Dalhousie University Senate Annual Report of the Chair

Transcription

1 Dalhousie University Senate Annual Report of the Chair Introduction Although Senate has not had a practice of receiving an annual report from its Chair, it seemed to me that as we embark on a new academic year, it might be helpful to pause to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year and, more particularly, to identify some suggested priorities for the year ahead Highlights The past year has been a very active one for Senate. The Appendix to this Report provides a brief overview of the direct action by Senate. In many ways, this represents only the tip of the iceberg. In reality, it is the commitment and involvement of hundreds of faculty, students, and staff working at the Departmental and Faculty levels; working through the Dalhousie Student Union and through administrative units; working as individuals, in task groups, in Senate committees, and in countless other ways, that accounts for the accomplishments of the past year. But, in the end, Senate is accountable. Senate creates a climate that encourages or discourages involvement and the pursuit of excellence. Senate reviews the performance of our existing academic units and approves the establishment of new units. Senate sets policies that impact the research in which we engage, and the methods we use in pursuing it. Senate develops academic policies and procedures, it establishes new diploma and degree programs, and it modifies program requirements as circumstances evolve. It is Senate that has authorized the awarding of degrees to all of our graduates. Ultimately, then, Senate bears responsibility for the content and the quality of our collective academic endeavours. In reflecting on the past year of Senate activity, each of us might construct a somewhat different list of highlights. Here is mine: Implemented Faculty-based academic integrity processes On September 1, 2007 we began implementing an entirely new process for handling a large proportion of the cases where there was thought to be a lapse in academic integrity transferring much of the responsibility for dealing with these situations to the Faculty level. Overall, this has resulted in much quicker resolution of cases and, hopefully, to outcomes which better assist students in progressing toward their academic goals. There is still work to be done in further improving our processes; we will continue that in the coming months. Strengthening Senate governance In Making an Impact: The President s Strategic Focus, , President Traves issued a challenge to the Dalhousie community to become Canada s best university. If we are to aspire to such a goal, we need to ensure that our system of academic decision-making is efficient and contributes to wise outcomes. Toward this end, Senate has taken the following action in the past year: Established an ad hoc Governance Committee to review the membership, mandates, and terms of reference for Senate s 13 standing committees. Most committees mandates were Dalhousie University Senate: Annual Report of the Chair, Page 1 of 5

2 established in the mid-1990s and had not been systematically reviewed since in spite of significant changes in the organizational environment. The Governance Committee s report is expected this Fall. Established a Working Group on Program Approval Processes. Many individuals involved in developing the curriculum for our degree and diploma programs had commented that they found the various approval processes lengthy and confusing. Others appeared to have found the process too daunting to pursue. The Working Group is examining ways of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our program approval processes. Its report is expected later this Fall. In April we initiated a practice of annually soliciting from all Senators feedback on Senate meetings and activities. The Senate Steering Committee has examined the responses and has planned Senate meetings for the coming year in light of the comments received. Developed several innovative new academic programs and significantly revised others During the past year, Senate established several new degree programs and approved significant redesign of others. The full list can be found in the Appendix. It is particularly noteworthy that several of the programs are breaking new ground in Canada with Dalhousie as the first university in the country to offer a new degree, or the first to develop a new model for offering an existing degree. Established new organizational units Senate approved the establishment of three new units in each case to enable the university to more effectively pursue strategic initiatives. The Institute for Society and Culture will assist the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences to secure funding for its research programs. The Centre for Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics will support the expansion of research in an area where Dalhousie already is a world leader. And, the establishment of the College of Sustainability (unique in Canada) is highly significant on several levels: it demonstrates our commitment to grappling with our most challenging global issues; it highlights the particular contribution we can make by combining multi-disciplinary leadingedge research, innovative education programs, and action-oriented community partnerships; and it illustrates our ability to develop new ways of working together to draw on the particular perspectives and strengths of a very wide range of disciplines Senate Priorities The Making an Impact document identified seven strategic objectives. All are vitally important to Dalhousie s future and all are interdependent. The following list includes priorities within two of the areas which are of particular relevance to Senate (Enhance Academic and Research Excellence, and Enrich Student Experience). The following is not intended to be exhaustive, but to suggest (for comment and discussion) some priorities that I hope Senate will pursue over the coming year: Identify initiatives that will have the greatest impact on our ability to realize our mission In his Message to the University Community (September 3, 2008), President Traves indicated that, as a result of the new funding formula with the Province of Nova Scotia, by the Fall of 2010, we can expect an additional $11 million beyond our currently anticipated costs. These funds will enable us to move forward very aggressively on realizing our strategic goals. Page 2 of 5 Dalhousie University Senate: Annual Report of the Chair,

