Council Minutes
Minutes of University CouncilMarch 17, 2005
241 Arts Building
Attendance: See Appendix A.
1. Opening Remarks
2. Adoption of the Agenda
WISHART/CHEESMAN: That the agenda be adopted.
ZIOLA/SUVEGES: That the minutes of the meeting of February 24, 2005 be approved.
4.1 Questions regarding the Report on the Joint Council/Board Committee on the Search and Review Procedures for Senior Administrators
This item was provided for information.
Several members asked questions about the report and the University Secretary and a member of the joint committee answered the members' questions.
5. Report of the President
In addition to the written report that was distributed, the President briefed Council on the additional capital funding for INTERVAC which was announced by the Prime Minister yesterday. The Province has also agreed that they will match the CFI funding.
The University has been awarded three additional Canada Research Chairs. This indicates that University of Saskatchewan is making significant progress in increasing its research funding. Indirect costs will also be reimbursed to a greater extent due to this increased research funding. He congratulated all members of the University for their extra-effort in increasing this research funding.
The President advised Council about the upcoming meetings regarding the Arts. Mr. Glenn Murray, former Mayor of Winnipeg, will be here to address the university community on how we can make Saskatoon a more creative city.
He also briefed Council on the Foundational document on Outreach and Engagement. Copies of the document were distributed at the meeting. Priorities need to be set and this will be decided after much consultation.
A member asked about representation on the City’s centennial celebrations. He also asked about the members on the committee for university centennial celebrations, and the members of the Advisory Committee on the areas of pre-eminence. The President agreed to include the lists of members on these committees with the Council minutes.
6. Report of the Provost
In addition to the written report, the Provost said there will be a workshop on teaching and learning, and he hoped that this meeting will give the university some useful direction. The document will likely be ready before Christmas but only after much consultation.
The Provost said that he had hoped to brief Council on changing practices. There has been some progress, but he wishes to wait until a subsequent meeting with a more fulsome report. He also spoke about the space to be allotted for Aboriginal students. Progress is being made but the project is not ready yet. The expansion for the College of Law is progressing at the planning stage. A decision by the Board of Governors will be coming shortly. The Western College of Veterinary Medicine project is progressing well. He also announced that Dean Horsburgh will be leaving in June for the University of Alberta. He wished her well as she undertakes her new duties. He reported on the searches for a new Dean of Commerce and a review of position of Associate Vice-President, Information and Communications Technology.
He also reported to Council on his trip to Australia and the amount of central direction from government that exists there. The Australians are very aggressive in their recruitment of international students and the program is well funded. He urged care to avoid some of the pitfalls experienced by the Australians.
7. Report from Student Societies (USSU, GSA)
Malvina Gersher, VP Academic Affairs, USSU, reported to Council. She reported on the results of the recent elections. The USSU budget was passed. Copy Central will be closed and the students will be working closely with the University Printing Services. The “Elimination of Racism Week” is being organized for next week. On March 23, students will be going to Regina for the announcement of the provincial budget. She congratulated the professors who have been nominated for teaching excellence. The USSU has initiated a new departmental award, and the results will be in the Sheaf at the end of the month.
Indrani Chakraborty, President of the GSA, reported on an upcoming research conference. They have a fund raising event underway. Elections of the GSA Executive will be on March 31 and April 1.
8. Nominations Committee Report
8.1 Appointment to the Search Committee for Dean of Commerce
TYLER/WAYGOOD: That Council approve the appointment of Ron Fritz as the Senior Administrative member of the General Academic Assembly on the Search Committee for the Dean of Commerce.
The Chair asked if there were any nominations from the floor. There being none, the motion was CARRIED.
8.2 Appointment to the Review Committee for Associate Vice-President (Information and Communications Technology)
TYLER/WAYGOOD: That Council approve the appointment of Peter Butt as the General Academic Assembly member on the Review Committee for the Associate Vice-President (Information and Communications Technology).
The Chair asked if there were nominations from the floor. There being none, the motion was CARRIED.
8.3 Appointment to Search Committee for Dean of Nursing
TYLER/WAYGOOD: That Council approve the appointment of James Stakiw as the Senior Administrative member of the General Academic Assembly on the Search Committee for the Dean of Nursing.
The Chair asked if there nominations from the floor. There being none, the motion was CARRIED.
The Chair asked members to let their names stand for service on Council Committees. The Nominations Committee will be meeting in about a month to form lists of nominations for next year.
9. Planning Committee Report
The following items were presented for information:
• Terms of reference for Faculty Complement Foundational Document
• Report on Review of the Planning Parameters
• Update on SPR Review
10. Report on Council Elections
10.1 Members-at-Large
This item was provided for information.
11. Question Period
A member asked about standardization of elections to Council and was advised that standard procedures were adopted by Council two meetings ago.
12. Next Meeting
Council adjounred at 3:30 p.m. until Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. in 241 Arts.
