10 S-00-16 FACULTY OF SCIENCE Meeting of Faculty Tuesday, November 14, 2000 Leacock Council Room - L232 ATTENDANCE: As recorded in the Faculty Appendix Book. DOCUMENTS: S-99-34(Rev), S-00-7(Rev), S-00-11 to S-00-15 Dean Shaver called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. (1) ADOPTION OF AGENDA Prof. Harpp moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the Agenda be adopted. The motion carried. (2) MINUTES OF OCTOBER 10, 2000 S-00- 11 Prof. Das Gupta moved, seconded by Prof. Klemes, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried. (3) BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES There was no business arising from the minutes. (4) ANNOUNCEMENTS 304.1 Dean Shaver reminded members that the Faculty sends out announcements by e-mail, and that potential announcements should be submitted to departmental chairs or to the Dean. (5) SEATING OF STUDENT MEMBERS S-00- 7(Rev) 305.1 Dean Shaver said that the list of student members had been revised to provide broader representation. (6) REPORTS OF COMMITTEES a) Committee on Student Standing S-00- 12 306.1 Associate Dean Mendelson drew members' attention to the report. b) Academic Committee S-00-13, -14, - 15 SECTION A: NEW PROGRAMS (1) Ad Hoc Minor in Kinesiology (AC-00-16) Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Mr. Ahmed, that the ad hoc program be approved. The motion carried. (2) Minor in Education for Science Students (AC-00-17[REV]) Prof. Harris moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the program be adopted. The motion carried. Program Referred back to the Faculty of Management (3) Minor in Technological Entrepreneurship for Science Students(AC-00-31) Associated - Two New Management Courses (Section G) Ms. Sanagan moved, seconded by Prof. Das Gupta, that the program be adopted. 306.2 Mr. Ahmed moved, seconded by Ms. Sanagan, that the program be tabled to the next Faculty meeting, and in the meantime be referred back to the Faculty of Management with the recommendation that the ethics course, 280-360, Social Context of Business, be added to the list of Complementary courses. The motion to table carried. SECTION B: MAJOR PROGRAM REVISIONS None SECTION C: MINOR PROGRAM REVISIONS (1) Joint Major in Physiology & Mathematics (AC-00-7[REV]) Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Wechsler, that the program changes be approved. The motion carried. (2) Joint Major Physiology & Physics (AC-00-8[REV]) Prof. Wechsler moved, seconded by Prof. Barrette, that the program changes be approved. The motion carried. (3) BIOLOGY - M.Sc. Program (AC-00-46) - Ph.D. Program (AC-00-47) Prof. Pasztor moved, seconded by Prof. Lasko, that the program changes be approved. The motion carried. (4) MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS - Joint Major in Mathematics and Computer Science (AC-00-48) - Joint Honours in Mathematics and Computer Science (AC-00- 49) - Faculty Program in Mathematics and Computer Science (AC-00- 50) - Faculty Program in Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science (AC-00-51) Prof. Klemes moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the above program changes be approved. The motion carried. SECTION D: NEW COURSES (1) PSYCHOLOGY 204-528A/L Vulnerability to Depression (3 credits)(AC-00-30) Prof. Marley moved, seconded by Prof. Baker, that the course be adopted. The motion carried. SECTION E: MAJOR COURSE REVISIONS (1) BIOLOGY 177-465A Conservation Biology (3 credits)(AC-00-34) 177-516B Genetics of Development (3 credits)(AC-00-35) 177-520B Gene Activity in Development (3 credits)(AC- 00-36) 177-530B Neural Basis of Behaviour (3 credits)(AC-00- 37) 177-531A Neurobiology Learning Memory (3 credits)(AC- 00-38) 177-542B Marine Biology (3 credits)(AC-00-39) 177-544A Genetic Basis of Life Span (3 credits)(AC-00- 40) 177-551A Molecular Biology: Cell Cycle (3 credits)(AC- 00-41) 177-553B Neotropical Environments (3 credits)(AC-00- 42) 177-560A Aquatic Conservation (3 credits)(AC-00-43) 177-562B Evolution of Life Cycles (3 credits)(AC-00- 44) 177-572A Molecular Evolution (3 credits)(AC-00-45) - Consultation Reports (AC-00-55) Prof. Lasko moved, seconded by Prof. Pasztor, that the above changes be approved. 306.3 Prof. Pasztor said that the course description for 177- 465 (Document #AC-00-34) should read: "...extinction, habitat fragmentation, social issues." The motion carried. SECTION F: OTHER (1) Admission Requirements for CEGEP Students (AC-00-52) 306.4 Associate Dean Mendelson introduced the above item and answered some questions. Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the proposed admission requirements be adopted. The motion carried. (2) Credit Weight/Workload for Laboratory Courses(AC-99- 173[Rev]/AC-00-27, S-00-14) Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Klemes, that the proposal be adopted. The motion carried. (3) Courses in English as a Second Language (AC-00-53, S-00-15) Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Das Gupta, that the proposal be adopted. 306.5 After some discussion concerning which students should be eligible to take ESL courses, it was decided that the proposal should read: ESL courses are open to Science students under the regulations specified by the English and French Language Centre. 306.6 Associate Dean Mendelson modified his motion to reflect the above. The modified motion carried. SECTION G: Minor Course Revisions & Other (For Information Only) 1. Minor Course Changes (AC-00-29) 2. Two New Courses Associated with the Minor in Technological Entrepreneurship for Science Students: 271-210 Accounting for Managers (3 credits)(AC-00- 32) 270-466 Technological Entrepreneurship Project(3 credits) (AC-00-33) c) Other i) Ad hoc Constitution Review Committee S-99- 34(Rev) - Associate Dean Mendelson 306.7 Associate Dean Mendelson introduced the above document and gave some background information. Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the proposal be adopted. The following were accepted as friendly amendments to the motion: 306.8 Section 1.2.2. Section 1.2.2. was modified as follows: Members of the academic staff of departments and schools of other faculties that offer degree programs leading to the B.Sc. who have elected to be members of the Faculty of Science. 306.9 Section 1.2.3. Section 1.2.3. was modified as follows: The President, Vice-President (Academic) and Science Senator(s) of the Science Undergraduate Society (SUS) who are in satisfactory standing. 306.10 Section 2.9.3. All of Section 2.9.3. was replaced by the following: Membership shall be in compliance with the regulations of the Canadian Council for Animal Care. The following amendment was voted on: Prof. Farrell moved, seconded by Prof. Drury, an amendment. 306.11 Section 1.3. That the first sentence of Section 1.3. be modified as follows: There shall be a quorum for Faculty meetings if at least twenty-five members are present and at least half of those present, excluding the presiding member, are members of the academic staff of the Faculty of Science...." The amendment carried. 306.12 The motion to amend the Constitution of the Faculty of Science was then voted on. Vote Result: 43 For 0 Against 0 Abstentions 306.13 Dean Shaver thanked Associate Dean Mendelson, Prof. Baines, Prof. Farrell, Prof. GowriSankaran, Prof. Wolfson, and Mr. Andrew Kovacs for their work on the Ad Hoc Constitution Review Committee. (7) DEAN'S BUSINESS There was no Dean's business. (8) MEMBERS' QUESTION PERIOD - Re CRC and Internal Professorship Programs There were no questions. (8) REPORT ON ACTIONS OF SENATE Senate Meeting of October 11, 2000 - Prof. M. Mendelson Dean Miller read a resolution on the death of Professor Louise Dechàne which was adopted unanimously. The Report of the Steering Committee was received, and various procedural issues were dealt with routinely. However, Minute 5 concerned a Motion of Congratulations to Prof. Wapnick for winning the International Scrabble Championship-a motion that had been postponed sine die, provided that recognition of such accomplishments be included in a Principal's Report to Senate and that these achievements be circulated to the University at large. The Principal stated that while he would be pleased to list in his Report to the Board (which is always circulated to Senate) awards to members of the community, he could list only those about which he knew. He suggested that he would not take responsibility for informing the entire community of these awards and suggested that, instead, senators inform the Reporter. Ms. PÇron, a student senator, remarked that many students have expressed their concern about the overcrowded state of classrooms. She asked, "What plans have been drafted for McGill to accommodate the expected increase in student enrolment?" Vice- Principal Yalovsky responded that the projected increase in undergraduate enrolment over the next 10 years will not be dramatic and that the major renovation of the past spring resulted in an increase in usable seating (e.g., 35 seats in Leacock 132). This year, the University Planning Office will conduct an analysis of classroom needs and usage related to availability of sufficient classrooms, extent of overcrowding, as well as University policies relating to scheduling, course registration, and classroom assignment. Once the study is completed, it will be forwarded to APPC for consideration and recommendations. It will then be presented to Senate. Professor Noumoff stated that it would be advisable for the analysis to note that in many classrooms in Arts, there are benches at the side of the class, which may be counted as seating, but which cannot be used during examinations. Dean Crago presented the 325th Report of the Academic Policy and Planning Committee (D00-14). Of interest to the Faculty of Science, Dean Crago withdrew Item IA, Faculty of Management, from the agenda. The item concerned the Science Minor in Technological Entrepreneurship, which had been passed by the Faculty of Management, SCTP, and APPC, and which was being brought to Senate for approval. Dean Crago stated that there had been a procedural irregularity. The irregularity was that the program had not yet been seen, let alone approved by, the Faculty of Science. The following motion was approved regarding failures in courses by graduate students: "Students who have failed one course required in their program of study may automatically write one supplemental examination, if the departmental policy permits, or retake that course or substitute an equivalent course." Thus, whereas graduate students previously had to request permission to make up for a failed course, they are now entitled to do so on one occasion. Vice-Principal Yalovsky presented the 1999-2000 Financial Report to the Board of Governors (D00-01) and responded to questions and comments. The following issues are worth noting: 1. The accumulated operating deficit of the University has risen from $16.5M in May 1999 to $21.2M May 2000 ($.7 million less than budgeted). The deficit had been reduced from its high of $79.5M in 1991 to $48M in 1998. The further reduction in 1999 was largely due to a one-time MEQ contribution of $24.6M. 2. The projected deficit for 2000 was $5.4M. This rose to $10.4M due to additional labor costs and an overestimation of the MEQ grant. However, in March, the MEQ injected $100M into the province's university sector, and McGill received $14.3M of that; $7.4M of that money was used to address campus repairs and maintenance. Because of the remaining money and other unexpected revenues, offset by other unexpected costs, the final financial position resulted in an addition of $4.7M to the accumulated operating deficit. The Report to Senate from the Board of Governors (D00- 11) was received. The following points are of particular interest to Faculty: 1. Room 428 of the Otto Maass Chemistry Building was named "The Jack Edward Room"; Room 217 was named "The Leo Yaffe Room"-both in bilingual formulation. 