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. Senate makes decisions that impact the daily lives of both students and faculty. This article will recap the main agenda items of the Senate meeting on Friday, September 24, 2021.
Senate meeting formats
This was the first time Senate met in person since March 2020. There was a discussion regarding the format of Senate meetings going forward — whether senators wanted to meet in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format. Many expressed the need for flexibility, in allowing people to attend virtually in order to cut down on their commute times, in case of bad weather, or further extenuating circumstances. There was some concern over the lack of technology in the Chilliwack campus for hosting these hybrid Senate meetings; CEP does not have a brand new conference room equipped with microphones that the Abbotsford campus has in room A225. The motion was passed to make the October Senate meeting a “high-flex” meeting, with senators encouraged to come in person if they can, but the ability to attend online if they cannot.
Renaming and restructuring FACE to FECHD
There was a proposal to rename the Faculty of Access and Continuing Education (FACE) to the Faculty of Education, Community, and Human Development (FECHD), and to merge five departments currently housed within the Faculty of Professional Studies (FPS) to this newly restructured faculty. FECHD will house the following departments: Applied Business Technology, Upgrading and University Preparation, English Language Studies, Continuing Education, Assessment Services, Adult Education, Department of Information Systems, Social Work and Human Service, Child, Youth, and Family Studies, and Teacher Education Department.
National Truth and Reconciliation Day made statutory holiday in B.C.
In Provost and Vice-President Academic James Mandigo’s report, he reminded Senate of the statutory holiday, National Truth and Reconciliation Day, taking place on Thursday, September 30, 2021, with no classes running that day. He encouraged Senate to “participate in events and activities that will further your understanding and commitment to truth and reconciliation.” He also reminded senate of the UFV event happening that day: Peace Talk by PARC: “Renaming and Destatuing: Challenging History in the Age of Reconciliation Building,” as well as the community event happening at Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission, featuring residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad.
Senate and Senate Standing Committee vacancies
University secretary, Al Wiseman, reported on the still vacant positions open in Senate and Standing Committees of Senate. There are positions open for students in the Senate Budget Committee and Awards & Honours Committee, and there are positions open for graduate students in the Senate Research Committee and Graduate Studies Committee. Students can apply online if they wish to fill any of these positions and gain experience in being a part of the university’s governing body.
Andrea Sadowski is working towards her BA in Global Development Studies, with a minor in anthropology and Mennonite studies. When she's not sitting in front of her computer, Andrea enjoys climbing mountains, sleeping outside, cooking delicious plant-based food, talking to animals, and dismantling the patriarchy.
