Structure of the Academic Year Consultation

Purpose

An ad hoc Working Group of the Senate’s Committee on Academic Policy is reviewing the “Structure of the Academic Year” policy in order to address challenges in meeting instructional requirements for undergraduate courses

Instructional requirements include the minimum number of teaching days and instructional hours needed in each term to meet accreditation standards, ensure consistent scheduling across the week, and provide students with adequate opportunities to engage with course material. For example, for undergraduate courses, requirements include at least 60 instructional days per term and at least 12 instructional days in a term for each day of the week (e.g., 12 Mondays, 12 Wednesdays, 12 Fridays).  

The Fall Term presents scheduling challenges in some years for undergraduate courses due to its current structure.   

There are several scheduling options available to ensure that these instructional requirements for undergraduate courses are met each year, and the ad hoc Working Group is seeking your input. Specifically, they want to understand the impact that the different options would have for you.   

The ad hoc Working Group will work collaboratively to make recommendations for revisions to the “Structure of the Academic Year” policy to the Senate Committee on Academic Policy to recommend to Senate.

Consultation Sessions

The ad hoc Working Group is seeking feedback from campus community members in the following groups:

  • Undergraduate Students
  • Faculty Members / Teaching Staff
  • Graduate Teaching Assistants
  • Staff

Virtual Town Hall

Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Please register by February 10.

In-person Town Hall

Date: Friday, February 14, 2025
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: McKellar Room, University Community Centre
Please register by February 12.

 
Spaces will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

We welcome your feedback through the survey:

Consultation Survey

The survey is open until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Membership

  • Ken Yeung, Chair of the Senate Committee on Academic Policy (Chair)
  • Nicole Campbell, Faculty member, Senate Committee on Academic Policy
  • Andrew Johnson, Faculty member, Senate Committee on Academic Policy
  • Alexander Meyer, Faculty member, Senate Committee on Academic Policy
  • Kathleena Henricus, Undergraduate Student, Senate Committee on Academic Policy
  • Mariana Batista, USC Vice-President (University Affairs)
  • Anthony Cruz, SOGS Vice-President (Academic)
  • Jeff Wood, Associate Dean (Academic)
  • Susan Lewis, Vice-Provost (Academic Programs)
  • Marisa Modeski, University Registrar
  • Kamran Siddiqui, Vice-Provost (Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies)
  • John Doerksen, Vice-Provost (Students)
  • Val Sarkany, Deputy Registrar
  • Kimi Maruoka, Manager, Student Academic Services, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
  • Amy Bryson, University Secretary (non-voting)