Senate Notes

A regular meeting of University Senate, held Jan. 14, 2005.

Deans: Provost Martin Singer presented draft profiles for two decanal posts. In answer to a question, he said the Dean of Fine Arts will not require a PhD, as the doctorate may not be the terminal degree for some candidates. These drafts, meant to guide searches, will go to faculty councils, the executive committee of the Board, the School of Graduate Studies and the search committees. The searches are in progress, and dates have been set for daylong visits by each of the shortlisted candidates: March 9, 10 and 11 for Arts and Science, and March 29, 30 and 31 for Fine Arts.

New programs: There was a discussion on whether or not new programs adopted by Senate but not yet approved by CREPUQ and the MEQ should be offered to students and included in the university calendar. ENCS Dean Nabil Esmail said the programs should be offered because of the delay of up to five years between Senate approval and final MEQ approval. However, Singer said in order to avoid ambiguity about the status of a new program, a note in the calendar could indicate that it awaits approval. Students would be admitted into a sister program and then transferred when approval is obtained.

Tribunal: Me Sandra Mastrogiuseppe was approved as chair of the Tribunal Hearing Pool.

Membership of Senate: Steering committee presented amendments and a table showing how membership would expand from 38 to 46 members. The expansion, aimed at increasing the number of part-time faculty and graduate students, was calibrated to preserve as closely as possible the balance of faculty, students and administrators. Dean June Chaikelson asked if the collective agreement of the part-time faculty, to which this plan was to conform, had been ratified; David Vivian, part-time faculty senator, said that CUPFA agreed to the plan. Dean Jerry Tomberlin said that the JMSB’s representatives on Senate are elected by the whole School. The matter was tabled.

New VP: Lowy introduced Kathy Assayag, who has assumed the new post of Vice-President, Advancement and Alumni Affairs.

Tsunami relief: Lowy congratulated the students for raising $130,000 for relief in Southeast Asia.

Security: Lowy said that with the help of an Ottawa firm who are also working on security for the Vancouver Olympics, the university has identified relatively inexpensive ways to upgrade the Alumni Auditorium (H-110), the De Sève Cinema, the hockey arena and the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall to accommodate controversial speakers. A rating system has also been adopted, ranging from level one for the majority of events, for which no security measures would be needed, to level five events, which could lead to violence.

Publicity: Bob Kilgour (Arts and Science) said the current issue of a magazine called Canadian Technology and Business is full of articles and advertisements for other universities, including Canada Fund for Innovation recipients, but there is no mention of Concordia. He asked why. Assistant Vice-Provost Truong Vo-Van said the university does not have control over such content.

Appointment: Catherine Vallejo (Arts and Science) asked if the recent appointment of Marcel Danis to the new post of Vice-President, External Relations, had gone through the normal procedures. Lowy said it was part of an effort to separate academic administrators and professional administrators, and that Danis’s appointment was an example of the latter.

Next meeting: Feb. 4.