Roberto Benedicto

The Senate meeting included the approval in principle of two new tourism-related certificates. The body held an election for a new Vice-Chair, selected members for a committee to facilitate the Olympic Torch relay, and amended a motion regarding faculty representation on Senate committees. Furthermore, the Senate adopted new faculty governance guidelines, revised membership requirements for several standing committees, and approved a new policy on credential requirements. Additional discussions addressed budget matters, student election policy updates, administrative representation on Senate, and procedures for reissuing credentials with the updated university name.

The meeting included reports from the Chair and Vice-Chair, with welcoming remarks for new representatives. Key discussion topics included volunteer requests for Senate sub-committees, the formation of a working committee for the Board Policy on Discontinuance of Programs or Courses, and the initiation of a policy compliance review. The Senate supported the use of the SAPPAC advisory committee for strategic planning work. Additionally, several curriculum committee resolutions were endorsed, results from the Senate self-evaluation survey were reviewed, and updates were provided on the Prior Learning Assessment Policy, Academic Appeal Policy, and proposed changes to Senate By-laws regarding voting members. The committee also noted the approval status of the 2014/2015 budget and discussed minor revisions to the academic schedule.

The Senate discussed the Senate self-evaluation process, including a review of survey procedures and potential governance alternatives. Updates were provided regarding Senate election vacancies and efforts to recruit subcommittee volunteers. The body addressed changes to convocation scheduling, specifically the cancellation of the February 2023 date and extension of June dates. Committee reports were received from the Academic Planning and Program Review Committee, Curriculum Committee, and various administrative offices. Discussion items included institutional enrollment projections, progress on academic quality assurance applications, and upcoming campus events related to Truth and Reconciliation activities.

The committee reviewed and recommended several curriculum changes for approval, including revisions to the 3D Animation for Film and Games Diploma profile and the 2D Animation & Visual Development Diploma profile. Various updates for the School of Communication were approved, involving new course additions, prerequisite changes, and program profile revisions for Communication Studies degrees and minors. The committee also approved curriculum revisions for the Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Literature, the Minor in Critical and Creative Writing, and the Interaction Design Diploma. Furthermore, new study abroad shell courses were approved for several departments, along with a new course in the Department of Anthropology, prerequisite revisions for Biology courses, and new course and admission requirement updates for the School of Legal Studies. Finally, the committee addressed committee-specific business, including a revision to the 2027 meeting schedule, membership term discussions, and updates regarding the University Calendar publication deadline.

The Senate meeting focused on advice regarding the discontinuance and suspension of various academic programs. Key discussion topics included the recommendation to discontinue several programs in business, music, and digital media; the continued suspension of specific diplomas and certificates for redesign; the contested suspension of the Music Diploma, with recommendations for curriculum implementation and program viability assessment; and the contested discontinuance or suspension of several business-related programs, with recommendations to remove them from the discontinuance list or continue suspension pending review. The Senate also evaluated the strategic value of maintaining certain credentials as paused assets to support future growth and international pathways.