S-01-33 FACULTY OF SCIENCE Meeting of Faculty Tuesday, February 12, 2002 Leacock Council Room - L232 ATTENDANCE: As recorded in the Faculty Appendix Book. DOCUMENTS: S-01-1(Revised 2) S-01-26 to S-01-32 Dean Shaver called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. (1) ADOPTION OF AGENDA 601.1 Mr. Lewis moved, seconded by Mr. Grover, that a motion be entered on the Agenda to grant speaking rights to Ms. Colette Ward for discussion of the A+ grade. 601.2 Dean Shaver said that the speaking-rights motion would be placed on the Agenda before Item 9(b), Report of the Academic Committee. Prof. Schmidt moved, seconded by Mr. Misra, that the revised Agenda be adopted. The motion carried. (2) SEATING OF STUDENT MEMBERS S-01-1(Revised 2) Prof. Franklin moved, seconded by Mr. Grover, that the above document be approved. The motion carried. (3) RESOLUTION ON THE DEATH OF PROFESSOR RONALD BROWN - Prof. B. Lennox 603.1 This resolution will be presented at a future meeting. (4) RESOLUTION ON THE DEATH OF PROFESSOR EMERITUS GEORGE FERGUSON - Prof. K. Franklin 604.1 Prof. Franklin read a formal resolution on the death of Prof. Ferguson (Appendix A, attached to the permanent copy of the minutes). The resolution was passed unanimously. (5) RESOLUTION ON THE DEATH OF PROFESSOR HAROLD RUBEN - Prof. K. GowriSankaran 605.1 Prof. GowriSankaran read a formal resolution on the death of Prof. Ruben (Appendix A, attached to the permanent copy of the minutes). The resolution was passed unanimously. (6) CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES a) Bachelor of Science S-01-27 Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the above candidates be recommended to the Senate Steering Committee for the Bachelor of Science degree. The motion carried. b) Diploma in Environment S-01-28 There were no students receiving this Diploma. c) Diploma in Meteorology S-01-29 There were no students receiving this Diploma. Prof. GowriSankaran further moved, seconded by Prof. Schmidt, that the Dean be given discretionary power to make such changes in the degree list as would be necessary to prevent injustice. The motion carried. Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Lasko, that thanks be extended to the Student Affairs Office and departmental academic advisors for their work in preparing the graduation list. The resolution of thanks was unanimous. (7) MINUTES OF JANUARY 8, 2002 S-01-26 Prof. Rasmussen moved, seconded by Prof. Barrette, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried. (8) BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES - Minute 504.3, MSE Students - Courses Outside Arts & Science 608.1 Associate Dean Mendelson said that a motion passed at the January Faculty meeting had allowed students in MSE programs to take up to 18 credits of approved courses at Macdonald Campus beyond the requirements of their MSE programs. Since then the Academic Committee had modified its original motion to remove the specific reference to Macdonald Campus, thus allowing students in MSE programs to take up to 18 credits of approved courses outside the Faculties of Arts and of Science beyond the requirements of their MSE programs. Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Rasmussen, that this revised policy be adopted by Faculty. The motion carried. - Minutes 504.4, 504.5 - Reassessment/Reread Policy & Guidelines AC-01-9(Rev4), AC-01-41(Rev2) 608.2 Associate Dean Mendelson said that at the January Faculty meeting, this item had been referred back to the Academic Committee, which had now modified the documents. Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Rasmussen, that the revised documents be approved. 608.3 A member suggested that in Document AC-01-41(Rev2), #4, the portion in bold reading "...as he or she would have done at first..." be replaced by "...as they would have done themselves..." to match the wording in Document AC- 01-9(Rev4). This was accepted as a friendly amendment. The motion carried. (9) REPORTS OF COMMITTEES a) Committee on Student Standing (CSS) S-01-30 609.1 Associate Dean Mendelson pointed out the above CSS Report. Mr. Lewis moved, seconded by Mr. Misra, that speaking rights be granted to Ms. Colette Ward during the discussion of the A+ grade. The motion carried. b) Academic Committee S-01-31 SECTION A: NEW PROGRAMS There were no new programs. SECTION B: MAJOR PROGRAM CHANGES There were no major program changes. SECTION C: NEW COURSES (1) Geography 183-202A Statistics & Spatial Analysis (AC-01-69) 3 credits 609.2 Associate Dean Mendelson said that after consultation between Prof. Baines and Prof. Ewing, it had been decided that the following restriction should be added to the course: Credit for other statistics courses may preclude credit for this course and conversely. 609.3 Also, 183-202 should be added to List #1 of overlapping statistics courses in the Science section of the Calendar. Prof. Roulet moved, seconded by Prof. Moore, that the course be adopted with the above restriction. The motion carried. 183-503B Methods of Regional Analysis (AC-01-70) 3 credits Prof. Sieber moved, seconded by Prof. Lapointe, that the course be adopted. The motion carried. (2) Biology 177-435B Ecological Energetics (AC-01-62) 3 credits Prof. Lasko moved, seconded by Prof. Rasmussen, that the course be adopted. The motion carried. 177-635B Ecology Energetics Research (AC-01-63) 3 credits Prof. Rasmussen moved, seconded by Prof. Lasko, that the course be adopted. The motion carried. SECTION D: MAJOR COURSE CHANGES There were no major course changes. SECTION E: MINOR PROGRAM CHANGES (1) School of Computer Science - Major in Computer Science (AC-01-64) - Honours in Computer Science (AC-01-65) - Minor in Computer Science (AC-01-66) Prof. Panangaden moved, seconded by Prof. ThÇrien, that the above program changes be approved. The motion carried. (2) Minor Program in Cognitive Science (AC-01-68) 609.4 Associate Dean Mendelson pointed out that the following Linguistics courses had been retired: 104-321, -351, - 360, -491, and -530. He said that he would like these courses to be removed from the Complementary Course List as part of the program changes for the Minor Program in Cognitive Science. 