Senate met on April 5, 2024. Here are the highlights:
Revised Academic Governance of the University
The Senate approved a revised version of the Academic Governance of the University (AGU). Notable revisions include:
- Removal of the FGPA Dean from Senate membership, and removal of the Graduate Faculty Board from the Faculty Boards section, as per recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee on Graduate Academic Governance
- The readjustment of the term of service for Contract Instructors which will now run from October 1 – September 30, instead of July 1 – June 30
- The removal of Special Appointment category, to make the COU Academic Colleague and Alumni Representative regular and permanent elected positions on Senate
- The readjustment of the Clerk of Senate position from ex officio category to elected category
- A reduction in total Senate membership, from “up to” 86 members to a set 82 members
Quality Assurance and Cyclical Reviews
Senate approved the Final Assessment Reports and Executive Summaries arising from the Cyclical Reviews of the undergraduate and graduate programs in Cognitive Science.
Senate Repeals Policy on Academic Accommodations During Labour Disputes
Senate voted to repeal the Policy on Academic Accommodations During Labour Disputes. The policy was created by Senate in 2020 to provide a framework for bringing recommendations to Senate for academic accommodations for students during labour disputes. The motion to repeal the policy was brought forward by Senators concerned that the policy prevents Senate from remaining neutral during labour disputes.
Quality Assurance & Cyclical Reviews
Senate approved the Final Assessment Reports and Executive Summaries arising from the Cyclical Reviews of the undergraduate and graduate programs in European, Russian and Eurasian Studies and the undergraduate and graduate programs in History.
Undergraduate and Graduate Major Modifications
Senate approved 4 undergraduate and graduate major modifications, including:
- A name change of the BSC Programs in Interdisciplinary Science and Practice to Integrated Science as presented with effect from Fall 2025.
- The deletion of the Collaborative Specialization in Biostatistics as presented with effect from Fall 2024
- The deletion of the concentrations in International Marketing and Trade; International Strategy and Human Resources Management; and Global Financial Management and Systems from the BIB program as presented with effect from Fall 2024
- The introduction of the Bachelor of Accounting and of BUSI 4020 as presented with effect from Fall 2025
Research Update
Senate received a comprehensive update on research activities and achievements that took place at Carleton University during the 2022-23 academic year. Key successes include the following: positive impact on the university’s reputation, a total of 2,757 publications and a total of 113,064 citations. The presentation also outlined the university’s research priorities, including sustaining research productivity, enhancing post-award support, building reputation, strengthening international activities, and expanding community engagement.
Senator Spotlight: Lisa Moffitt
Dr. Lisa Moffitt is an Associate Professor of Architecture and Associate Director of Graduate Programs at Carleton University. She was Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh from 2010-2020 where she also completed her PhD Architecture by Design. Moffitt’s research focuses on contemporary environmental concerns related to climate change within historical and cultural contexts. Her work is prompted by the question how architecture materially alters, impacts, and constructs new environments in light of climate change. Moffitt has been published in various journals and her work has been exhibited widely. In 2023, she published her book “Architecture’s Model Environments”, which explores the dialogues buildings have with their environmental surroundings. The book illustrates how environmental models reveal design insights across scales, from the seam to the body to the building to the world. Original work featured in her book will be on exhibition at the Rhode Island School of Design in May. Learn more about Lisa Moffitt.
Next Meeting: May 3, 2024
The next Senate meeting is scheduled for May 3, 2024, 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.