Faculty Council Meeting - Friday, October 8, 2021; Deadline for Agenda Items-Friday, October 1, 2021 at 3:30 pm

MINUTES

Friday, September 17th, 2021

A meeting of the Faculty Council was held on Friday, September 17th, 2021 at 10:00 am via Zoom.

-- Introduction of New Faculty Members --

D. Ivison, Chair, Department of English, introduced their new faculty member, Dr. Sarah Olutola.  She will be working at our Orillia Campus with a focus on writing.  D. Olutola is a graduate of English and Cultural Studies at McMaster University.

P. Cain, Chair, Department of Political Science, introduced their new faculty member, Dr. Benjamin Maiangwa.  Dr. Maiangwa is a recent graduate of the University of Manitoba.  


1.
Approval of Agenda
It was moved by J. Roth and seconded by T. Puddephatt that the agenda be approved.
        Carried.

2.
Approval of Minutes
Approval of the minutes from May 14th, 2021.
        The revised minutes were accepted.
        
3.
Business Arising from the Minutes
None.

4.
Calendar Changes

i)  English
It was moved by D. Ivison and seconded by P. Cain that Dr. Abhijit Rao be appointed as External Adjunct
Professor for the Department of English.
Carried.

It was moved by D. Ivison and seconded by J. Roth that the following calendar changes for English be
approved.

(2021-SOC-7696:  Programs-Major Modifications-UG-English-adding 4 year BABEd IS English/French &
English/History)
(2021-SOC-7753:  Course-Modification-UG-English-Change to course title)
Carried.

ii)  History
It was moved by M. Stevenson and seconded by D. Ivison that the following calendar changes for
History be approved.
(2021-SOC-7677:  Expansion of HBA History Programming to Orillia Campus)
(2021-SOC-7687:  Extension of HBA English/History Degree to the Orillia Campus)
Carried.

It was moved by R. Maundrell and seconded by M. Stevenson that the following calendar change for
History be approved.
(2021-SOC-7716:  Minor in Comparative Religion)
Carried.

iii)  Interdisciplinary Studies
It was moved by A. den Otter and seconded by D. Ivison that the following calendar change for
Interdisciplinary Studies be approved.
(2021-SOC-7705:  Renaming of Minor in Media Studies to Minor in Media, Film, and Communications)
Carried.

It was moved by J. Jarman and seconded by P. Cain that the following calendar changes for
Interdisciplinary Studies be approved.
(2021-SOC-7706:  Course-New-UG-Interdisciplinary Studies-Required 2nd year INTD)
(2021-SOC-7708:  Programs-Major Modifications-UG-Interdisciplinary Studies-New INTD courses and
disciplines)
(2021-SOC-7709:  Programs-Major Modifications-UG-Interdisciplinary Studies-New INTD courses and
disciplines for Concurrent Ed degrees)
Carried.

iv)  Philosophy
It was moved by R. Maundrell and seconded by J. Roth that the following calendar change for Philosophy
be approved.
(2021-SOC-7645:  Certificate Interdisciplinary Health Care Ethics)

Carried.

v)  Political Science
It was moved by P. Cain and seconded by S. Islam that the following calendar change for Political
Science be approved.
(2021-SOC-7633:  BA/HBA POLITICAL SCIENCE PRE-LAW ORILLIA)
Carried.
   
vi)  Social Justice Studies
It was moved by T. Puddephatt and seconded by J. Roth that the following calendar change for Social
Justice Studies be approved.
(2021-SOC-7650:  Course-New-GR-Social Justice Studies-Cross list w/ SOCI 5116)
Carried.

vii)  Sociology
It was moved by T. Puddephatt and seconded by J. Roth that the following calendar change for Sociology
be approved.
(2021-SOC-7653:  Cross listing SOCI 5116 with SJS 5116)
Carried.

viii) Psychology - for discussion only
(2021-SOC-7707:  Programs-Major Modifications-UG-Psychology-adding Orillia campus)
A brief discussion was held with everyone in support of this calendar change request.

5.
Department/School Reports.
i)  Gender and Women’s Studies
J. Roth extended her congratulations to L. Chambers for achieving the Royal Society of Canada award.
On Friday, Nov. 19, Dr. Lori Chambers will be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC).  All members of Faculty Council share in congratulating her.

ii)  Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism
L, Potvin stated that they have hired a new technologist, Joseph Miller.  He has a lot of experience, and will be in charge of the equipment depot as well as the equipment rental program.
L. Potvin announced the M. Johnston will be retiring December 31, 2021.  She will be missed by all and we wish her well.

6.
Dean’s Report.
September 17th, 2021
Welcome everyone!  This has been a somewhat crazy start to this new academic year!  Thank you to all for your efforts and hard work through this time.  Please continue to be kind and supportive to each other as we move forward in this new reality.  The number of students in our classes are up by

1.    Enrollment
Last year, we were down in majors by 89 students.  This year, we are 24 students over our count from last year, although we are still down.  The total number of students taking our classes is up by 200 with many of our courses being funded by CEDL.
We are now looking at winter enrollment, and want to encourage students to register.  Those with low enrolled classes, please contact me to discuss your options.

2.    Request for Fall Recruitment Activities
The deadline for recruitment activities is next Wednesday, September 29.  All departments/school should be represented at these events.  That way, you can cover for each other for breaks, etc.

3.    New Funding Model
It has been announced that there will be a new funding model that will be used for next year’s budget.  The number of FCEs allotted will be based on the enrollment for our Faculty.  As we serve more students throughout the university, this may be actually be in our favour.  It will be based on SMA3 criteria.     It would be great to see a model first in order to discuss it before it is brought forward to Senate.  We will prepare for next year’s funding but will need more specifics first.

4.    Truth and Reconciliation Day
The week of September 27 has been designated for Truth and Reconciliation activities with September 30 being a national day for recognition.  Should you have activities to share with our Faculty, please send them to S. Viitala who will distribute the information through our ssh@lakeheadu.ca email account.
If you plan to cancel your class, please be sure to send your students to an alternate activity.
Indigenous events will be held from September 27 to October 4, 2021.

5.    Vaccines and Vaccine Policy - Updates and Questions
Many faculty members have found themselves frustrated by the lack of messaging, the misinformation shared and the lack of any messaging at all.  This past while has been incredibly challenging with lots of information coming out in the last two weeks.  It is important to upload your vaccine status right away, using whichever method is easiest for you.  This information will be stored with Human Resources.  It was noted that there were a lot of mixed message when it came to checking the vaccination status of students.   A lengthy discussion followed with the hope that more information would be forthcoming.

7.
Assistant Dean’s Report
J. Roth reported that she continues to advise students in the BA General program and is reaching out to those who are struggling with averages under 60%.

8.
Other Business:
i)  Student Cards
It was noted that off campus students could not get their student cards.  They could not access the information from the university due to security issues.  They could not pick them up or have them mailed.  B. Birmingham will try to find out the issues.

9.
Next Faculty Council Meeting:  Friday, October 8th, 2021 via Zoom.

10.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 am.  

ATTENDANCE
Thunder Bay Campus
R. Maundrell
K. Holmes
D. Ivison
A. Carastathis
J. Roth
L. Potvin
B. Vernier
L. Forbes
T. Puddephatt
L. Primavesi
R. Robson
T. Rollo
B. Birmingham
P. Cain
M. Flegel
S. Olutola
B. Maiangwa  

S. Viitala - recording

Orillia Campus
M. Stevenson
S. Islam
J. Jarman
A. den Otter
V. Hébert
L. Fiddick

Regrets:
I. Lemée