S-99-25 FACULTY OF SCIENCE Meeting of Faculty Tuesday, December 7, 1999 Rutherford Physics Building Physics Auditorium, Room 112 ATTENDANCE: As recorded in the Faculty Appendix Book. DOCUMENTS: S-99-18 to S-99-24 Dean Shaver called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. (1) MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 9, 1999 S-99-18 Mr. Kovacs moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried. (2) BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES There was no business arising from the minutes. (3) ANNOUNCEMENTS 403.1 On behalf of the Faculty of Science, Dean Shaver congratulated Dr. Robert Zamboni of Merck Frosst, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Chemistry, who was awarded the Prix Lionel-Boulet. He said Dr. Zamboni was the first person to receive this new prize, which is the highest honour for a QuÇbec researcher in industry. (4) REPORTS OF COMMITTEES a) Sub-Committee on Scholarships S-99-19 The John Hooper Scholarship Value: $2000 404.1 Prof. Brown, Chair of the Sub-committee on Scholarships, presented the above new Faculty of Science in-course award. b) Committee on Student Standing(CSS) S-99-20 404.2 Associate Dean Mendelson said the CSS meeting had been cancelled due to lack of business. c) Academic Committee S-99-21 404.3 Dean Shaver said that the presentation of the Academic Committee report had been rearranged for clarity and efficiency. He said he hoped that the new design would allow Faculty to deal more efficiently with all items. He said the report was experimental, and that he would like to get feedback from members. 404.4 Dean Shaver mentioned that the number of items considered by the Academic Committee had been noticeably greater than at the same time the previous year. SECTION A: NEW PROGRAMS MCGILL SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENT -B.Sc. in Environment: Food Production & the Environment(AC-99-63) Prof. Baker moved, seconded by Prof. Paquette, that the program be adopted. The motion carried. BIOLOGY -Minor in Biology(AC-99-81) Prof. Pasztor moved, seconded by Prof. Ewing, that the program be adopted. The motion carried. PHYSICS -B.Sc. Joint Major in Physics & Computer Science(AC-99-89) Prof. Crawford moved, seconded by Prof. Barrette, that the program be adopted. The motion carried. SECTION B: MAJOR PROGRAM REVISIONS There were no major program revisions. SECTION C: MINOR PROGRAM REVISIONS McGILL SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENT (MSE) Prof. GowriSankaran moved, seconded by Prof. Baines, that the list of Minor Program Changes be approved. -B.Sc. in Environment: Atmospheric Environment & Air Quality(AC-99-64) -B.Sc. in Environment: Water Environments & Ecosystems(AC-99-65) 404.5 Prof. Farrell proposed, seconded by Prof. Harpp, the following amendments for the above two programs: - Document AC-99-64, Page 2: Chemistry 180-367, should be added under the list of Complementary Courses. - Document AC-99-65, Page 3: Chemistry 180-257, should be 4 credits instead of 3. The amendment passed. PSYCHOLOGY -Faculty(AC-99-66) -Major(AC-99-67) -Honours(AC-99-68) CHEMISTRY -B.Sc. Major in Chemistry (Materials Option)(AC-99-70) -B.Sc. Honours in Chemistry (Materials Option)(AC-99-71) ATMOSPHERIC & OCEANIC SCIENCES -B.Sc. Major in Atmospheric Science(AC-99-82) -B.Sc. Honours in Atmospheric Science(AC-99-83) -B.Sc. Joint Major in Atmospheric Science and Physics(AC-99-84) -B.Sc. Minor in Atmospheric Science(AC-99-85) -Diploma in Meteorology(AC-99-86) GEOGRAPHY -B.Sc. Major in Geography(AC-99-92) -B.Sc. Honours in Geography(AC-99-93) The motion to approve all the above Minor Program Revisions carried. SECTION D: MAJOR COURSE REVISIONS Prof. Barrette moved, seconded by Prof. GowriSankaran, that the list of Major Course Revisions be approved. CHEMISTRY 180-571B Polymer Synthesis(AC-99-69) 3 credits Changes in credit weight, course number & course description BIOLOGY Course Retirement: 177-199A FYS: Species Diversity(AC-99-75) 3 credits 404.6 There was a brief discussion concerning the retirement of the First Year Seminar Biology course,177-199A. Course Retirement: 177-274A General Genetics(AC-99-76) 3 credits The motion to approve all the above Major Course Revisions carried. SECTION E: NEW COURSES Prof. Paquette moved, seconded by Prof. Ewing, that the list of New Courses be approved. CHEMISTRY 180-470C/D Research Project(AC-99-72) 6 credits 180-647A Physical Chem: Special Topic 1(AC-99-73) 4 credits 180-648B Physical Chem: Special Topic 2(AC-99-74) 4 credits PHYSICS 198-489A/B Special Project(AC-99-88) 3 credits EARTH & PLANETARY SCIENCES 186-530A Volcanology(AC-99-90) 3 credits GEOGRAPHY 183-370A Protected Areas(AC-99-91) 3 credits ATMOSPHERIC & OCEANIC SCIENCES/EARTH & PLANETARY SCIENCES 195-250/186-250 Natural Disasters(AC-99-97/AC-99-97A) 3 credits The motion to approve all the above New Courses carried. 