Report Number 218 Of The Committee On Academic Policy And Programs
April 13, 2023
To the Academic Board,
University of Toronto
Your Committee reports that it held a meeting in the Council Chamber, Simcoe Hall on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 3:10 p.m. with the following present:
Present:
Ernest Lam (Chair), Susan McCahan (Vice-Provost, Academic Programs and Innovations in Undergraduate Education), Joshua Barker (Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Vice-Provost, Graduate Research and Education), Areeb Ahmed, Catherine Amara, James Davis, Jennifer Dolman*, Angela Esterhammer, Jessica Eylon*, Joseph Flessa, Robert Gibbs, Tony Harris, Walid A. Houry, Maranatha Shone Joos, Rosa Saverino, Suzanne Wood
Regrets:
Nhung Tran (Vice- Chair), Sharleen Ahmed, Brinda Batra, Raisa Deber, Susan Froom, Jason Harlow, Charles Jia, Zhino Maanavi, Jennifer Purtle, Justin Van Houten, Daniel Zimmerman
Non-Voting Assessors:
Angelique Saweczko (University Registrar)
Leah Cowen (Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives)
Secretariat:
Joanne Chou, Secretary
In Attendance:
Juan Du (Dean, Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design), Laura Tam (Interim Dean, Faculty of Dentistry), Melanie Woodin (Dean, Faculty of Arts & Science), Justin Nodwell (Vice-Dean, Research & Health Science Education), Heather MacNeil (Associate Dean Academic, Faculty of Information), Bill Gough (Vice-Principal Academic & Dean), Katie Larson (Vice-Dean Teaching, Learning & Undergraduate Programs), Poppy Lockwood (Vice-Dean, Academic Planning), Alison Chasteen (Acting Associate Dean, Unit-Level Reviews), Dickson Eyoh (Acting Principal, New College),Morris Manolson (Interim Vice-Dean Research Dentistry), Sandra Bamford (Chair, Anthropology), Geoff MacDonald (Acting Chair, Psychology), Melody Neumann (Director, Human Biology Program), Sali Tagliamonte (Chair, Linguistics), Deborah O'Connor (Chair, Department of Nutritional Sciences)*, John Sled (Vice Chair, Medical Biophysics), Scott Heximer (Chair, Physiology), Edward Jones-Imhotep (Director, Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology),Jim Lai (Vice-Dean, Education, Dentistry), Arleen Morrin (Chief Administrative Officer, Dentistry), Anuradha Prakki (Interim Associate Dean, Undergraduate Education, Dentistry), Christopher Cochrane (Acting Chair, Political Science), Heather MacNeil (Associate Dean Academic, Faculty of Information), Bill Ju (Acting Vice-Dean Undergraduate), Cheryl Suzack (Acting Director, Centre for Indigenous Studies), Andrea Benoit (Academic Review Officer, Faculty of Arts & Science), Daniella Mallinick (Director, Academic Programs, Planning and Quality Assurance, OVPAP), Jennifer Francisco (Academic Change, OVPAP), Emma del Junco (Academic Planning & Reviews, OVPAP), David Lock, Academic Planning & Reviews, OVPAP), Annette Knott (Academic Change, OVPAP), Alexandra Varela (Academic Planning and Reviews, OVPAP)
(*attended remotely)
- Chair’s Welcome
The Chair welcomed members and guests to the meeting.
- Reports of the Administrative Assessors
The Chair invited the Senior Assessor, Professor Susan McCahan to make her report to the Committee. Professor McCahan reported that the revised UTQAP which was brought forward for information to the committee last fall 2022, was ratified by the Quality Council on March 15, 2023.
The Chair thanked Professor McCahan for her report.
- Reviews of Academic Programs and Units
a) Semi-Annual Report on the Reviews of Academic Units and Programs, October 2020 – October 2021
The Chair noted that the Committee had received 12 reviews of units and/or programs, two of which were Provostial reviews and ten of which were Decanal. All were brought forward for information and discussion. 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 four reading groups and that each group had been assigned three reviews to consider. To guide their work, members of these groups were asked to consider four 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 a need to ask that the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs bring forward a follow-up report?
The Chair also noted that, as part of their review, each of the Reading groups had submitted comments to the appropriate Deans’ Offices for their consideration in advance of the meeting.
The Chair invited Professor McCahan to make general remarks about the reviews.
