REPORT NUMBER 42 OF THE UTSC ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
To the Campus Council,
University of Toronto Scarborough
Your Committee reports that it met on February 10, 2020 at 4:10 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Arts and Administration Building, with the following members present:
Present: Elaine Khoo (Chair)*, Sonja Nikkila (Vice-Chair), Wisdom Tettey, William Gough, Sauliha Alli, Shelley Brunt, Corinne Beauquis, Christine Bolus-Reichert, Curtis Cole, Shadi Dalili, Suzanne Erb, George Fadel*, Barry Freeman, Sarah Guay, Angela Hamilton, Margaret Kohn, Jacob Koudys, Christopher Kouyoumdjian*, Katherine Larson, Gillian Mason, Mari Motrich, Michael Molloy*, Mahinda Samarakoon, Natalie Rothman*, Rania Salem, Larry Sawchuk, Mark Schmuckler, Mary Silcox, Dorinda So*, Michael Souza, Liana Williams
Regrets: Syed Ahmed, George Arhonditsis, Sandra Bamford, Glenn Brauen, Radhapriya Chawla, Arda Erturk, Alen Hadzovic, Heinz-Bernhard Kraatz, Alexander Irving, Thembela Kepe, Lisa Labine, Patricia Landolt, Michael Lambek, Alfonso Manalo, Andrew Mason, Karen McCrindle, Juvenal Ndayiragije, William Nelson, Annie Sahagian, Sonia Sedivy, Grace Skogstad, Jessica Wilson, David Zweig
Non-Voting Assessors: Annette Knott, Varsha Patel, Shelby Verboven
Secretariat: Emma Thacker
In Attendance: Marian Aslam, Sarah Chaudhry, Esther Chung, Sinisa Markovic, Lana Mikhaylichenko, Joseph Minichini, Safieh Moghaddam, Rena Prashad, Jennifer Tingo, Jason Wei, Helen Wu
Telephone Participants *
OPEN SESSION
- Chair’s Remarks
The Vice-Chair, Professor Sonja Nikkila, welcomed members and guests to the meeting, clarifying that she was stepping in as Chair for this meeting - Professor Elaine Khoo sent her regrets. The Chair provided an update on the governance elections for the Academic Affairs Committee.
- Presentation - UTSC ‘Get Finished’ Scholarship
Vice-Principal, Academic & Dean, William Gough invited Ms Mariam Aslam, Student Success Research Analyst, to share a presentation regarding the UTSC ‘Get Finished’ Scholarship. Ms Aslam reviewed the scholarship criteria, discussed some of the reasons why students may not graduate within typical timelines, and shared the number of students who were recipients of the scholarship. Student narratives were also shared with membership to reflect the positive impact of degree completion on the recipients.
A member asked how the scholarship was funded. Professor Gough responded that it was funded through the Dean’s Office. He added that the initiative supported the Strategic Mandate Agreement (SMA) and positively impacted the lives of students.
- Transcript Innovation Initiative
The Chair invited Mr. Sinisa Markovic, Assistant University Registrar and Director, Operations, and Mr. Joseph Minichini, Business Analyst, Registrarial Policy, to present. Mr. Markovic stated that the Transcript Innovation Initiative began in November 2018. He noted five factors driving innovation and enhancements to the transcript:
- Innovations in Technology
- Reflect Student Learning
- Document Security
- Support Student Mobility
- Transition to Work
The e-transcript would provide a comprehensive depiction of one’s university experience, as it would have the ability to display a broad range of data, such as course descriptions, learning objectives, and participation in experiential learning opportunities. In the future, the e-transcript would also allow for the attachment of additional records, such as the co-curricular record (CCR) and scholarship/award records. Mr. Minichini provided a demonstration of how the digital transcript could be ordered through ACORN. The Steering Committee would accept feedback through the website until the end of 2020.
- Undergraduate Major Modification - Major in Theater and Performance Studies
Mark Schmuckler, Vice-Dean, Undergraduate, presented the proposal for major modifications to the Major in Theatre and Performance Studies. He remarked that the Department of Arts, Culture and Media (ACM) currently offered a Major (BA) and Minor (Arts) program in Theatre and Performance Studies. This modification proposed to restructure the program including formalizing areas of focus and renaming the program as ‘Theatre and Performance’. Vice-Principal Academic & Dean, William Gough thanked and acknowledged the faculty present at the meeting to support the new major: Professor Barry Freeman.
A member asked about enrolment, impact for K-12, and possible community partnerships. Professor Freeman responded that enrolment numbers were stable and modest. He indicated that the new major would attract more students coming from high school, and would support more options for combined programs with OISE, for teacher education. He confirmed there would be community engagement.
