REPORT NUMBER 203 OF THE COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC POLICY AND PROGRAMS
May 6, 2020
To the Academic Board,
University of Toronto
Your Committee reports that it met on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 4:10 p.m. via virtual meeting with the following present:
Present:
Ernest Lam (Chair); Aarthi Ashok (Vice- Chair); Susan McCahan, Vice-Provost, Academic Programs; Nadia Al-Banna; Catherine Amara; James Davis; Raisa Deber; Angela Esterhammer; Peter Gooch; Emily Hawes; Edsel Ing; Allan Kaplan; Jeannie Kim; Daiana Kostova; Cara Krmpotich; Ben Liu; Mary Pugh; Jennifer Purtle; Lewis Norman Rose; Rosa Saverino
Non-Voting Assessors:
Joshua Barker; Richard Levin
Secretariat:
David Walders
Regrets:
Jai Yi (Caroline) Chen; Yining (Elin) Gu; Connie Guberman; William Ju; Zhiyuan (Annie) Lu; Kent G.W. Moore; Richard Sommer
In Attendance:
Anne-Marie Brousseau, Interim Chair, Department of French, FAS; Raymond Carlberg, Chair, David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, FAS; James Cahill, Director, Cinema Studies Institute, FAS; Amrita Daniere, Vice-Principal and Dean, UTM; Emma del Junco, Assistant Coordinator, Academic Planning and Reviews, OVPAP; Jennifer Francisco, Coordinator, Academic Change, OVPAP; William Gough, Vice-Principal and Dean, UTSC; Gretchen Kerr, Vice-Dean, Programs and Innovation, SGS; Deepa Kundur, Chair of the Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, FASE; David Lock, Coordinator, Academic Planning and Reviews, OVPAP; Poppy Lockwood, Vice-Dean of Academic Planning, FAS
Thomas MacKay, Director, Faculty Governance & Curriculum Services, FAS; Daniella Mallinick, Director, Academic Programs, Planning and Quality Assurance, OVPAP; Cheryl Misak, Interim Director, Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IHPST), FAS; Donna Orwin, Chair, Department of Slavic Languages and Literature, FAS; Diana Raffman, Chair of Department of Philosophy, UTM; Leigh Revers, Director of MBiotech Program, UTM; Nicolas Rule, Interim Vice-Dean, Undergraduate, FAS; Mark Schmuckler Vice-Dean Undergraduate, UTSC; Melanie Woodin, Dean, FAS; Christopher Yip, Dean, FASE; David Zweig, Chair, Department of Management, UTSC
- Chair’s Welcome
The Chair welcomed members and guests to the meeting.
- Reports of the Administrative Assessors
Professor McCahan offered an update of the University’s academic continuity planning in response to the COVID-19 crisis, as of May 6, 2020, with a focus on academic continuity.
Professor McCahan reported that the University had recently received notice from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities that three U of T degree programs had received funding approval:
- Master of Health Science in Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
- Doctor of Nursing, Lawrence S Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
- Doctor of Education in Child Study and Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Professor McCahan also reported that the following programs were recently approved by the Quality Council:
- Master of Environment and Sustainability, Faculty of Arts and Science
- Doctor of Public Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health
- Major in Creative Writing, University of Toronto Scarborough
Mr. Levin then offered brief comments on Item 10 on the agenda, drawing members’ attention to two specific transcript notations related to the use of Credit/No Credit grade scale in the Winter 2020 session due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Amendment to University Assessment and Grading Practices Policy
Professor McCahan and Dean Joshua Barker provided an overview of the proposed amendment, which was being proposed for two primary reasons:
- to respond to requests to the School of Graduate Studies from graduate students and instructors, as a result of the pandemic, for flexibility in the grade scale used to assess individual students in graduate courses completed in the Winter 2020 session, and;
- to allow, as regular practice going forward, graduate units to identify specific graduate programs in which students may elect to be assessed on a Credit/No Credit basis in specific courses on a limited basis.
If approved, the proposed amendment would be effective retroactively from January 1, 2020.
On motion duly made, seconded and carried
It was Recommended,
THAT the proposed amendment to the University Assessment and Grading Practices Policy, be approved, with the retroactive effective date of January 1, 2020.
- Follow-Up report on Reviews
- Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering)
Professor McCahan noted that the follow-up reported on recommended changes within the research culture to a more cooperative model, suggestions that the department identify areas of priority in which it would provide leadership at an international level, and reform of the undergraduate programs.
Professor McCahan highlighted the following points from the follow-up report:- The Department had established both a vision and mission statement through extensive consultation, led by the Chair. During these discussions, it was agreed that the Department values advancement in multi- and interdisciplinary contexts, across multiple fields. ECE was currently interviewing for a number of faculty positions, and prioritizing recruitment of individuals with multidisciplinary research interests.