Professor McCahan noted that the Committee played a critical role in the reviews of all academic programs and units at the University. The goals of these reviews were:
- to obtain expert advice of leaders in the field concerning academic and administrative issues,
- to measure performance against leading international programs, and
- to obtain guidance and input from peers on key strategic decisions.
She indicated that both recurring and new themes were identified in the reviews. She also highlighted the talent and high calibre of the students, the impressive body of scholarship produced by the faculty, the programs’ interdisciplinary strengths, and the many initiatives undertaken to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Professor McCahan concluded by noting that as was always the case, the reviews pointed out areas for development. They had identified the need for units to strengthen coordination and leverage interdisciplinary strengths. They also highlighted the need to ensure that diversity was reflected in faculty complement and in curriculum.
Provostial Review - John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design
The spokesperson for the reading group reported that the review summary accurately described the full review with the exception of the unclear connection to the Forestry Industry as a source of philanthropic support. Overall, they had found the review to be positive. The reading group reported that in their view the Dean’s administrative response had adequately addressed issues identified by the review.They asked, however, that the Faculty further address the following issues: the formal mentorship plans to include senior female faculty from other programs to support junior female faculty; faculty engagement plans to include sessional faculty members to the larger teaching network; and EDI-related initiatives to integrate antiracist, decolonizing and inclusive practices and content into the curricula.
In reply, Dean Juan Du responded that the Faculty had initiated a mentorship program for pre-tenure junior faculty, and that this program would be expanded to all faculty, inclusive of those in the teaching stream. She acknowledged the need for formal mentorship for all faculty, and highlighted ongoing improvements in this area, having increased the percentage of female professors with full professor status from 10 % to 40%, and to 46% for associate professors. Dean Du explained that most of the research stream faculty members were also practitioners, a unique element of the Faculty, and had implemented all inclusive faculty meetings to include sessional faculty. Finally, she concluded that they had hired an Assistant Dean of EDI, and that several initiatives were underway that included the development of EDI models of practice, review of publications, and teaching and curriculum discussions.
In response to a member’s question, Dean Du explained that the faculty was composed of sessional members, tenure and teaching stream faculty, and that all were engaged in research in some capacity. She noted the implementation of research-sharing workshops to promote further awareness of faculty members’ research interests and plans.
No follow-up report was requested.
UTSC Department of Anthropology
The spokesperson for the reading group reported that the review summary accurately described the full review and that overall, they had found the review to be positive. The reading group reported that the Dean’s administrative response had adequately addressed issues identified by the review.They asked, however, that the Departmentfurther comment on several issues: the enrollment strategy, certificate programs, TA support for lab courses, access to the Centre for Ethnography Space as a hub for students, and issues related to teaching stream faculty such as promotion and eligibility for research-related resources.
Katie Larson, Vice-Dean Teaching, Learning & Undergraduate Programs, noted that while enrollment was declining, the arrival of the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) initiative coupled with strong interest in emerging programs in medical and evolutionary anthropology would provide an opportunity for growth. She also noted the rising interest in certificate programs and reported that the TA allocation had been adjusted to reflect improved lab course support.
Sandra Bamford, Chair, Department of Anthropology, responded that the Centre for Ethnography Space was opened twice a week, and that this was promoted on their website and social media platforms resulting in good turnouts.
Bill Gough, Vice-Principal Academic & Dean, responded that a working group had been established to review the concerns of teaching stream faculty, and that a draft report was in development to review key recommendations to address issues such as pathways to full professorship and promotion, access to leadership roles and research funds.
No follow-up report was requested.
UTSC Department of Political Science
The spokesperson for the reading group reported that the review summary had accurately reflected the full review and that the Dean’s administrative response fully addressed the issues identified.While the administrative response covered most of the pertinent issues, the group requested further explanation of the issues regarding expanding co-op placements in government organisations, administrative processes for co-op placement applications, fundraising initiatives to address co-op education fees, and staff recruitment for student advisory and mentorship support.
Katie Larson responded that co-op programs were designed to prepare students to apply for jobs after graduation. Christopher Cochrane, Acting Chair, Department of Political Science, commented that a key priority for the co-op office was to increase connections at the community, municipal and provincial levels to expand offerings for students. Professor Larson then explained that fundraising initiatives were geared towards experiential learning and global travel opportunities, with a goal to ensuring that financial concerns did not deter students from applying to co-op placements. Bill Gough added that some fundraising initiatives were further geared towards underserved communities. With regard to staff recruitment, he noted that the Department had put forward a proposal for additional staffing through UTSC’s normal process, and that an HR analysis was underway to determine the best approach going forward.
