Concordia Senate gets rolling

At its October 7 meeting, Senators provided feedback on the revised Academic Plan and established a committee to review the recommendations concerning Senate, which were presented by the External Governance Review Committee (EGRC) in its report submitted in mid-June.

Academic Plan
Senators discussed the revised Academic Plan for 2011-16 in “committee of the whole” meaning that no resolutions were presented. The Academic Plan Working Group presented a revised document to the Concordia community in August 2011. Since then, additional feedback has been solicited through the planning web pages and presentations to all four Faculty Councils as well as to the councils of the School of Extended Learning and School of Graduate Studies and to the Libraries.

Reaction by Senators was positive; suggestions for improvements will be reviewed by the Academic Planning and Priorities Committee. The latest round of input will be included in a final version of the plan to be presented to Senate for approval at its November meeting.

External Governance Review Report
Senators discussed recommendations related to Senate presented in the External Governance Review Committee’s report and endorsed at the Senate’s September meeting. Senators agreed to create a committee to review these recommendations and prepare an implementation strategy. Membership includes members of the Senate’s Academic Planning and Priorities Committee and Senators who participated in a joint Board and Senate committee, which met in September to review proposed governance changes that were approved by the Board at its September 28 meeting.

November 10 Day of Action
Senator and Concordia Student Union President Lex Gill informed Senate that students planned a day of action for accessible education on November 10. Provost David Graham invited faculty members to exercise leniency with students wishing to participate in the day’s activities, if possible given the academic requirements of the course.

Start date for the January 2012 winter term
A motion was presented to delay the start of the 2012 winter term from January 3 to January 4, 2012. This change has wide-ranging implications for the academic calendar, including dates for dropping courses and exam scheduling. Communicating any changes will also pose a challenge and there are human resources issues to be considered. Senators tabled the motion until more information could be analyzed.

Other business
During the closed session, Senators approved the graduation list for the November 2011 convocation ceremonies.

Reports from the senior administration, the minutes of the last meeting and committee appointments were accepted and curriculum changes adopted on the consent agenda. Documents and minutes of meetings, as approved, are available on the Senate web page.

The next meeting of Senate will be November 4, 2011.

Related links:
•  “Revised Academic Plan Ready for Review” – NOW, September 6. 2011
•  Academic Plan - Documents
•  Governance Review
•  Senate