Marisha Caswell

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.

Key discussions included an Indigenous Land Recognition acknowledgement. The agenda approval prompted an inquiry regarding the late distribution of supporting documents for the Strategic Plan and Enrollment Report, with explanations provided for the timing. Business arising from the minutes focused on IT&S support, specifically addressing Mac user support limitations and issues related to the mid-term rollout of new printers and PaperCut software. Administration Updates covered acknowledgements of recent passings, recognition of notable achievements, provincial initiatives like The Excellence in Early Childhood Education Bursary and Bill 12, and federal updates concerning research funding and international student caps. The Vice-President Academic reported on Schedule H, the academic program review, and budget projections were provided by the Vice-President Administration. The Question Period featured detailed discussions on Schedule H, concerns regarding the EDIA committee consultation process, evaluation of Mount 101, and a significant debate concerning the elimination of faculty nominations for in-course scholarships and the requirement to bring scholarship distribution data to Senate. Committee reports included the ratification of the Senate Parliamentarian and reports from Academic Appeals regarding academic offense trends. Academic Policy and Planning approved the new Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in School and Clinical Psychology program and numerous related courses, which generated considerable discussion regarding Indigenous content, curriculum indigenization, and clinical placement logistics. Undergraduate curriculum changes for Communication Technology Minor, Biology, Communication Studies, Child and Youth Study, and Psychology were noted. Other reports addressed student concerns following the part-time faculty strike, particularly regarding tuition reimbursement and condensed course delivery, and a preliminary Enrollment Report noted the impact of the IRCC cap on international student numbers.

The Senate meeting covered several administrative updates, including reports on Fall convocation, the ongoing labour disruption, and responses to recent incidents of anti-hate graffiti. Enrollment trends showed a decline in undergraduate numbers but an increase in graduate enrollment, alongside shifts in international vs. domestic student composition. The meeting addressed Quality Assurance requirements and the status of program reviews. Key discussion points during the question period involved a planned protest, the role of microcredentials in relation to degree programs, and freedom of expression rights for student athletes during the labour disruption. Updates were provided on the L'nu Advisory Circle and the EDIA Committee, addressing recruitment and Terms of Reference updates. Committee reports included approvals for revisions to the Senate Award for Service in University Governance, the schedule for external reviews, and updates on IT&S priorities like the admissions portal and survey platform. Nominations for various Senate Committee vacancies and the ratification of the Chair for the Student Discipline Appeals Committee were approved. Furthermore, revisions to the President's Award for Research Excellence and Teaching Excellence Awards were approved. Other reports covered budget discussions from the Board of Governors' meeting and updates from the Students' Union on campus initiatives and services. A detailed report on Continuing Education and Microcredentials emphasized the need for an oversight committee to ensure accountability and manage external educational ventures.