YORK UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES
Meeting of Council
Thursday, May 7, 2015
3:00 p.m.
N940 Ross Building (Senate Chamber)
Present: C. Anderson, M. C. Aubin, B. Crow (Dean), N. Couto, L. Erwin, R. D. Gobert, M.
Humayun, T. Hwong (Chair), G. Lavoie, R. Lenton, T. Maley, M. Milo, A. Perry, C. Perry, F.
Quadir (Associate Dean), M. Reisenleitner, J. Robertson, V. Shea, R. Smith, A. Taves, C.
Verheggen, S. Whitaker (Academic Affairs Officer), M. Zabrocki, A. Zalik
Guests: A. Mukherjee-Reed, L. Rumiel
Regrets: M. Coghlan, R. Das, C. Farrell, M. Kipping, R. Moore, S. Murphy, M.M. Schiff, J.
Zemans
1. Welcome and Chair’s Remarks
Chair Thaddeus Hwong welcomed members of Council to the meeting.
2. Faculty of Graduate Studies’ Graduate Faculty Teaching Award
Presentation to Kathryn McPherson, Graduate Programs in History and Gender, Feminist &
Women’s Studies
Dean Crow introduced the teaching award and Provost and Vice-President Academic, Rhonda
Lenton who offered a citation:
It is my great pleasure to present this year’s Faculty of Graduate Studies Teaching award
to Professor Kathryn (Kate) McPherson. Kate has an exemplary record as a teacher,
mentor and member of the graduate community at York. She is an active and influential
participant in the graduate programs in History and Gender, Feminist, and Women’s
Studies. She has supervised the completion of 13 doctoral dissertations and 20 MA
theses, and has sat on an additional 20 PhD and 4 MA committees across 5 disciplines.
Her graduate courses include: Twentieth Century Gender and Women's History,
Comparative Western Social History, Canadian Field Course and Science, Health, and
Environments Field Course. She has demonstrated a profound commitment to the
teaching of foundational and specialized courses alike. Kate has served at Associate Dean
at the Faculty of Graduate Studies and has continuously been an advocate for graduate
students and graduate education.
Kate’s record as an outstanding, innovative, and truly committed teacher was reiterated in
the 27 letters of support received with her nomination for this award! She is described by
her peers as “dynamic”, “superb”, “masterful”, “extraordinary” and “exceptionally
generous”. Her nominators, Adele Perry, Professor of History from the University of
Manitoba and Molly Ladd-Taylor, Professor of History at York University, noted how
Kate’s supervisees consistently talk about how she encourages and challenges students to
read deeply and how she motivates them to defend their arguments. The
acknowledgements of Perry’s first book On the Edge of Empire: Gender, Race, and the
Making of British Columbia, 1849-1871 (2001) explains: “Kate McPherson has taught
me much about the writing of history, about Western Canada, about feminism, about
teaching, and ultimately, about friendship.” In his letter of support, Professor Steven
Brook wrote about Kate’s commitment to supporting exceptional as well as struggling
students and her ability to impact the scholarly paths of each one.
Professor McPherson’s students credit her with their many successes with scholarships
and awards such as SSHRC and OGS doctoral awards, the Avie Bennett Historica
Fellowship in Canadian History, and York’s Governor General’s Academic Gold Medal,
to name only a few. Tarah Brookfield, now Associate Professor at Wilfrid Laurier wrote
“As an historian, teacher and advisor, I try to model myself after Dr. McPherson.” Dr.
Kristin Burnett, Associate Professor and Research Chair in Indigenous Health and WellBeing at Lakehead University wrote “Kate devoted hours of her time to working with me
on improving my writing, critical arguments and clarity of expression. She spent hours of
her time … helping me to be a better writer and intellectual.”
With reference to Kate’s broader support for graduate education, Professor Emerita and
FRSC Senior Scholar Bettina Bradbury notes that “as a peer in graduate programs she
offers rigorous intellectual guidance, and strategic, humane support around academic,
planning, social and cultural issues.” Kate was instrumental in developing the Graduate
Program in History’s field in the history of women, she supervised studies in Indigenous
history before there were any courses on the subject, and is acknowledged by her
program and students for her role in supporting Black history and Black historians. Karen
Flynn, who was the first black woman to receive a PhD from York’s Women’s Studies
program, wrote “It’s on Kate’s shoulders that I stand.”
Kate’s outstanding teaching, mentorship and commitment to graduate curriculum
development have truly shaped a generation of scholars working in the fields of women’s
and gender history, health, and western Canada. It is my sincere pleasure to
congratulation Kate on this award in recognition of her profound commitment to students
and to graduate education at York University.
3. Minutes of Previous Meeting (April 2, 2015)
The minutes of the previous meetings were approved without revision.
4. Business Arising from the Minutes
There was no business arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.
