Mrs. K.L. Clarke

Dr. A. Dean

Ms. A. Foshay

Mr. J. Smith

Ms. G. Wojda

The Chair welcomed those new Senators who were present and requested that they stand and introduce themselves.

1. Approval of Agenda

MOVED by Dr. Lovett-Doust, SECONDED by Dr. Carastathis that the Agenda be approved as circulated. CARRIED.

2. Minutes of Senate Meeting #2006-6 held on June 5, 2006

Dr. B. Strang had been at the meeting but was not listed as present and this would be amended.

Dr. Dilley did not recall a comment by Dr. Gilbert as reported in the last sentence of item 6.3 of the Minutes. Dr. Gilbert also did not recall having made the comment and it was agreed that the sentence would be removed.

Professor King, referring to the same paragraph, clarified that her comments had been intended to encourage the posting of all background documentation to the Senate site rather than on a third site linked to the Senate site.

MOVED by Dr. Dilley, SECONDED by Dr. Islam that the Minutes of Senate Meeting #2006-6 of June 5, 2006 be approved with Dr. Strang's name added to the attendance and with the last sentence of item 6.3 struck. CARRIED.

3. Business Arising from the Minutes

There was none.

4. Recommendation from LUSU re: Student Representation on Senate Standing Committees and Senate for 2006/07

MOVEDby Dr. Strang, SECONDED by Dr. Boire that Senate approve Mr. Fadi Dawood, Ms. Sabrina Badio, Ms. Tammy Beck, Mr. Nathan Hewitson, Ms. Melissa Norton, Mr. Allen Pan, Mr. Shane Esarik, and Mr. Brendon Johnson as Student Senators as recommended in the report "Senate Responsibilities of VP Student Issues" from the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU), terms to begin immediately and ending June 30, 2007. CARRIED.

Dr. Gilbert welcomed the new student Senators and asked Mr. Johnson to present the second motion. Mr. Johnson informed Senators of an amendment to the web-posted list of prospective recommendations to standing committees. Amanda Moffet was recommended for an undergraduate seat on the Senate Academic Appeals Committee, replacing May Freeborn. May Freeborn was recommended for an undergraduate seat on the Senate Academic Committee in place of Amanda Moffet.

MOVED by Mr. Johnson, SECONDED by Dr. Leitch that Senate approve the student members on Senate standing committees as recommended in the report "Senate Responsibilities of the VP Student Issues" from the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) with the amendment of Ms. Moffet to the Senate Academic Appeal Committee and Ms. Freeborn to the Senate Academic Committee, terms to begin immediately and ending June 30, 2007. CARRIED

5.Proposed 2006/07 Calendar Changes for Referral

5.1 Faculty of Professional Schools - Masters of Public Health

MOVED by Dr. Newhouse, SECONDED by Dr. McPherson that the proposed calendar changes in the Masters of Public Health program be referred to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Council and the Senate Budget Committee. CARRIED.

5.2 Faculty of Engineering

MOVED by Dr. Siddiqui, SECONDED by Dr. Mansour that the proposed calendar changes in Software Engineering be referred to the Senate Undergraduate Studies Committee and the Senate Budget Committee. CARRIED.

5.3 Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities - Sociology

MOVED by Dr. Strang, SECONDED by Dr. Islam that the proposed calendar changes in Sociology be referred to the Senate Undergraduate Studies Committee and the Senate Budget Committee. CARRIED.

6. Recommendations on Proposed Undergraduate Calendar Changes

MOVEDby Dr. Leitch, SECONDED by Dr. Sayed that the recommendations in the reports of the Undergraduate Studies Committee (27 September 2006) and the Senate Budget Committee (5 June 2006 and 27 September 2006) with respect to proposed Calendar changes in Chemistry, Education, Forestry (referred on May 15, 2006) and Mathematical Sciences (referred on June 5, 2006) be approved. CARRIED.

