Senate Agenda, June 18, 1999 - EXHIBIT III
FOR APPROVAL
Recommended: That a Bachelor of Arts program in Honors Women's Studies be introduced in the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Social Science, effective September 1, 1999.
CALENDAR COPY
[On p. 41 and p. 139 in the 1999 Academic Calendar, "Combined Honors only" will be deleted from Four-Year Honors Programs, Women's Studies.]
BA in Honors Women's Studies
Admission Requirements
First year program in the Faculty of Arts or the Faculty of Social Science with three courses as principal courses, one of which must be Women's Studies 020E. Students who choose to register in the Faculty of Social Science must also include two Social Science courses in their first year program. Students selecting the honors program require the written permission of the Director of Women's Studies.
Progression
Progression requirements for the Honors Program in Women's Studies are the same as those for all other honors programs. See Honors Programs in the Programs/Progression section.
Program
After the first year students need a total of ten Women's Studies core courses from other academic units (designated as WS courses) and cross-listed courses from other academic units of which no more than one can be at the 100 level.
At least seven of the ten must be Women's Studies core courses which include: 154, 155E, 156a/b, 157F/G, 158a/b, 200E, 250E, 251F/G, 252F/G, 253, 254E, 256E, 257E, 258a/b, 259F/G, 355E, 356F/G, 357F/G, 360, 455E, 456F/G, 457E, 458F/G.
At least one full course (or equivalent) must be cross-listed with the Faculty of Arts including: Classical Studies 132F/G, 232E, English 255E, 256F/G, 257F/G, Film 255E, 256F/G, French 322F/G, 324F/G, Philosophy 145, 151F/G, 155E, 430F/G, 431F/G, Religious Studies 222F/G, 251F/G, 252F/G, Visual Arts 142E.
At least one full course (or equivalent) must be cross-listed with the Faculty of Social Science including: Administrative Studies 355F/G, 356F/G, Anthropology 255E, Geography 369F/G, History 102a/b, 255E, 309E, 415E, Political Science 359E, Psychology 153, 325a/b, 344F/G, Sociology 139, 241E, 339F/G, 341F/G, 380F/G, 415F/G.
In addition to the courses listed with the Faculties of Arts and Social Science, students may take International and Comparative Studies 171F/G, Law 400a/b, 485a/b, Media, Information and Technoculture 255F/G, Social Work 456a/b. Other courses may be included by permission of the Director.
Second Year
Required courses include:
Women's Studies 256E and 257E;
Two other Women's Studies core or cross-listed courses.
Third and Fourth Years
Required courses include:
Four Women's Studies core or cross-listed courses at the 300 level or higher, of which at least one course must be at the 400 level, and at least two must be Women's Studies core courses.
Two other Women's Studies core or cross-listed courses.
Background:
Women's Studies has been in existence now for ten years and has developed a critical mass of students who insistently request an honors degree program. Women's Studies is now in a position to launch such a program, having greatly increased its course offerings in the last couple of years. There are now two faculty members with joint positions in Women's Studies, and the Scotia Bank professorship has provided a new position for the fall of 1999. As well, recent part-time hiring has increased the depth and breadth of expertise offered in the field. Following the lead of universities across the country which have established Women's Studies honors programs including Queen's University, McGill University, York University, The University of British Columbia and The University of Alberta, it seems appropriate for Women's Studies at The University of Western Ontario to offer not only a combined honors program but an honors program as well. Women's Studies has been internationally recognized as an established discipline for upwards of twenty years, and establishing a strong honors degree in Women's Studies would contribute to the University's ability to attract the best students. Moreover, initiating such a program is an essential stepping stone for establishing a graduate degree program in Women's Studies for which, it would seem, there is also great demand.
Recommended: That effective September 1, 1999, a new Finance, Administration and Computer Science stream be added to the four-year general Bachelor of Administrative and Commercial Studies degree program.
REVISED CALENDAR COPY
The following copy will be inserted after the section "Area of Concentration: Finance and Administration." (see page 141, Academic Calendar, 1999)
Area of Concentration: Finance, Administration and Computer Science
First Year
Economics 20; One full-course or equivalent from: Calculus 050a/b, 051a/b, 081a/b, Linear Algebra 040a/b, Mathematics 030, Applied Math 026; Business 020; Administrative and Commercial Studies 020a/b; Computer Science 025a/b or 026a/b, and 027a/b; One half-course numbered 020-099
Second Year
Business 257; Economics 150a/b and 152a/b; Statistical Science 135 or Economics 122a/b and 123F/G; Computer Science 208a/b, 210a/b, 211a/b and 212a/b/y
Third Year
Administrative and Commercial Studies 372 or 360a/b and 361a/b; Administrative and Commercial Studies 310a/b and 320a/b; Computer Science 209a/b or Mathematics 222a; Three half-courses in Computer Science at the 300-level; One full-course or equivalent from History 143F/G, 144F/G, 146F/G, Political Science 211E, 246E
Fourth Year
Administrative and Commercial Studies 330a and 410b; One full-course or equivalent from: Administrative and Commercial Studies 275a/b, 372 (must be completed if not taken in Third Year), 460a/b, 461a/b, Economics 162a/b, 163a/b, 164a/b; Four half-courses in Computer Science at the 300-level or higher; One full-course or equivalent essay option from the Faculty of Arts
Note: Students in the Finance, Administration and Computer Science stream must complete at least three of: Computer Science 305a/b, 307a/b, 319a/b, 357a/b, 377a/b.