A member asked how current students will become aware of the changes. Professor Freeman confirmed that a communication plan was forthcoming and a program manager would support the changes and students.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED,
THAT the major modifications to the Major in Theatre and Performance Studies (BA), as described in the proposal dated January 23, 2020 and recommended by the Vice-Principal Academic and Dean, Professor William Gough, be approved to be effective as of Fall 2020 for the 2020-21 academic year.
- Undergraduate Minor Curricular Modifications - Sciences
Mark Schmuckler, Vice-Dean, Undergraduate, presented the proposal for minor modifications from Science academic units. He noted 2 new courses and 27 prerequisite changes submitted by the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences. The Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences proposed 2 program changes, 7 new courses and 1 prerequisite change. Vice-Principal Academic & Dean, William Gough thanked and acknowledged the representatives present at the meeting to support the modifications: Professors Mike Molloy, Mahinda Samarakoon, Lana Mikhaylichenko and Shadi Dalili.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED,
THAT the minor modifications to undergraduate programs, submitted by UTSC undergraduate Sciences academic units, as described in Undergraduate Minor Curriculum Modifications for Approval, Report: Computer and Mathematical Sciences, and Report: Physical and Environmental Sciences, both dated February 10, 2020, and recommended by the Vice-Principal Academic and Dean, Professor William Gough, be approved to be effective as of Fall 2020 for the academic year 2020-21.
- Undergraduate Minor Curricular Modifications – Management
Mark Schmuckler, Vice-Dean, Undergraduate, presented the proposal for two new courses and one course change, to be offered by the Department of Management. Vice-Principal Academic & Dean, William Gough thanked and acknowledged the departmental representative present at the meeting: Professor Jason Wei.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED,
THAT the minor modifications to undergraduate programs, submitted by UTSC undergraduate Department of Management, as described in Undergraduate Minor Curriculum Modifications for Approval, Report: Management, dated February 10, 2020, and recommended by the Vice-Principal Academic and Dean, Professor William Gough, be approved to be effective as of Fall 2020 for the academic year 2020-21.
- Undergraduate Minor Curricular Modifications, Social Sciences
Mark Schmuckler, Vice-Dean, Undergraduate, presented the proposal submitted by the Department of Anthropology. These changes included 1 new course and 1 course level change. Vice Principal Academic & Dean, William Gough thanked and acknowledged the faculty representatives present at the meeting: Professor Larry Sawchuk.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED,
THAT the minor modifications to undergraduate programs, submitted by UTSC undergraduate Social Sciences academic units, as described in Undergraduate Minor Curriculum Modifications for Approval, Report: Anthropology, dated February 10, 2020, and recommended by the Vice-Principal Academic and Dean, Professor William Gough, be approved to be effective as of Fall 2020 for the academic year 2020-21.
- Undergraduate Minor Curricular Modifications, Humanities
Mark Schmuckler, Vice-Dean, Undergraduate, presented the proposal for minor modifications from French and Linguistics, English, and Historical and Cultural Studies. The Centre for French and Linguistics proposed 3 new courses and 2 course changes. The Department of English proposed 1 program change and 8 new courses to support the new Major in Creative Writing. The Department of Historical and Cultural Studies proposed 9 new courses and 1 course level change. Vice Principal Academic & Dean, William Gough thanked and acknowledged the faculty representatives and staff members present at the meeting: Professors Natalie Rothman, Katherine Larson, Helen Wu, and Safieh Moghaddam.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED,
THAT the minor modifications to undergraduate programs, submitted by UTSC undergraduate Humanities academic units, as described in Undergraduate Minor Curriculum Modifications for Approval, Report: French and Linguistics, Report: English, and Report: Historical and Cultural Studies, all dated February 10, 2020, and recommended by the Vice-Principal Academic and Dean, Professor William Gough, be approved to be effective as of Fall 2020 for the academic year 2020-21.
- Undergraduate Minor Curricular Modifications
The Chair explained that Item number 9 was for information only, and included smaller routine curricular changes from the following departments: French and Linguistics, Anthropology, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, English, Historical and Cultural Studies, Management, Management and Computer and Mathematical Sciences, and Physical and Environmental Sciences.
Members had no questions.
- Report of the Presidential Assessors
There were no reports from the Presidential Assessors.
- Report of the Previous Meeting: Report Number 41 - Wednesday, January 15, 2020
The report of the previous meeting was approved.
- Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting
There was no business arising from the report of the previous meeting.
- Date of Next Meeting - Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 4:10 p.m.
The Chair advised members that the Committee would meet again on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 4:10 p.m.
- Other Business
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
February 25, 2020