YORK UNIVERSITY FACULTY of GRADUATE STUDIES Meeting of Council Minutes
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YORK UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES
Meeting of Council
Minutes
Thursday, May 2, 2013
3:00 p.m.
280N York Lanes
Present: M. Annisette, E. Armstrong, S. Bell, H. Chaudhary, C. Davidson, R. de Costa, N. S. Fisher-Stitt, A. Grimes, L. Harris, S. Hildebrandt (Academic Affairs Officer), P. Hoffman, D. Mullings, P. Mulvihill (Associate Dean and Secretary), D. Mutimer, M. Schweitzer, L. Sergio (Chair), M. Shoukri (President), A. Valente
Guests: A. Devdas, V. Dupuis
Regrets: K. Ahmed, M.C. Aubin, A. Bain, O. Birot, M. Coghlan, B. Crow, W. Heinrichs, R. Houwer, W. Jenkin, K. Krasny, H.I. Macdonald, R. Reisenleitner, S. Schecter, M.M. Schiff, G. Sran, J. Zemans
1. Welcome and Chair’s Remarks
Chair Lauren Sergio welcomed members of Council. There were no opening remarks.
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting (April 4, 2013)
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
3.Business Arising from the Minutes
There was no business arising from the minutes.
4.Faculty Teaching Awards
Citation for Faculty of Graduate Studies’ Teaching Awards
Recipient for 2012-2013:
Laurence R. Harris, Graduate Program in Biology, Kinesiology & Health Science and Psychology
Associate Dean Mulvihill introduced Dr. Harris to Council and noted his numerous accolades, accomplishments, and contributions to research.
Professor Mulvihill read from the citation: “The Faculty of Graduate Studies is delighted to recognize Dr. Laurence Harris for this year’s Teaching Award. Since his arrival at York in 1990, Dr. Harris has compiled an outstanding teaching record. He is held in the highest regard for his tireless and innovative work at the Centre for Vision Research. In addition to his brilliant teaching evaluations, Dr. Harris’s nomination folder is filled with glowing letters from his graduate students. He is recognized by his student for his generosity of time and effort, dedication to mentorship, positive and collaborative approach, and for making the experience in his lab and classroom enjoyable and inspiring. All of the letters written on his behalf point out that Dr. Harris goes well beyond the call of duty in his teaching and supervision, and the clear picture that emerges is that he is an exceptional educator, one with a rare gift for mentorship. His students attest invariably that Dr. Harris has had, and continues to have, a far-reaching and very positive impact on their careers.”
President Mahmoud Shoukri presented the award to Dr. Harris, noting the prestigious nature of the award and the importance of engaging in research. Chair Lauren Sergio thanked President Shoukri for acknowledging the centrally involved role of research in teaching and expressed gratitude to graduate students and Adria Hoover in particular for nominating Dr. Harris for the award.
5.Dean’s Remarks
On behalf of Interim Dean Barbara Crow, Associate Dean Peter Mulvihill indicated that there were no remarks from the Dean.
6.Report of the Nominating Committee
Associate Dean Mulvihill noted that nominations were open until May 9th, and that there were still positions on several Standing Committees, especially in Academic Planning & Policy Committee and Awards Committee; and encouraged nominees to come forward.
7.Program Name Change
* * * For Approval * * *
FROM GRADUATE PROGRAM IN THEATRE STUDIES TO THEATRE & PERFORMANCE STUDIES
The revision to the name of the graduate program reflects the growing changes in the needs of the students and faculty members, as well as the evolution of the program. It was moved, seconded and CARRIED.
“that the change to the name of GRADUATE PROGRAM IN THEATRE STUDIES TO THEATRE & PERFORMANCE STUDIES (Faculty of Graduate Studies) be APPROVED.”
8.Changes in Program Policy
* * * For Approval * * *
a) GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, INTERNATIONAL MBA
and PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Changes in grading, promotion and graduation
Professor Marcia Annisette read the proposal to Council and noted that the revised policies involve repeating courses at the graduate level and will align program policies with Senate, and eliminate inconsistencies. It was moved, seconded and CARRIED.
“that the changes in grading, promotion and graduation proposed by the GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, INTERNATIONAL MBA and PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (Faculty of Graduate Studies) be APPROVED.”
b) GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, EXECUTIVE MBA, FINANCE,
INTERNATIONAL MBA and PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Changes in graduate examination policies
Professor Marcia Annisette addressed Council, explaining the graduate programs’ proposals that their policies be revised to align with those of Senate, as well to clearly define the concept of “conflict of interest” for graduate students. It was moved, seconded and CARRIED.
“that the changes in the graduate examination policies proposed by the GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, EXECUTIVE MBA, FINANCE, INTERNATIONAL MBA and PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (Faculty of Graduate Studies) be APPROVED.”
9.Changes in Degree Requirements
* * * For Approval * * *
a) GRADUATE PROGRAM IN FILM
Change course requirements to delete Film 5020 3.0 and replace with elective
Professor Philip Hoffman addressed Council and indicated that the course Film 5020 3.0: Development of Thesis is redundant, and to offer availability of Film 5010 3.0 every second week while allowing two production electives that would allow for more flexibility, allow students to have more specialized electives as well as to allow outside students to take courses. It was moved, seconded and CARRIED.
“that the changes of the course requirements proposed by the GRADUATE PROGRAM IN FILM (Faculty of Graduate Studies) be APPROVED.”
b) GRADUATE PROGRAM IN PHILOSOPHY
Change course requirements to require PhD first-year seminar and research seminar full courses
Reduce out of program course electives from one full course to one half course
These changes are proposed to allow for more flexibility for students to complete degree requirements. It was moved, seconded and CARRIED.
“that the changes to the course requirements proposed by the GRADUATE PROGRAM IN PHILOSOPHY (Faculty of Graduate Studies) be APPROVED.”
c) GRADUATE PROGRAM IN THEATRE STUDIES
Internship: change Master’s requirement from non-credit to 3.0 credit course; change PhD requirement from non-credit to discretionary/optional 3.0 credit course
Chair Lauren Sergio addressed Council and noted that the proposal would allow for more flexibility. It was moved, seconded and CARRIED.
“that the changes to the course requirements proposed by the GRADUATE PROGRAM IN THEATRE STUDIES (Faculty of Graduate Studies) be APPROVED.”
10. Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Academic Affairs Officer Sarah Hildebrandt
* * * For Discussion * * *
Academic Affairs Officer Sarah Hildebrandt addressed Council, and gave an informative presentation, on the upcoming changes to the final submission of theses and dissertations from the current hard-copy process to an on-line, ‘electronic’ process, similar to other Canadian universities.
In reply to questions, she noted that students will be invited to submit once they have successfully defended their oral examination, that there will not be major changes to the formatting and submission policies, and that web-based instructions will be made available to faculty members and graduate programs shortly.
11. Summer Authority
The motion was moved, seconded and CARRIED.
“that ‘all items that need Council approval be delegated to the FGS Academic Planning & Policy Committee after the last meeting of Council in this academic year and until the first meeting of Council in the next academic year’ be APPROVED.”
13. Other Business
There was no other business.
14. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.