No follow-up report was requested.
Provostial Review - Faculty of Dentistry
The spokesperson for the reading group reported that the review summary had accurately reflected the full review and that the administrative response fully addressed the issues identified.The reading group reported that the Dean’s administrative response had adequately addressed issues identified by the review.They asked, however, that the Faculty further comment on the urgent need for improvements to the “digital dentistry curriculum” as this had been raised in the 2017 review, and to address the concerns regarding the educational experience for clinical graduate students. The reading group agreed that the administrative response had included a forward-looking plan (and had noted minor typos in the material).
Laura Tam, Interim Dean, responded that the need to expand digital dentistry was not uniform across the Faculty. She explained that dentistry was the competency and that the digital component was considered the tool. Dean Tam acknowledged that digital dentistry was not a required skill but recognized its importance in the practice of dentistry. She highlighted that digital radiography and digital recordkeeping had been fully implemented across the entire Faculty for many years. She also noted that digital scanning had either been or was in the process of being implemented in several of the graduate specialty clinics. She then commented on the simulation lab renovation underway and said that this would address the digital clinic limitation for undergraduate student clinics.She noted that the clinics were in the process of identifying new technologies to be implemented and that they had a detailed plan to pilot the new technology for Fall 2023. It was expected that the simulation lab would be outfitted with digital dentistry by January 2024. She concluded that the digital scanning would be fully integrated in all clinics by the 2024-25 academic year.
Dean Tam then stated that the reporting for the graduate exit survey had not been completed at the time of the Provostial review, but that it had been presented to the Faculty Council in January 2023. She clarified that it had been an extensive survey over a 5-year period and that the Associate Dean of Graduate Education was working with program directors to address specific concerns across the clinical graduate programs. She noted that the Faculty Wellness and EDI working groups continued to work towards improving the overall climate and educational experience, particularly in graduate programs.
No follow-up report was requested.
Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nutritional Sciences
The spokesperson for the reading group found the review to be positive overall. The group felt that the review summary accurately reflected the full review. The group identified two points on which they requested clarification beyond what was covered in the Dean’s response: concerns regarding tangible pathways and timelines for students to pursue a career in dietetics; and impact of the move to 777 Bay St. for “dry laboratory” researchers.
Justin Nodwell, Vice-Dean, Research & Health Science Education, responded by noting the complexity of the move due to the renovation of the west wing of the Medical Sciences Building. He said that they were actively exploring ways to minimize any impact and were exploring possible solutions to move the dry labs into the Naylor Building situated next door.
Deborah O’Connor commented that they had been working on the development of a tangible pathway for students to pursue a career in dietetics,however that the issue was more complex than simply adding more courses. She explained that collaboration with cognate units (and potentially with Toronto Metropolitan University [TMU]) would be necessary, and that the course sequence would require accreditation through a third-party service managed by the Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP).At least five new courses would need to be launched, syllabi would need to be revised, and aa large teaching kitchen would be required. Discussions with TMU were underway and preliminary feedback from the accrediting body was expected in Fall 2023. She also noted that that plans were underway to launch a new specialist program, ideally in Fall 2025.
No follow-up report was requested.
Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biophysics
The spokesperson for the reading group reported that the review summary had accurately reflected the full review and that the administrative response fully addressed the issues identified.In the group’s view the summary told the full story of the review. It felt that under the leadership of the Dean, actions had been taken in response to the previous review to address issues such as times to completion and that updates to the curriculum had further strengthened the Medical Biophysics program. Their view was that recommendations made in the current review had been relatively minor (such as early career faculty support, development of a database system and implementation of a travel budget for international collaborations) and had beenadequately addressed in the unit’s response. The group had no specific additional questions or comments.
No follow-up report was requested.
Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology
The spokesperson for the reading group reported that the reviewers’ comments were positive overall, and that the group felt that the review summary accurately reflected the full review. They also commented that they felt the Dean’s administrative response had addressed the issues identified in the review with regard to the Master of Health Science program. The group had no additional questions or comments.
No follow-up report was requested.
