FOR APPROVAL
1. The Institute for Advanced Research
Recommended: That the Board of Governors endorse the concept of the Institute for Advanced Research (Annex 1), subject to Senate approval (January 23, 1998).
Background:
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), provides a unique opportunity to capitalize on Western's strengths across a variety of disciplines in the Sciences, Health Sciences, Medicine & Dentistry and Engineering. The University's response to the CFI initiative has brought together several major research areas in collaborative approaches to secure broad-based support for a multidisciplinary Institute for Advanced Research. The recommendation above seeks approval of the concept of the Institute as a focus for such collaborative research.
Recommended: That the following sections of Appointments Procedures be amended as shown, as approved by the Senate on December 5, 1997:
C. RULES FOR THE OPERATION OF SELECTION COMMITTEES
7. All Selection Committees shall meet in camera and their deliberations shall be strictly confidential. Wherever possible, at least twelve months, but not longer than seventeen twenty months, prior to the end of any term of office the appropriate Selection Committee shall be established. The Committee will assume the incumbent to be a candidate unless the Selection Committee is informed otherwise.
D. STUDY LEAVE
10. The cost of a study leave will be borne by the Faculty (or other budget unit) in which the study leave eligibility was earned. Where this would place an undue burden on the budget of the Faculty, the Provost & Vice-President (Academic) may recommend to the Senate Subcommittee on Budget Affairs Committee on University Planning a special one-time allocation to assist in the financing of the leave.
Recommended: That the following sections of Appointments Procedures be amended as shown, subject to Senate approval on January 23.
K. DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES
Terms
The term for the Dean of Graduate Studies is seven five years, renewable. In the case of renewal of an appointment where the incumbent takes a Study Leave between the first and second term, the term of appointment will be six years.
L. DEANS OF OTHER FACULTIES
Terms
The term for Deans of other Faculties is seven five years, renewable. In the case of renewal of an appointment where the incumbent takes a Study Leave between the first and second term, the term of appointment will be six years.
Background:
C.7: Typically in the past, Selection Committees have been established in February -- eighteen months prior to the end of an administrative term that ends on June 30. Allowing the establishment of Selection Committees up to 20 months before the end of term will permit preliminary work -- such as identifying external reviewers and placing advertisements -- to be done before Christmas and this, in turn will mean that the Selection Committee can begin its detailed work in February or March.
D.10: The Senate Subcommittee on Budget Affairs (SUBA) was recently disbanded and its role taken over by its parent committee, SCUP.
K. and L. - Decanal Terms of Appointment: It is proposed to reduce the term of appointment of Deans from seven to five years. This is consistent with appointment terms of the President, Vice-Presidents, and Chairs of Departments.
FOR INFORMATION
1. Convocation Dates - June 1999
With the exception of the MBA and MD degrees (which will be awarded on unique dates), degrees will be awarded at Spring Convocation 1999, June 15 (Tuesday) through June 18 (Friday).
Based on Western's historical pattern, Spring Convocation 1999 would have been scheduled to begin on June 8. However, on the basis of the ongoing review of the PeopleSoft Student Administration System software, the proposed implementation schedule which will commence in October 1998 and run through June 1999, and concern for processing delays which may occur during the first year of a major systems implementation, the Office of the Registrar recommends that Convocation begin later to provide an additional week to Faculties and Departments who will be using a completely new system of grade and progression adjudication for the first time.
2. Integrated Engineering Program
A four-year undergraduate Integrated Engineering Program will be introduced in the Faculty of Engineering Science on September 1, 1998. The objective of the Integrated Engineering Program is to prepare its graduates to function effectively in the contemporary multidisciplinary work environment. The curriculum contains courses in chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering, with emphasis on subjects which are important in a wide range of industries, as well as courses in mathematics, the sciences and complementary studies, equivalent to those in the other engineering programs. Enrolment is limited to 20, and a minimum weighted average of 70% at the end of first year is required for admission to the program.
3. BA in Honors Business Administration - BESc Concurrent Degree Programs
Two limited enrolment concurrent degree programs between the Ivey School of Business and the Faculty of Engineering Science will be introduced September 1, 1998. One is in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, and the other in Mechanical and Materials Engineering. After five years of study, the successful students will receive both the BA in Honors Business Administration and the BESc degrees.
4. Huron College: Combined Honors Program in International and Comparative Studies
A Combined Honors BA program in International and Comparative Studies will be introduced at Huron College effective September 1, 1998.
5. Combined Honors Program in Anthropology and French Linguistics
A Combined Honors BA program in Anthropology and French Linguistics will come into effect September 1, 1998.
6. Faculty of Law - Extended Time LLB Program
Starting September 1, 1998, the Faculty of Law will offer an Extended Time LLB program. It will be available to students who have met the existing regular or special admissions criteria and have been admitted to the LLB program but who cannot manage a full-time program because of family responsibilities, health problems, disabilities, financial necessity, or other special circumstances. Students in the Extended Time LLB Program are required to complete the program within six years.
7. Concurrent BESc/LLB Programs
Subject to Senate approval (January 23, 1998), two limited enrolment concurrent degree programs will be introduced by the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Engineering Science effective September 1, 1998. Both will lead to the LLB and BESc degrees after six years of studies. The concurrent programs will be in: (1) Law and Chemical and Biochemical Engineering; and (2) Law and Civil and Environmental Engineering.
8. Report of the Academic Colleague
See Annex 2.