S-97-32 FACULTY OF SCIENCE Meeting of Faculty Tuesday, April 14, 1998 Leacock Council Room - L232 ATTENDANCE: As recorded in the Faculty Appendix Book. DOCUMENTS: S-97-27 to S-97-31 Dean Shaver called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. (1) MINUTES OF February 24, 1998 S-97-27 Prof. Derome moved, seconded by Prof. Farrell, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried. (2) BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES - Biology 177-453: Minute 504.6, Meeting of January 27,1998 Minute 604.1, Meeting of February 24,1998 702.1 The above item, Biology 177-453, will be considered under Report of the Academic Committee, Item #4c. (3) ANNOUNCEMENTS 703.1 Dean Shaver announced the following awards, achievements and promotion: (These had previously been circulated via e-mail to Faculty members.) 703.2 Professor James L. Gleason, from the Department of Chemistry, has been awarded $28,400 for research concerning asymmetric synthesis of quaternary carbon centers. Dean Shaver said that this grant was one of the first awards given under a new program instituted by Research Corporation, which is a foundation for the advancement of science. The 48 grants awarded, called Research Innovation Awards, are for innovative, highly original research by college and university scientists, and will help subsidize direct costs of projects in chemistry, physics and astronomy at 41 U.S. and Canadian institutions. 703.3 Professor Henri Darmon, from the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, has been selected by the Canadian Mathematical Society as the CMS 1998 Coexter- James Lecturer. The award was inaugurated in 1978, and is awarded "to recognize young mathematicians who have made outstanding contributions to mathematical research." Previous McGill recipients were Prof. Ram Murty (1988) and Professor Jacques Hurtubise (1993), both from the Department of Mathematics & Statistics. 703.4 Associate Dean de Takacsy has been appointed to the position of Associate Vice-Principal (Academic). Dean Shaver said the Faculty's loss is the university's gain. 703.5 Dean Shaver announced that the last Faculty of Science meeting, originally scheduled for May 19,1998 has been rescheduled to MAY 26,1998. (4) REPORTS OF COMMITTEES a) Sub-committee on Scholarships S-97-28 - New Prize T.I. Gurman Prize - Value $250 704.1 Prof. GowriSankaran, Chair, Faculty of Science Scholarships Committee, announced that a new prize had been approved by the University Scholarships Committee. The prize will be awarded to a student with high academic standing who will be entering the final year in a Major program in Physics. b) Committee on Student Standing S-97-29 There was no report, since the CSS had not met since the last Faculty meeting. c) Academic Committee S-97-30 REPORT ON MINOR COURSE CHANGES (AC-97-120) (for information) AD HOC MINOR IN CHEMISTRY (1)(AC-97-121) Prof. Butler moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the above ad hoc Minor for Ms. Amber Austin be approved. The motion carried. AD HOC MINOR IN CHEMISTRY (2) (AC-97-122) Prof. Butler moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the above ad hoc Minor for Mr. Franáois Layton be approved. The motion carried. ATMOSPHERIC & OCEANIC SCIENCES (AC-97-123) - Internship Programs: Major in Atmospheric Science Honours in Atmospheric Science 704.2 Dean Shaver said Internship Programs (IYES) had already been approved in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, the Department of Physics, and the School of Computer Science. Prof. Derome moved, seconded by Prof. Kramer, that the above Internship Programs be adopted. The motion carried. EARTH & PLANETARY SCIENCES Program Retirement: Joint Major in Earth & Environmental Sciences(AC-97-125) Prof. Roulet moved, seconded by Prof. Barrette, that the above joint major program be retired. The motion carried. MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS -B.A. Faculty Program Retirements(for information): Mathematics & Computer Science(AC-97-126) Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science(AC-97-127) Mathematics & Philosophy(AC-97-128) GEOGRAPHY -B.A. Major Concentration(for information)(AC-97-129) New course: 183-498 Humans in Tropical Environments(AC-97-130,AC-97-98 3 credits [Revised], AC-97-98A) 704.3 Concerns were raised about Prof. Boruchoff's letter regarding the lack of space in elementary Spanish language courses at McGill. In response, it was pointed out that other institutions in Montreal offer elementary Spanish language courses. Prof. Pasztor moved, seconded by Prof. Roulet, that the above course be adopted. The motion carried. 183-407 Contemporary Issues in Geography(AC-97-131) 3 credits Change in course description. Prof. Kramer moved, seconded by Prof. Roulet, that the above change be approved. The motion carried. 183-491 Honours Reading and Research(AC-97-135) 6 credits Change in prerequisite. 183-492 Joint Honours Reading and Research(AC-97-136) 6 credits Change in prerequisite. Prof. Roulet moved, seconded by Prof. Potvin, that the above changes be approved. The motion carried. 