S-03-38 FACULTY OF SCIENCE Meeting of Faculty Tuesday, March 9, 2004 Leacock Council Room - L232 ATTENDANCE: As recorded in the Faculty Appendix Book. DOCUMENTS: S-03-30, S-03-32, S-03-34 to S-03-37 Dean Shaver called the meeting to order at 3:06 p.m. (1) ADOPTION OF AGENDA - December Examination Statistics, S-03-37, to be considered after item 4(c)(ii) Prof. Harpp moved, seconded by Prof. Ewing, that the amended Agenda be approved. The motion carried. (2) MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 10, 2004 S-03-32 Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Leighton, that the Minutes be approved. The motion carried. (3) BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES There was no business arising from the Minutes. (4) REPORTS OF COMMITTEES a) Academic Committee S-03-34 SECTION A: NEW PROGRAMS (1) AD HOC HONOURS PROGRAM IN NEUROSCIENCE (AC-03-131[Rev]) Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Kramer, that the ad hoc program be approved. The motion carried. (2) AD HOC JOINT HONOURS PROGRAM IN PSYCHOLOGY & PHYSICS (AC-03-142) Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Grant, that the ad hoc program be approved. The motion carried. (3) B.A. & Sc. DEGREE i. Credit Distribution for B.A. & Sc. Students Taking Faculty Programs (AC-03-145) 604.1 Associate Dean Mendelson explained the new regulation for the B.A. & Sc. degree. 604.2 The new regulation reads: "B.A. & Sc. students who take faculty programs must complete at least 30 credits in each faculty as part of their faculty program and their minor or minor concentration." Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Moore, that the above regulation for the B.A. & Sc. Degree be adopted. The motion carried. ii. B.A. & Sc. Faculty Program in Cognitive Science (AC-03-146) 604.3 Associate Dean Mendelson said that the Academic Committee had suggested the addition of two more courses to the program. The courses are MATH 328 to List B of Computer Science, and PSYC 301 to List A/B of Psychology. Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Kramer, that the program be adopted. The motion carried. SECTION B: MAJOR PROGRAM CHANGES None SECTION C: NEW COURSES CHEMISTRY CHEM 400 Independent Study in Chemistry (AC-03-147) 1 credit Prof. Harpp moved, seconded by Associate Dean Burns, that the course be adopted. The motion carried. SECTION D: MAJOR COURSE CHANGES None SECTION E: MINOR PROGRAM CHANGES (FOR INFORMATION ONLY) SCHOOL OF COMPUTER SCIENCE B.Sc. Changes: - Honours in Computer Science (AC-03-143) - Minor in Computer Science (AC-03-144) SECTION F: Other (For Information Only) MULTIPLE PROGRAMS AND COURSES (AC-03-148) Available at http://chronicle.com/cgi2- bin/printable.cgi?article=http://chronicle.com/prm/weekly/v50/i20 /20b00601.htm 604.4 Associate Dean Mendelson said the above document had been discussed at an Academic Committee meeting, and that it was being brought to the Faculty meeting for information. The document was relevant in the light of the number of choices available to students at McGill. b) Science Scholarship Committee (i) New Scholarship S-03-35 Advisory Board Scholarship in Science Value: $2,000, renewable 604.5 Prof. Leighton said that on behalf of the Faculty of Science, he would like to thank the Advisory Board for funding the new scholarship. 604.6 Dean Shaver said that the Advisory Board of the Faculty of Science was comprised of alumni and friends of the Faculty. The Board serves to provide feedback to the Faculty, and is very active in fundraising for the Faculty. Dean Shaver added his thanks to that of Prof. Leighton. Prof. Leighton moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the scholarship be approved. The motion carried. (ii) Administration of Faculty Scholarships for B.A. & Sc. Students S-03-36 604.7 Prof. Leighton introduced the document. He said that he and the Chair of the Faculty of Arts Scholarship Committee had reviewed the scholarships available to Arts and Science students, and had devised the guidelines described in Document S-03-36. Prof. Leighton moved, seconded by Prof. Kramer, that the guidelines in Document S-03-36 be approved. The motion carried. c) Other Reports or Academic Business (i) Planning Update 604.8 Dean Shaver said that the third round of meetings between deans and the university administration was currently taking place. He said that pertinent documents were available on the Faculty of Science's Website, and that so far the process seemed to be going well. Dean Shaver invited members to look at the documents on the Website and to provide feedback. (ii) Faculty of Science Constitution S-03-30 604.9 Associate Dean Mendelson said that notice of the motion had been presented at the last Faculty meeting, and that he would like the Minutes to reflect the fact that a quorum was present at the current meeting. 604.10 Associate Dean Mendelson said that the proposed changes to the Constitution reflected the creation of the two new positions of Associate Dean (Academic) and Associate Dean (Student Affairs), and the dissolution of the position of Associate Dean (Academic & Student Affairs). 