2. The lapsed Policy on Software Developed by McGill University Faculty, Academic Staff, and Students was reinstated without specifying a date on which the policy will lapse in the future. 3. The Regulations Concerning Complaints of Sexual Harassment were amended. The important change was that a chair, dean, director, or person in authority at residence who receives a complaint of sexual harassment is now obliged to refer the matter to a sexual harassment officer. The meeting ended at 3:20 p.m. Senate Meeting of October 25, 2000 - Submitted by Prof. E. Meighen This meeting consisted of two Questions from the floor and a presentation on the "Performance Contract" with the Quebec government for "additional" funds. Question 1 was asked by Professor Noumoff concerning the accessibility of the classrooms in Redpath Museum for physically challenged students. V.-P. Yalovsky responded that classes would be moved elsewhere if they contained physically challenged students. Question 2; Professor Gehr asked about the implementation of Banner and in particular about the need for "Crystal" software to read research accounts. V.-P. Yalovsky stated that McGill would pay 75% of the cost for the software (approx $150 total). The V.-P. also stated that there were some technical problems and suggested that was due to changes requested (or perhaps needed) after installation of Banner. It was not possible to conclude from the statement when Banner will be practical for use for research accounts. V.-P. Luc Vinet reported on the Performance Contract with the Quebec government. In exchange for this contract, the government will invest an additional 48 million dollars over the next three years. McGill will commit to balancing its budget, improving and instituting new programs (e.g. software engineering, bioinformatics), (re)instituting cyclical reviews, maintaining and improving graduation rates particularly in a few programs and for Quebec students, assure the teaching commitment is comparable to peers, maintain high performance in research and improve administration efficiency. To accomplish this, McGill will invest in improved salaries, staff renewal, increased support staff, funding support graduate students and postdocs, libraries and information services (e.g. Banner), student services and facility maintenance. Some of the points raised in discussion were: (a) This plan was basically McGill's plan slightly adapted to Quebec's requests. (b) Increasing graduation frequency for Quebec students would be directed to allowing an easier adaption to McGill's style in the first year. (c) Funds focused on a specific area can result in more funds being freed up on the central budget for areas that are not currently popular for funding but McGill wishes to support. Senate Meeting of November 8, 2000-Submitted by Prof. K. GowriSankaran After the routine approval of the Report of the Steering Committee, there were two questions from Professor S. Noumoff (Arts Faculty). The first one queried about sessional teaching staff who have been teaching for many years and their benefit package. Vice-Principal Vinet requested postponement of consideration of the question to the next meeting. He also mentioned that the Committee on Equity of employment is addressing many such issues. The second question addressed the issue of how much publicity has to be given to the achievement of Professor Wapnick (He won the scrabble championship.). There were three items on the main Agenda of the meeting. The first item consisted of the semi-annual reports on full-time academic staffing changes presented by V.-P. Vinet. In the present academic year (until October 2000), the University added 114 new tenure track faculty members to its roster. In spite of it, the total number in this category increased only by about 30. In response to a request from Professor Dubow, V.- P. Vinet agreed to reinstitute the practice of indicating the nature of departures. Professor GowriSankaran requested that future reports indicate how many newcomers hold CRCs. In response to comments about the problems likely to arise when newcomers are hired at salaries higher than those of staff already here, Dr. Vinet stated that roughly the same amount of money put aside for new recruitment has been earmarked for improving salaries of those already here. The anomaly envelope and the McGill/Dawson awards can also help adjust salary discrepancies. If necessary, other means will also have to be developed. The next item consisted of the Annual Report of the Committee on Physical Development presented by V.-P. Yalovsky. This report outlined the progress made by present projects, the planning of buildings for the immediate future and for long term (or wish list?). Lastly, Senate moved into a confidential session to consider the recommendations of the Committee on Honorary Degrees and Convocation. The results of deliberations of this part of the meeting will be announced at a suitable time by the Principal. Of particular interest to the Faculty is that several names of professors from this Faculty were approved for appointment as emeritus professors. 308.1 Due to a fire alarm, the meeting ended during Prof. Mendelson's presentation.