609.5 In response to a member who pointed out that one of the retired courses was named "Syntax I," but that "Syntax II" had not been retired, Associate Dean Mendelson said that this would be looked into. Prof. ThÇrien moved, seconded by Prof. Panangaden, that the program changes, including those specified above, be approved. The motion carried. SECTION F: Other (Approved: Academic Committee Meeting, November 20, 2001) Motion - Letter Grades in Banner At its meeting of November 20, 2001, the Academic Committee of the Faculty of Science passed a resolution recommending that the University adopt a grade of A+. The resolution specified that both A+ and A grades have a GPA value of 4.0, and that the range of A+ be from 93% to 100%. 609.6 Ms. Colette Ward tabled a document opposing the implementation of an A+ grade. 609.7 Ms. Ward said that the vast majority of Science students and Science departmental student societies, opposed the implementation of an A+ grade. She listed the reasons for student opposition to an A+ grade. 609.8 A number of members spoke to the motion, both for and against. Prof. Lasko moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the above resolution be approved by Faculty. A vote was held on the motion: For 32 Against 18 Abstentions 2 The motion carried. 609.9 Dean Shaver said that the resolution would go to APPC for discussion. SECTION G: Minor Course Changes & Other (For Information Only) 1. Minor Course Changes (AC-01-61) 2. Psychology B.A. Program Changes: - Major Concentration in Psychology (AC-01-72) - Honours in Psychology (AC-01-73) - Minor Concentration in Behavioural Science (AC-01-74) - Minor Concentration in Psychology (AC-01-75) 3. School of Computer Science B.A. Program Changes: - Minor Concentration in Computer Science, Stream II (AC-01-67) 4. Review of the Freshman Science Program (FSP) (AC-01-71) 609.10 Associate Dean Mendelson introduced Document AC-01-71, and highlighted the main points. He said that the Academic Committee had approved the formation of a sub- committee as proposed in Document AC-01-71. He said that the sub-committee's conclusions would be brought to Faculty in the form of the Academic Committee report. c) Other Reports or Academic Business - Nominating Committee Report S-01-32 609.11 Associate Dean Mendelson gave some background concerning the report. Prof. Barrette moved, seconded by Associate Dean Mendelson, that the above report be approved. The motion carried. (10) Committee of the Whole - Faculty of Science Input to Senate Concerning Long-Range Planning at McGill Chair: Associate Dean Mendelson Summary of Issues: Prof. P. Farrell 610.1 Dean Shaver said that the Faculty was responding to a request from the Principal and Senate to consider issues relating to the long-term academic mission and planning at McGill. 610.2 Faculty moved into the Committee of the Whole at 4:10 p.m. 610.3 Faculty moved out of the Committee of the Whole at 4:50 p.m. 610.4 A summary of the discussion of the Committee of the Whole is in the Faculty Offices, attached to the permanent copy of the Minutes. (11) Report on Actions of Senate Senate Meeting of December 5, 2001 - Prof. K. GowriSankaran 1. The meeting commenced as usual with a report of the Steering Committee which in particular had recommended that Dean John Gruzleski chair the meeting of Senate, which was approved. Also approved were speaking rights for Professors Edmund Idziak and Ronald Poole. 2. There was a (individual member's) question from Professor Sam Noumoff who had queried the rights of Faculty member vis-Ö-vis the use of course outline designed by another member without his/her permission. He was particularly concerned about courses offered via the internet. Vice-Principal BÇlanger gave an adequate reply indicating the rights in general terms. 3. In the regular B part of the meeting the first item was a report from Professor Edmund Idziak, Coordinator of the Office of Sexual Harassment. He presented the report from that Office for the period of April 2000 - April 2001. He answered a number of queries from members of Senate. The Senate thanked him for his report. 4. Professor Ronald Poole, (the outgoing) Chair, Committee on Student Grievances, gave a report from the Committee for a period of two years starting September 1999. His report was received and Senate thanked him profusely for this valuable service to the University. 5. There was a confidential report of the Committee on Honorary Degrees and Convocation. 6. Associate VP Nick de Takacsy presented a motion on behalf of the APPC. This motion wanted Senate to approve dropping the term `concentration' following major concentration and minor concentration nomenclatures used by the Faculty of Arts for its undergraduate degrees. There were a lot of interventions from members of Senate arguing for either of the sides on the motion. In particular, Science Senators had opposed the motion and spoke to that. The list of those who strongly opposed the motion and spoke included Professors Baines, GowriSankaran, Mendelson and Schmidt. Finally, when Professor Noumoff brought the discussion to an end by calling the `question' the vote was tied. The Chair decided to break the tie voting against the motion. Note: Robert's rules of order would not have permitted a change anyway with a tied vote. 7. Senate was given a notice of motion (by the office of Provost) of bookkeeping variety to change the Statutes of the University necessitated by the abolition of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. The motion itself will be presented at the next meeting of Senate. 