- The Department would support new seed initiatives to stimulate enhanced collaboration with various units within FASE as well as transdisciplinary research partnerships with numerous units outside of Engineering. The Department was currently conducting consultations to identify areas of research where it would seek to provide national and international leadership.
- The Department had revamped its undergraduate recruitment efforts to better encourage a diverse cohort of students and were currently revisiting their undergraduate curriculum. The Faculty established a Decanal Task Force on Academic Workload to identify workload issues across FASE, which would help to inform the evolution of the ECE curriculum. A departmental teaching workshop had been scheduled for April 2020, and plans were underway to extend undergraduate scholarship-based opportunities, and enhance Professional Experience Year (PEY) offerings.
- Cinema Studies Institute (Faculty of Arts and Science)
Professor McCahan reported on the progress made towards increasing Faculty diversity within the Institute and highlighted the following points from the follow-up report:- In fall 2019, two tenure-stream faculty joined CSI: a specialist in Black Visual Culture and Cinema (100% appointment in CSI), and a specialist in East Asian Cinema (graduate appointment to CSI).
- The Institute was currently conducting a search for a Canadian Cinemas scholar, with an emphasis on Indigenous and Québécois cinemas as preferred areas of expertise.
- Furthermore, CSI was thinking strategically about ways to further increase diversity with any future faculty appointments, such as filling coverage gaps in South Asian Cinema, and appropriate opportunity hires for Black and Indigenous scholars.
- The David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics (formerly the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics), the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) and the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Faculty of Arts and Science)
Professor McCahan noted that follow up for the review of the three Astronomy and Astrophysics units reported on issues relating to post-doctoral fellow (PDF) morale and community-building across units, notably between the Department and the Dunlap Institute.
Professor McCahan highlighted the following points from the follow-up report:- The three units had developed a common recommended pay scale, which was now the basis of new PDF offers. They had also made changes to the funding of the summer undergraduate program so that all PDFs were able to participate. The Department was also supporting the development of a PDF association that met regularly with the Chair, and was invited to Department meetings.
- Regarding community-building across units, a ‘Community Climate Committee’ had been established (including undergraduate and graduate students, PDFs, staff and faculty), with a mandate to make recommendations to leadership of the three units on issues of academic climate that fall within the Department’s purview. The Department had also developed a Values Statement, now posted in common areas of all three units. The leadership of all three units had begun meeting monthly to discuss common concerns, policy issues, and further strategies for building community across the three units.
- Semi-Annual Report on the reviews of Academic Units and Programs
The Chair noted that since the last report to the Committee, the Office of the Vice-President and Provost had received six of units and/or programs, all of which were Decanal, commissioned by the Deans of their respective Divisions. All were brought forth to the Committee for information. The submissions included the signed administrative responses from each Dean, which highlighted action plans in response to reviewer recommendations.
The Chair reported that members had been broken into three reading Groups and that each Group had been assigned reviews to consider. To guide their work, members of these groups were asked to consider three questions:- Does the summary accurately tell the story of the full review?
- Does the administrative response address all issues identified?
- Are there any questions, comments or substantive issues that the Committee should consider? Is there need to ask that the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs bring forward a follow-up report?
The Chair also noted that, as part of their, the Reading Groups had passed on a number of ancillary comments to the Dean’s Office for its consideration.
The Chair invited Professor McCahan to make general remarks about the reviews.
Professor McCahan reported that her office had examined the review reports to identify both recurring and new themes: the talent and high calibre of students and the impressive body of scholarship produced by faculty, as well as the programs’ interdisciplinary strengths and the many ways that the programs, and therefore students, benefitted from contributions across Faculties and Campuses.
As always, the reviews noted areas for development. The reviews identified the need for units to strengthen their communication and governance structures, and suggested ways to engage in meaningful discussions regarding student recruitment and faculty workload. The reviews also highlighted the need to ensure that diversity was reflected in faculty complement and curriculum.
Finnish Studies Program, Faculty of Arts and Science
The spokesperson for the Reading Group reported that the summary covered the full Review. The Group agreed that the Dean’s administrative response fully addressed the issues identified. The Group had no specific additional questions or comments.
No follow-up report was requested.
Department of French, Faculty of Arts and Science
The spokesperson for the Reading Group reported that the summary covered the full Review. The Group agreed that the Dean’s administrative response fully addressed the issues identified. The Group had no specific additional questions or comments.
In reply to a member’s question about the reviewers’ recommendation about mentorship and guidance of junior faculty preparing for promotion, Professor Anne-Marie Brousseau, Interim Chair, Department of French, reported that the
Department provided guidance throughout the promotion process, including in the preparation of and provision of seed funding for large grant applications.
No follow-up report was requested.
Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IHPST), Faculty of Arts and Science
The spokesperson for the Reading Group reported that the summary covered the full review. However, the Group did not feel that the Administrative response adequately registered the severity of the review. The Reading Group had questions concerning whether there had been a successful hire for a new Director (beginning on July 1, 2020), what steps had been taken to prepare graduate students for non-academic career paths, as well as what actions specifically had been taken to repair the rift between Philosophy and IHPST.
Professor Cheryl Misak, Interim Director, IHPST confirmed that that a new Director had been appointed for a term beginning July 1, 2020. He would be joining the University with tenure as an Associate Professor. In terms of preparation of graduate students, Professor Misak reported that four professional development workshops had been held, which had been very well attended. These included alumni as well as representatives from industry and the public policy sector. There had been two other workshops planned which had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation. Finally, Professor Misak highlighted the many steps that had been taken to create a more collegial working environment between Philosophy and IHPST. These included increasing consultations with the Chair of Philosophy on faculty appointments and teaching responsibilities as well as collaboration on undergraduate and graduate curriculum development.
The Reading Group noted that under normal circumstances, a follow-up report would be requested. However, since another review of the Institute was scheduled for 2021-22, no follow-up was requested.
Department of Philosophy, University of Toronto, Mississauga
The spokesperson for the Reading Group reported that the summary covered the full Review. The Group agreed that the Dean’s administrative response fully addressed the issues identified. The Group did raise one question about progress that had been made with respect to a joint major with the Department of Political Science.
Professor Diana Raffman, Chair of Department of Philosophy, noted that, while there was tremendous potential for the joint major, department priorities had shifted and the joint program was not being explored at present.
No follow-up report was requested.
Master of Biotechnology program, University of Toronto, Mississauga
The spokesperson for the Reading Group reported that the summary covered the full Review. The Group agreed that the Dean’s administrative response fully addressed the issues identified. The Group had no specific additional questions or comments.
No follow-up report was requested.
Department of Management, University of Toronto, Scarborough
The spokesperson for the Reading Group reported that the summary covered the full Review. However, reading group members felt that the gravity of some of the issues that were identified, and the reviewers’ comment that “the status quo is not sustainable any longer,” were not fully apparent in the summary.
The Group agreed that the Dean’s administrative response addressed the issues identified. However, the Group noted that the administrative response indicated that addressing the issues and implementing any of the recommendations made in the Report would depend on several reviews that were currently underway or would be underway shortly. These included the following; a review of student services in the Management programs; a core curriculum review; a review of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation requirement; a review of overload teaching and faculty complement in the department; a comparison of business program funding budgets at U of T and comparator institutions; a review of the tri-campus relationship between Management programs; and, continued discussion around transitioning the department to a Faculty or School.
Professor David Zweig, Chair of the Department of Management, UTSC, appreciated the Group’s highlighting the urgency of some of the items. From his perspective, the programs were under resourced relative to other similar programs. He felt that the structure of Management at UTSC reflected another era and welcomed opportunity to address this.
A one-year follow up report was requested to update the Committee on the outcome of the review processes mentioned in the administrative response and on progress towards implementation of the follow up measures outlined, especially in relation to the expressed need for improved student services and greater governance autonomy for the Management programs.
- Proposal for Modification to Degree Requirements Concerning 100-series and Higher-series Courses in the HBA, HBSc and BCom, Faculty of Arts and Science
On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
It was Resolved
THAT the proposed degree regulation change, as described in the proposal from the Faculty of Arts and Science dated April 14, 2020, be approved effective September 1, 2020.
- Proposal for Modification to Degree Requirements Concerning 100-series and Higher-series Courses in the HBA, HBSc, BCom and BBA, University of Toronto Mississauga
On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
It was Resolved
THAT the proposed degree regulation change, as described in the proposal from the University of Toronto Mississauga dated April 28, 2020, be approved effective September 1, 2020.
- Proposal to make changes to the assessment of the 12.0 distinct credits rule and to clarify existing degree requirements, University of Toronto Scarborough
On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
It was Resolved
THAT the proposed degree regulation change, as described in the proposal from the University of Toronto Scarborough dated April 13, 2020, be approved effective September 1, 2020.
- Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit: Approved List of Programs, 2020-21
On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
It was Resolved
THAT the 2020-2021 List of University of Toronto Programs Eligible for the Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit, dated May 6, 2020, be approved.
- Major Modification Report, 2019-20
The report was received for information.
- Annual for-Credit and Not-for-Credit Certificate Report, 2020-21
The report was received for information.
- Report on Collaborative Specialization Reviews
The report was received for information.
- Report of the Previous Meeting: Report 202 – March 31, 2020
The report was received for information.
- 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 – September 16, 2020 at 4:10 p.m.
The Chair confirmed that the next meeting would be held on September 16, 2020 at 4:10 p.m.
- Other Business
There were no items of other business.
The meeting adjourned at 5:13 p.m.
May 7, 2020