Background:
The four-year Bachelor of Administrative and Commercial Studies program to be introduced in September 1999 initially consisted of two streams -- Finance and Administration, and Organizational and Human Resources. The Finance, Administration and Computer Science stream is one of two new streams (the other is Commercial Aviation Management) proposed for addition to the BACS program in September 1999. Adding a stream in Finance, Administration and Computer Science will enable students to combine interests and abilities in the areas of computer science and the social sciences, and equip graduates with a highly marketable set of skills in the fields of administrative and commercial studies and information technology. This proposed stream will build on some of the program enhancements already approved for the new four-year BACS (for example, a first-year half-course in Computer Science will become mandatory for all ACS students). This proposal is also in keeping with recent UWO initiatives to expand enrolment in such specialized areas as Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering. In addition, it will capitalize on an Ontario government initiative, the "Access to Opportunities" program, which is intended to increase the number of university graduates whose academic programs have included a concentration in the areas of computing and information technology.
Recommended: Effective September 1, 1999, the BACS calendar preamble be changed to reflect addition of new streams and admission requirements for students pursuing the Commercial Pilot's Licence option in the Commercial Aviation Management stream. These changes affect the main campus program only.
REVISED CALENDAR COPY
BACHELOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMERCIAL STUDIES
The Bachelor of Administrative and Commercial Studies program, which includes four areas of concentration, provides students with a 4-year general program, combining commerce and administration courses with a broad background... Counselling for this option is required from the Academic Counsellors in the Faculty of Social Science and the Department concerned.
In addition to the BACS degree, the Commercial Aviation Management Stream also allows students the opportunity to obtain a Commercial Pilot's License over the course of the program. Students wishing to pursue this option must fulfil special program admission requirements as stated below.
Admission, Progression and Graduation Requirements
Student may apply to the Bachelor of Administrative and Commercial Studies (BACS) program when they apply for admission to the University...
BACS students must meet the general regulations pertaining to course selection, progression and graduation for 3-year BA programs and, in addition must:
Students accepted into the Commercial Aviation Management Stream must meet all admission, progression and graduation requirements as stated above. In addition, students wishing to pursue the Commercial Pilot's Licence option must have completed either OAC level Physics or one of Physics 020, 021, or 024 prior to their second year of study. Students must also provide documentation on or before September 1 of their first year of study that they have successfully obtained the Transport Canada Category 1 Medical Certification. It is recommended as well that students complete at least two hours of small aircraft flying time prior to their first year of study. Students who have obtained previous flight training from an accredited flight school may also be eligible to receive credit for this training at the discretion of the Director of the ACS Program.
Background:
Two new streams have been added to ACS this year: Finance, Administration and Computer Science and Commercial Aviation Management. In addition, given the technical nature of the program, students wishing to pursue the Commercial Pilot's Licence option in the Commercial Aviation Management stream will be required to meet special admission standards, some required by law (e.g., the Transport Canada Category 1 Medical Certification).
Recommended: That effective January 1, 2000, in addition to the Scholar's Electives Program, a Faculty-specific enhanced program of study under an umbrella designation to be known as the "Western Scholars Program" be introduced by Western for students who are admitted to the University with 90%+ averages.
CALENDAR COPY
SCHOLAR'S ELECTIVES PROGRAM (S.1197, S.1201, S.1726, S.2669, S.97-156, S99-80)
The Scholar's Electives Program allows students who have demonstrated outstanding academic potential to elect their own program of studies in consultation with the departments concerned and with the approval of the Deans' office(s) involved. The Dean(s) will also appoint a faculty advisor for each senior student in the program. Students enrolled in the Scholar's Electives Program are able to pursue one of the Theme Areas discussed below or a combination of two subjects for which a formal joint program is not generally available, or an interdisciplinary combination of courses from different subjects which constitutes an appropriate liberal education. The Educational Development Office facilitates the initial registration of students in the Scholar's Electives Programs, especially for students entering it in their First Year. However, admission to the program is granted by the Dean of the Faculty designated by the applicant, who is responsible for the academic counselling for the student.
Admission to the Program
The Western Scholar's Electives Program is open to all students who apply for full-time admission to the first year in the Faculties of Arts, Engineering Science, Health Sciences, Information and Media Studies, Science or Social Science and who have achieved at least a 90% average in their incoming high school marks. Students whose incoming average lies between 85% and 89% may request special permission to enter the program.
Students entering their second, third, or fourth year may also apply to enter the Program, provided that they have been registered for five courses in each September-April session that meet the criteria for the program (e.g., no more than five 020-level courses for a three-year degree, and no more than five 020 + 100 level courses for the honors degree) and have maintained at least an 80% average in each year of university study. Exceptions to these requirements will only be approved by the Dean(s) of the Faculty in extraordinary circumstances.
Affiliated Colleges
Each Affiliated College may offer a Scholar's Electives Program leading to a BA degree under the same conditions. Admission to the program shall be granted by the Dean or by the Principal of an Affiliated College and, where appropriate, in consultation with the Dean(s) of the constituent university Faculties involved in the proposed course of study. See the Calendar of the appropriate Affiliated College for Theme Areas available at that institution.
Progression in the Program
The achievement of an average of at least 80% in a full course load with no grade lower than
70% over the entire program. Students will register in no more than six 020-level and 100-level courses and will register in at least five full or equivalent courses each academic year
(minimum of five courses per session of September - April) is necessary for progression to the
next year of the Program. The privileges of the Program shall be withdrawn upon transfer to
another undergraduate program or failure to meet the progression requirements or receipt of a
failing grade in any course. Exceptions to the full course load requirement will only be approved
by the Dean(s) of the Faculty in extraordinary circumstances.
