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Council Chamber, Simcoe Hall, 2nd floor
REPORT NUMBER 214 OF THE COMMITTEE ON
ACADEMIC POLICY AND PROGRAMS
May 5, 2022
To the Academic Board,
University of Toronto
Your Committee reports that it held a meeting in the Council Chamber, Simcoe Hall on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 3:10 p.m. with the following present:
Present:
Aarthi Ashok (Vice-Chair), Susan McCahan (Vice-Provost, Academic Programs and Innovations in Undergraduate Education), Catherine Amara, Moses Cook*, James Davis, Raisa Deber, Maryanna Diab*, Stark Draper, Angela Esterhammer, Adam Fox, Robert Gibbs, Walid Houry, Nadine Janes, Jeannie Kim, Rosa Saverino*, Markus Stock, Maureen Simpson*
Regrets:
Ernest Lam (Chair), Christian Caron, Ana Djapa, Gretchen Kerr, Karen Ng, Zhino Maanavi, Eric Stubbs, David Tieu
Non-Voting Assessors:
Angelique Saweczko (University Registrar)
Secretariat:
Timothy Harlick, Secretary, Kristi Gourlay
In Attendance:
Alana Boland, Associate Dean, Teaching & Learning
Alexandra Varela, Assistant Coordinator, Academic Change
Andrea Russell, Director, Academic Affairs
Annette Knott, Coordinator, Academic Change
Chris Yip, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Daniella Mallinick, Director, Academic Programs, Planning & Quality Assurance
Emma del Junco, Acting Coordinator, Academic Planning & Reviews
Jennifer Francisco, Coordinator, Academic Change
Heather Boon, Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life
Katherine Larson, Vice-Dean, Teaching, Learning and Undergraduate Programs, UTSC*
Ken Tallman, Assistant Professor, Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education and Practice
Shelby Verboven, Registrar and Director, Enrolment Management, UTSC
Vina Goghari, Vice-Dean, Research and Program Innovation of the School of Graduate Studies
William Gough, Vice-Principal Academic and Dean, UTSC
(*attended remotely)
- Chair’s Welcome
Professor Aarthi Ashok, the Committee’s Vice-Chair welcomed members and guests to the meeting. It was noted that the Chair, Professor Ernie Lam had an unavoidable time conflict, and as such she would chair the meeting.
- Reports of the Administrative Assessors
Professor Susan McCahan, Vice-Provost, Academic Programs and Innovations in Undergraduate Education, reported that the UTSC MSc in Environmental Science that had been recommended by the Committee and approved by the Academic Board, was approved by the Quality Council on April 22, 2022. It would next be submitted to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities for provincial grant funding and OSAP eligibility approval.
She concluded her report with an update on the completed final exam period for the Winter term. She noted that administration had been collecting data on absences and while the data had not been finalized, reports from divisions indicated that the staff and faculty workload had been manageable.
On behalf of Professor Joshua Barker, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Vice-Provost, Graduate Research and Education, Professor Vina Goghari, Vice-Dean, Research and Program Innovation of the School of Graduate Studies reported that the University of Toronto Graduate Education Council, approved three new policies and/or changes to existing policy within the School of Graduate Studies.
A new policy that granted leave of up to 15 business days within a single calendar year for graduate students applicable to all full-time graduate students in programs over 12 months in duration had been recently approved. For research-stream programs, personal time off would be flexible, as long as it did not interfere with coursework, grant/scholarship application deadlines, or University employment obligations. For Professional-stream programs, personal time off would be determined by the program’s curriculum, considering both coursework and internships/placements schedules. The policy was to take effect September 2022 for research-stream programs and implementation into professional stream programs would occur over a two-year period.
She also reported on recently approved language for voting outcomes of final oral exams (FOE) that would take effect in September 2022. She noted that the revised language now included newly worded possible outcomes: acceptable in its present form, acceptable with editorial corrections, and acceptable with minor revisions.
Professor Goghari concluded her report commenting that the Remote Participation Guidelines related to modes for final oral examinations that were implemented for COVID-19 would become permanent. Fully remote exams had been reported as successful and the preferred choice for committees.
Angelique Saweczko, University Registrar reported that the Scholars and Students at Risk Award Program for undergraduate students had been aligned with that for graduate students that expanded criteria to include students who had been impacted by changing political environments but did not hold refugee status.
Ms Saweczko also reported that a working group had been established to explore the possibility of aligning sessional dates for first Entry Divisions across the University.
Discussion
In response to a member’s question about fall planning, Professor McCahan commented that while no formal announcements had been made, the University was expecting a full return to in-person learning for the Fall term. She further commented that the University continued to monitor the impact of COVID-19 and would be prepared for any changes in delivery methods if necessary.
In response to a member’s concerns about continued confusion with the revised language for voting outcomes of final oral exams, Professor Goghari commented that while the working group that drafted the revisions focussed on clarifying language to minimize reported confusion, she acknowledged that a further revision to the FOE voting procedures may be required.
