Alexa Goucher

The Senate meeting covered several key topics including discussions on articulation agreements and a proposed shift in the in-course scholarship model toward a strictly GPA-based system, with concerns raised regarding equity. Administration updates included research grant successes, institutional budget pressures, and provincial policy updates. The Senate addressed questions regarding hiring, the reconstitution of the EDIA Governance Committee, and the appointment of an Indigenous representative to the Senate. Committee actions included revisions to bylaws, approval of new admission requirements for various academic programs, approval of a new interdisciplinary course, and an update on efforts to indigenize the MSc in Natural Sciences program. Additionally, the Senate approved nominations for Professor Emeritus status and honorary doctorate candidates during a confidential session.

The meeting included discussions on the Senate's role in provincially mandated academic program reviews, administration reports concerning research achievements and provincial legislative updates, and a student union request regarding scholarship obligations. Committee reports covered proposed changes to Senate membership to include Indigenous representation, revisions to the Course Outline Policy, updates to the Nancy's Chair Committee Terms of Reference, and various undergraduate curriculum changes including course deletions, program requirements, and new articulation agreements. Additionally, the assembly reviewed in-course scholarship data and heard reports from the Faculty Association president and the Students' Union.

The Senate meeting covered various administrative and academic agenda items. Key discussions included the indigenization of the PsyD program, provincial government funding cuts across post-secondary institutions, and strategies for managing strained financial conditions through the potential deferral of core services. The Senate approved the new Master of Science in Natural Sciences program and several new courses across various departments. Additionally, the Senate discussed an upcoming province-wide student strike and passed a motion encouraging instructors to grant academic amnesty for participating students.

The Senate meeting covered various administrative and academic updates, including reports on provincial and federal initiatives, budget projections, and IT support challenges. Significant attention was given to the approval of a new Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program, along with associated course proposals and calendar entries. Senate members also discussed concerns raised by the Students' Union regarding post-strike academic conditions, reviewed enrollment data, and addressed inquiries concerning scholarship policies and the status of committee evaluations. Additionally, the Senate ratified a new Parliamentarian and reviewed reports from external academic program reviews.

The meeting commenced with an Indigenous Land Recognition acknowledging both the unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory and the traditional, unceded Mi'kmaq territory where the Senate meets, citing the relevance of Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. Business arising from the minutes included an update on the periodic evaluation concerning the indigenizing of the PsyD Program and a report on persistent printing issues related to new equipment and management systems, which highlighted broader communication concerns regarding technological updates. Administration updates covered the 75th anniversary of Caritas Day, the launch of the Strategic Enrollment Plan, recent award recipients, and the forthcoming African Heritage Month. Academic updates detailed issues with Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) and provided progress reports on Schedule H and Schedule G deliverables related to program review and costing models. A budget update indicated a projected significant deficit due primarily to lower enrollment numbers, although a commitment to a balanced budget within four years was stated. Discussions also addressed a provincial holdback related to residence occupancy targets. Committee reports featured the approval of changing the Department name from Women's Studies to Women and Gender Studies, revisions to the Final Examination Policy, and numerous curriculum changes, including the approval of new courses, course deletions, and program requirement modifications across various departments such as Graduate Studies, Communication Studies, Applied Human Nutrition, Biology, Business Administration and Political Studies, Child and Youth Study, History, Philosophy/Religious Studies, and Politics, Economics and Canadian Studies. Furthermore, Senate approved the election of nominees to various standing committees and the election of a Senator to the Presidential Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee. Other reports included an update from the Faculty Association President regarding the Board of Governors' meeting, which positioned the budget deficit as an income insufficiency problem rather than excessive expenditure, and a report from the Students' Union detailing housing bursaries, an anti-discrimination project, and audit finalizations.