Faculty of Arts & Science, Human Biology Program
The spokesperson for the reading group reported that the review was positive, however, in their view the summary did not accurately reflect the full review as it did not address the issues ofadministrative support for the director, space issues, and the concerns that the time limited nature of Contractually Limited Term Appointments (CLTAs) posed a risk to program delivery. The group felt, however, that the Dean’s administrative response had fully addressed the issues identified. The group requested further clarification related to the teaching stream and CLTA faculty and inquired as to what faculty opportunities were in place to support their professional and research growth.
Melody Neumann, Director, Human Biology Program, responded that mentorship plans extended to CLTA faculty and that in collaboration with the Vice-Dean, Faculty and Academic there were plans to improve the program. She noted that all teaching stream faculty did engage in pedagogical research and were successful in garnering teaching grants to support their research and that those funds supported a wide range of academic initiatives to improve the student experience and foster innovative pedagogical technologies. Short term plans were in progress to increase the faculty learning communities and pedagogical research collaborations between teaching stream faculty and cognate units.
No follow-up report was requested.
Faculty of Arts & Science, Department of Psychology (Undergraduate Programs) and the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Minor (New College)
The reading group found the summary to accurately reflect the full review. The group reported that the Dean’s administrative response had adequately addressed issues identified by the review, however, asked that the Department further comment on the admissions process to the program through second-year courses, and on concerns related to potential bias and underrepresentation in the program.
Geoff MacDonald, Acting Chair, Department of Psychology, responded that students had two paths to enter the major and specialist programs. The primary path was through performance in the introductory first-year Psychology courses and the secondary path was through performance in second-year courses. He noted that the second-year option offered more flexibility to students in terms of core materials, assessment styles and adjustments to the university environment.
No follow-up report was requested.
Faculty of Arts & Science, Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science &Technology (IHPST)
Reading group members had found the reviewers’ comments to be generally supportive of the program and had commended the Director’s leadership for much of the progress made by the Institute. The members found the summary to accurately reflect the full review. The responses provided by the Dean and the Institute addressed many of the issues raised in the review, though they noted that some of the data provided in the review was outdated. The group noted that the administrative response was rather generic and had requested additional information on: how the pilot internship programs for HPS majors, HPS minors, and STS minors were linked to courses offered by Victoria College; the concerns around course requirements; and, clarity regarding the place of the Institute within the University’s ecosystem.
Edward Jones-Imhotep, Director, Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, responded that the pilot internship program had been developedin the winter of 2022 in consultation with the experiential learning and outreach support (ELOS) in the Faculty of Arts & Science to complement the research and work-study opportunities for fourth-year students. He explained that the program provided hands-on experience in several closely related fields such as policy and governance. The program was a one term internship consisting of 100 hours with partner organisations and participants received academic credit as part of a single half-year course through the Science, Technology, and Society (STS) program coordinated through Victoria College.
Professor Jones-Imhotep further clarified that the Institute wasundergoing a comprehensive graduate program review to determine the best approach to fix the course requirements and he highlighted a few possibilities under consideration. He commented that the affiliates had played an important role in the IHPST going back to its founding in 1967. The Institute had worked to redefine the role and appointment process for affiliates,aligning it more closely with its original vision and had clarified the relationship to IHPST on the website and corresponding documentation. He concluded by reporting that the Institute had decreased the number of affiliates, from 28 to the 8 affiliates that were listed in the self-study and external report.
Alison Chasteen further outlined the supports and resources provided by ELOS and noted that the IHPST would engage with the Vice-Dean Graduate Education regarding proposed program modifications as a first step toward any restructuring of graduate program requirements.
No follow-up report was requested.
Faculty of Arts & Science, Centre for Indigenous Studies (CIS)
The reading group members found the summary to accurately reflect the full review. The reviewers applauded the Centre for concentrating on language and having community-based instructors thus allowing the Centre to integrate community-based cultural perspectives in its curriculum. As the Centre transitioned to an EDU:A in July 2022, the reviewers had raised issues related to course scheduling, research practices, hiring of instructors and staff, availability of expertise and resources, and the general recognition of the Centre within the University community. The reading group found the responses in the response table to be vague and ultimately unsatisfactory. The group asked that the Centre or the Dean to provide a more thorough response regarding an implementation plan, brand promotion, and recruitment of an Associate Director.
Dean Melanie Woodin responded that the Faculty was in full agreement that a one-year follow-up was required given that the Centre was going through a period of growth due to its transition from an EDU:B to an EDU:A, noting that this was a key Faculty priority as per its Academic Plan. Work was underwaytowards ensuring the Centre had the appropriate staffing complement, as outlined in the EDU:A proposal plan that had passed through governance. She noted the current challenges of faculty recruitment and concluded by confirming that the Centre would be implementing many of the recommendations over the course of the upcoming year.
