Senate is the academic governing body of UFV. 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.
New minor program
Senate approved the creation of an environmental studies minor, which will be available to students in any bachelor’s degree program as of Fall 2021. UFV began offering a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies in Fall 2019, and the minor was proposed by the School of Land Use and Environmental Change in order to make structured education about the environment accessible and worthwhile to students outside of the program.
Indigenization
Senate approved two plans related to indigenization at the May 14 meeting. Tracy Ryder Glass, the dean of professional studies, presented a report based on the recently-completed review of the social work and human service programs, which included recommendations from an external review committee (ERC). Several recommendations focused on indigenization, including proposals for an Indigenized Social Service worker diploma, reviewing course content. A larger report containing a plan for indigenizing UFV as a whole was also presented. This plan, presented by the Office of the Vice Provost and the Indigenous Affairs Office, includes recommendations for UFV to form an advisory council of elders and other Indigenous leaders, creating infrastructures to guide indigenizing processes at UFV, and to create a position for a director of indigenized and Indigenous education, among others.
UFV Mission Campus
In her report, UFV president Joanne MacLean announced that the Board of Governors has instructed UFV to make a plan on how to efficiently use space and schedule programming at the Mission Campus. This decision comes after the Board of Governors conducted a review of the Heritage Park campus’ operations.