The Chair thanked Professors McCahan, Professor Goghari and Ms Saweczko for their reports.
- Revisions to the Teaching Evaluation Guidelines for the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering: “Guidelines for the Assessment of Effectiveness of Teaching in Tenure, Continuing Status and Promotion Decisions”
The Committee received and reviewed the proposed revisions to the teaching evaluation guidelines for the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering entitled “Guidelines for the Assessment of Effectiveness of Teaching in Tenure, Continuing Status and Promotion Decisions”. Professor Heath Boon, Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life, Professor Chris Yip, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, and Professor Ken Tallman, Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education and Practice, were in attendance to answer questions.
Professor McCahan introduced Professor Boon who reported that the proposed guidelines were essential to the evaluation of teaching as part of tenure review, the Continuing Status review process, and the review for promotion of all eligible faculty. Professors Yip and Tallman further commented that engineering had had a small set of guidelines for the past number of years and that the revised guidelines provided for a much clearer process for faculty to understand.
Discussion
In response to a member’s question about progress through the ranks, Dean Yip commented that it was not included in these guidelines and that the Department was developing a separate document to address the topic.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED,
THAT the “Guidelines for the Assessment of Effectiveness of Teaching in Tenure, Continuing Status and Promotion Decisions” approved by the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering’s Faculty Council on April 27, 2022, be approved, effective immediately.
- Program Closure: Specialist in Religion: Christian Origins, Faculty of Arts and Science
The Committee received and reviewed the proposed program closure: Specialist in Religion: Christian Origins, within the Faculty of Arts and Science. Professor Alana Boland, Associate Dean, Teaching & Learning, Faculty of Arts and Science was in attendance to answer questions.
Professor McCahan reported that closing programs was a normal part of the academic process and that 64 programs and structures had been closed to date. There had been extensive consultation to close this program in advance of its consideration by the Committee. She noted that student interest for the program had declined and that the program had been suspended in 2019-20. It had no active students and the small number of students who had enrolled prior to 2020 had lapsed and should they return, would be accommodated through other program offerings.
Professor Boland commented that the program’s name was at odds with the scholarly approaches of faculty in this area and that its closure would allow the Department to reallocate resources to programs with greater student interest.
There were no questions from members.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED,
THAT the proposed closure of the Specialist in Religion: Christian Origins, Faculty of Arts and Science, dated March 31, 2022, to which admissions were administratively suspended on February 28, 2020, be approved with an anticipated program closure date of August 31, 2022.
- Changes to Undergraduate Academic Calendar Regulations (2022-23): Section 6C.8, UTSC
The Committee received and reviewed the proposed changes to Undergraduate Academic Calendar Regulations (2022-23): Section 6C.8, UTSC. Professor William Gough, Vice-Principal Academic and Dean, Professor Katherine Larson, Vice-Dean, Teaching, Learning and Undergraduate Programs, and Ms Shelby Verboven, Registrar and Director, Enrolment Management, from the University of Toronto Scarborough campus were in attendance to answer questions.
Professor McCahan reported that the proposed changes had undergone extensive consultation and would align the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) academic regulations with those at Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) and the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). Highlights of the proposed changes included aligning regulations for UTSC students who had transferred from other institutions, regulations for undergraduate students completing graduate courses, and regulations for non-degree UTSC students interested in taking courses at other undergraduate divisions.
Discussion
In response to members questions about limits on the maximum allowable number of credits that UTSC students could take at other undergraduate Divisions, Professors McCahan and Gough commented that the limits were in place to ensure students focused their coursework within the Divisions to which they had been admitted. It was further clarified that all program requirements were still required to be met, and that the changes broadened choice for students’ elective courses or courses that a supervisor could approve as an equivalent.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED,
THAT the proposed changes to the academic regulations, as described in the proposal from the University of Toronto Scarborough dated April 12, 2022, be approved effective September 1, 2022.
- Memorandum of Agreement between the University of Toronto and the Toronto School of Theology and its Member Institutions, 2022
The Committee received and reviewed the proposed Memorandum of Agreement between the University of Toronto and the Toronto School of Theology (TST) and its Member Institutions, 2022. Andrea Russell, Director, Academic Affairs, was in attendance to answer questions.
Professor McCahan reported that the University and TST and its Member schools had conjointly offered a series of degree programs in theology since 1978 through an MOA that outlined the operational and academic relationship. Conjoint programs were “conferred by the simultaneous exercise of the power and authority” of the University and one of the seven TST member institutions. The existing MOA was set to expire on June 30, 2022, and had been renegotiated by a joint committee whose membership, negotiating on behalf of the University, had been approved by the Governing Council’s Executive Committee.
Highlights of the amendments included:
- A revised term length of the agreement;
- Further clarity on process in the event of the withdrawal of a party;
- Further clarity on student policies and services offered to students in conjoint programs; and
- Amendments to Schedule C pertaining to Financial Arrangements, to reflect the latest provincial funding mechanisms and concepts.
