REPORT NUMBER 63 OF THE UTSC ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
MARCH 22, 2023
To the Campus Council,
University of Toronto Scarborough,
Your committee reports that it met on March 22, 2023 at 3:10 p.m., with the following members present:
Present: Sonja Nikkila (Chair), Gillian Mason (Vice-Chair), William A. Gough (Vice-Principal Academic & Dean), Katie Larson (Vice-Dean, Teaching, Learning & Undergraduate Programs), Rene Harrison (Vice-Dean, Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies), Syed Ahmed, George B. Arhonditsis*, Corinne Beauquis, Elyse Caron–Beaudoin, , Shelley-Anne Brunt, Christopher Cochrane, Sotirios Damouras, Suzanne Erb*, Fatima Formuli, John A. Hannigan, Qusai Mahmud Hassan, Irmi Huftless*, Elizabeth Ann O’Brien*, Natalie Oswin*, Zoreh Shahbazi, Anthony Charles Ruocco*, Zohreh Shahbazi, Grace Skogstad, Rachel Sturge*, Sofia Suleman, Judith Ann Teichman*, Phil Triadafilopoulos*, Shelby Verboven, David Zweig*
Regrets: Wisdom Tettey (Vice President and Principal), Irena Creed (Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation), Iris Au, Sandra Bamford, Joshua Barker, Rana Behzadi, Divya Dey, Kyomi Duncan, Barry Freeman, Paula Hastings, Angela Hamilton, Joseph Hermer, Thembela Kepe, Philip Kremer, Michelle Lone, Nathaniel Luces, Randy Lundy, Andrew Mason, Alice Maurice, Sharlene Mollett, Michael Molloy, Juvenal Ndayiragije, William Nelson, Cheryl Regehr, Laura Risk, Paulina Rousseau, Mahinda Samarakoon, Valentina Shamoun, Mark A Schmuckler, Michelle Silver, Liana Williams, Marco Zimmer-De Iuliis, Jessica Marie Wilson
Non-Voting Assessors: Kyomi Hastings Duncan (Associate Registrar and Director of Admissions & Student Recruitment), Martha Harris (Academic Programs Officer), Varsha Patel (Assistant Dean, Student Success and Career Support), Suzanne Sicchia (Associate Professor, Teaching Stream Associate Dean Undergraduate Programs & Curriculum)
In Attendance: Dan Bender (Professor)*, Anne-Emanuelle-Birn (Professor)*, Hilary Brown (Assistant Professor)*, Keith Colaco (Assistant Professor)*, Kyle Danielson (Assistant Professor)*, Amrith David (Scarborough Campus, Student’s Union), Will Kwan (Associate Professor and Program Director & Associate Chair) *, Philip Monahan (Associate Professor & Associate Chair), Lisa Janz (Assistant Professor), Katherine Shwetz
Secretariat: Lydia Gill (Secretary), Kata Skoko, Timothy Harlick*
* Participated remotely
OPEN SESSION
- Chair’s Remarks
The Chair welcomed members and guests to the fifth meeting of the Academic Affairs Committee for the year. She also provided a brief update regarding the results of the 2023 governance positions. With the governance elections process now concluded, Professor Nikkila announced that Ms Mariana Jardim had been elected to the librarian seat on the Campus Council; Phil Triadafilopoulos (Political Science), Hadiya Roderique (Arts, Culture, and Media). Lianne Tripp (Anthropology), and John Hannigan (Sociology) were elected to the teaching staff seats on the UTSC Academic Affairs Committee. For the UTSC Campus Affairs Committee teaching staff seat, Professor Mark Fitzpatrick (Biological Sciences) was declared elected; and Mr. Tarak Ahmed (Health and Wellness) was declared elected for the administrative staff seat. All these individuals would begin their three-year terms on July 1, 2023. Student election results would be announced in the first week of April.
- Change to Academic Regulations Section 6C.4: Regulations Concerning Course Selection (Second Attempt for Credit)
The Chair invited Professor Katie Larson, (Vice-Dean Undergraduate, Teaching and Learning) and Shelby Verboven (Registrar and Assistant Dean, Strategic Enrolment Management) to present the item. Highlights from Ms.Verboven’s presentation are as follows:
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The proposed change to Academic Regulations Section 6C.4: Regulations Concerning Course Selection (Second Attempt for Credit) Policy would allow for UTSC students to retake up to 1.0 credit of courses they have successfully completed to count for credit.
- The first attempt would become EXT (extra course) and would not be used in the CGPA calculation. The second attempt would count for credit and be included in the CGPA.
- UTSC would be the third Arts & Science division at the University to adopt this proposal. U of T Mississauga and the Faculty of Arts and Science had implemented this policy in 2019 and 2021.
- The adoption of the Second Attempt for Credit policy at UTSC would allow students to attain the required course grade to provide access to limited enrolment programs. Provide students with a viable ‘second chance’ to be successful and would create tri-campus alignment across the Arts & Science divisions.
