Checklist of Essential Ingredients for Senate Reports

Accessibility Considerations

Queen’s is committed to an inclusive campus community with accessible goods, services, and facilities that respect the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. As part of these efforts, it is requested that all documents submitted to Senate adhere to the complete guidelines found on the Accessibility Hub. While these are subject to occasional change, and should be consulted, in general the following key principles will apply:

  • Use a 12 point font in all documents
  • Use a Sans Serif font in all documents and be consistent with that font throughout
  • Make sure that all information conveyed with colour can also be conveyed without colour
  • Sample Template (Word 31KB)

1. Title

  • Select a title to reflect content
  • Include name of committee/group preparing report
  • Date

2. Background of the Report

  • Reason for report (e.g. Senate referral/motion/request; annual requirement)
  • Relevant research sources consulted
  • Steps taken in developing report (e.g. groups/individuals consulted; groups who have approved - if lengthy, summarize and place detail in an appendix)

3. Analysis and Discussion

  • Explain the issues, problems and concerns identified.

4. Conclusions/Recommendations

  • State clearly and include supporting rationale.
  • For changes to existing policies, clearly outline changes by providing a 'track change' or 'red-line' version and a clean version of how the final policy will look.
  • Senate is responsible for academic policy. Recommendations should therefore relate to academic policy areas. Avoid confusion between policy and implementation. If relevant, advice on the implementation of policy may be included in the body of the report.
  • Recommendations requiring formal Senate approval should be set out in a separate section/summary.

5. Motions

  • Motions should be in bold print

6. Summary

  • Reports longer than 5 pages must be accompanied by an executive summary of one page or less which should include any recommendations.

7. Minority Opinion

  • A separate report/statement should be prepared when unanimous agreement is not achieved within the committee/group.

8. Membership

  • List members of committee/group, identifying chair.

Recent agendas provide examples of committee reports and other information submitted to the Senate.

 

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