Senate met on March 31, 2023. Here are the highlights:
Senate approves Carleton Academic Plan
After a two-year process that included several presentations to Senate, the Carleton Academic Plan (CAP) has been finalized. The last modifications from the community-wide consultation on the draft Carleton Academic Plan, which closed on March 13, were presented at Senate for final review and approval.
The finalized Carleton Academic Plan, which will be officially launched shortly, is a key aspect of Carleton’s roadmap to shaping the future and will play an integral role in operationalizing academic and research aspects of Carleton’s Strategic Integrated Plan and other important strategies.
Senate discusses the CUPE 4600 strike
President Bacon opened Senate with a discussion on the ongoing CUPE 4600 strike. He reminded Senate that this is a legal strike and an integral part of the collective bargaining process. He expressed hope that a relatively rapid solution will be found at the bargaining table, and encouraged everyone to remain respectful and compassionate of each other in the meantime.
In response to student questions about the end of the winter term, Provost Jerry Tomberlin and VP Students & Enrolment Suzanne Blanchard expressed that supporting student success was a priority and reassured Senate that everything would be put in place to that effect. Their comments and answers are summarized in an email that has been sent to all students. It was also indicated that there is a formal Senate policy addressing this issue.
Undergraduate and Graduate Major Modifications
Following a large omnibus motion, Senate approved a total of 34 undergraduate and graduate major modifications. Changes included the introduction of a collaborative specialization in Accessibility to 16 programs and a collaborative specialization in Cybersecurity to 7 programs, approval of online delivery modes for the MEng, MEnt, MABA and MDTE in Technology Innovation Management, and several program name changes.
Quality Assurance & Cyclical Reviews
Senate approved the Final Assessment Reports and Executive Summaries arising from the Cyclical Reviews of the following programs:
- Joint Graduate Programs in Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Joint Graduate Programs in Environmental Engineering
- Undergraduate and Graduate Programs in Film Studies
Undergraduate and Graduate Programs in Philosophy
Senate Welcomes New Members
Senate ratified ten new Senate appointments for terms of service beginning July 1, 2023:
Faculty Members
- Laura Madokoro (FASS)
- Jody Mason (FASS)
- Gabriel Wainer (FED) – elected
Student Members
- Shaun Seneviratne (UG – FED)
- Alexandria MacDonald (UG – FED)
- Benjamin Albright-Peakall (UG – FASS)
- Gabriella Pickton (UG – FPA)
- Davin Caratao (UG – FPA)
- Nir Hagigi (UG – FPA)
- Yash Gandhi (UG – Sprott)
Serve on a Senate Committee
Several Senate Committee vacancies remain open to Faculty and Students. For more information, please visit the Senate website.
Senate Meeting Schedule 23/24
The Senate Meeting Schedule for the 2023/24 calendar is now available. All meetings will be held in Pigiarvik’s (formerly Robertson Hall) new Senate Room on the 6th floor from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm unless otherwise indicated.
Senator Spotlight: Donald Russell
Donald Russell is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. In his 32 years at Carleton, he has always enjoyed teaching. His research interests have focused on the interaction of dynamic systems, and he has made contributions in a wide variety of areas including the biomechanics of musculoskeletal injury in skilled musicians; improved design and control of advanced prosthetic arms; and the control and dynamics of ventricular assist devices. He has been an Associate Dean for 17 years, was first elected to Senate in the mid-1990s, served as Clerk of Senate from 2015-2018 and has served on 11 different Senate standing committees.
Next Meeting: April 21, 2023
The next Senate meeting is scheduled for April 21, 2023, at 2 PM. The full meeting schedule, associated meeting materials and minutes are available on the Senate website. Meeting minutes are posted once they are approved at the subsequent meeting.