Report of the Planning Committee
to University Council
Dec. 14, 2000
Items for Information
Systematic Program Review update
The enclosed report summarizes the activities of the University’s new Systematic Program
Review process (SPR) throughout its first year of implementation. This report was received by the SPR
Overview Committee on November 8, 2000, was subsequently forwarded to the Budget, Planning and
Academic Program committees by their SPR Overview Committee representatives, and is now being
forwarded to Council for information.
This report provides a brief overview of the SPR process, a description of activities undertaken to
‘launch’ the process, a summary of reviews conducted in 1999/2000 and those underway in 2000/01,
information on resource requirements, and comments on feedback, benefits, and plans for the future.
Determination of outcomes of the 1999/2000 reviews is currently underway. Procedures have
been established, including the creation of an SPR outcomes subcommittee to assist the Planning
Committee in deciding the assessment categories for each program. The outcomes procedures are
described briefly on page 4 of the enclosed report.
It should be stressed that actions resulting from SPR reviews must be implemented through the
normal approval processes of the University. For instance, proposals for major revisions or program
termination must be approved by Council, even if they arise from SPR recommendations. This is in
accordance with the role of Council and its committees as stated in the SPR Policy and Procedures,
Section VII:
Council, having approved policies and procedures for systematic program review,
appoints the Vice-President Academic to administer the process... In so doing, Council
retains its authority with respect to systematic program review and its right to make all
final decisions involving implementation of changes. That is, proposals for program
revision, program deletion, and new programs resulting from the review process, will
continue to be subject to the normal procedures of Council and its committees.
The Policy and Procedures also note that “Council committees are expected to use the
information obtained in the program review process to inform their decisions.” We are confident that the
committees will indeed find the reviews useful, and that the SPR process is well on its way to achieving
its three main objectives of program improvement, accountability, and provision of information for
decision-making.
Subcommittee on Responding to the Needs of Aboriginal People
In A Framework for Planning at the University of Saskatchewan (March, 1998) the goal of
Responding to the Needs of Aboriginal Peoples is described as follows:
In Saskatchewan, the task of responding to specific, local needs and, simultaneously opening
doors to the world, is particularly pressing in the context of aboriginal peoples. Making
available to aboriginal peoples the full resources of the University is one side of that equation;
integrating aboriginal knowledge into the curriculum and practices of the University is the other.
At the University of Saskatchewan we must dedicate ourselves to making available to all
aboriginal peoples the full range of our programs and we must adopt strategies that will improve
their ability to succeed. Above all, the University must appreciate the need for aboriginal
peoples to have an effective, meaningful voice in their own educational experience and, in true
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Planning Committee
Nov. 16, 2000
partnership, to find in the University a place where their culture is both reflected and at work in
defining and achieving the institution’s objectives in research, teaching and community service.
At its Nov. 7, 2000 meeting, the Planning Committee approved the creation of a Subcommittee
with the following terms of reference:
1. Review the progress that has been made toward achieving the goal of Responding to the Needs of
Aboriginal Peoples.
2. Determine additional strategies for the Planning Committee and Council which will help the university
achieve these goals. Such strategies could include changes in university or college policies, introduction
of new or revised programs, development of additional student services, etc.
3. Recommend a priority list for discussion in the university community and at Council.
It is intended that the Subcommittee will report to the Planning Committee by early February,
2001.
Other projects
The Planning Committee has also established several other subcommittees to accomplish
significant projects this year.
Following the very successful workshop on Planning Our Future in November, a document on the
university mandate is now being prepared. We are also completing draft procedures for Program
Termination. Both will be presented to Council early in the new year. Recommendations on the final
round of Priority Determination proposals will also be presented to Council in January.
Student Outcomes Report workshop
A workshop on the Student Outcomes report for Council committees and other interested faculty
and staff has been scheduled for Monday, Dec. 18 at 1:30 to 4:00 pm in room 106 ARTS. The agenda
has been sent to the Academic Programs Committee, the Instructional Development Committee, and the
Budget Committee. Any other members of Council or Council committees who are interested in
attending this workshop should contact the Planning Committee secretary Cathie Fornssler for more
information and a copy of the agenda (email fornssler@admin.usask.ca, or phone 5036).
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Committee,
_______________________________________
Jene Porter, Chair
Committee members:
R.P. MacKinnon, President
M. Atkinson, Vice-President (Academic)
A.J. Whitworth, Vice-President (Finance and
Administration)
M. Corcoran, Vice-President (Research)
J. Wallace (USSU academic vice-president)
N. Garg (GSA president)
R. Thompson (Sessional Lecturer)
R.E. Bilson
S. Fowler-Kerry
D. Harris
R. Hickie
G. Khachatourians
F. Leighton
P. Li
W.W.E. Slights
E.B. Waygood
B.L. Dubray, University Studies Group
P.M. Melis, Office of the Vice-President
(Academic)
C. Fornssler, Committee Coordinator, Office of
the University Secretary