(The proposed change in Political Science referred on May 15 had been deferred by SUSC.)

7. Recommendations of the Senate Nominations Committee

Dr. Leitch referred Senators to the Report of the Senate Nominations Committee outlining the background to this recommendation.

MOVED by Dr. Leitch, SECONDED by Dr. West and CARRIED that Senate approve the following appointments to Senate Committees, all effective immediately and for the duration indicated:

Senate Library Committee:

Dr. S. Cai to June 30, 2007, to replace Dr. L. Geng;

Dr. J. Bernard to June 30, 2007, to replace Professor M. Morton;

Dr. K. Crowe to June 30, 2008, to replace Dr. J. McMichael;

Senate Organization Committee:

Dr. M. Gallagher to June 30, 2009, to replace Dr. K. Crowe;

Dr. Q.L. Dang to June 30, 2009, to replace Dr. C. Matheson;

Senate Research Ethics Board;

Dr. B. Poulin to June 30, 2008, to replace Dr. P. Gregoire.

8. Approval of Adjunct Professors

Senate agreed to have items 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 considered as an omnibus motion.

MOVED by Dr. Newhouse, SECONDED by Dr. Kelley and CARRIED that the following be approved as Adjunct Professors, effective immediately until June 30, 2010:

Masters of Public Health

Dr. Joel E. Anderson

Dr. Lynn Baillie

Dr. Carole Beaudoin

Dr. Maria Huijbregts

Dr. V. Wayne Lees

Dr. Jim Morris

Dr. Bruce Pynn

Dr. Charles Rice

School of Kinesiology

Dr. Diane Walker

Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies:

Dr. Dongfang Yang (Chemistry)

Dr. T. Campbell McCuaig (Geology)

Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities:

Dr. Kim Fedderson (English)

Dr. J. Crossman (Sociology)

Dr. H. Lemelin (Sociology)

Dr. R. Warkentin (Sociology)

9. Report of the Senate Committee on Teaching and Learning

Dr. McPherson introduced the Report of the Senate Committee on Teaching and Learning. The Report was the culmination of many months of discussion by the Committee, including discussion about whether it had a role to play in developing policy. The Committee believed it had something to offer and a sub-committee was struck which worked through the summer to produce the recommendations before Senate today. Dr. Allingham had led the sub-committee, spending a great deal of time collecting and synthesizing input from many sources and formulating recommendations that would apply to everyone. The Committee recognized that, for feedback to students to be "significant", planning time for faculty would be needed. The Committee believed that feedback must be appropriate and timely to enable students the opportunity to salvage a program. It would need to be provided in both full and half courses and be evidence-based.

MOVED by Dr. McPherson, SECONDED by Dr. Allingham that Senate endorse the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Teaching and Learning outlined in the Committee's report submitted to Senate for the October 6, 2006 meeting, beginning on the bottom of page 1 and forward to the end of the Report.

A member supported the spirit of the Report but had some concern with the recommendation that faculty should submit final course marks for verification within five working days of the final exam date. Did that imply the need for a marks meeting five days after every examination? Dr. Allingham replied that five days was the suggested goal, and would allow for timely feedback to students. In general, the Registrar's Office always requested the submission of marks in a timely and orderly fashion, rather than clumped at the end of the examination period. The Committee hoped each academic unit would work out a procedure to achieve all of these recommendations without compromising the integrity of its own internal processes.

MCPHERSON/ALLINGHAM MOTION WAS CARRIED.

10. Proposal, in principle, for Establishment of School of Law

The proposal for a Faculty of Law at Lakehead University, together with its six appendices, had been posted to the web two days ago. At the same time, the Secretary had e-mailed members of Senate that the proposal had been posted to the Senate website. As well, she had informed Senators of a proposed motion to refer the proposal to the Senate Academic Committee and the Senate Budget Committee. The Motion to refer at this meeting was to allow the proposal, if approved, to proceed in respect of the deadlines imposed by the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Dr. Hayes reviewed the history of the proposal and outlined briefly the process for moving it forward. Its evolution was somewhat awkward in that it was proceeding on several fronts concurrently. She hoped for approval in principle and agreement that it would be referred to the Senate Academic Committee and the Senate Budget Committee.