First Year of the Program
Scholar's Electives students in their First Year at Western can, with permission of their Dean, enrol in certain 100- and 200-level courses normally restricted to senior students, and/or enrol in more than one course in a given subject, and/or restrict their choice of courses to a single Faculty. Normally the choice of the Theme area or disciplinary combination is made during the First Year, although students will be counselled during registration for First Year of the likely prerequisites for their program(s) of choice.
Diploma Designations
The baccalaureate diploma awarded to students will record both the status of Scholar's Electives, and if appropriate the Theme Area or discipline(s) studied, as recommended by the Dean.
Honors Scholar's Electives Programs - Degree Requirements
Both BA and BSc Honors Programs are available, and require fifteen of the twenty courses counted for graduation to be honors courses, i.e., numbered 200-499. Combined Honors degrees between Scholar's Electives and those subjects in Arts and Social Sciences listed in the Combined Honors section of the Calendar are also available, subject to consultation with the appropriate department and Deans' offices. Students must enrol in a full course load (minimum of five courses per session of September - April) , and maintain an average of 80% with no failures in each year of study. Exceptions to the full honors course load requirement normally will be approved only in extraordinary circumstances.
3-Year Degree Scholar's Electives Programs
Both BA and BSc 3-year degree programs that involve one or more disciplinary-based areas are available, as are 3-year BA and BSc programs without a designated area. Of the fifteen courses counted for graduation, no more than five can be numbered 001-099. Students must enrol in a minimum of five courses per session of September - April, and maintain an average of 80% with no failures in each year of study.
Combinations of Two or More Subjects
The many programs that combine the study of two disciplines that have been established at Western are listed elsewhere in the Calendar. Students who wish to pursue the simultaneous study of two or more subjects for which no formal combined program has been established may be able to do so through the Scholar's Electives Program, after consultation with the appropriate departments and the approval of the Dean(s) concerned. In certain cases, it is possible to combine subjects from several different faculties, including those other than Arts, Science, and Social Science. The Educational Development Office will facilitate the initial counselling between the student and the Faculties concerned.
Theme Areas
The Theme Areas that have been established to date are listed below. Students should consult the appropriate Dean's office to determine the likely subjects from which courses will be chosen and the Faculty advisor for the Theme Area(s) of interest to them, and should consult with their advisor before deciding upon the course selection. In some cases, the creation of additional Theme Areas of interest to specific students may be possible; students should consult with the Educational Development Office or the appropriate Dean's Office for details. Many Theme Area programs are available as part of a 3-year degree as well as in the Honors and Combined Honors Scholar's Electives programs.
Theme Areas within Arts, Science, and Social Science
Theme Areas available in a 3-year BSc Concurrent Degree with:
WESTERN SCHOLARS PROGRAM
In addition to the Scholar's Electives Program, students who enter the University with 90%+ averages are eligible for admission in the first year into Faculty-specific enhanced programs of study. Each Faculty which has developed a Western Scholars program, will enroll its students using a Faculty-specific designation, e.g., Western Arts Scholar, Western Science Scholar, etc. to accompany the traditional program designations (Honors, Combined Honors, etc.)
Students in Western Scholars programs have the opportunity to elect their own program of studies in consultation with the departments concerned and with the approval of the Deans' office(s) involved. Western Scholars may receive special permission to depart from standard first-year requirements, e.g., they could enroll in upper-year courses in year one, enroll in more than five courses, or take all courses from a single Faculty. The Dean(s) will also appoint a faculty advisor for each senior student in the program. Western Scholars may receive special forms of recognition in the form of academic and social activities organized by their home Faculty.
Admission to the Program
The Western Scholar's Program is open to all students who apply for full-time admission to the first year in the Faculties of Arts, Engineering Science, Health Sciences, Information and Media Studies, Science or Social Science and who have achieved at least a 90% average in their incoming high school marks. Students whose incoming average lies between 85% and 89% may request special permission to enter the program.
Students entering their second, third, or fourth year may also apply to enter the Program, provided that they have been registered for five courses in each September-April session that meet the criteria for the program (e.g., no more than five 020-level courses for a three-year degree, and no more than five 020 + 100 level courses for the honors degree) and have maintained at least an 80% average in each year of university study. Exceptions to these requirements will only be approved by the Dean(s) of the Faculty in extraordinary circumstances.
Affiliated Colleges
Each Affiliated College may offer a Western Scholar's Program leading to a BA degree under the same conditions. Admission to the program shall be granted by the Dean or by the Principal of an Affiliated College and, where appropriate, in consultation with the Dean(s) of the constituent university Faculties involved in the proposed course of study.
Progression in the Program
The achievement of an average of at least 80% in each year of a four-year program with no course grade lower than 70% over the entire program and no failed courses is necessary for progression to the next year of the Program. Western Scholars register in no more than six 020-level and 100-level courses (15 of the 20 courses must be honors-level courses numbered 200-499). Students in the program must register in at least five full courses or equivalent each academic year (September to April). Students who fail to meet the requirements of the Western Scholars program would be required to complete any outstanding requirements of the degree programs in which they are enrolled (e.g., a missing first year Arts or Social Science course).
Diploma Designations
Students who are successful in completing this rigorous program of study would receive degrees with the designation "Western Arts Scholar" or "Western Social Science Scholar" (as well as "With Distinction").
Background:
Scholar's Electives and Western Scholars: Strategies for Attracting High-Achieving Students
Competition is intense among universities to attract students of the highest academic calibre.