5. Dean’s Remarks
i) Faculty Appointments
Dean Barbara Crow reported that the process for faculty appointments for FGS will be
automated. The new database and appointment process will be launched shortly.
ii) Direct Deposit
Dean Crow reported that direct deposit for scholarships is now online.
iii) FGS Staffing
Dean Crow reported that FGS has undertaken some significant hiring and will have a full staff
complement by June 2015. FGS has recently hired into the positions of Student Affairs
Coordinator, Thesis and Dissertation Coordinator, and Research Officer. FGS has also
introduced the new position of Postdoctoral Services Coordinator.
iv) Canadian Association of Graduate Studies SSHRC Grant Project
Dean Crow reported on a SSHRC grant project. She noted that there is considerable student
involvement and a documentary is being produced.
v) Rethinking the Humanities
Dean Crow noted that York University offered a presentation at the University of Toronto
provincial event on “Rethinking the Humanities.” York University will also present at the
national conference on the same topic at McGill in May.
vi) Thesis and Dissertation Completions
FGS has processed over 140 MA and PhD this term and continues to work hard to meet demand.
vii) Remediation Working Group Meetings
Several meetings on the topic of remediation were held to date.
viii) Scholarships
Dean Crow acknowledged the hard work of Melissa Dalgleish and Karen Krasny that supported
the application processes that have resulted in significant improvement in results for York
students. She noted the 55% increase in SSHRC success rates as well as significant increases in
other competitions such as Vanier. These are the results of collaborative efforts that have paid off
to provide our students with significant funding in support of their graduate studies.
ix) Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
Dean Crow reported that a York Philosophy graduate student competed at the provincial 3MT
competition.
There was one question for the Dean on the issue of summer funding and MFGAs. The Dean
replied that FGS is currently in the process of working out all of the implications of the new
collective agreement and that full information on summer funding will be forthcoming shortly.
6. Changes in Degree Requirements
a) Graduate Program in Environmental Studies
A. Zalik spoke to the motion and offered a brief rationale for the change. R. Lenton inquired
about resource implications of the change. A. Zalik noted that workload issues are not the
purview of FGS. The Chair sought clarification about the motion being one of a change in
nomenclature only. After a brief discussion, it was moved, seconded and CARRIED,
unanimously
“that the change from ‘interim advisor’ and ‘advisor’ to ‘supervisor’ in the Graduate
Program in Environmental Studies be APPROVED.”
b) Graduate Program in Humanities
M. Reisenleitner spoke to the proposal, noting that it was student initiated.
It was moved, seconded and CARRIED, unanimously
“that the Proposal to replace non-credit Humanities 5001 0.0/6001 0.0: ‘Gradate Seminar
for MA/PhD Students’ with the mandatory three-credit course for PhD students,
Humanities 6500 3.0: ‘Advanced Methodologies for Interdisciplinary Humanities’ and
continuation of existing requirement for MA students, Humanities 5100 6.0: ‘Core
Practices and Methodologies in Humanities Research’ be APPROVED.”
7. Curricular Changes
Approved by Assistant Secretary of Council M. Michael Schiff on March 31, 2015, and received
for information by the FGS Academic Planning & Policy Committee’s Academic Affairs
Subcommittee on April 2, 2015, and by FGS Academic Planning & Policy Committee on April
15, 2015
Members of Council were invited to view the following curriculum items, which were received
for information.
* * * For Information * * *
a) Graduate Program in Humanities
New Course Proposal
Humanities 6500 3.0: “Advanced Methodologies for Interdisciplinary Humanities”
b) Graduate Program in Mathematics & Statistics
New Course Proposals
Mathematics & Statistics 5310 3.0: “Topics in Mathematics and Technology for Teachers”
Mathematics & Statistics 6110 3.0: “Analytic Number Theory”
Mathematics & Statistics 6121 3.0: “Applied Algebra”/ Prerequisite: equivalent of
undergraduate second year linear algebra and some basic notions in algebra (group, ring), or
permission of the instructor
Mathematics & Statistics 6122 3.0: “Algebra II”/ Prerequisite: Mathematics & Statistics 6121
3.0 or permission of the instructor
Mathematics & Statistics 6880 3.0: “An Introduction to Copulas with Applications to
Quantitative Risk Management”
Full Course Split into Two Half Courses
Mathematics & Statistics 6120 6.0: “Modern Algebra” to Mathematics & Statistics 6121
3.0: “Applied Algebra”/ Prerequisite: equivalent of undergraduate second year linear algebra
and some basic notions in algebra (group, ring), or permission of the instructor, and
Mathematics & Statistics 6122 3.0: “Algebra II”/ Prerequisite: Mathematics & Statistics 6121
3.0 or permission of the instructor
Change in Course Weighting
Mathematics & Statistics 5100 from 6.0 to 3.0: “Mathematical Literature Seminar for
Teachers”/Same as Education 5861 from 6.0 to 3.0
Change in Course Title
Mathematics & Statistics 6140 3.0: from “Algebraic Curves” to “Introduction to Algebraic
Geometry”
8. Senate Synopsis
Summary of Senate meeting of March 26, 2015 and April 23, 2015.
The Senate summaries were received for information.
9. Other Business
T. Maley inquired about whether or not there would be any extension for the submission of
grades for the Winter term. Dean Crow replied that the original deadlines stand.
There was an additional inquiry about whether or not deadlines for MRPs would be extended.
Dean crow replied that all posted deadlines apply and that students may petition should they
wish to have deadlines extended.
It was noted that refunds to student accounts are taking considerable time. Dean Crow
acknowledged the issue and thanked Council for the feedback.
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 3:37 p.m.