604.11 Motion: "Be it resolved that the Constitution of the Faculty of Science be amended as indicated in the accompanying table (S-03-30), and that the amendments take effect on June 1, 2004." Associate Dean Mendelson moved, seconded by Prof. Gyakum, that the above motion be approved. The motion carried. Secretary's Note: A copy of the Faculty of Science's amended Constitution is now available on the Web at http://www.mcgill.ca/science/administration/constitution/ (iii) Examination Statistics S-03-37 604.12 Associate Dean Mendelson pointed out that the number of exams continues to increase. He thanked Karyn Baxter and Connie Di Giuseppe for their work involved in coordinating the exams, and Sharon Bezeau for her work as Chief Invigilator. (5) REPORT ON ACTIONS OF SENATE - Senate Meeting of January 21, 2004 - Prof. M. Mendelson: 1. The meeting opened with the usual formalities. Senate was advised, regarding the recent revocation of a degree, that letters had been sent to the National Library of Canada and the McGill Library requesting withdrawal of the thesis. In addition, the former student has been asked to return his diploma. The 2004-2005 meeting dates for Senate were criticized. Senators felt that there should be more scheduled meetings of Senate, and a motion that the proposed dates be referred back for further consideration and revision was carried. 2. Provost Vinet updated Senate on the Planning Process and stated that a response to deans' planning proposals would be transmitted in the coming days. 3. The Principal updated Senate on government relations at both the federal and provincial levels. She announced that the submission of the MUHC project had been made to Quebec before the deadline, following its approval by the Board by Governors' Executive Committee. She indicated that a search for a new CEO to succeed Dr. Hugh Scott was well underway and an announcement was imminent. Principal Munroe-Blum stated that 24 CFI applications had been submitted to the provincial government and that Quebec has recommended that ten be forwarded to Ottawa for CFI support. The Principal expressed her disappointment that two of McGill's major proposals had not been selected: The MUHC Research Institute and the second phase of the new Life Sciences Complex. She stated that McGill is working actively with Quebec to ensure that these projects receive proper financing. The Principal tabled at Senate the six overarching recommendations contained in McGill's submission to the Quebec government's upcoming Commission parlementaire on the quality and accessibility of higher education. After considerable discussion, Senate supported the recommendations. [The full brief is available at < http://www.mcgill.ca/public- relations/documents/nationalassembly/>.] 4. In response to a question by Student Senator Chen about problems with final exams, Prof. de Takacsy said that faculties take their responsibilities with respect to final examinations extremely seriously and devote considerable resources to ensuring the smooth operation of the examination system. He stressed that the associate dean of each faculty has jurisdiction in cases when problems occur in the administration of an examination. Dr. de Takacsy noted the following with respect to examinations administered centrally by the faculties of Arts and of Science: The exam schedule is posted on a central website as well as the web site of the faculties of Arts and Science. The websites indicate the building in which the exam is being held. Within each building large chalkboards direct students to specific rooms. Exam invigilators receive a formal two-hour training session as well as a detailed handbook. In addition, there are experienced circulators available to support the invigilators and a deputy is always nearby to supervise the process closely. With respect to the substantive content of exams, each examination has an examiner and an associate examiner to ensure that the examination is academically appropriate and technically error free. In addition to centrally administered examinations, "in department" exams for smaller classes are centrally scheduled but administered by the professor with departmental support. Information about the time and the location is normally well publicized in class, on the course web site, as well as on Minerva. Dr. de Takacsy added that the faculties of Arts and Science and the Registrar's Office are looking at other ways of presenting the location of "in department" exams because the current method of entering the information on Minerva is very time consuming. 