Faculty Meeting Friday, April 11, 2008

A meeting of the Faculty Council was held on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in the ATAC Board Room 5035.

 

V. Smith welcomed Orillia colleagues and then called the meeting to order.

 

 

It was moved by H. Smith and seconded by G. Hayman that the agenda be approved with the following change:

 

.delete item 4.  Registrar's Report. 

 

                                                                                    Carried.

 

It was moved by S.D. Stone and seconded by J. Leggatt that the minutes of February 14th be approved. 

 

                                                                                     Carried.

 

i)

 

H. Smith noted that Gerontology has expressed interest in participating with SS&H in the modular degree motion.  They hoped that they were still in time and have asked for contact information.

 

T. Dunk explained that currently there is a hold up due to the format of the required Senate form for calendar changes.  The Vice-President (Academic) is trying to resolve this with the Secretary of Senate.

 

ii)

 

T. Dunk asked that a motion be brought forward to address current restructuring plans and the proposal to include Outdoor Parks, Recreation and Tourism in the Faculty.

 

It was moved by H. Smith and seconded by J. Leggatt that Council approve the joining of the Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.

 

                                                                                 Carried Unanimously.

iii)

 

A discussion followed with regard to the calendar changes and the SUSC request to departments for information on course offerings.  Rhonda Koster can be contacted to assist with the ORPT template for departments who may wish to adopt it.  The template was used as an example in the hopes that it would encourage a standardized presentation of information forwarded to SUSC.  However, it is not mandatory to use the template. 

 

It was noted that the wording of the Academic Plan directs the Vice-President (Academic) to make this request to SUSC.  However, it is unclear what will happen when the final SUSC report is received by Senate.

i)

Thank You.

 

Thanks to all who participated in the Research and Innovation week and helped Dean Jobin-Bevans with the display area.  It was a successful event and will be ongoing next year.

 

ii)

 

T. Dunk acknowledged the major accomplishment of Dr. Lori Chambers and Dr. Todd Dufresne who were successful in the university-wide competition for Research Chairs.  Both are outstanding scholars and researchers. 

 

iii)

 

No exams should be given during the last week of classes.

 

iv)

 

The balloting process is underway in the Departments of Philosophy, Sociology and Women's Studies for promotion to full professor.

 

 

v)

 

Course evaluations will commence the week of March 24^th.  Gina McNally and Judy Vogrig can be contacted for information.

 

vi)

 

Thanks to chairs and department colleagues who have participated in calling applicants to the University.  The Admissions Department feels that this does make a difference.

 

vii)

 

1.

 

Professor Kevin Willison of Orillia encourages individuals to attend and participate in the seminar on March 28^th sponsored by the Canadian Institute for Health Information.  Graduate students will be able to access quality data on a broad range of health services.  For information contact Professor Kevin Willison, Orillia, email address: kevin.willison@lakeheadu.ca. Lakehead University Communications has previously advertised this event.

 

2.

 

Professor Seth Agboo of Education is organizing through Life Long Learning an international forum at Lakehead University on learning cities and regions which will include a series of speakers from all over the world.  All are encouraged to participate.

 

viii)

 

There is a budget short-fall projected of nine million dollars.  This will result in across-the-board cuts.  The Dean has met with the Vice-President (Academic).  Information such as class sizes, teaching loads and FCE ratios are being looked at to ensure that everyone is being fully utilized.  At this point nothing has been cut and our faculty currently is in a situation where not much can be cut from its operation.  In a week or so there should be a clearer idea of what will happen.  All faculties will have to deal with the current budget problem.  Other Ontario universities are also in this situation and have much worse scenarios. 

 

With regard to registration, the Vice-President (Academic) will be speaking to the Registrar and Scheduling to see if they can hold off on finalizing the course offerings and registration for next year until the budget situation is clearer.  The Thunder Bay campus is declining while the Orillia campus is growing with a budget surplus situation.

There were none.

 

 

There was none.

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:19 a.m.

 

E. Auger

T. Dunk

G. Hayman

S. Islam

P. Jasen

J. Leggatt

D. McPherson

T. Puddephatt

B. Moazzami

V. Schonberger

H. Smith

V. Smith

S.D. Stone

 

A. den Otter

K. Willison

 

G. Colton

K. Fedderson

A. Foshay

R. Harpelle

D. Jobin-Bevans

M. MacLean