The meeting was held at 3:30 p.m. in Room 330, Stevenson-Lawson Building
PRESENT: Ms. C. McAulay-Weldon, Chair, Ms. J.K. Van Fleet, Secretary
Mr. J. Adams, Mr. S. Adams, Dr. P. Davenport, Mr. J. Etherington, Mr. W. Gibson, Ms. S. Grindrod, Mayor D. Haskett, Ms. R. Ivey Thom, Prof. M. Lennon, Mr. D.J. McDougall, Mr. R. McFeetors, Dr. P.P. Mercer, Dr. G. Moran, Dr. P. Neary, Mr. W.W. Peel, Dr. N. Petersen, Mr. M. Pickard, Mr. M. Rubinoff, Mr. H. Taylor, Mr. M. Weyers, Ms. L. Whittaker
By Invitation: M. Dawes, R. Del Maestro, K. Ferguson, K. Fuelgen, B. Greene, R. Harris, L. Koza, J. Millar, A. Pearson, D. Riddell, and M. Zamir.
The Chair introduced Mr. Ray McFeetors, President and CEO of Great-West Life Assurance Co. and London Life Insurance Co., to his first meeting of the Board of Governors. Mr. McFeetors was recently appointed to the Board by the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council for a four-year term.
The Chair, on behalf of the Board, thanked Professor Madeline Lennon for her contributions to the deliberations of the Board during her four-year term. Professor Lennon, whose term ends November 14, 2000, begins her sabbatical leave on July 1, 2000.
The Board met initially in closed session to consider and ratify the first Collective Agreement with the UWO Faculty Association. The proceedings of that portion of the meeting are recorded in the confidential section of these Minutes (BG.00-152).
Observers and guests were then invited to join the meeting. Dr. Davenport welcomed Professor M. Dawes, leader of the UWOFA negotiating team. He announced that the Board ratified the UWOFA Collective Agreement. The President and the Chair of the Board congratulated both negotiating teams and and thanked them for their hard work in developing and refining the Agreement. In addition to Dr. Mercer, other members of the administration team present at the meeting were: B. Greene, R. Harris, and A. Pearson.
The minutes of the meeting of May 25, 2000, were approved with one correction: the name of M. Rubinoff was deleted from the list of those in attendance.
The President reported on the following items:
Dr. Davenport highlighted his presentation with the use of overhead slides, copies of which are attached as Appendix 1 to these Minutes. Details of his report appear in Appendix I, distributed with the agenda for the meeting.
On behalf of the Property & Finance Committee, it was moved by D. McDougall, seconded by P. Neary,
That the Board of Governors approve preliminary siting for SuperBuild projects and two potential sites for one residence on the UWO campus as described in Appendix II, Annex 1.
Discussion centred on the following concerns:
Dr. Davenport explained that the proposed siting of the Advanced Technology Centre relates to the desirability of having it adjacent to the Engineering Science Building. However, that may impede the delivery of supplies to the latter. Authority is sought from the Board to enable more detailed planning, during which time two options will be reviewed: moving the site further south or further east. If the building is constructed on the site as shown in the current drawings, alternative parking will be provided down the hill to the east, on the site of the Graphics Building. In addition, plans are to build a major parking area between Althouse College and Western Road to accommodate increased numbers of faculty, staff, and students. The siting of the latter lot was not specifically considered by Senate at its June 23 meeting, but will be brought forward as a separate proposal in the fall.
With respect to availability of practice fields, Mr. Riddell advised that while the current J.W. Little Stadium is used for sports events only once a week, the artificial turf playing field to be installed in the new stadium is more durable and can take almost unlimited use. An additional field which can accommodate a rugby pitch will be created at the end of the artificial turf. Although there will be a reduced number of playing fields, there will be increased utilization of the new stadium for sports activities.
The Board was also advised that if an additional residence is constructed south of Essex Hall, an entrance will be established for both residences opposite the entrance to Althouse College and a traffic light would be installed. However, if the residence is sited on the Sarnia Road location, if the volume of traffic warrants, the University will work with the City to see that a traffic light is installed.
The question was called and CARRIED
It was moved by D. McDougall, seconded by S. Adams,
That the Board of Governors approve the revised terms of reference for the Bank of Montreal Professorship detailed in Appendix II, Annex 2.