MOVED by Dr. Hayes, SECONDED by Dr. Lovett-Doust that Senate accept, in principle, the establishment of a School of Law and that the proposal be referred to the Senate Academic Committee and the Senate Budget Committee.

Dr. Gilbert explained that the driving force behind this proposal, and the time frame in which it was presented, was the Law Society of Upper Canada. In order to ensure consideration before the end of this year, it was necessary to submit the proposal to the Society this week. He assured Senate that what was before it today had been completed just prior to it being posted to the website two days ago. The Board of Governors had approved the concept in principle on September 22 without the benefit of the proposal, noting that it would require formal review by that body.

A member noted the absence of students on the working group. Dr. Gilbert indicated that there would be student representatives on the Senate and the Board of Governors, and their committees, as those bodies fully considered the proposal. Dr. Hayes added that recent graduates of schools of law had been members of the drafting committee. Their input was valuable in determining whether the proposal was reasonable, if there was a niche for what was being contemplated and if a coop program was workable. This was the kind of input that was critical as the proposal was constructed. She noted further the positive response to a survey of law firms with respect to the feasibility of coop placements.

The Acting Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities noted that there was no recognition of increased costs to departments in other faculties who would be offering support courses, many of whom were already dealing financially with close margins. He hoped the Senate Budget Committee would consider these budget implications, in particular those for the Department of Political Science.

The Chair responded that the student intake would be small and, therefore, the elective demand would be minimal. However, where departments were unable to handle even marginal increases in course enrolment, he hoped the increased revenue to the University realized by a Faculty of Law would enable those departments to cover added costs.

HAYES/LOVETT-DOUST MOTION WAS CARRIED.

The Chair indicated that the proposal would be referred to the appropriate committees as noted in the motion.

11. Clarification of Senate Resolution, Item 9, Senate Meeting #2005-8 re Establishment of Faculty of Graduate Studies

MOVED by Dr. Boire, SECONDED by Dr. Strang that the motion passed on October 28, 2005 approving the establishment of a Faculty of Graduate Studies at Lakehead University was done so under the terms and conditions outlined in the Report of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Revised - October 11, 2005.

At the request of the Chair, Dr. Boire explained the background to requesting that Senate clarify the intent of its motion of October 28, 2006. Two major points had been intended in the first motion of two motions recorded at that meeting, as indicated on the second page of the proposal: first, that a Graduate Studies Faculty would be established and, second, that the Senate Graduate Studies Committee and the Senate Graduate Scholarships and Bursaries Committee would be dissolved and immediately re-established as the Faculty of Graduate Studies Council that would be responsible to Senate. The second motion requested the Senate Organization Committee to consider what procedures were best suited to deal with proposals from the new Faculty of Graduate Studies when they came to Senate for referral.

The mandate given to the Senate Organization Committee had been not to debate the legality of Senate's action in establishing the Faculty of Graduate Studies Council but to consider how proposals that originated in Graduate Studies could be considered for recommendation to Senate without a perceived or real conflict of interest. Obviously, such proposals could not be referred back to the Council having originally been proposed by that body. Dr. Boire's suggestion had been that such proposals might be considered, for example, by a sub-committee of the Senate Academic Committee (for policy and regulations proposals) and the Senate Budget Committee (for proposals that had financial implications). The intended purpose of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Council as it related to Senate was to act as a vetting body for matters originating in other faculties but relating to graduate studies. These would normally be program and/or calendar changes in graduate studies. Clarification of the mandate to Senate Organization Committee would allow that Committee to complete its tasks with respect to this matter.

BOIRE/STRANG MOTION WAS CARRIED.