However, these students demand innovative programs of high quality that are challenging,
accommodate their interdisciplinary interests, and guarantee them individual attention and
personal contact with faculty and staff. Over the last three years, Western's strategy for recruiting
high-achieving, 90%+ students has been to re-energize its Scholar's Electives program which
allows students who have demonstrated outstanding academic potential to design their own
program of studies. Although the program has existed for a number of years, it has never been
very heavily subscribed. Indeed, in 1995 there was only one first-year student enrolled. As a
result of a very deliberate effort to recruit more students to this program there were 169 first-year
students enrolled in 1998/99. The Scholar's Electives program is becoming well known to
potential student recruits and, since its revival, Western is succeeding in attracting an increasing
share of high-performing students into its first-year class.
Most Scholar's Electives students follow one of three routes when selecting their program of studies: an interdisciplinary program, a theme program, or an unconventional combination program. Although the Scholar's Electives initiative has been a great success, not all students with high incoming averages are best served by a program of this type. Some of the students who having been choosing this option at Western appear to be doing so less because of the program's unique interdisciplinary features, but because of the designation it provides. In other words, they are attracted to the program largely because it identifies them as students of the highest quality. Occasionally, Scholar's Electives students select conventional program routes, rather than taking advantage of the opportunity to pursue programs of true interdisciplinary study.
New Options for High-Achieving Students
Rather than make significant alterations to the Scholar's Electives program, which has proven to
be a very successful recruitment tool that offers many students an outstanding educational
experience, it is recommended that, for high-achieving students whose interests are not consistent
with the goals of the Scholar's Electives program, some alternative program opportunities be
developed. Specifically, it is recommended that, in addition to the Scholar's Electives program,
students who enter the University with 90%+ averages would be eligible for admission in the first
year into Faculty-specific enhanced programs of study under an umbrella designation to be known
as the "Western Scholars" program. Each Faculty choosing to develop a Western Scholars
program would enroll its students using a Faculty-specific designation, e.g., Western Arts Scholar,
Western Science Scholar, etc., to accompany the traditional program designations (Honors,
Combined Honors, etc.).
Common to all Western Scholars programs would be the opportunity for students to receive special permission to depart from standard first-year requirements, e.g., they could enroll in upper-year courses in year one, enroll in more than five courses, or take all courses from a single Faculty. In addition to opportunities for individual consultation with Faculty representatives, Western Scholars could receive special forms of recognition in the form of academic and social activities organized by their home Faculty.
In order to maintain their status as Western Scholars, the students would be required to meet the following requirements:
Students who fail to meet the requirements of the Western Scholars program would be required to complete any outstanding requirements of the degree programs in which they are enrolled (e.g., a missing first year Arts or Social Science course).
Recognition
Students who are successful in completing this rigorous program of study would receive degrees with the designation "Western Arts Scholar" or "Western Social Science Scholar" (as well as "With Distinction")-
The proposed program will provide outstanding students with the three things they are seeking most:
The Western Scholars option would offers gifted students an attractive alternative to the Scholar's Electives, at the same time preserving the Scholar's Electives option for those high achieving students who wish to pursue truly interdisciplinary routes of study.
Recommended Changes to Scholar's Electives Program
It is recommended that the regulations for the Scholar's Elective program be as consistent as
possible with the Western Scholars program. Therefore, in order maintain their status, Scholar's
Electives students should meet the following requirements:
*Enabling students to enrol in six first-year courses accommodates the needs of the many high-achieving students who wish to seek admission to Medical School.
Recommended: That the following policy on prerequisite checking be approved for inclusion in the academic calendar description of Registration/Course Selection to advise students that it is their responsibility to ensure that they have the requisites for any courses in which they enroll, and
That the policy on Course Outlines also be revised to include this policy statement.
REGISTRATION / COURSE SELECTION
[page 20 of the 1999 Academic Calendar]
A student in a degree program must select courses in accordance with the published requirements. Many courses have prerequisites or require the approval of the Department. These requirements, and any enrolment limitations, should be noted carefully prior to registration. Substitutions for prescribed courses require the written approval of the Department and the Dean. Students registering in the Fall/Winter Session and intending to take second-term half-courses must register for those courses during the telephone registration period.
Students are responsible for ensuring that their selection of courses is appropriate and accurately recorded and that all course prerequisites have been successfully completed. If the student does not have the requisites for a course, and does not have written special permission from his or her Dean to enroll in the course, the student will be removed from the course and it will be deleted from the student's record. This decision may not be appealed. A student will receive no adjustment to his or her fees in the event that he or she is dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.
COURSE OUTLINES (S.1658, S.2258, S.91-229, S.95-178)
At the beginning of each course, Departments must inform students of the following information to allow students to make informed decisions on their course selection and the scheduling of their studies.
1. a written outline of each course offered by the department (or faculty), containing a general description of course content. If the course is taught by more than one instructor, the name of the person responsible for the course [course coordinator] shall be included in the outline.
2. a statement of what is expected of the student by way of preparation, tests, exercises, essays, laboratory reports, etc. (hereafter called "assignments").
3. a statement of the methods by which student performance will be evaluated and of the relative weight of assignments.
4. an exact timetable of assignments. When exact dates cannot be supplied, a tentative or rough schedule should be issued, with an exact schedule to follow as soon as possible. This regulation does not preclude the administration of surprise assignments and quizzes, as long as the total number, approximate frequency, and the value of such assignments is specified in the course outline.
5. If applicable, a list of the prerequisites for the course and a notation** regarding the Senate regulation with respect to the student's responsibility for ensuring that course prerequisites have been successfully completed or special permission from the Dean obtained.
