Items Referred by Senate

Board of Governors - APPENDIX VII - June 25, 1998

FOR INFORMATION

The Senate last met on June 19, 1998, and provides the following report to the Board of Governors.

1. First-Year Enrolment and Admissions Policy

The following First-Year Enrolment and Admissions Policy has been established by Senate:

(a) That the minimum admission average for 1998-99 be 75% for entry into any first year program in the Constituent University (except those in which a performance based assessment is required), and Senate urges that in no case in the future shall the minimum admission average be set below 75%.

(b) That in 1999-2000 the minimum admission average be set at 75% or higher to achieve the enrolment target of 3,950 full-time first-year students.

(c) That in 2000-2001 the minimum admission average be set at 75% or higher to achieve the Senate-approved enrolment target of 3,750 full-time first-year students.

Senate first adopted a policy of limiting first-year enrolment to 4000 in 1971 (S.1045); this target was reaffirmed in 1975, 1980, and 1986.

In 1993, the University Research Board recommended reduction of the first-year full-time enrolment to 3,750. The Senior Planning Group, in a report to the University in March 1993, endorsed the recommendation and proposed to reduce first-year intake to 3,750 over three years. This plan was initially approved by Senate and the Board in the context of the 1993-94 budget and again in Leadership in Learning, Western's Strategic Plan (Recommendation 1.5). A falling BIU count required the University to expand temporarily the first-year intake, and in 1996 Senate authorized a temporary reversion to the 4000 first-year admission target. BIU counts have now stabilized and are above the corridor floor.

The intention behind the strategic direction to limit enrolment to 3,750 was to improve the University's ability to attract and retain students with very good academic records -- students who will improve the overall quality of the educational experience and who are most likely to complete their degrees. This objective was strengthened in 1996 when Senate set the minimum average for admission to first year programs at 75% (S.96-43). Given the relatively small population of the region, and the intention of maintaining a high admission average, 3,750 is a realistic recruitment target for the University.

2. Amendment to the Campus Master Plan (1998)

The Senate approved the following resolution which is similar to that proposed by the Property & Finance Committee (see Appendix III in this Board agenda package), except that references to the "update of" the Campus Master Plan have been changed to the "amendment to" that Plan.

That the Senate approve in principle the draft "Amendment to the Campus Master Plan (1998)" and the concepts contained therein on the understanding that the Administration will undertake consultations with affected groups and individuals with the prospect of a public meeting to discuss the Revision to the Campus Master Plan (1998) in the fall of 1998 under the direction of the Chair of the Board. A final document will be proposed for approval by the Senate and Board of Governors thereafter.

3. Integrated Research Institute

A comprehensive report on the Integrated Research Institute is attached as Annex 1. [Paper copies of this report are available from the University Secretariat.]

4. Appointments Procedures: Members of Academic Staff with Limited Duties

The following minor amendment has been made to section B.2. Appointments Procedures: Members of Academic Staff with Limited Duties:

B. Definitions:

1. The "University" shall mean The University of Western Ontario as established in The University of Western Ontario Act 1982 (as amended, 1988).

2. The terms "Senate", "Faculty", "Dean", "Department", "Chair", "academic staff", and related terms shall be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of The University of Western Ontario Act 1982 (as amended, 1988).

The term "Faculty", used in the sense of an academic unit, refers also to [DELETE: School (e.g., School of Business Administration)].[ADD: the Richard Ivey School of Business].

Since the merger of several Faculties and the creation of discipline-based Schools in the Faculty of Health Sciences and the School of Dentistry in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, the Richard Ivey School of Business is the only "School" that has Faculty status. Therefore, it is desirable to amend the definition in the Limited Duties document to prevent confusion.

5. Bachelor of Administrative and Commercial Studies (BACS)

The three-year Bachelor of Arts (Administrative and Commercial Studies) program will be withdrawn and replaced by a four-year general Bachelor of Administrative and Commercial Studies program in the Faculty of Social Science, effective September 1, 1999.

[For details see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/senate/minutes/r9806apa.html#aapa1]

6. BESc-MD Concurrent Degree Program

Effective September 1, 1998, a limited enrolment concurrent degree between the Faculty of Engineering Science, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, leading to the BESc and the MD degrees after seven years of academic studies will be introduced and a fifth option (Option E: Mechanical Engineering and Medicine) will be established in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering.

[For details see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/senate/minutes/r9806apa.html#aapa2]

7. Certificate Program in Writing

Starting September 1, 1998, the Faculty of Arts will introduce a Certificate Program in Writing. The program, offered by the Department of English in the Faculty of Arts, is open to all students in the University; the Certificate Program in Writing aims to develop writing skills at both the general level and within the parameters of specific disciplines. All program courses (except Writing 100) may be credited toward other undergraduate programs. Anyone may apply for admission, subject to prerequisites and general university admission requirements.

This program will enhance the range of credit Writing courses available to students across the University and at all levels. As well it will provide various grades of formal recognition for those students who have taken a number of Writing courses, and who have achieved high levels of competence in writing. [For details see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/senate/minutes/r9806apa.html#aapa6]

8. Senate Committee on Information Technology and Services (SCITS) Annual Report 1997-98

See Annex 2. [For details see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/senate/minutes/r9806its.html]

9. Report of the Academic Colleague on the 241st Meeting of the Council of Ontario Universities

See Annex 3. [Paper copies are available from the University Secretariat.]