12. President's Report

The President reported that Multiple Year Agreements were due at the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities on the 29^th of last month. Lakehead had yet to submit its, and he explained the reasons for the delay. A recent retreat of the executive heads revealed that other institutions had similar questions and concerns. A draft of Lakehead's MYA had been circulated today to three areas for review: 1) the academic planning committee of the Senate Academic Committee; 2) the internal relations committee which had representation from staff, students and faculty; and, 3) the executive of LUSU. He hoped to have feedback by next week after which the Agreement could be submitted to MTCU.

Dr. Gilbert recalled that a good number of institutions had indicated they now would not be participating in the annual review of Canadian universities conducted by MacLean's. An appeal had been made by MacLean's under the Freedom of Information and Personal Privacy Act for the release of the customary data. Through the Council of Ontario Universities, institutions in Ontario were working on establishing a common data set that would address the issues of accountability and transparency, that would be of value and available to parents and students to assist them in making informed choices, and that could be the basis for informative outcome-based publications by other media. Universities had 90 days under the FIPPA to post common data sets of information intended to apprise the general public of what was most relevant to student satisfaction and success. It was important for the universities to be successful in effecting a change to outcome-based data this year.

Dr. Gilbert reported on the very generous graduate funding allotment from MTCU. The University would need to work very hard and cooperatively to reach the target but the end result would be worth the effort. Tied to this allotment would be the only capital funding (approximately $12 million) available in the foreseeable future. To achieve that, the University would need to attract an additional 170 graduate students in the next year.

A member questioned what hiring was underway to provide the necessary graduate supervisors. Dr. Boire and Dr. Hayes undertook to respond at the next meeting.

In response to a question, Dr. Boire reported on current strategies and resources to assist in promoting graduate programs nationally and internationally. Some of the new publications were templates that could be used by any department to promote its programs.

A member asked what would happen in the event that the target was not met, recognizing that there were costs associated with geared-up recruitment. Dr. Gilbert responded that the capital allotment would be reduced accordingly.

A member voiced concern over what he believed to be the lack of a current hiring plan at a time when faculty recruitment in some disciplines was particularly challenging. Dr. Hayes responded that the hiring plan in place until the beginning of September had worked very well and allowed the University to deal effectively with all replacement positions approved up to and including this past summer. Deans' Council was now working on a future plan and she was confident it would be in place to deal with upcoming replacements.

Dr. Gilbert responded to a question and some concerns about the Yale Schmale advertisement, which in the view of a member had not reflected the values or principles held by this University. He indicated that there had been tremendous feedback both for and against the ad, as well as a number who were neither pro nor con. The advertisement appeared to have captured effectively the attention of the demographic at which it was targeted. In that regard, it was highly successful. He believed that critics who saw the advertisement as a political statement or disparaging against either an esteemed institution or a world leader had misinterpreted what it was about. The essential message was that what may have been an excellent and correct choice for some might not be the right choice for the reader. Some responders saw the ad as intelligent and provocative. For good or bad, Lakehead University was now recognized globally and had a door of opportunity through which it could attract students.

13. Report of the Vice-President (Academic) and Provost

Dr. Hayes spoke briefly about the recruitment fair, congratulated Lakehead's team for its efforts there and asked Mr. Smith, Director of Admissions, to report. Mr. Smith believed the fair, which drew about 85,000 attendees this year, had been a highly successful endeavour for Lakehead. He expressed sincere appreciation to the 50 volunteers from the Lakehead community who had volunteered over the full weekend and then were back at work on Monday. The numbers of students and parents expressing interest in Lakehead had more than doubled over last year and record numbers attended each of the presentations. He was hopeful the exercise would translate into significantly increased undergraduate enrolment next fall.

Dr. Hayes pointed out the copy of the Academic Plan that had been placed at each seat. Five committees of Senate would be engaged this fall and winter in the first steps of the Plan's implementation.

This would be a busy term for Promotion, Tenure and Renewal, and she was proud to be part of the process that would include 49 hearings scheduled in December.