CARRIED
It was moved by D. McDougall, seconded by B. Peel,
That the Board of Governors approve the establishment of the following Faculty Fellowships:
The Paul Desmarais/London Life Faculty Fellowship in Finance in the Richard Ivey School of Business, as detailed in Appendix II, Annex 3-A.
The MBA Class of '79 Faculty Fellowship in the Richard Ivey School of Business, as detailed in Appendix II, Annex 3-B.
The MBA Class of '89 Faculty Fellowship in the Richard Ivey School of Business, as detailed in Appendix II, Annex 3-C.
The Donald G. and Elizabeth R. Ness Estate Faculty Fellowship in Entrepreneurship in the Richard Ivey School of Business, as detailed in Appendix II, Annex 3-D.
CARRIED
It was moved by D. McDougall, seconded by M. Lennon,
That the Board of Governors approve the following Post-Doctoral Fellowships:
The EJLB Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Faculty of Engineering Science, as described in Appendix II, Annex 4-A.
The George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Department of History, Faculty of Social Science, as described in Appendix II, Annex 4-B.
CARRIED
With reference to the information provided in Appendix II, Dr. Davenport reported that Book Store Addition to the "concrete beach" of the University Community Centre was discussed at Senate on June 23, as were the SuperBuild preliminary sites. Senate's interest in these issues arises from the Campus Master Plan and the general interest that Senate has in the siting of buildings. Senate voted to table the siting of the Book Store Addition after raising three principal concerns: (1) the need for further consultation with the University Students' Council, and (2) whether the Book Store needs additional space, and (3) whether the expansion needs to be on the "concrete beach". Dr. Davenport stated that there is a compelling business case that demonstrates a need for additional space. He has asked the Vice-President (Administration) to work on this project over the summer and with the USC to discuss the best use of the UCC building, given the exploding demands on the Book Store, Campus Recreation, and Student Health Services facilities. The question as to whether these services can be integrated into other SuperBuild buildings will be addressed. The available options will be set out for discussion in the fall, at which time the Book Store expansion will be viewed in a broader context.
The Board was advised that the Property & Finance Committee approved the construction of an addition and renovations to Elborn College for the National Centre for Audiology and the Faculty of Health Sciences at a cost of up to $2.52 million. The project came about as a result of funding for the National Centre for Audiology from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. Construction will start this summer and will be completed in the Spring of 2001. Details are contained in Appendix II, Annex 6.
The Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results for 1999-2000, detailed in Appendix II, Annex 7, were provided for information.
The Board received for information the Report on Investments, detailed in Appendix II, Annex 8.
The Quarterly Ratio Report on Non Endowed Funds, detailed in Appendix II, Annex 9, was received for information.
Scholarships, Bursaries, Awards an Prizes, detailed in Appendix II, Annex 10, were received for information.
The Board received the report on the steam line break in the tunnel adjacent to Thames Hall, details of which are contained in Appendix II, page 4.
The Board received the 1999-2000 report on the Internal Audit function for the year ended April 30, 2000. Details of the report can be found in Appendix III, Annex 1. The 2000-01 Internal Audit Work Plan shown in Schedule 1 has been approved by the Audit Committee.
Mr. Taylor, Chair of the Audit Committee, assured the Board that given that the Internal Audit function is staffed by only one person, the Committee is watchful to ensure that the lack of resources does not lead to undesirable risk.
The schedule for review of the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended April 30, 2000, for UWO and associated companies is detailed in Appendix III.
The Board received for information a report on the direct costs for PeopleSoft implementation, software and hardware, for 1995-96 through 1999-2000, detailed in Appendix III.
The Annual Report of the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, contained in Appendix III, Annex 2, was provided for information. Referring to the challenges identified in the Report, Mr. Taylor advised the Board that the Audit Committee is satisfied that the senior administration is giving appropriate consideration to the resource requirements.
On behalf of the Campus & Community Affairs Committee, it was moved by J. Etherington, seconded by L. Whittaker,
That the policy on Flying of Flags (Policy 1.2) be replaced by a revised policy entitled "Flying of Flags and Banners" shown in Appendix IV, Annex 1.
CARRIED
On behalf of the Senior Operations Committee, it was moved by B. Peel, seconded by W. Gibson,
That the Board of Governors approve the President's priorities for 2000-01 as detailed in Appendix V, Annex 1.
