Senate overview: January

Senate is the academic governing body of UFV, with the university president and vice chancellor Joanne MacLean as the chair. They are responsible for making decisions on everything academic: approving new courses and programs, approving changes to programs, setting entrance requirements, and setting the academic calendar. The Board of Governors, which looks at the business side of the university, is advised by Senate on matters of mutual interest.  

All at the university are welcome to attend Senate’s public meetings, held once a month at either the Abbotsford or the CEP campus, but most do not. Regardless, Senate makes decisions that impact the daily lives of both students and faculty.

Esposito Research Centre approved

Senate approved the creation of a new research centre which will focus on interdisciplinary innovation and entrepreneurship. 

The centre will be partially funded by an endowment from the Esposito family, who donated $1.125 million to UFV in October 2018. Startup costs will be covered by the fund, which will also contribute to some of the ongoing operation costs. The new director position created with the formation of the centre will be unpaid until external fundings are secured. 

A number of organizations within the Fraser Valley community have expressed interest in being involved with the centre, according to the proposal sent to Senate, including Abbotsford Airport, Abbotsford and Chilliwack Chambers of Commerce, Fraser Valley Indo-Canadian Business Association, Mitacs, and City Studio. 

New school of kinesiology created

Senate approved the formation of the new school of kinesiology, which will replace the current department of kinesiology. 

Senate discussed the creation of the new school, and whether the size of the department justified the need for a transition to a school. The ongoing growth in the kinesiology department and the ability of a school structure to facilitate this growth were reasons given for the proposal. The proposal to transition to a school was based on recommendations from an external review of the program. 

According to discussions in Senate, 11 new sections will be added to the school over the next year and the department head will be replaced by the new director position. 

New programs approved

Four new programs were approved by Senate: the chemistry honours, adult education minor, and the international business major and minor programs. 

The chemistry honours program will require no new resources, and involves the creation of a research and thesis course, CHEM 499, where students would conduct a research project under the supervision of a faculty member. 

The international business minor and major will draw on resources and courses already present in the school of business, and no new courses will need to be created. 

Jessica Barclay

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