Board of Governors APPENDIX III - September 27, 2001

UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGENDA

FOR INFORMATION

Background:

In response to discussion that took place at the recent Board of Governors Retreat, the Senior Operations Committee introduces the unanimous consent agenda to proceedings of the Board, on a trial basis.

The Board’s parliamentary authority -- Sturgis Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure -- explains the consent agenda:

Organizations having a large number of routine matters to approve often save time by use of a consent agenda, also called a consent calendar or unanimous consent agenda. This is a portion of the printed agenda listing matters that are expected to be non-controversial and on which there are likely to be no questions.

Before taking the vote, the chair allows time for the members to read the list to determine if it includes any matters on which they may have a question, or which they would like to discuss or oppose. Any member has a right to remove any item from the consent agenda, in which case it is transferred to the regular agenda so that it may be considered and voted on separately. The remaining items are then unanimously approved en bloc without discussion, saving the time that would be required for individual votes.

A number of Canadian university Boards have employed the consent agenda format to include not only routine approval items, but also information items. One reason for using this format is to allow the Board to focus on major items of business. While approval of an omnibus motion saves time at Board meetings, Board members will want to review the agenda materials carefully in order that they properly discharge their responsibilities.

How it works:

The Secretary identifies action and information items that are routine and/or likely non-controversial. In so doing, she may consult with the Chair of the Board, the relevant committee chair, and principal resource persons. In each Committee’s report, these items are flagged. (In this agenda package, such items are marked with a graphic in the right margin.)   The unanimous consent motion lists each of the flagged items [see the motion below]. Action and information items on the agenda and in committee reports that are not flagged will be presented singly for discussion and voting (when appropriate).

When members receive their Board agendas, they should review all reports in the usual manner. If any member wants to ask a question, discuss, or oppose an item that is marked for the consent agenda, he or she can have it be removed from the consent agenda prior to the meeting by contacting the Secretary of the Board of Governors.

At the Board meeting, before the unanimous consent motion is presented for approval, the Chair of the Board (1) will advise the Board of items that are to be removed from the list, based on prior requests from Board members; and (2) will ask if there are any other items that should be removed from the list. The remaining items are then unanimously approved en bloc without discussion, saving the time that would be required for individual presentation and voting. Those matters that have been struck from the consent agenda will be handled in the usual way as each Committee’s report is presented.

The minutes of the Board meeting will report matters approved as part of the consent agenda as "carried by unanimous consent". Information items received as part of the consent agenda will be reported as received.

FOR APPROVAL

Recommended: That the following items be approved and/or received for information by the Board of Governors by unanimous consent:

Report of the Property & Finance Committee - Appendix IV

  1. Appointment of Design Team for the North Campus Building            
  2. Review of Four Budgetary Indicators                                                   
  3. Quarterly Financial Report (Operating and Ancillary Budgets)            
  4. Report on Investments                                                                         
  5. Report on Environmental Incidents and/or Safety Incidents               
  6. Report on Scholarships  
INFORMATION
INFORMATION
INFORMATION
INFORMATION
INFORMATION
INFORMATION

Report of the Audit Committee - Appendix V

  7.  Related Companies and Other Organizations - Financial Statements
  8.  Radiation Safety Program
INFORMATION
INFORMATION

Report of the By-Laws Committee - Appendix VI

  9.  Record Retention and Access (Board and Committee meetings)
 10. Development & Fund Raising Committee - composition
INFORMATION
INFORMATION

Report of the Senior Operations Committee - Appendix VII

 11.  Board Membership
 12.  Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee
 13.  Appointments to Committees of the Board
 14.  Appointments to Other Committees
ACTION
ACTION
INFORMATION

INFORMATION

McIntosh Gallery Committee - Appendix VIII

 15.  Appointment of Members-at-Large to the McIntosh Gallery Committee
 16.  Purchase of Art in 2000-01
 17.  Appropriations for the Year Ending April 30, 2002
 18.  Size and Value of the University Art Collection
 19.  Report of the Director of the McIntosh Gallery Committee
ACTION
INFORMATION
INFORMATION
INFORMATION
INFORMATION

Items Referred by the Senate - Appendix IX

 20.  Appointment Procedures for Senior Academic and Administrative
                 Officers of the University - Amendments
 21.  Rescinding of Appointment Procedures for Clinical Faculty
 22.  Honorary Degree Recipients - Fall Convocation 2001
 23.  Convocation Dates 2002
 24.  Order of Convocation - Spring 2002
 25.  Announcements - Appointments
ACTION

ACTION
INFORMATION
INFORMATION
INFORMATION
INFORMATION

Any member of the Board may ask that any item listed be moved to the regular agenda for individual consideration.  Please advise the Secretary of the Board, preferably prior to the Board meeting.

Telephone:  (519) 661-2055               Fax:  (519) 661-3588               Email