Senate Agenda - EXHIBIT IV- November 17, 2000

REPORT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON UNIVERSITY PLANNING (SCUP)

FOR APPROVAL

1. SuperBuild Facilities Expansion: Space Allocation in New Buildings (S.00-146)

Recommended: That the Senate approve the proposed space allocation in new buildings as set out in "SuperBuild Facilities at Western: Space Allocation in New Buildings" (October 5, 2000).

Senators are asked to bring to the meeting the report "SuperBuild Facilities Expansion at Western: Space Allocation in New Buildings" which was sent to them earlier [October 10 for 1999-2000 Senators, and November 3 to new Senators]. The report can also be found on the Internet at http://www.uwo.ca/western/SuperBuild/

Background:

In June 2000, Senate and the Board of Governors approved proposals for the siting of three new academic buildings. Since then, consultations have continued with Faculty Deans and directors of student service units. While the physical plant of the University falls within the jurisdiction of the Board of Governors, as part of the ongoing institutional consultation process, it is important that Senate express its collective advice in the matter of allocation of space in academic buildings.

When the Provost circulated a copy of the document to Senators and others in October 2000, he invited comments and suggestions to be submitted by November 2, 2000. Those received tended to focus in a few key areas:

Response to the Provost's invitation for comments concerning proposals advanced in the "SuperBuild Facilities Expansion at Western: Space Allocation in New Buildings" paper circulated in early October tended to focus in a few key areas:

Classrooms: a number of questions were raised regarding the sizes of the proposed new classrooms. As indicated in the document, specific classroom proposals are preliminary and will be refined in the coming months.

Some respondents argued for larger classroom facilities, including the retention of Alumni Hall as instructional space. It is the position of the Provost that, while some manipulation of medium-size classroom space is possible within the "academic" buildings, construction of very large (1000-1300 seats) classrooms would constrict timetabling and actually narrow student choice by channelling high-enrolment courses into fewer sections. It is hoped that additional instructors will enable Faculties and departments to mount additional sections rather than simply increasing "superclass" sizes.

Distance factors: some respondents point to the broad distribution across campus of new classroom and laboratory facilities, noting their distance from established locations for work within particular disciplines or from library and other support facilities. While consolidation of functions will be used to keep disruption to a minimum, it is inevitable that the construction of new facilities will create different traffic and scheduling patterns across the campus.

Functionality within buildings: discussion was advanced concerning appropriate assignment of laboratory, teaching, office, and studio/performance space. Space usage can be refined as the design stages of each specific building advance, with consultation between the architects, the Faculty and department user committees, the Office of Institutional Planning and Budgeting, ITS and the Physical Plant Department. Adaptation of space to meet academic needs is ongoing, within the basic building configurations outlined in the October document and the budget limitations of the SuperBuild initiative.

Not enough space for me: many Faculties and departments indicate a need for more space than is allowed under the current SuperBuild program. In many cases, the arguments for increased space are quite justifiable. The resources available under the program are, however, finite, and decisions as to the use of available and newly-constructed space are being made on the basis of priority and need across the academic units, as well as the opportunities to secure supplementary funding through commitment to enrolment increases in particular areas and through links with other initiatives such as the CFI, ORDCF, and OIT, which provide support for research activities and related space needs.

2. Vicky Blair Fellowship in Vascular Surgery

Recommended: That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, through the Vice-Chancellor, the establishment of the Vicky Blair Fellowship in Vascular Surgery under the following terms of reference for a period of ten years, based on a generous expendable gift from Mr. William Blair.

Vicky Blair Fellowship in Vascular Surgery
Donor and Funding: This annually funded Fellowship is made possible by a generous donation from Mr. William Blair in memory of his wife, Vicky Blair, in the amount of $105,000 to be received over ten years. In accordance with University policy, an amount equal to 5% of the total gift will be applied to support fundraising, donor management and stewardship costs. This will result in a net gift of $99,750 available for spending.
Annual Spending: Up to $9,975 annually to be used to support travel costs.
Effective Date: July 1, 2000
Purpose: The Vicky Blair Fellowship in Vascular Surgery is to be used to support travel away from London for an educational experience to enhance the holder's skills or knowledge as related to vascular surgery. It may also be used to support an individual travelling to London to experience a special education endeavour conducted within the Division of Vascular Surgery with the expectation that enhanced knowledge and skills will be returned to the community. Specifically, the award is to sponsor an increase in technical skills, knowledge or general ability to practice vascular surgery.
Criteria: Appointment as the Vicky Blair Fellow in Vascular Surgery shall be made according to normal University practices and by the Selection Committee consisting of the Chair of the Division of Vascular Surgery at The University of Western Ontario, one other division member and one additional member from the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry named by the Chair of the Division. Mr. Blair will have input as to the membership of the Committee, but the Committee, in its sole discretion, will select the Fellow.
Criteria

(continued)

Appointment as the Vicky Blair Fellow in Vascular Surgery shall be made according to normal University practices and by the Selection Committee consisting of the Chair of the Division of Vascular Surgery at The University of Western Ontario, one other division member and one additional member from the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry named by the Chair of the Division. Mr. Blair will have input as to the membership of the Committee, but the Committee, in its sole discretion, will select the Fellow.

At the time of initial appointment, the appointee will be a resident, post-doctoral fellow, or junior faculty member in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry or a physician working in the area of vascular surgery in the community. Each appointment will be for one year and is not renewable. However, a recipient may receive the Fellowship again provided she/he is selected in accordance with the process as set out herein. The stipend provided to the holder of the Fellowship will terminate upon completion of the term. At the completion of the Fellowship, the Fellow will write a brief report addressed to the chair of the Selection Committee who will share this report with Mr. Blair.

Reporting: The Division of Vascular Surgery agrees to provide a formal annual report to Mr. Blair or others as instructed, regarding all activities of the holder of the Fellowship.

The name of the Fellowship will be mentioned in any scientific or public activity in the medical community in which the holder of the Fellowship is engaged as part of the program.

FOR INFORMATION

1. Report of the SCUP Subcommittee on Instructional Technology

See Appendix 1.

2. "Access to Excellence" - COU Document, Fall 2000

See Appendix 2. [Not available in electronic form. A copy may be obtained from the University Secretariat, on request.]