183-495 Field Studies - Physical Geography(AC-97-137) 3 credits Changes: number change from 183-395, course description, prerequisites) Course retirement: 183-395 Field Studies - Physical Geography(AC-97-138) 3 credits Prof. Roulet moved, seconded by Prof. Potvin, that the above changes be approved. The motion carried. BIOLOGY 177-453: Minute 504.6, Meeting of January 27,1998 Minute 604.1, Meeting of February 24,1998 704.4 Associate Dean de Takacsy said that Biology 177-453 had been approved by the Academic Committee on December 9,1997, and then presented at the Faculty of Science meeting on January 27,1998. At this latter meeting, Faculty had asked (1) that the course descriptions for all three courses (Biology 177-453, Geography 183-498, and Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering 336-4XX) for the Panama Field Study Semester be provided, and (2) that further information be provided regarding the three- or six-credit independent studies courses. 704.5 Associate Dean de Takacsy said that the FAES had found no academic problems with the course content of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering 336-4XX, but the question of resource allocation had not been resolved. Prof. Pasztor moved, seconded by Prof. Meredith, that the above course be adopted. The motion carried. MCGILL SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENT(MSE) - B.Sc. Major in Environment: Biodiversity and Conservation (AC-97-139) Prof. Roulet introduced the first B.Sc. Domain to be offered by the MSE. Prof. Roulet moved, seconded by Prof. Bell, that the above Domain be adopted. The motion carried. - B.A. Major Concentration in Environment: Environment & Development (for information)(AC-97-140) 704.6 In response to a question, Dean Shaver said that the MSE reports to all three concerned Deans (Faculties of Arts, Science, and Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) at present. He said that it is anticipated that there will be one leading dean on a rotating basis for simplicity of administration. He emphasized that the Faculty of Arts will approve the B.A. programs, and the Faculty of Science will approve the B.Sc. programs. 704.7 In response to another question concerning the tri- faculty nature of the MSE, Dean Shaver said that for students registered for a B.Sc. but located at Macdonald Campus, the Associate Dean of FAES will be representing the Faculty of Science rules and regulations. Students will be registered in the faculty that offers the degree, in keeping with current practice, i.e., students doing a B.A. in Computer Science, Geography, Mathematics & Statistics, or Psychology are bound by the rules of the Faculty of Arts. He said that in some sense, the Faculty of Science has long been a transfaculty operation, involved with the Faculty of Arts and also the Faculty of Medicine, because it has a number of programs offered in both faculties. TRANSFER CREDIT (AC-97-141) 704.8 Associate Dean de Takacsy introduced the above document regarding transfer credit, and explained some of the issues involved. 704.9 Item Number 4 was deleted from the document. Prof. Butler moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the transfer credit procedures be adopted. The motion carried. 704.10 Dean Shaver directed the Faculty of Science Sub- committee on Scholarships to discuss transfer-credit issues affecting scholarships, and to provide a report to Faculty. (5) DEAN'S BUSINESS There was no Dean's business. (6) MEMBERS' QUESTION PERIOD 706.1 Prof. Butler requested that the Committee on Materials Science (currently dormant) be reactivated. Dean Shaver said that this committee was a standing committee, currently with no membership. Dean Shaver said that with Faculty's approval, he would approach the chair of each department to ask for a nominee to serve as a representative on the committee. (7) REPORT ON ACTIONS OF SENATE* Prof. de Takacsy read, on behalf of Prof. Zuckermann, the report of the Senate Meeting of February 18,1998. 1. Questions to Senate (a) Senator Noumoff asked if Senate would make it explicit as to what questions could be asked on the floor of Senate. He was referred to the last paragraph of page 9 of the Senate Handbook. (b) Senator Samji asked a question concerning the implication of the new rules on examination security. He was told by Vice-principal Chan that they would be implemented for the April (1998) examination period. 2. APPC Report A considerable number of minors in the Faculty of Arts were approved. 3. Administrative and Staff Counts (a) In response to various questions, Vice-Principal (Finance) Heaphy stated that (1) she foresees no decline in staff numbers in the year ahead (2) 10% of administrative staff in the M (Management) category are hired on contract. (3) The 11% increase in administrative staff in the M and E categories should be viewed in terms of a long term trend. (b) Academic Staff Hirings (1996-1997) 10 with 3 for Science (1997-1998, 2 quarters) 15 with 0 for Science (c) Academic Staff Departures (1996-1997) 73 with 12 from Science (1997-1998, 2 quarters) 19 with 7 from Science 4. Report from the Board of Governors Vice-Principal Heaphy reported that the McGill Bookstore had been outsourced to Chapters, Inc. for the period March 1, 1998 to May 31, 2003. Under the terms of agreement all present and future employees of the