Cheryl Suzack, Acting Director, Centre for Indigenous Studies, commented that a concerted effort had been made to consult with faculty and staff about the transition to EDU:A status, and that the Centre’s communications had been enhanced through improved technological tools, such as a newsletter and an improved website, in addition to regular meetings with faculty and staff to solicit feedback and to evaluate resources required to initiate research priorities. She further noted that CIS had pursued initiatives to broadly share learning opportunities and promote the Centre. Enhanced fundraising efforts and recruitment plans were also underway.
Professor Alison Chasteen, Acting Associate Dean, Unit-Level Reviews, responded that the Faculty of Arts & Sciences would collaborate closely with CIS to grow the faculty complement and develop curriculum changes.
Finally, given that the Centre was undergoing a large transformation both at the local and institutional levels, a one-year follow-up report was requested, in which the Unit and Dean address all comments in the administrative response table in a more concrete manner, highlighting what changes have occurred.
Faculty of Arts & Science, Department of Linguistics
The spokesperson for the reading group reported that they found the reviewers’ comments to be generally supportive of the program. The summary accurately reflected the full review. The group noted that the reviewers had rated the Department as one of the best linguistics departments in Canada and in the world. However, it noted that some issues had been identified: a lack of flexibility in the program with many required courses; time to completion; and a decrease in graduate admissions. While the group did not have any major concerns, it did ask for further clarification related to an ancillary comment that the Department was offering too many courses, with plans to offer even more courses.
Sali Tagliamonte, Chair, Department of Linguistics, responded that the courses were distinct for graduate and undergraduate programs. The Department had passed a minor modification through the Curriculum Committee to allow graduate students to take courses in other areas by reducing the required traditional theory courses, and the redesignation of a few courses as optional. The Departmentalso offered a greater course selection in the undergraduate curriculum to reflect emerging trends to include courses with a focus on those that were relevant to professional occupations, for example, EDI, American Sign Language, and practical application of Linguistics.
No follow-up report was requested.
The Chair thanked all members of the Committee’s reading groups for their work and also thanked the Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs for assembling the Review Compendium.
- Proposal for the closure of the Diploma in Advanced Study in Information Studies, Faculty of Information
The Committee received and reviewed the proposal for a program closure: Diploma in Advanced Study in Information Studies, Faculty of Information.
Professor McCahan reported that through the University of Toronto Quality Assurance Program (UTQAP), a total of 65 programs and program structures at the University had been closed. She noted that the Faculty of Information’s 2020 Self-Study had flagged that this Diploma had been stagnating over several years and that student interest had declined. As a result, the Faculty had decided to close the Diploma and to focus its resources on enhancing and supporting its degree programs.
Admission to the Diploma had been administratively suspended in September 2022. The three active students in the Diploma had been notified of the proposed closure. The closure date was August 31, 2025. Consultation on the closure had occurred among faculty and students within the Faculty.
In response to a member’s question around timing of the closure and student completion, Professor MacNeil, Associate Dean Academic, Faculty of Information, responded that there was a lot of flexibility in the timing of when students might register and take their final courses relative to the effective date of the closure.
On motion duly made, seconded and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the proposed closure of the Diploma in Advanced Study in Information Studies (GDipISt), Faculty of Information dated February 17, 2023, to which admissions were administratively suspended in September 2022, be approved with an anticipated program closure date of August 31, 2025.
CONSENT AGENDA
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED
THAT the consent agenda be adopted and Items 5, 6 and 7 approved.
- Changes to Undergraduate Academic Calendar Regulation Section 6C.4 to establish a new policy for Second Attempt for Credit, University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)
Changes to Undergraduate Academic Calendar Regulation Section 6C.4 to establish a new policy for Second Attempt for Credit, University of Toronto Scarborough was approved.
- Changes to Undergraduate Academic Calendar Repeating Passed Courses Section to establish a new policy for Second Attempt for Credit, Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS)
Changes to Undergraduate Academic Calendar Repeating Passed Courses Section to establish a new policy for Second Attempt for Credit, Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) was approved.
- Report of the Previous Meeting: Report 217, February 16, 2023.
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 – May 4, 2023, at 3:10 p.m.
The Chair confirmed that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
- Other Business
There were no items of other business.
The meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m.
April 24, 2023