November 13, 2013

ACEDEMIC AFFAIRS MINUTES                                                                                                             3,5,12

ATTENDANCE: Caisse, Lamoureux, Dionne, Zawatsky, Pilkington, Balikov
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION:

  • Many classes that are centered around one topic, will change over time with different topics pertaining to the world.
  • This would give meaning to some gen-eds
  • Problems:
    • People may take the title as “Conversations” as non-academic
    • Want ideas from senate as to topics for these “Conversations”

-You could select all the classes at once (3 classes centered around this specific
topic)
-Broad topic —> Specific Topics —-> Specific classes to take for these
conversations (what we think it should be)
-Students should be able to create their own conversations

  • Topics:
    • Middle Eastern studies
    • Cultures
    • Human Rights
    • Global Sustainability
    • Healthcare system
    • Survey and work through the majors
  • Should have a wide range of topics so that way a student couldn’t create their own conversations, the advising couldn’t handle this in current state
  • Annually the conversations should be looked over and revised, and maybe a few more could be added pending the success of these conversations

-Meeting about early adoption

  • Problem with professors coming up with books in time so the University can find competitive deals
  • Thinks the senate should write a letter to all the professors so they will get the books in sooner to find more competitive prices
  • Wants to have a strict deadline for professors
  • Wants to educate book buyers on pricing of books
  • Wants surveys at the end of classes to include books and usage, and wants access to that data

-Provost

  • Technology committee
    • $300,000 set aside for technology per year- want senate to go paperless
    • Want to get interactive screens in the chambers and get iPads for the senators
    • $20,000 per program for funding, this would help senate go paperless, this would help promote senate
    • Could make student senate app- this could be used for students and senators (this will lock down the iPad)
    • Problems passing it through the committee:
      • Wont benefit the whole student body, will only benefit senators
      • Come out with new devices every year
      • Could be used for unintended purposes, people not responsible
  • Email sent to Nancy Eaton of faculty senate about the drop period and second grade option being denied in the Faculty Senate