* The policy of the University is that, when a course instructor wishes to change the evaluation procedure, as outlined in his or her course outline at the beginning of the year, prior approval must be obtained from the dean of the faculty concerned.
** If there are prerequisites for a course, they should be listed on the course outline and the following statement should be added:
"Unless you have either the requisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enroll in it, you will be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record." [As approved by Senate on June 18/99]
This decision may not be appealed.
You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites."
Background:
A number of process changes are expected within the Registrar's Office with the implementation of the new PeopleSoft system (see Appendix 1) as outlined in a memo dated May 17, 1999, from the Registrar to all deans, associate deans and chairs (See point 1 of Appendix 1 regarding prerequisite checking.) [Unavailable on the Web. Paper copies of Appendix 1 are available in the University Secretariat.]
Although the Office of the Registrar will continue to provide Departments and Faculties with lists of students who appear not to have the necessary prerequisites for courses, nevertheless, it is recommended that increased efforts be made to remind students that it is their responsibility to ensure that they have the requisites for any courses in which they enroll.
Recommended: That the course numbering policy be revised to remove the requirement for prerequisites for courses at the 200, 300 and 400-level.
COURSE NUMBERING POLICY (Sen. Ag. Dec. 13/73, S.90-150, S.90-184, S.98-079, S.99-13)
a) Subjects will be labelled with a three digit number code which will always decode as the full name of the subject.
b) There will be one designation per course.
c) The program, department, and subject will be coded separately and distinctly.
d) Each course will be identified by the department offering it and not by the unit for whom it is offered.
e) The course codes will be as follows:
001 - 099 Year I level*
100 - 199 Year II and III level - general
200 - 299 Year II level - honors and all other honors courses not requiring prerequisites300 - 399 Year III level - honors
courses requiring prerequisites400 - 499 Year IV level - honors
courses requiring prerequisites
* The numbers 001 - 019 have been reserved for courses equivalent to pre-university introductory courses and may be counted for credit in the student's record.
f) Each course code will be followed by a three place alpha-numeric code indicating weight and session.
- A full course not designated as an essay course will have no suffix. A full essay course will have a suffix of "E" (e.g.,
English 020E).
- A half course identified as "a" shall be offered in the intramural first term. A first term essay half course will have a
suffix of "F" (e.g., Philosophy 225F).
- A half course identified as "b" shall be offered in the intramural second term. A second term essay half course will have a
suffix of "G" (e.g., Philosophy 226G).
- The designation "a/b" currently used in the Calendar will be "F/G" for essay courses.
- A half course offered in other than a regular session will have a suffix of "y". If such a course is an essay half course, it
will have a suffix of "Z".
- A quarter course offered by the Richard Ivey School of Business will have a suffix of "q".
- The suffixes "c" and "d" respectively are used to designate January and February/March/April (FMA) courses in the
Faculty of Law. All courses identified as "c" carry four credit weights.
g) Section codes will be five character alpha-numeric and will indicate the section, location. Section codes will not appear in the Calendar.
Background:
The current course numbering policy requires the creation of prerequisites for second, third and fourth year honors courses even though, academically, not all such courses may truly need prerequisites. If a Faculty or Department wishes to control enrollment in a course, it has been suggested that the use of timetable constraints is a more appropriate device than the use of prerequisites.
Recommended: That the current policies concerning Application for Graduation (S.3570) and Notification of Eligibility to Graduate (S.3222) be rescinded and replaced with the following:
APPLICATION OR GRADUATION AND NOTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY TO GRADUATE
An Application to Graduate must be filed with the Office of the Registrar by the last day to add a course in the Winter term by each undergraduate student who expects to graduate at the Spring Convocation.
An Application to Graduate must be filed with the Office of the Registrar by August 1st of each year by each undergraduate student who expects to graduate at the Autumn Convocation.
Graduate departments will notify the Office of the Registrar about graduate students who have completed requirements. Notification must be received by April 30th for Spring Convocation and September 1st for Autumn Convocation.
The onus is on students to verify, on their Application to Graduate, the area(s) of concentration/disciplines to appear on their diplomas and transcripts. Applicants must inform the Registrar, in writing, if they wish to change their name, to question their degree designation, or to postpone their graduation.
Candidates who meet the requirements for graduation in the area(s) of concentration' specified on their Application to Graduate will graduate at the Convocation specified on the Application. Students who fail to meet the requirements for the specified area(s) of concentration will not graduate at the specified Convocation and should consult the Dean of their Faculty regarding alternative graduation possibilities.
Upon receipt of applications for graduation, the Office of the Registrar will review the academic records to identify and advise those students who will not be eligible to graduate even with the successful completion of courses in which they are currently enrolled.
Background:
As noted above, a number of process changes are expected within the Registrar's Office with the implementation of the new PeopleSoft system (see Appendix 1) as outlined in a memo dated May 17, 1999, from the Registrar to all deans, associate deans and chairs. (See point 4 of Appendix 1 regarding convocation.)
Recommended: That for Distance Studies courses, the last day to add a course or to register for a course by phone for the 1999-2000 academic year be revised as follows:
August 14th to August 20th (first day of classes September 9, 1999)
December 1st to December 10th (first day of classes January 10, 2000)
Background:
Sessional dates are approved for up to two years in advance. For Distance Studies courses, Faculty Offices and the Distance Studies Office of the Registrar's Office have agreed to the proposed change since the dates previously chosen for 1999 are seen to be somewhat too far in advance of the first day of classes. Students will be better served by providing additional time to register.
Recommended: That Senate approve the following policy on Maximum Course Load for Part-Time Students.
