Scott Stoddard

The Senate meeting included the approval of prizes for graduating and undergraduate students and the receipt of an external review of the Sociology and Anthropology department. Discussions occurred regarding the potential separation of anthropology from the sociology department and the approval of a temporary position for the Department of Physics. An extraordinary request for an extra sessional for Chemistry was denied. The Senate reviewed and approved extensive lists of candidates for various degrees and certificates for upcoming convocation. Additionally, the Senate approved new courses and programs for the Division of Humanities, and approved new graduate programs in Physics and Computer Science.

The Senate meeting covered university enrollment figures, with concerns noted regarding a drop in students from Ontario. Key business included updates to the convocation list, committee memberships, and the adoption of reports from the Nominating Committee. A preliminary report from the Task Force on Student Success was presented, focusing on retention and graduation rates. The Senate also endorsed the recommendation to confirm the mandate of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor. Additional actions included approvals for course instructors and course description revisions, as well as notification of new faculty appointments in Mathematics and Computer Science.

The Senate discussed and approved new policies regarding the notation of "With Distinction" for degrees, mandating it be based on cumulative averages for first-degree students while initiating a process to recognize excellence in second degrees, graduate studies, and certificates. Furthermore, the Senate approved new requirements for Master's thesis supervision, stipulating that supervisors must be tenured or tenure-stream faculty members, with provisions for adjunct, sessional, and contract faculty to co-supervise under specific departmental conditions. The meeting also included communications regarding student achievements in business competitions and updates on Academic Administrative Structure reporting.

The meeting included discussions on Ministry of Education performance contract reporting, government provincial budget adjustments impacting university funding, and the review of the scholarship programme. The Senate approved reviewers for the Psychology programme, revised Senate Committee memberships, and established a chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society. Concerns regarding examination cheating were discussed, with a mandate for an investigation. Additionally, the Senate reviewed the Ombudsman's annual report and approved curriculum changes for the Liberal Arts programme and Political Science courses, while tabling a motion to suspend certain Master of Arts and Master of Education programmes pending further financial and student data.

The meeting featured an update from the Principal on alumni engagement events and discussions regarding federal funding for research. The Senate reviewed recommendations from the Committee on Defining & Promoting Bishop's for integration into the strategic planning process. Additionally, the Senate discussed the teaching of statistics in liberal education, approved the creation of a standing committee on statistics, and reviewed new course offerings and program modifications for the Divisions of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.