CARRIED
The Board received for information a set of Performance Indicators provided by the President as a complement to his priorities for 2000-01. As detailed in Appendix V, Annex 1 (Addendum), the Performance Indicators are presented under five headings: (1) those mandated by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities; (2) Undergraduate Students; (3) Graduate Students; (4) Faculty and Staff; and (5) Resources.
Observing that universities will look different in a number of years, Ms. Ivey Thom asked how the Performance Indicators might reflect the larger population. Would it make sense to examine some of them on a per capita basis, or do they make sense in terms of revenues and expenditures in certain areas? Dr. Davenport responded that the obvious change would be to graph 21 ("% Change in Adjusted Real Operating Revenue") to show that information as per-student or per-weighted-student. That graph is shown as it is because it is in the annual budget and it gives a feeling for the total resources available. Over a longer period it is the resources per student that will be important. The other PI per student not shown is the student/faculty ratio which has increased dramatically in Ontario and at Western which is a measure of resources per student. Dr. Davenport will include these two ideas in the next presentation of Performance Indicators.
Mr. Etherington remarked that the last three slides (25, 26, and 27) show a remarkable increase in large gifts to the University. Dr. Davenport added that the locus of private giving has shifted dramatically away from corporations to individuals. Residents of London and Western alumni around the world are giving generously.
It was moved by B. Peel, seconded by W. Gibson,
That the May meeting dates for Property & Finance and the Senior Operations Committee be changed from May 14, 2001, to May 7, 2001.
CARRIED
The 2000 Board of Governors Election Schedule was provided for information in Appendix V, Annex 2.
Professor M. Zamir, Chair of the Academic Staff Pension Board, and Ms. K. Fuelgen, Chair of the Administrative Staff Pension Board, were present to respond to questions concerning the joint report of the Academic Staff Pension Board and the Administrative Staff Pension Board. Ms. L. Koza, Manager of Pension Investments and Plan Policy, presented an overview of the report contained in Appendix VI and the booklet entitled "Retirement Plan - 1999 Investment Performance Review and Plan Summaries". She highlighted her presentation with the use of slides copies of which are attached as Appendix 2 to these Minutes..
BG.00-133 Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMSc) Programs
On behalf of Senate, it was moved by P. Davenport, seconded by R. Ivey Thom,
That effective September 1, 2001, a Four-Year General Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMSc) program be introduced jointly in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry and the Faculty of Science.
That effective September 1, 2001, the following Four-Year Bachelor of Science Honors programs be changed to Bachelor of Medical Sciences Honors degree programs:
Four-Year BSc Honors Biochemistry
Four-Year BSc Honors Biophysics
Four-Year BSc Honors Microbiology & Immunology
Four-Year BSc Honors Pharmacology & Toxicology
Four-Year BSc Honors Toxicology with Environmental Science
Four-Year BSc Honors Physiology
and that students registered in these programs prior to September 1, 2000, retain the option (upon request to the Registrar's Office) of graduating with a Bachelor of Science Honors degree until September 1, 2003.
CARRIED
BG.00-134a UWO Home Page Policy
It was moved by P. Davenport, seconded by M. Rubinoff,
That the Board of Governors approve the UWO Home Page policy (Policy 1.27) as shown in Appendix VII, Annex 2.
CARRIED
BG.00-134b Policy on Official World Wide Web Sites
It was moved by P. Davenport, seconded by M. Rubinoff,
That the Board of Governors approve the Official World Wide Web Sites policy (Policy 1.28) shown in Appendix VII, Annex 3A.
CARRIED
Asked how the University monitors web site policy, Dr. Moran advised that the Senate Committee on Information Technology and Services and its subcommittee are charged with the responsibility of ensuring the web site policies are observed, and the web masters are responsible for the first two levels of web sites -- the initial entrance web site and all the sites that can be accessed from it. All official web sites must be registered.
The Report of the Provost's Undergraduate Program Review Committee (PRC) was provided in Annex 4 of Appendix VII, for the information of the Board.
The Board received for information the 1999 Annual Report of the University Council on Animal Care (Appendix VII, Annex 5).
The Academic Colleague's Report on the 251st Meeting of the Council of Ontario Universities, held on June 1-2, 2000, was provided in Appendix VII, Annex 6.
The Board was informed of recent appointments to academic administrative positions within the University. These are listed in Appendix VII, pages 3-4.
Signed by:
C. McAulay-Weldon, Chair
J.K. Van Fleet, Secretary of the Board