MAXIMUM COURSE LOAD FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS
Students may take a maximum of three full-course equivalents during the spring/summer sessions if no more than two full-course equivalents are taken simultaneously. If two full-course equivalents are taken simultanously in spring/summe r session, only one full-course equivalent may be an honors or laboratory/tutorial course, and only one may be taken by distance studies.
Students may not take more than one full-course equivalent by distance studies during the spring/summer session and two full-course equivalents during the fall/winter session.
Distance Studies courses are restricted to students who will be resident in Canada and the United States during the session. Exceptions from this restriction require special permission from the Office of the Dean of the Faculty in which the student is registered.
Students must request written permission authorizing additional work from the Dean of their academic faculty before course selection.
Background:
A course load policy (S.1751) has been in place for some time (p. 29 of the 1999 academic calendar). Since the Registrar's Office has found that some mature part-time students become eligible for financial aid based on the restrictions identified in the course load policy, a policy statement specific to students taking part-time and distance studies courses is proposed.
Recommended: That Senate approve revisions to Distance Studies course offerings referred to in the following six policies:
SPRING/SUMMER SESSIONS (S.1329, S.90-149)
The Spring/Summer Session shall be comprised of three periods:
Twelve-week period - May to August (Summer Evening and Spring/Summer Distance Studies)
Six-week period - May to June (Intersession)
Six-week period - July to August (Summer Day)
Scheduling of classes will be within the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 9:40 p.m. for the May/June period and 8:00 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. for the July/August period, and between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. for the May to August period. No classes will be held on statutory holidays.
CORRESPONDENCE DISTANCE STUDIES COURSES (S.1957.1, S.2294.1)
1. A Department may offer an approved course by correspondence Distance Studies only with the permission of both t
he
department Chair and the Dean of the faculty concerned and the Faculty of Part-Time and Continuing Education. in
consultation with the Coordinator for Distance Studies.
2. Persons resident in Canada and Canadian citizens abroad resident in the United States who meet the regular admiss
ion
requirements of The University of Western Ontario and are granted admission, are eligible to register in approved courses
offered by correspondence Distance Studies for degree credit. Canadian citizens residing outside of North America will
be accommodated on a case by case basis and with the permission of the Dean.
3. To qualify for a degree, credit in a minimum of five courses taken at The University of Western Ontario, either
intramurally or by extension Distance Studies, is required.
Note: The University considers a load of two full courses taken simultaneously by any means to be a maximum practical
load for anyone engaged in full-time employment.
On petition by a student, the Dean of the Faculty in which the student is registered may waive the regulations of 2 and 3
above.
Recommendations on courses to be offered for degree credit will be made by the Dean of the Faculty of Part-Time and
Continuing Education, with and final authority over course offerings and over appointments to teach such courses residing
in the Deans of the Faculties with jurisdiction over the courses.
COURSE CONTENT AND STRUCTURE OF SUMMER SESSION AND DISTANCE STUDIES COURSES (S.951, S.1208, S.1957, S.2011, S.98-043, S.98-111b)
The content and structure of courses offered in Summer Sessions and by Distance Studies shall be, essentially, equivalent
to the content and structure of the comparable courses offered in the intramural sessions, with respect to:
For summer session courses, this includes the formal hours of instruction - lecture, laboratory, tutorial, and the academic work load including in-class and out-of-class assignments.
Regulations concerning the offering of, and registration in, half courses for the general BA and BSc degree are established
as follows:
1. Two half courses shall be the equivalent of one full course in undergraduate programs, whether or not they have been
taken in the same subject.
2. Half courses identified as "a" shall be offered in the intramural first term, and those identified as "b" shall be offered in
the intramural second term.
3. For summer session half courses, iInstruction in either "a" or "b" half courses offere
d in the Spring/Summer Session
shall be conducted throughout the entire session. Under special circumstances, a department may be granted exemption
from this regulation by the dean of the faculty, acting on the advice of the Educational Policy Committee (or equivalent) of
the Faculty Council.
For Distance Studies courses, where possible, the academic workload, assignments and course materials shall be the same as intramural sessions.
FINAL EXAMINATIONS - MEDIATED LEARNING DISTANCE STUDIES COURSES (S.2820.1, S.2833, S.3274,
S.3548, S.3478.2, S.3648)
Beginning in the academic year 1982-83, a All Correspondence Distance Studies courses of
fered must include a final
examination. (S.3478.02: This policy was reviewed and is to continue.)
Examinations in courses offered by Extension and Correspondence will be scheduled by the Dean of the Faculty of
Part-Time and Continuing Education.
Effective February 14, 1980, in In each course offered in extension and correspondence by Distance Studies, departments
will set an alternative examination which will be written independently of the intramural examination. Where the
circumstances of students in an extension or correspondence a Distance Studies course do not appear to warrant a separate
examination, the Dean of the Faculty of Part-Time and Continuing Education concerned will so notify the department
concerned the Office of the Registrar.
For courses offered by Extension and Correspondence Distance Studies, the Dean of the Faculty of Part-Time a
nd
Continuing Education Office of the Registrar will:
1. Collect such separate examinations as may be required from the departments concerned.
2. Print and store all examinations scheduled by the Faculty of Part-Time and Continuing Education.
3. Produce an examination schedule.
4. Provide examination proctors and distribute examination materials to off site centres.
5. Advise the Registrar by the Monday of the seventh teaching week of the first term of Extension (including Saturday
morning) and Correspondence Distance Studies examinations which require room assignment by the Registrar for
inclusion in the mid-year examination timetable; and by the Monday of the third teaching week of the second term for
inclusion of such courses in the Spring examination timetable. All such examination papers must be delivered to the
Registrar seven twenty-one days prior to the examination date.
