:
1.
2.
Background Information Related to the Proposed Structural Changes in the
Division of Humanities and Fine Arts (memo from Peter Stoicheff dated February
15, 2008)
Proposal to establish an Interdisciplinary Centre for Culture and Creativity
Centres Policy and Guidelines