Dr. Hayes expressed sincere thanks to Dr. Boire for the time he had served as Acting Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities and to Dr. Strang for agreeing to take on the Acting role this fall and winter. The Search Committee hoped to be reviewing applications within two weeks. There had been some changes to the membership of the Search Committee; these had been announced publicly.

Dr. Hayes reported on her recent trip to China and India which included visits to the University of Engineering, Science and Computer Technology in Chengdu, to which Lakehead serves as AUCC mentor, and several universities in Northern India. Dr. Panu helped establish connections in the latter. The purpose of the visit to India was to look at opportunities for collaboration. She would be interested in the outcome of Premier McGuinty's January visit to the same region, the purpose of which was to see what kinds of relationships could be established in business and education.

13.1 Student Satisfaction Survey

The report of the Office of Institutional Analysis and Government Relations on the Course Evaluation Survey had been available on the web. Dr. Hayes reviewed the data briefly; Mrs. Clarke added that the report showed student satisfaction was high.

14. Report of NOSM

Dr. Hunt reported that with the admission of the second class this year it felt more like a medical school. Space was becoming a concern and the School might be looking for help. The placements into remote communities last year had been very successful; for many of the students, the experience had been life transforming. The class would now be placed for one month in communities of 5,000 or more. Training and studies, as last year, would continue on-line wherever the student was located.

The 2006-07 class was similar to last year's; though somewhat older and more representative of the people in Northern Ontario. Fifty percent were from rural backgrounds and a significant number were from Northwestern Ontario.

Curriculum work was now being focussed on third and fourth year, when students would work in larger communities in groups of four to five and for durations of seven to eight months and then return to campus to work with specialists in Sudbury and Thunder Bay.

Dr. Hunt noted that Minister Smitherman had recently announced new funding for the hospitals of Northern Ontario. Funding would flow directly to the hospitals under conditions that supported the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in a way that had not been possible before.

The School of Medicine had hosted an accreditation team of four individuals from the United States and Canada. The oral report had been very positive. The team had noted one small area of concern. The relatively small number of Science faculty was enough but those individuals would need to be careful about maintaining their research networks.

15. Renewal of Appointment of Adjunct Professors/Professional Associates

Dr. Newhouse reported the renewal by the Faculty of Professional Schools of Professor Rhonda Crocker-Ellacott as an Adjunct Professor for the term 2006 to 2010 and Dr. Janice Sillman and Dr. Anne Ostrom as Professional Associates for the term 2007 to 2011.

Dr. Lesley Lovett-Doust reported that the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies had renewed Dr. John Th'ng as an Adjunct Professor for the term July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2009.

16.Report of the Senate Representatives on the Board of Governors

Dr. McPherson presented the report, drawing particular attention to the President's Report which had informed the Board that Dr. Mathew Leitch had been recognized by the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) with the award of the James M. Kitz Award for his outstanding contributions to the forest industry early in his profession.

17.Annual Report on Appeals - Senate Academic Appeal Committee and Code of Student Behaviour & Disciplinary Procedures

The annual report on appeals under the Senate Academic Appeal Procedures and Guidelines and the Code of Student Behaviour and Disciplinary Procedures had been posted to the web.

MOVED by Dr. Warburton, SECONDED by Dr. West that Senate move in camera to consider the candidates for honorary degrees recommended by the Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees. CARRIED.

18.Report of the Honorary Degrees Committee

MOVED by Dr. Warburton, SECONDED by Dr. West that Senate approve the recommendation of the Senate Honorary Degrees Committee for candidates who may be offered honorary degrees. CARRIED.

MOVED by Dr. West, SECONDED by Dr. Dawood that the meeting move into open session. CARRIED.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 on a MOTION by Dr. Leitch, SECONDED by Mr. Johnson.

___________________ ____________________

B. Stefureak, Secretary Dr. F. Gilbert, Chair