5. In response to a question by Student Senator Peters about book and course-pack prices at the McGill Bookstore, Vice-Principal Yalovsky stated that the Bookstore's margin on course packs, which has risen by only 2% in the past five years, remains the lowest of all products sold through the Bookstore, with textbook margins being the second lowest. The University Bookstore Committee of Senate, which is constantly reviewing textbook and course pack prices, has not received a single complaint or query about pricing policy for 2003-2004. Dr. Yalovsky added that an ongoing review of the University's arrangements regarding course packs is currently underway. New specifications for the course pack service are being prepared in anticipation of the launch of a formal bid process in the spring and these new specifications will apply to all course packs beginning in fall 2004. Dr. Yalovsky expressed his optimism that this bid initiative will result in a reduction in the overall cost of course packs to the student community. Mr. Peters noted that accredited undergraduate student societies have requested permission to provide used-book and course pack sales and exchange or consignment services for students. Dr. Yalovsky replied that this is an issue that needs to be addressed in discussions and negotiations between student societies and the Administration. Dr. Yalovsky said that he and Dr. Masi are examining the possibility of providing material electronically to students. 6. Senate approved a motion to recommend to the Board of Governors that it delay voting on amendments to the statutes regarding the composition of the Board until its meeting on May 25, 2004. Senate also mandated Nominating Committee to strike an ad hoc committee to analyze the implication to the academic mission of the University of possible changes to the composition of the Board of Governors and to make recommendations about such changes, with the ad hoc committee reporting back to Senate at its meeting on April 21, 2004, so that any recommendations adopted by Senate can be forward to the Board of Governors for consideration at its meeting of May 25, 2004. 7. Deputy Provost Masi presented Universitas 21, U21Global, Report to the McGill University Senate (D03- 51). Following the presentation, Professor Masi and Professor Butler responded to questions and comments during a very long discussion session. For more information about U-21, see . 8. Provost Vinet presented the 355th Report of APPC. Of particular interest to the Faculty of Science, Senate approved the B.A. & Sc. degree as well as the following B.A. & Sc Major Concentrations: Chemistry; Biology (Organismal); Biology (Cell/Molecular); Earth, Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences; Geography (Physical Geography); and Physics. Also of interest to Science, Senate approved the following concurrent B.Sc./B.Ed. programs: Mathematics; Biology with a Minor in Chemistry; Chemistry with a Minor in Biology; Chemistry with a Minor in Physics; Physics with a Minor in Chemistry; Biology with a Minor in Physics; and Physics with a Minor in Biology. Senate also approved the addition of an option in Chemical Biology to M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Chemistry. 9. The meeting ended at 5:00 p.m. 605.1 Associate Dean Mendelson answered several questions about the meeting, including one about U21 and a number about exam policy. - Senate Meeting of February 11, 2004 - Prof. M. Mendelson: 605.2 Associate Dean Mendelson read Prof. Meighen's report, and added some further information concerning e-mail policy. Primary items were: A. A policy on harassment for McGill was requested by the CSST to be put in place within 10 days. The Principal informed Senate that an interim policy would be approved by the Board Executive. She also made it clear that she did not intend to bypass Senate but wanted the regular Senate process to take place in a timely fashion. Consequently a rapid temporary policy was needed. Senate would be given a copy of the policy as soon as possible. After extensive discussion with a slight majority of Senate preferring to pre-approve an unknown interim policy in order to preserve the process, it was generally accepted that the Principal would proceed as indicated initially. However it was strongly emphasized that Senate would not be bypassed except for these specific type of very exceptional circumstances (Note that the CSST has had a recent history of immediate often irrational demands on McGill). B. A joint program for a BA/BSc program in the Basic Biomedical Sciences was approved with congratulations going to the two Faculties. The Biomedical Sciences program originated in the Faculty of Medicine and was developed by Dr. Ellis Cooper and his committee. Questions were raised about whether this would put further strain on the resources in the biomedical sciences in view of the large number of students already enrolled in their programs. 605.3 Associate Dean Mendelson added that in response to a question from a student senator, Deputy Provost Masi had stated that obligations concerning communication by e-mail were no different from obligations concerning communication by other means. Regarding logs of e- mails, these would be consulted by a committee investigating a grievance, but logs were certainly not open for general perusal. (6) MEMBERS' QUESTION PERIOD 606.1 There were a number of questions relating to plagiarism and the university's responses to the issue. Associate Dean Mendelson gave a brief description of the outcome of a trial involving the detection of plagiarism. He said that the issue would be discussed at an upcoming Senate meeting. (7) OTHER BUSINESS There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.