8. Senate also received the reports from the Bookstore Committee (Professor Kerry McSweeney), University Committee on Scholarships and Student Aid (Professor GowriSankaran), the Annual Report of the Committee on Physical Development (Vice-Principal Yalovsky) and the Report of the Principal. Senate was also presented Fall term Registration summary for 2001 (and 2000 for comparison). Senate Meeting of January 30, 2002 - Prof. M. Mendelson 1. The meeting opened with the usual formalities. One item on Business Arising concerned the Faculty of Science. The Principal reported that he could not, as previously requested, explain why the Director of Libraries was, under the Statutes, a member the faculties or Arts, Science, and Graduate Studies & Research, but not the rest. Reference to the "University Librarian" being a member of the Faculty of Arts and Science was first added to the Statutes in 1939. There were at that time eight faculties. In 1972, the relevant article was amended to make the "Director of Libraries" a member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research as well. There were at that time 12 faculties. 2. A student Senator, Ms. Finkelstein, asked a question regarding McGill's Environmental Policy, to which VP Yalovsky responded: The three paragraphs approved by Senate on April 18, 2001, do not constitute a preamble to a policy yet to come, as suggested by Ms. Finkelstein, but are in fact, the policy expressing the University's commitment. Given the scope of the environmental agenda, the text was purposely all- encompassing and general, yet forceful. A policy usually does not go into the details of implementation. The Senate Committee on Physical Development (SCPD) approved six of the seven principles that accompanied the Environmental Policy. By not submitting them to Senate for approval, but for information only, the Committee indicated its wish to revisit the principles in the following academic year. The SCPD will be doing such in light of the Report of the Environmental Review which was carried out under the auspices of the Environmental Safety Office with the participation of three McGill students in the summer of 2001. A new set of recommendations will be developed and submitted with a summary of the report to the Senate Committee on Physical Development. In the meantime some areas of the University have already taken steps to be more responsive to environmental issues. In keeping with the Talloires and Halifax Declarations which it signed ten years ago, the University now has an Environmental Policy and, through the Senate Committee on Physical Development and its Subcommittee on the Environment, is developing an action plan that will result in a comprehensive environmental program. Concurrently, and in support of actions proposed in the Talloires and Halifax Declarations, an awareness campaign is being developed with the collaboration of the Instructional Communications Centre and the University Relations Office. Members of the McGill community will be called upon to play an active role in making our two campuses models of environmental responsibility. The Environmental Review conducted last summer will be presented in March to the Committee on Physical Development. Professor Saeed Mirza, the chair of the Subcommittee on the Environment, believes that good progress has been made. It will now be a matter of getting the entire University community involved. 3. Dean Shore presented the Calendar of Dates 2003- 2004. In response to a question from a Science Senator, Dean Shore stated that he would be responsible for ensuring that all University calendars will note the unusual detail about the winter 2004 schedule (that is, that Tuesday, April 13 will follow the Monday/Wednesday/Friday timetable). Dean Shore, responding to a question, said that he could not recall the source of the "39-hour rule" for the length of 3-credit courses. As for flexibility, he stated that provided the chair and dean agree and the class is informed at the beginning of the term, there is some flexibility possible to an individual professor in the scheduling of the 39 hours. 4. Nominating Committee proposed several changes to the mandate of the Committee on the Rights of Senate, which were passed. 5. Senate passed changes to regulations persuant to the abolition of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. 6. The principal's report was received. Professor Noumoff noted that the Principal had included in his report reference to Professor Wapnick's championship performance at the recent World Scrabble competition. Professor Noumoff, seconded by Mr. Meyers, took from the table his motion of September 2000 which had been postponed sine die, to the effect that Senate express its congratulations to Professor Wapnick for having gained the International Scrabble Championship. Professor Noumoff then withdrew the motion--presumably because Prof. Wapnick did not retain his title at the most recent competition. (12) MEMBERS' QUESTION PERIOD 612.1 In reply to a member who asked about the circumstances surrounding the resignation of the former Director of the MSE, Prof. P. Brown, Dean Shaver emphasized first that the Faculty of Science is supportive of the MSE. He said that Prof. Brown had been dissatisfied with the administrative arrangements for the MSE, and had threatened to resign. Vice-Principal (Academic) Vinet had suggested he do so. The MSE was currently looking for a new director. (13) OTHER BUSINESS There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. FacMinsFeb2002.doc