3 This is a rare opportunity! It is vital that we use it wisely to have the maximum positive impact on our:. discovery and innovation-to deepen our understanding of our complex world in order to find new ways of building a more just and sustainable global community;. learning and teaching-to enhance the personal and intellectual development of our students; and. engagement-with our students, and with our local and global communities. Enhance Academic and Research Excellence. Improve the processes for developing new diploma and degree programs, and for renewing existing programs-to ensure that our programs are innovative, responsive, and appropriately addressing individual and social needs.. Strengthen the links between program design, program review, and program renewal to ensure that we are offering the right programs, with an engaging curriculum, offered with exceptional instructional quality.. Strengthen the links between discovery, learning, and engagement through greater studentfaculty-community partnerships. Enrich Student Experience. Enhance academic and research excellence. Further refine and enhance our academic integrity and disciplil:1e processes. Explore ways of providing students with more useful information and greater curricular flexibility, to assist them in tailoring their academic program to meet their particular learning goals. Identify factors, and take action, that would further support student success and increase the retention of students at Dalhousie. Strenathen Senate Contribution to University Governance. In response to Report of ad hoc Governance Committee, revise Senate Committee structureand rolesto enhanceefficiencyandeffectiveness. Promote informed and engaging Senate deliberations I look forward to an exciting and productive year ahead! September 16, 2008 Dalhousie University Senate: Annual Report of the Chair, Page 3 of 5

4 Appendix Summary of Senate Action: Special Projects Integrated administrative support for Senate and the Board of Governors within the newly established University Secretariat (July, 2007) Implemented Faculty-Based Academic Discipline Processes (September, 2007) Established ad hoc Governance Committee to review mandates, membership and terms of reference for Senate Standing Committees (to report Fall 2008) Established Working Group on Program Approval Processes (to report Fall 2008) Senate Reviews Completed and Discussed by the Senate Academic Priorities and Budget Committee (SAPBC) Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) and the Master of Science Degree Programs at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College Faculty of Computer Science Institute for Research in Materials Senate Reviews Undertaken and Nearing Completion College of Continuing Education Faculty of Architecture and Planning Faculty of Science Reports and Presentations Received by Senate Making an Impact: The President s Strategic Focus, Student Survey Data Report of the Task Force on Graduate Student Funding N. S. Universities Memorandum of Understanding with the Province Campus Facilities Master Plan Budget Advisory Committee Report XXXVI Enrolment Management Steering Committee Report, March 2008 Senate Review of the Faculty of Computer Science Posting of Student Grades Budget Advisory Committee Report XXXVII Policy Established Dalhousie University Policy on the Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans Senate Orientation, Receptions, & Feedback New Senator Orientation (September 2007) Welcome Reception (September 2007) Senate feedback (April 2008) Thank You Reception (June 2008) New Academic Programs Established Bachelor of Arts: Major/ Honours in Sustainability Bachelor of Community Design: 3 Majors/ Honours combined with Sustainability Bachelor of Management: 7 Majors, 19 Minors Bachelor of Science: Major/ Honours in Sustainability Page 4 of 5 Dalhousie University Senate: Annual Report of the Chair,

5 Bachelor of Science: Minor in Food Science Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science: Concentration in Oceans and Global Change Master of Information Management Master of Library and Information Studies combined with Master of Resource and Environmental Management Existing Academic Programs Revised Master of Science (Kinesiology) Master of Business Administration Academic Program Terminated Master of International Health Service Administration New College Established College of Sustainability New Centres and Institutes Established Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics Institute for Society and Culture Name Changes Centre for International Business Studies to Centre for International Trade and Transportation MSc & PhD (Anatomy) to (Anatomy and Neurobiology) MASc, MASc Co-op, MEng, MEng Co-op, & PhD (Mining Engineering) to (Mineral Resource Engineering) Awards Presented Senate Environment Award Sessional and Part-time Instructor Award of Excellence for Teaching President s Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards Routine Business Annual Reports of Committees: o Senate Academic Appeals Committee o Senate Committee on Learning and Teaching o Senate Computing and Information Technology Planning Committee o Senate Discipline Committee o Senate Environment Committee Nominations Committee Recommendations: e.g. Honorary Degrees, Academic Dates Approval of Graduates Ratification of AIO-Student agreements Ratification of Senate Academic Appeals Committee decisions Chair s Report President s Report Question Period Constitutional Changes: Membership on some committees Dalhousie University Senate: Annual Report of the Chair, Page 5 of 5