ACADEMIC COUNCIL

Minutes

Meeting of January 20, 2004

Present:
B. Balenko
S. Barclay-Pereira
G. Bereznai
C. Byrne
J. Cramer
W. Crichlow
I. Dincer
N. Fayyaz
M. Finlayson, Vice-Chair / M. Greenley
R. Hinch
D. Holdway
B. Hunter
R. Levin
B. MacIsaac
B. Muirhead
J. Perz
G. Polonsky, Chair / B. Popham
T. Rogers
M. Rosen
O. Sanchez
B. Schell
A. Siddiqui
W. Smith
D. Wallace, Secretary
E. Waller
Recording Secretary:
A. Mars / Regrets:
J. Moretton
G. Pinkney
T. Raffoul / Guest:
G. Pitcher

1.CHAIR’S REMARKS

The President introduced Gary Pitcher, the new Manager of Student Rights and Responsibilities, and reported on the current status of capital financing discussions and UOIT applications.

2.MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DECEMBER 16, 2003

The Minutes were approved with the following amendment:

1) Under item 3, Trent enrolments are projected to be 1,500 students (not 15,000).

3.INQUIRIES AND COMMUNICATIONS

3.1Spam Filtering – it was suggested that spam filtering be one of the Terms of Reference for the upcoming I.T. Study.

4.PROVOST’S REMARKS

Faculty Appointments – the tenure-stream positions approved recently are beginning to be filled. The exact number of hires depend on next year’s projected enrolment.

Master’s in Information Technology Security Program – the approval process is on track; it may go to OCGS for final approval as early as April.

Energy and Environmental Science – will be considered by PEQAB on February 17.

New Programs – the development of new, diversified programs is underway. Some new programs will be ready for Academic Council’s consideration by March or April.

Procedures to Support the Employment Policy – are being developed.

Program Approvals – Dr. Finlayson noted that the Ministry has not yet rejected any of our program submissions.

5.CURRICULUM AND PROGRAM REVIEW COMMITTEE

5.1Changes in Degree Requirements for the BEng and the BEng & Management Programs, School of Manufacturing Engineering

MOTION
#AC0047 CARRIED / “That the recommended changes in the degree requirements for the BEng and the BEng & Mgmt Programs, School of Manufacturing Engineering, be approved.”

5.2Change in Degree Requirements for the BComm, School of Business and Information Technology

MOTION
#AC0048
CARRIED / “That the recommended changes in the degree requirements for the BComm, School of Business and Information Technology, be approved.”

5.3Change in Degree Requirements for the BSc (Biological Science), School of Science

MOTION
#AC0049
CARRIED / “That the recommended changes in the degree requirements for the BSc (Biological Science), School of Science, be approved.”

5.4.1Accounting Concentration within the BComm Program, School of Business and Information Technology

MOTION
#AC0050
APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA / “That an Accounting concentration within the BComm program, School of Business and Information Technology be approved.”

6.COURSE EVALUATIONS POLICY

Dr. Finlayson indicated that the policy can be revised when circumstances change, e.g., when graduate programs are introduced. He also confirmed that the existing evaluation instrument will be used for this semester, after which revisions will be made as required. Feedback on the current instrument can be forwarded to Dr. Wallace.

MOTION
#AC0051
CARRIED / “That the Course Evaluations Policy be approved.”

7.RESPONSIBILITIES OF ACADEMIC STAFF WITH REGARD TO STUDENTS

This policy was extensively discussed and subsequently tabled. Members were to be invited to propose written changes to the document in advance of the next meeting.

MOTION
#AC0052
CARRIED / “That the Policy on Responsibilities of Academic Staff with Regard to Students be tabled until the next Academic Council meeting.”

8.ACADEMIC APPEALS COMMITTEE

MOTION
#AC0053
CARRIED / “That the reference in the Calendar to the “University Discipline Committee” be changed to the “Academic Appeals Committee of Academic Council.”

9.ACADEMIC APPEALS

MOTION
#AC0054
CARRIED / “That the meeting be extended to 3:15 p.m.”

Dr. Wallace described the different levels of appeal outlined in the document. Dr. Smith suggested a more simplified appeal structure. Mr. Levin noted that, in view of impending Calendar publication deadlines and the need to have appeal structures in place this year, it would be unfortunate if the proposed changes were delayed.

MOTION
#AC0055
CARRIED / “That the proposed revisions to Section 5, General Academic Regulations, be approved.”

10.NAMES OF FACULTIES

MOTION
#AC0056
CARRIED / “That Academic Council recommend to the Board of Governors that the following Faculties be established at UOIT:
-Faculty of Business and Information Technology
-Faculty of Education
-Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
-Faculty of Health Sciences
-Faculty of Science
-Faculty of Social Science
and that a School of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science be approved.”

11.EDUCATION GRADING AND PROMOTION POLICY

MOTION
#AC0057
CARRIED / “That the GPA required for promotion and graduation in the BEd. Program be set at 2.7.”

12.ACADEMIC CONDUCT

MOTION
#AC0058
CARRIED / “That the proposed changes in Calendar policy now to be entitled Academic Conduct (previously Academic Honesty) be approved.”

13.ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 3:17 p.m.

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