404.7 Dean Shaver pointed out that 195-250 and 186-250 was another set of double-prefix courses, which would be team-taught. SECTION F: MINOR COURSE REVISIONS & OTHER (For Information Only) GEOGRAPHY -B.A. Major Concentration in Geography -B.A. Major Concentration (Urban Systems) in Geography -B.A. Honours Program in Geography -B.A. Joint Honours Program in Geography MSE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS/GUIDELINES(AC-99-62) MINOR COURSE CHANGES(AC-99-61) 404.8 Dean Shaver asked members for their comments on the new order of presentation in the Academic Committee report. 404.9 Members felt that the new format was an improvement. 404.10 It was suggested changing the order of the report, such that New Courses be considered before Major Course Revisions. 404.11 In response to a member who suggested that a one-line description of each item be included in the Academic Committee report, Dean Shaver said that one line would not be enough, and that someone would have to make a value judgement as to what would be included. That job would not be done by either the Associate Dean or the Dean. He said that the Dean or the Associate Dean try to highlight changes during Faculty meetings. 404.12 Dean Shaver said he would take under advisement a suggestion that navigation through the documents somehow be made easier. 404.13 Dean Shaver mentioned that, although Academic Committee documents were not circulated by e-mail, every department offering a B.Sc. had a representative on the Academic Committee, and those representatives had all the documents. He said that Faculty members thus could have access to Academic Committee documents before Faculty meetings. Reports of Committees (Continued) d) Other i) Committee on Materials Science S-99-22 404.14 Prof. P. GrÅtter pointed out the highlights of the above report, and answered members questions. He emphasized the importance of materials science researchers responding to a questionnaire that had been distributed. Web Addresses Questionnaire: http://www.physics.mcgill.ca/cgi-bin/matsci.p1 Faculty Materials Science Committee: http://www.mcgill.ca/science/committee/index.html 404.15 Dean Shaver said the Faculty of Engineering had struck a parallel committee, and that each faculty had a representative on the other's committee. He said discussion between the two committees was underway in an attempt to create a coordinating group. He said he would like to know if there were other faculties involved in materials science. ii) Ad hoc Graduate Studies Committee 404.16 Prof. Farrell said that Prof. B. Lennox was not able to attend the current Faculty meeting, and that he would report on behalf of Prof. Lennox. Prof. Farrell said that the committee was in the process of collecting data, and that it would report to Faculty in due course. iii) Ad hoc Constitution Review Committee 404.17 Associate Dean Mendelson said that a draft copy of the Constitution would be considered at the next Chairs' meeting. If necessary, the committee would meet one more time prior to bringing the document to Faculty, initially for discussion. At a subsequent Faculty meeting, the document would be presented for adoption. The draft document was currently available from Chairs. 404.18 Dean Shaver said the committee was concerned mostly with housekeeping issues, since a number of items had become outdated. 404.19 Dean Shaver said a copy of the document would be distributed to each Faculty member prior to the Faculty meeting at which it would be considered. (5) DEAN'S BUSINESS - McGill College International (MCI) S-99-23 - Motion S-99-24 405.1 Dean Shaver introduced the proposal and said that the original idea had been discussed at a V.-P.'s meeting in August 1998, and that it had evolved from being a university proposal to one identified more closely with the Faculties of Arts and of Science. 405.2 Dean Shaver said the proposal had been brought to an Academic Committee meeting for discussion. There had been a lot of questions asked and answers given, and it was decided to bring the issue to Faculty for further discussion. 405.3 Prof. Ewing described the proposal, and Prof. Ewing and Prof. Harpp answered questions. Prof. Ewing moved, seconded by Prof. Harpp, that the motion (S-99-24) be adopted. 405.4 There was extensive discussion of this item, and a number of friendly amendments to the original motion were accepted, such that the final motion read: "Faculty resolves that the Nominating Committee be instructed to establish an ad hoc committee, with representation from every department and the student body, to consider the proposal that McGill establish a private liberal arts college within McGill; this committee to consult extensively within the Faculty, and with the corresponding committee in the Faculty of Arts, and to report its findings and recommendations if any to the Faculty of Science." 405.5 Among the points raised in favour of the motion were that there was no true liberal arts program in Canada; that by voting against the motion, the Faculty would be taking itself out of the discussion, and be possibly forced to adopt something that it may not like; that it would be premature to reject the proposal and thus eliminate further consideration of it - even if Faculty members did not like the proposal as formulated, it would be possible to modify the proposal to produce something acceptable to the Faculty of Science. 