Bookstore would be McGill employees. Furthermore, profits from the bookstore would be used to reduce the mortgage on the building housing the bookstore. In fact, Chapters promises at least $750,000 per annum to the University. Profits after the mortgage is retired would then go to the Students' Society. Finally, Vice Principal Heaphy stated that either party could withdraw from the agreement, but that Chapters was interested in going into the business of University Bookstores and that McGill would be its 'flagship'. M.J. Zuckermann apologizes to the Science Faculty for his absence, but he is required to attend an FCAR group meeting which could not be moved. Prof. Baines - Senate Meeting of March 4,1998. In response to a question from Professor Noumoff, Vice Principal Chan confirmed that the holiday entitlement of academic staff was 4 weeks. Such holidays to be taken at a time that does not conflict with teaching duties within a 52 week working year comprising 260 work days. That the chair could assign teaching duties to a staff member in any of the three terms, consistent with the practice of the academic unit. A new student fee schedule was voted on and approved. The report of the Board of Governors was briefly discussed and the meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. (Almost certainly a record meeting for shortness). Prof. de Takacsy - Senate Meeting of April 1,1998. 1) Senate approved the recommendation of the Steering Committee to redefine the electoral constituencies for the 6 administrative and support staff representatives on Senate. In particular, the Libraries and staff reporting to VP(information systems and technology) are now added to the constituency that also included Science. 2) Senator Noumoff proposed a correction to the minutes of Oct. 15, dealing with the Bookstore and asked a question about the employment equity conditions attached to the Federal Contractors Program. 3) The 300th report of APPC dealt exclusively with the Report of the First Year Experience Workgroup. Its Chair, Associate Dean Amsel, reported on a number of new initiatives including the following: telephone outreach to newly accepted students, a new web site, e- mail addresses to all new incoming students, better coordination of orientation activities, cooperation with the SSMU Open Arms Committee, and special skill workshops for new students. Academic advising is a high priority, as is the development of a teaching/learning compact. The first year seminars continue to be important. Student Senators noted that this workgroup was remarkable because it rapidly produced tangible results, but were concerned that not all the activity reached out to the Macdonald Campus. Professor Glass listed the main student concerns that had been reported to him: (a) large class sizes, (b) bulleted courses, and (c) the cafeterias. 4) The minimum CGPA for admission to Graduate Faculty was raised to 3.0 from 2.8. This is consistent with the current practice of most Departments. 5) A committee has been struck to advise on nomination of a Chancellor. 6) Professor Farrell will continue as University Marshall for (at least) one more year. 7) The calendar of dates for the Fall 1999-2000 year was approved, but the dates for the Winter term were referred back to the Committee on Student Affairs because Senators were not happy about exams being scheduled for Easter Monday. 8) Vice-Principal Heaphy summarized the budget issues for 1998-99. She noted that the University would run a deficit of 1.5 M$ for 1997-98 instead of breaking even as was planned. This includes a provision of 1 M$ resulting from the ice storm. The 1998-99 budget model features a projected operating deficit of 5 M$ because it was deemed impractical to absorb the full budget cut in one year. Other elements of note: (i) operating grant cut of 8.5M$ instead of the original estimate of 11.5 M$ (ii) additional cut of 2 M$ due to enrollment decrease (iii) decrease of 5.7 M$ in operating expenses of faculties and units of which 3.9 M$ is a base cut. (iv) Reduction from 3M$ to 2M$ of the special student aid funds set aside last year to cope with fee increases for foreign and out-of- province students who were already at McGill at the time A new student charge of 800 K$ for the new student information system. 9) The report of the Committee on Physical Development, the Fall term Registration Summary and the Principal's report to the Board did not raise much comment. Of interest to us is a drop from 3255 to 3156 in the number of full time undergraduate Science students. The number of full time graduate students also fell from 5128 to 4685, apparently because of an increase in departures rather than a decrease in admissions. *Senate documents are available in the Dean's Secretariat for consultation. (8) OTHER BUSINESS 708.1 Prof. Farrell reminded members that convocation would be held on the afternoon of June 8, 1998; he hoped there would be a good attendance by faculty members. 708.2 Prof. Butler pointed out that Dr. K.K. Ogilvie, formerly of the Department of Chemistry at McGill, would be receiving an honorary Doctor of Science degree at the June convocation. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. usr\josie\facsci\fmn7af