Senators brainstorm on Concordia’s future
President’s remarks highlight busy fall term
In his opening remarks at the December 5 Senate meeting, Concordia President Alan Shepard noted several highlights of the fall term, including the university’s participation in Je Vois Montréal. This unique citizen-engagement initiative was led by Concordia chancellor and BMO Financial Group president L. Jacques Ménard.
Students will benefit from two major gift announcements – $1 million to establish the National Bank Initiative in Entrepreneurship and Family Business at the John Molson School of Business, and a $500,000 grant from the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation for RECODE. This social innovation zone is a collaboration between partners from the private, public and non-profit sectors, including District 3.
Senators were encouraged to visit the new Centre for Teaching and Learning, now located in the Faubourg Tower. This welcoming space, which opened its doors in early November, is designed to foster interaction, creative thinking and active learning among faculty members.
A visit in November by Chief Scientist of Quebec Rémi Quirion, along with the heads of Quebec’s three research funds (FRQ-Nature et technologies, FRQ-Société et culture and FRQ-Santé), provided opportunities to showcase the university’s research program and discuss future collaborations. The university also hosted – for the first time in Canada – the Global Leadership Experience, a four-day student conference on smart cities that was organized by the international group Common Purpose.
Shepard also announced that Deputy Provost Lisa Ostiguy will be conducting a formal review of the university’s sexual assault policies and protocols. She will be joined by Dean of Students Andrew Woodall, faculty, staff and student representatives.
Academic Plan investments support library collections and curriculum innovation
In his update about the Academic Plan’s, Benoit-Antoine Bacon, provost and vice-president of Academic Affairs, announced the renewal of $1 million in supplemental funding for the Library’s collections – one of the plan’s largest investments. He noted that it is critically important to maintain the collections' integrity and excellence, especially as the university prepares to invest in the expansion and transformation of the Webster Library.
Funding has also been renewed for the Curriculum Innovation Fund for 2014-15. Even in a tight fiscal environment, Bacon said the university needs to continue to make strategic investments to support faculty members who have great ideas and want to bring new and compelling learning experiences to life. The core question of this year’s call for proposals is, “What will next-generation learning look like?”
New certificate in Christian Spirituality approved
Senate approved several changes to undergraduate and graduate curricula. Among them was the introduction of a new certificate in Christian Spirituality in September 2015. The Department of English will also offer a new course, Video Games and/as Literature, which has been successfully offered as a slot course and represents a developing interest to the department.
Small-group discussions focus on future strategic directions
President Shepard invited senators to participate in a brainstorming session as the first step to identifying strategic directions for the university, prior to the official launch of a community dialogue in the winter term. Small-group discussions by senators focused on the question, “What do you see as possible strategic directions for Concordia over the next five to 10 years?”
During a plenary session, senators shared their observations about themes that emerged during the discussions. These included the role of universities in creating responsible citizens; empowering students to take charge of their learning and the benefits of interdisciplinary curriculum; recognizing that change needs to be meaningful, aligned with Concordia’s history and based on its strengths; fostering innovation; connecting even more with the Montreal community; facilitating multidisciplinary learning experiences and experiential learning opportunities; and providing more flexibility in the curriculum to support interdisciplinarity.