405.6 Among the points raised against the motion were the expense compared to the benefits of the program to students; the dubious existence of a clientele for the program; the lack of originality of the program when considered on a world-wide basis, and the availability of similar programs in the U.S.; the creation of a private system within McGill; and the feeling that a vote in favour of the motion would be looked on as implicit approval of the concept. 12 In favour 17 Against 3 Abstention The motion was defeated. 405.7 In response to a member who asked if there was some way of transmitting the feelings of Faculty on the issue, Dean Shaver replied that this had been reflected in the vote. He said the vote would not discourage innovative thinking with respect to developing degree programs at McGill, and that the door was open to innovative thinking. (6) MEMBERS' QUESTION PERIOD There were no questions. (7) REPORT ON ACTIONS OF SENATE Senate Meeting of October 13, 1999 - Report by Prof. A. Baker Prof. Baker apologized for his report being late. The meeting began with a resolution on the death of Professor Axelrad formerly of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Following the steering committee report and adoption of the agenda Professor Frankman moved that the Senate request the Executive committee of the Board of Governors reinstate the lapsed ("Policy on Software Developed by McGill University Faculty, Academic Staff and Students"). This motion passed. It is understood that this is an interim measure until the new Policy on Intellectual Property is adopted. 314th REPORT OF THE ACADEMIC POLICY AND PLANNING COMMITTEE The Department of Art History and the Graduate program in Art history were merged to form the Department of Art history and communication studies. This was done to strengthen both units. An exchange program with University of Western Australia and a Memorandum of Co-operation with the ministry of education and five Saudi Arabian universities was noted. REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE The Joint Senate Board Committee/Senate Committee on Technology Transfer was made a committee of the Senate and its terms of reference were modified. Senate representation on this committee was raised from four to five. This committee advises the Vice Principal Research and Graduate Studies on matters of technology transfer. A motion to abolish the Committee on Inventions and Patents was tabled until the Policy on Intellectual Properties adopted. ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT STAFF COUNTS AS AT MAY 31, 1999 The number of administrative and support personnel in all categories have declined to between 70% and 80% of the 1993 levels. The exception to this is Middle Management that is at 107%. This anomaly has occurred because this is the only category that easily permits temporary contract work, many people doing short term work for the University are included. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1998-1999 FINANCIAL REPORT TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS The accumulated operating deficit has declined from $99.5 million to $16.5 million since the peak in 1991. The University had budgeted for an approximately $5 million deficit but reported a surplus of approximately $28 Million. This was largely due to a one-time $24.6 million grant from QuÇbec and a special $2.1 million contribution from the endowment fund. The QuÇbec government operating grant to the University has decline to about 80% of its 1994-95 level while student fees have increased by about 25%. YEAR 2000 PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT. The university is largely compliant. There will be a Y2K war room to deal with problems. Researchers and the university may be financially liable if research contract "deliverables" are interfered with by negligence of the Y2K problem. This may lead to third party law suits. Researchers who might be affected should have received formal notification from the University. DOCUMENTS TABLED TO BE DISCUSSED LATER "Tradition and Innovation: An International University In A City Of Knowledge" a report to the Minister of Education was tabled. This report was produced on short notice with little opportunity for consultation within the University. It was prepared in response to the Minister's plan to propose a major increase in QuÇbec University funding to cabinet. A working document on Intellectual Property was presented. The main impetus for this document is a desire to develop a coherent policy for dealing with electronic software developed within the university. PRINCIPAL'S REPORT University enrolment is up 7%. Among several others Prof. Eric Mountjoy has been elected to the Royal Society of Canada. The Principal plans to continue working to improve academic salaries. The Mcgill Office for Chemistry and Society opened Sept 17. The University is constructing a new Senate/Board chamber. Leacock 232 will become 2 or more new classrooms. Senate Meeting of November 10, 1999 - Report by Prof. N. de Takacsy Report of the Steering Committee Professors Pat Farrell and Sam Noumoff have been elected as Senate representatives on the Board. 