- The proposed change for the Second Attempt for Credit policy was spearheaded through significant consultation with students, staff and faculty, and the advocacy efforts on behalf of the Scarborough Campus Student’s Union (SCSU)
The Chair invited Amrith David, Vice-President Academics and University Affairs, Scarborough Campus Student’s Union to deliver remarks on behalf of SCSU. Mr. David remarked that the SCSU was pleased that the administration was taking the necessary steps to implement the change to academic regulations. He noted that this would be a positive change for students at UTSC.
A member inquired as to whether a student could retain the first attempted grade achieved in a course, should they receive a lower grade in the second attempt. Ms. Verboven clarified that students would not be penalized for achieving a lower grade in the second attempt at a course.
On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED,
THAT the proposed modifications to Academic Regulations Section 6C.4 be approved, effective September 1, 2023.
- Major Modification, Undergraduate: Specialist and Specialist (Co-op) in Psycholinguistics, Department of Language Studies, UTSC
Professor Larson presented that the Department of Language Studies was proposing major modifications to the current specialist and specialist (co-op) in psycholinguistics to change the degree designation for the program as leading to an HBSc (Science program) instead of the HBA (Arts program). She noted that this change was proposed to:
- Align the existing content and training with the science degree pathway.
- Align the UTSC program with other Canadian and international undergraduate programs in Psycholinguistics, and
- Better fit the degree pathway with the graduate programs and careers pursued by Psycholinguistics graduates, which include clinical and research careers.
Members had no questions.
On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED,
THAT the proposed modifications to the Specialist and Specialist (Co-op) in Psycholinguistics, be approved, effective September 1, 2024.
- Minor Modifications: Undergraduate Curriculum Changes, Management, UTSC
Professor Larson reported that the Department of Management sought to introduce twenty program changes, fourteen new special topics courses and four course changes. She noted that the Department of Management recently underwent an external review, in addition to a review led by a Department Core Curriculum Committee (CCC). During this review, one of the key recommendations was to reduce the number of courses required for a student to obtain a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).
Members had no questions.
On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED,
THAT the proposed Management undergraduate curriculum changes for the 2023-24 academic year, as detailed in the respective curriculum reports, dated March 22, 2023, be approved.
- Minor Modifications: Undergraduate Curriculum Changes, Humanities, UTSC
Professor Larson reported that the Department of Arts, Culture and Media proposed eight new courses. One in Journalism and a suite of seven Visual Arts courses, four of which were connected.
A member inquired as to whether students that were not in a studio-based course could access the Essential Skills for an Emerging Arts Course (VPSC85H3). Professor Will Kwan noted that the course would be larger in size, and thus would allow for some students outside of the program to take it as an elective on a case-by-case basis.
On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED,
THAT the proposed Humanities undergraduate curriculum changes for the 2023-24 academic year, as detailed in the respective curriculum reports, dated March 22, 2023, be approved.
- Minor Modifications: Undergraduate Curriculum Changes, Sciences, UTSC
Professor Larson reported that the Department of Biological Sciences had proposed four new courses. While the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences had proposed three program changes focused on some of the Specialist and Specialist (Co-op) programs, three new courses, and two course changes.
In response to a member’s question about why the Human Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (BIOD24H3) was proposed as a fourth-year course, rather than a third-year course, Professor Shelley Brunt responded that the department had decided to create a smaller ‘C’ level course with the appropriate prerequisite for preparation.On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED,
THAT the proposed Sciences undergraduate curriculum changes for the 2023-24 academic year, as detailed in the respective curriculum reports, dated March 22, 2023, be approved.
- Minor Modifications: Undergraduate Curriculum Changes, Social Sciences, UTSC
Professor Larson reported that the following departments each proposed a suite of new courses: Anthropology, Health & Society and Psychology. Professor Larson also noted that there was a miscategorization of the proposed changes to the Department of Psychology curriculum within the Social Sciences Curriculum package on the agenda and noted that Psychology was classified as a Science at UTSC. This item would be considered under this item, since it was included in the Social Sciences curriculum materials on the agenda.
Members had no question.
On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED,
THAT the proposed Social Sciences undergraduate curriculum changes for the 2023-24 academic year, as detailed in the respective curriculum reports, dated March 22, 2023, be approved.
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Minor Modifications: Graduate Curriculum Changes, Mode of Delivery Changes, UTSC
The Chair invited Professor Rene Harrison, Vice-Dean, Graduate & Post-Doctoral Studies to deliver the report for the Graduate Curriculum Changes. Professor Harrison reported that three graduate departments were requesting mode of deliver changes: Physical and Environmental Sciences, Psychological and Clinical Sciences, and Global Development Studies.