Note: In the case of a common examination for a Correspondence and Intramural course, the Dean of the Faculty of
Part-Time and Continuing Education is to request the department to provide the Dean of the Faculty of Part-Time and
Continuing Education with a copy so that the Faculty may print and distribute the examination to off campus centres.
POSTING OF PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION TIMETABLE (S.3648)
The preliminary mid-year examination timetable will be posted and distributed by the Office of the Registrar on or before the Monday of the sixth teaching week of the first academic term. Any request for revisions to the preliminary mid-year examination timetable must be approved by the Dean of the appropriate faculty (or Affiliate Registrar where applicable) and submitted to the Office of the Registrar on or before the Monday of the seventh teaching week of the first academic term. These requests will be honored by the Office of the Registrar where possible, given the limited number of constraints which can be accommodated.
The preliminary Spring examination timetable will be posted and distributed by the Office of the Registrar on or before the Monday of the sixth teaching week of the first academic term. Any request for revisions to the preliminary mid-year examination timetable must be approved by the Dean of the appropriate faculty (or Affiliate Registrar where applicable) and submitted to the Office of the Registrar on or before the Monday of the seventh teaching week of the first academic term. These requests will be honored by the Office of the Registrar where possible, given the limited number of constraints which can be accommodated.
The Dean of the Faculty of Part-Time and Continuing Education Office of the Registrar will notify department chairs
of
the preliminary examination timetable for Intersession, Summer Night Evening and Summer Day sessions at the time a
request for courses to be scheduled is made.
Revisions submitted after the aforementioned deadline shall be permitted only with the approval of the Dean. When such approval is granted, the department shall assume total responsibility for the administration of the examination and communication of revisions to the students.
POSTING OF FINAL EXAMINATION TIMETABLE (S.3648)
The final mid-year examination timetable will be posted and distributed by the Office of the Registrar on or before the Monday of the tenth teaching week of the first academic term.
The final Spring examination timetable will be posted and distributed by the Office of the Registrar on or before the Monday of the sixth teaching week of the second academic term.
The final examination timetables for Intersession, Summer Evening, and Summer Day and Distance Studies sessions wil
l
be posted by the Office of the Registrar no later than ten days before the end of each academic session.
It is the responsibility of the student to:
a) check both the preliminary and final postings of the examination timetables for the courses in which they are registered;
b) ensure that examination conflicts are not created through the addition of the second term courses.
Resolution of examination conflicts (resulting from course additions) must be approved by the Dean of the student's faculty.
Recommended: That the policy on Intramural Transfers be revised, as outlined below, to bring it into line with current practice.
INTRAMURAL TRANSFERS TO BA, BSc AND BHSc PROGRAMS ARTS, KINESIOLOGY, SCIENCE AND
SOCIAL SCIENCE (S.1500, S.4178)
Students registered at Western in one of the following an undergraduate degree programs: leading to a degree other than
the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Health Sciences Administrative Office Management Studies,
Business Administration, Dentistry, Engineering Science, Home Economics, Law, Medicine, Music, Nursing,
Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Social Work, who wish to transfer into a three or four year BA, or BSc or
BHSc program in Arts, Kinesiology, Science or Social Science, must submit a request for transfer to the dean of the faculty
in which registration is sought. Advanced standing for courses toward a BA, or BSc or BHSc degree will be granted in
keeping with the program requirements in Arts, Kinesiology, Science and Social Science, and of these degrees at the
discretion of the Dean.
Approval of the transfer request must include an Intramural Transfer Intent to Register form completed by the dean o
f the
faculty concerned indicating the courses for which advanced standing is granted, the number and level of courses required
to complete graduation requirements and progression requirements.
Recommended: That the Policy on Essay Courses be revised as outlined below to indicate that courses which are not identified as essay courses may require a significant component of coursework in the form of essay writing.
ESSAY COURSES (S.3366.01, S.3399.01, S.3399.02, S.3686.03, S.94-221, S.96-160a)
Students are encouraged to take an essay course in first year and students in a 3-year BA in Arts, Social Science or Kinesiology must take a senior essay course in their area of concentration. (See regulations on Area of Concentration.)
Only those courses designated as essay courses may be used to fulfil this requirement.
Departments must identify essay courses, and the courses will be designated as such in the Calendar. However, courses which are not identified as essay courses may require a significant component of coursework in the form of essay writing.
The guidelines for the minimum written assignments refer to the cumulative amount of written work in a course but excludes written work in examinations.
An essay course must normally involve total written assignments (essays or other appropriate prose composition, excluding examinations) as follows:
Full course (001 to 099): at least 3000 words
Half course (001 to 099): at least 1500 words
Full course (100 and above): at least 5000 words
Half course (100 and above): at least 2500 words
and must be so structured that the student is required to demonstrate competence in essay writing to pass the course.
The structure of the essay course must be such that in order to pass the course, the student must exhibit some minimal level of competence in essay writing and the appropriate level of knowledge of the content of the course.
The term "essay" is to be understood broadly to include many of the reports, reviews, summaries, critiques, and some laboratory reports that are currently assigned, as well as essays in the strictest sense. The essential point is that the assignments involve assembling information and argument and presenting it in connected prose.
Depending on the course, the language of the essay may be English, French, or any of the foreign languages, but artificial and/or machine languages do not meet this requirement.
