Highlights from the November 3 meeting of Senate

Consent Agenda

Senate received:

• A report from the Queen’s University Planning Committee
• A report from the Senate Agenda and Summer Advisory Committee (SASAC)
• A report from the Senate Committee on Academic Development (SCAD)
• September and October reports from the Senate Committee on Academic Procedures
• A report from the Senate Advisory Research Committee (SARC)
• A report from the Senate Governance and Nominating Committee (SGNC)
• A report from the Senate Committee on Non-Academic Discipline
• The Senate Residence Committee work plan
• The annual report of the Senate Committee on Scholarships and Student Aid
• The October research report
• The October COU Academic Colleague Report
• The advancement report
• The Alma Mater Society (AMS) non-academic misconduct annual report
• The Athletics and Recreation non-academic misconduct annual report
• The Residence non-academic misconduct annual report
• The Society of Graduate and Professional Students non-academic misconduct annual report
• A petition regarding fall term break

Principal’s report

In addition to his written report and schedule highlights, Principal Daniel Woolf provided the following updates:

• Queen’s hosted a successful homecoming in October, including another successful ReUnion Street Festival organized by the AMS
• The call for proposals for the Principal’s Dream Courses program is now out and the deadline is February 15, 2016
• The review of the non-academic misconduct system is currently underway. The advisory committee began its consultations recently at the AMS Assembly. The committee will meet with many other stakeholder groups over the coming weeks
• The Principal’s Advisory Committee on Divestment: Fossil Fuels had delivered its recommendations to the Principal, after receiving more than 220 submissions during its consultation with the Queen’s community. The Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees will make the final decision.
• Queen’s held its position as fourth overall in the Maclean’s rankings medical-doctoral category, while leading in terms of student satisfaction.
• Queen’s is opening Smith House, one of its two new residences in November

Provost’s report

In addition to his written report, Provost Alan Harrison provided the following updates:

• Following the release of an action plan on sexual violence and harassment this past spring, the province has now tabled the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act.
• The proposed legislation includes requirements such as having a stand-alone sexual violence policy and reporting incidents of sexual violence. Queen’s already has an initial draft of a Sexual Misconduct Policy and is working to ensure that it meets the requirements of the proposed legislation.
• Martha Whitehead’s term as Vice-Provost and University Librarian ends on June 30, 2016, and she has indicated that she would consider a further term. In accordance with the procedures established by Senate, an advisory committee will be established to advise the on the present state and future prospects of the Library and on the selection of the Vice-Provost and University Librarian.

Board of Trustees Report

Senate received a report from the Board of Trustees.

Committee Motions and Reports

Senate approved:

• The proposal to close the theology programs in the School of Religion, Faculty of Arts and Science, effective immediately, from SCAD
• The establishment of the Dr. Gillian Gilchrist Chair in Palliative Care Research in the Faculty of Health Sciences, subject to ratification by the Board of Trustees, from SCAD
• The renewal of the Centre for Neuroscience Studies for an additional period of five years, effective October 1, 2015, subject to ratification by the Board of Trustees, from SARC
• Nominations as recommended by the SGNC

Senate received and held a consultation session regarding:

• Draft amendments to the terms of reference for the SASAC

Reports of Faculties and Schools

Senate received:

• The Faculty Board report from the Faculty of Health Sciences
• The Faculty Board report from the Faculty of Law
• The orientation report from the Faculty of Law
• The orientation report from the Faculty of Education
• The orientation report from the School of Medicine
• The orientation report from the School of Graduate Studies

Question Period

The Provost provided written response to questions on BISC enrolment targets, and the 2014/15 financial statements. Principal Woolf provided a written response to a question regarding hiring processes and anti-racism training.

Communications

Senate received an announcement of the launch of the eCampus Ontario portal.