17th report of the University Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee dealt with three appeals relating to denial of tenure and one relating to non-renewal of appointment. All the appeals failed. All the Appeals Committee reports are now on the web at http://www.mcgill.ca/Secretariat/appeals.html and together they provide a very useful interlinear for the Regulations. The Appeals Committee also recommended some changes of an administrative nature to the Regulations and some new wording for the standard letters. Senate Steering Committee will propose the appropriate way to do this, keeping in mind the role of MAUT. The University Bookstore Committee The problems in ordering textbooks this past September have been brought to the attention of Chapters. Moreover the Committee believes that the present system consisting of an administrative "bookstore oversight committee" reporting to the V.-P.(Admin. and Finance) and an academic "University bookstore committee" reporting to Senate is not in the best interests of the academic community. Vice-Principal Yalovsky stated made a commitment to better communication and proposed to add the Chair of the Senate committee to the oversight committee. He also noted that both McGill and Chapters are bound by the contract between them. The question of a single or joint committee will be put on the agenda of the Steering committee. Report of the Senate Nomination Committee. Professors Roger Rigelhof and Bernard Robaire have been appointed as Senate representatives on the Advisory Committee for the Selection of a VP(admin & finance). These appointments are additional to Professor Peter Jones and Ms. Honora Shaughnessy, with Professors Juan Vera and Hamid Etemad as alternates. There were a number of other appointments to other committees. Senate Meeting of December 1, 1999 - Report by Prof. P. Farrell The meeting was concerned mainly with the proposed "Policy on Intellectual Property" but started with a number of reports and "house-keeping" items. In an effort to improve communications in and with the University Bookstore, V.-P. Yalovsky will discuss with Chapters the possibility of greater interaction between the University Bookstore Committee and the "bookstore oversight committee" created in accordance with the contract. Senate wished to ensure that proposals to modify or expand the Tenure Regulations are derived from joint Administration - MAUT discussions, and struck a Committee of the Secretary of Senate, two V.-P.'s and two members designated by MAUT to look into current concerns with these Regulations. Senate then received the latest Student - Registration Summaries and approved new undergraduate admissions criteria for several faculties and two M.A. degrees in Education. It nominated representatives for various committees and received a report from the Board of Governors on actions taken during recent months. The main item of debate was the proposed "Policy on Intellectual Property." V.-P. BÇlanger introduced his document, outlining the major changes proposed with respect to existing policies. These are, in summary: ownership of software/inventions by the University if commercialized, commercialization to be carried out through OTT, a 50:50 split of net income from commercialized inventions, the inclusion of software within the IP policy, an appeal mechanism in case of disagreements. Copyright remains with the author(s), as do scholarly publications in electronic form, works of art and software developed in a domain outside an inventors field of academic or professional competence! However, the University would retain the right to use, in perpetuity, all written works of original authorship (including software) for purposes of education and research. There was much debate, and concern, regarding the issues of ownership of IP, the proposed appeal process to resolve disputes, equity in companies, the inclusion of students under this policy, the apparent confusion of ownership with commercialization and the concepts of "learnware, authorware, software" etc. V.-P. BÇlanger agreed to consider the debate in drafting a further version of his proposed policy, and Senate agreed to recommend that the current Policy on Software remain in place until a new IP policy is put in place and to propose members for an ad hoc committee to work with the V.-P. on the next draft. (8) OTHER BUSINESS 408.1 Dean Shaver thanked the Department of Physics for having hosted the Faculty meeting, and invited members to the End-of-Term Reception. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.