While a department will usually wish to identify all courses which meet the essay course criteria, on occasion it may not
wish to do so because it lacks the resources to cope with the influx of students which such identification might bring. It is
left to the judgment of the department concerned as to which courses will be designated essay courses.
Coursewide uniformity of designation is a practical necessity. Where a multisectioned course is identified as an essay course, all sections of that course must include the appropriate essay component.
The alternative of separate courses with different course numbers, differing only in the essay course component (or lack of it), remains. This is consistent with existing regulations but requires "new course" approval through the Dean's Office by means of the Deans: Academic Programs (DAP) committee.
Background:
The decision regarding which courses will be designated as essay courses always has been made by individual Departments. For some courses there is a significant component of the course which is to be satisfied by the writing of essays, whether or not the course is designated as an essay course. The revisions both advise the student that there may be essay writing required in non-essay designated courses and removes the redundant reference regarding the Department's responsibility for designating essay courses.
Recommended: That, effective September 1, 1999, International and Comparative Studies 144a/b: Improving Proficiency in Modern Standard Chinese, 320E: Independent Research, and 321F/G: Directed Studies be introduced at Huron College.
NEW CALENDAR COPY
International and Comparative Studies 144a/b: Improving Proficiency in Modern Standard Chinese
Students will increase their proficiency in the following areas of language: pronunciation and
tones, listening and reading comprehension, grammar analysis, and effective oral and written
communication. The emphasis will be placed on a working knowledge of Modern Standard Chinese.
Prerequisite: ICS 024, or ICS 127, or by placement test.
International and Comparative Studies 320E: Independent Research
Students will carry out an advanced and specialized research project. Approval of the program of
study must be obtained in advance in writing from the faculty advisor and the ICS Coordinator
before the term in which the project is initiated.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
International and Comparative Studies 321F/G: Directed Studies
Students will study topics in depth and carry out original research on a topic not covered in
existing course offerings. Approval of the program of study must be obtained in advance in
writing from the faculty advisor and the ICS Coordinator before the term in which the study is undertaken.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
Background:
For ICS 144a/b, the course is aimed at students of Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin) as a foreign language and at students who speak a Chinese dialect and have a basic knowledge of written Chinese. The course seeks to give such students added fluency in the language.
For ICS 320E and 321F/G, Huron students participating in exchange programs or work study options may need to earn academic credit for a scholarly pursuit not offered in an existing course. The ICS program will offer students work-term placements which may give students an opportunity to conduct research projects. Students in exchange programs may carry out research that leads to academic credit. These courses will permit students to earn academic credit for such work which must be carried out under the supervision of a faculty advisor approved by the ICS Coordinator.
FOR INFORMATION
SCAPA has approved on behalf of the Senate the following Terms of Reference for a new award and prize, for recommendation to the Board of Governors through the Vice-Chancellor:
Ian Duerden Memorial Award (Faculty of Engineering Science, Mechanical and Materials Engineering)
Awarded to a full-time undergraduate student in his or her third year of the Mechanical and Materials Engineering program who demonstrates financial need and achieves a minimum 75% academic average. Application forms are available from the Office of the Registrar and must be submitted by September 30. Final selection will be made by the Scholarships Committee in the Faculty of Engineering Science. This award was established through Foundation Western in memory of Ian Duerden, a former Associate Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Science.
Value: $1,000
Effective May 1999
Charles Carmichael Prize in Earth Sciences (Faculty of Science, Earth Sciences)
Awarded to the student who achieves the highest standing in Earth Sciences 490 (Geophysics Thesis). This prize was established by a generous donation from the family of Charles Carmichael in recognition of his eminent career as Professor of Geophysics at The University of Western Ontario.
Value: $300Changes to the following policies are editorial only.
PART-TIME ADMISSION DEADLINES FOR DISTANCE STUDIES (S.93-268, S.98-250)
The deadlines for part-time admission will be:
Spring/Summer:
Distance Studies: March 1
Evening - Intersession - Mediated Learning: March 15
Summer Day: May 1
Fall/Winter:
Day - Evening - On-Campus - Distance Studies: July 1
Mediated Learning- Off-Campus - Saturday AM: July 22
FINAL EXAMINATIONS - INTERSESSION, SUMMER EVENING AND SUMMER DAY - SCHEDULING (S.2820.2)
Four weeks prior to the beginning of the examination periods for Intersession, Summer Evening, Summer Day, the Dean of
the Faculty in which courses are being offered of Part-Time and Continuing Education will submit to the Office of the
Registrar a final and complete list of the courses for which examinations are to be scheduled.
PRINTING OF EXAMINATIONS (S.3648)
...Intersession, Summer Night and Summer Day examination papers to be printed by the Registrar are to be submitted by
the Department Dean of the Faculty of Part-Time and Continuing Education to the Office of the Registrar no later than
seven days before the first examination period of each session.
Policy on Timetabling Senior Courses (S.2013
- To Be Rescinded)
The following policy was approved by Senate in March 1975. It is being rescinded because it is outdated. Currently, changes to the web copy of the calendar are ongoing, Departments may make changes to courses at any time through the DAP "virtual committee" process, changes to course offerings can be made on RegiStar and preregistration no longer exists.
TIMETABLING SENIOR COURSES (S.2013)
Departments shall attempt to record accurately in the Calendar those courses which will actually be offered in the next academic year.
If, prior to preregistration, a department decides not to offer a senior course that is listed in the Calendar as being offered, appropriate notice of that decision will be afforded to the students concerned by the time of preregistration.
Such a decision, after the preregistration period, will be made only under compelling circumstances with appropriate individual notification to the students registered in the course and the Dean of the faculty concerned.