A member inquired about what the ‘hybrid’ designation for a course meant for the delivery of the course. Professor Larson noted that a course was designated as ‘hybrid’ when more than a third of the course content is taking place online.On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED,
THAT the proposed Mode of Delivery graduate curriculum changes for the 2023-24 academic year, as detailed in the respective curriculum reports, dated March 22, 2023, be approved.
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Minor Modifications: Graduate Curriculum Changes, The Combined Degree Programs for UTSC Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with the Master of Accounting and Finance (MAccFin), UTSC
Professor Harrison reported that the Department of Management proposed some minor editorial changes, along with a course code update and rearrangement of items in the course calendar.
Members had no questions.
On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED,
THAT the proposed the Combined Degree Programs for UTSC Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with the Master of Accounting and Finance (MAccFin), UTSC Graduate curriculum changes for the 2023-24 academic year, as detailed in the respective curriculum reports, dated March 22, 2023, be approved.
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Minor Modifications: Graduate Curriculum Changes, Graduate Collaborative Specialization in Food Studies, UTSC
Professor Harrison reported that the Culinaria Research Centre (EDU:C) was proposing to add the PhD in Medieval Studies as a participating program in the existing Collaborative Specialization in Food Studies.
Members had no questions.On motion duly made, seconded and carried,
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED,
THAT the proposed Graduate Collaborative Specialization in Food Studies (adding PhD, Medieval Studies), UTSC Graduate curriculum changes for the 2023-24 academic year, as detailed in the respective curriculum reports, dated March 22, 2023, be approved.
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Report of the Presidential Assessors
There were two reports for the committee’s attention.
Professor Bill Gough, Vice Principal, Academic and Dean (VPAD) provided a report of the work of his unit, sharing the following information:
Modified Final Exam Schedule
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UTSC would be the first division to move to a modified final exam schedule during the religious observances of Ramadan. There would be no evening exams during this period.
UTSC Campus Curriculum Review - UTSC had made significant progress towards the goals set out in the Report of the UTSC Campus Curriculum Review Working Circle 2020-2022.
- The Office of the Vice-Principal Academic & Dean would launch the Pedagogies of Inclusive Excellence (PIE) Fund that provided support for the implementation of the recommended actions of the Campus Curriculum Review Working Circle.
- UTSC also welcomed two new educational developers to the Centre for Teaching and Learning. One focused on Anti-Racist Pedagogies and the other on Universal Design for Learning
- Professor Juvénal Ndayiragije was appointed as Special Advisor, Black Faculty Success. Professor Ndayiragije would provide counsel and advice to the Vice-Principal Academic & Dean, Vice-Deans, and Associate Deans focusing on the recruitment and retention of Black faculty and postdoctoral fellows.
Graduate & Post-Doctoral Studies - A new research-based Master of Environmental Science program would launch in May.
- UTSC would host an inaugural post-doctoral conference would be held in the Catalyst Centre on April 26th.
- In September 2023, UTSC would host graduate student spaces in the new residence hall.
Next, Professor Skogstad delivered a report on behalf of Professor Irena Creed (Vice-Principal, Research & Innovation). Highlights from Professor Skogstad report are as follows: - In collaboration with the Environmental and Related Technologies Hub (EaRTH) district, the Office of the Vice-Principal Research & Innovation (OVPRI) submitted two applications to the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) funding programs to support the expansion of knowledge and awareness of careers in Ontario’s automotive and mobility economy.
- OVPRI would propose two new Extra-Departmental Units (EDU:C) later in the year. The first, would be through the Institutes for Globalization, Transnationalism and the Advancement of Resilient, Inclusive Societies and Ecosystems (GTA Rise). The second would be to support the development of the Flourish Centre that was borne from the Cluster of Scholarly Prominence Program (CSPP) of the same name, led by Professor Andrea Charise.
A member inquired as to whether there was a timeline or specific milestones that departments should be aiming for when undertaking the recommendations from the UTSC Campus Curriculum Review. Professor Larson noted that there was a section in the Curriculum Review Report that stated timelines as a guideline for departments. She further clarified that there was not a specific deadline, nor did the timelines infer that the recommendations had an end point, but that the work should be ongoing for individual faculty and departments.
Another member requested clarification on when departments could expect the release of the new changes for Co-op programs. More specifically, in relation to the Biological Sciences. Professor Larson clarified that this information would be released this year. The member further inquired about whether this would mean that current and/or prospective students would be able to transition to a Co-op program in 2024. Ms. Verboven noted that it would depend on available spaces within the program.
CONSENT AGENDA
- Minor Modifications: Graduate Curriculum, UTSC (For Information)**
- Minor Modifications: Undergraduate Curriculum, UTSC (For Information)**
- Report of the Previous Meeting: Number 62, February 8, 2023 (For Approval)**
- Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting
- Date of Next Meeting – May 1, 2023, 3:10 p.m.
On motion duly moved, seconded, and carried
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item 14, the Report of the Previous Meeting, be approved.
- Other Business
There was no Other Business.
The meeting adjourned at 4:29 p.m.
March 27, 2023