Discussion
In response to a member’s question about the shorted term of the agreement, Professor McCahan commented that the term of the agreement was reduced from 7 years to 5 years to align the MOA with the UTQAP process.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO THE ACADEMIC BOARD,
THAT the proposed Memorandum of Agreement between the University of Toronto and the Toronto School of Theology and its Member Institutions, 2022, be approved effective July 1, 2022.
- Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit: Approved List of Programs, 2022-23
The Committee received and reviewed the proposed Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit: Approved List of Programs, 2022-23.
Professor McCahan reported that the provincial government provided a tax credit to a maximum of $3,000 per placement to private employers who provided paid placements, which were part of students’ academic program requirements. The approved list of programs reflected programs that met the Ontario Co-operative Tax Credit criteria and was not an exhaustive list of total placements available to students at the University.
She highlighted a new addition to the approved list of programs; the Conservation and Biodiversity Specialist (Co-operative), a new program offered by the Department of Biological Sciences at UTSC beginning in Fall 2022; and a change in name of the Environmental Biology Specialist programs to the Specialist in Global Environmental Change, also offered by UTSC through the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences.
Discussion
In response to a member’s question about tax credits relating to varying programs, Dr. Daniella Mallinick, Director, Academic Programs, Planning & Quality Assurance, commented that as these were tax credits, employers were provided credits relating to the amount of hours completed by students and it was intended to be an incentive program to increase opportunities for students.
On motion duly made, seconded, and carried
IT WAS RESOLVED,
THAT the 2022-2023 List of University of Toronto Programs Eligible for the Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit, dated May 5, 2022, be approved.
- Annual Report: Certificates (For-Credit and Not-for-Credit), 2021-22
The Committee received and reviewed the Annual Report: Certificates (For-Credit and Not-for-Credit), 2021-22, for information.
Professor McCahan reminded the Committee that the Policy on Certificates (For-Credit and Not-For-Credit) provided Deans and their divisions academic authority and oversight over certificate programs.
Professor McCahan reported that the For-Credit Certificate Report included two types of certificates: stand-alone certificates; and certificates taken in conjunction with undergraduate degree programs. There was a total of 60 for-credit certificates: 12 stand-alone certificates and 48 certificates taken in conjunction with undergraduate programs. The Not-For-Credit certificates Report included 249 items with 46 new certificates that had been added this year, reflecting growth in interest in life-long learning.
She concluded her report highlighting a new addition on OSAP Eligible Micro-credentials as an addendum to the Not-For-Credit Report that listed all offerings meeting the Ministry’s specific criteria for micro-credentials.
Discussion
In response to a member’s question about a regular review of offered certificates, Professor McCahan noted that the certificates were reviewed regularly and closed when appropriate.
In response to a member’s question about the governance path for a certificate, Dr. Mallinick commented that the Policy on Certificates (For-Credit and Not-For-Credit) outlined the approval authority and governance pathways for each of the categories of certificates offered by the University.
- Annual Report: Graduate Collaborative Specialization Reviews, 2021-22
The Committee received and reviewed the Annual Report: Graduate Collaborative Specialization Reviews, 2021-22, for information.
Professor McCahan reported that two external reviews of collaborative specializations were conducted in 2021-22; the collaborative specialization in Cardiovascular Sciences and the collaborative specialization in Neuroscience, both led by the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. She commented that the reviews focused on evaluating the quality and additional value provided in the multidisciplinary environment of a collaborative specialization and highlighted that the Report indicated a continued interest in and commitment to both collaborative specializations.
There were no questions from members.
- Annual Report: Major Modifications, 2021-22
The Committee received and reviewed the Annual Report: Major Modifications, 2021-22, for information.
Professor McCahan commented that the Report included 29 major modifications and highlighted several new interdivisional offerings, change in areas of institutional priorities, and new options for students in existing programs. She noted that as part of this Report, included was a list of minor modifications. The list included only those minor changes that had affected the structure of programs, such as the creation of new undergraduate focuses, graduate emphases, the renaming of program offerings.
There were no questions from members.
- Report of the Previous Meeting: Report 213, April 12, 2022
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 – September 20, 2022, at 3:10 p.m.
The Chair confirmed that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on September 20, 2022.
- Other Business
Being the final meeting of the governance year for the Committee, Professor McCahan thanked members for their careful consideration of the many items that was brought to the Committee throughout the year. She also thanked the Chair and Vice-Chair for their leadership and her team Daniella Mallinick; Emma del Junco; Jennifer Francisco; Annette Knott; David Lock; Karen Shim; and Alexandra Varela, for their dedication and hard work.
The Chair expressed similar appreciation and thanked the Committee’s Voting and Non-Voting Assessors for their work throughout the year in keeping the Committee informed and bringing forward items for consideration.
The meeting adjourned at 4:16 p.m.
May 6, 2022