Chakma chairs first Senate meeting
The first few months for Western President Amit Chakma have been full of firsts. And he can now add chairing a Senate meeting to the list.
“I am just thrilled and honoured to be at Senate as your chair,” he says. “This is one of those unique privileges that has been offered to just 10 of us at this university. It is an awesome responsibility, with the hope senior administration will help me carry on these responsibilities.”
Chakma said he looks forward to working with members of Senate on issues he has flagged as priorities, including responding to trends in higher education, the exploration of knowledge, and globalization.
“Students are thinking differently than students of my generation,” says Chakma. “The question is ‘are we coping with that changing learning environment’?”
Globalization is required to enhance the diversity of views and opinions among faculty and students. He notes, to some extent, a situation has developed where we’re all gradually thinking alike.
“In teaching the same concepts, the danger of that is you lose that diversity of views,” he says. “We must promote diversity of views in the academy and be able to debate those issues in a very collegial manner.”
Chakma also said increasing interdisciplinary partnerships across campus will strengthen what Western can offer students.
“As much as I am preaching and promoting interdisciplinary work, I have the strongest belief that we cannot do interdisciplinary work if our base is not strong,” he says. “We should do everything possible – together – to create a more concerted effort into the interdisciplinary approach.”
Observer status rejected
A request by the University of Western Ontario Staff Association (UWOSA) to be added as an official Senate observer has been denied.
The motion was referred in February to the Operations/Agenda Committee where it was rejected since those who currently have observer status represent groups whose primary role is with academic policies, regulations and programs.
While some members of UWOSA work directly in academics, many work in areas that are not academic.
Further, UWOSA does not represent the full range of staff. If this request were to be granted, then other representative staff groups would also need to be added. New programs
Senate has approved new programs in American Studies and Earth Sciences.
The programs in Earth Sciences are in Honors Geology, Honors Environmental Geoscience and in Honors Geophysics. Graduates of the programs would be able to register as Professional Geoscientists with the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario.
The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies’ proposed Master of Arts Program: American Studies (supported by History and Political Science) will be introduced in September 2010.
The program will allow students to pursue interdisciplinary study and study the United States from a Canadian perspective. The MA in American Studies will be the first of its kind in Canada. Scholarships and awards
Senate has approved a number of new scholarships and awards, including:
* Austin Conway Entrance Scholarships (Faculty of Arts and Humanities) – Given annually to full-time students entering first year in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, based on academic achievement (minimum 80% average) and financial need. The scholarships (two at $1,600) were established by an anonymous donor through Foundation Western.
* Stephen Cuddy Memorial HBA Award (Richard Ivey School of Business) – Awarded to a full-time student at the end of his or her first year in the Honors Business Administration Program, who has demonstrated growth, reliability, consistency and mentorship. This award ($1,000) was established by the Cuddy Family in memory of Stephen.
*Clement Yung Award for Excellence (Faculty of Science; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Medical Sciences) – Awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student in second year or beyond. Selection is based on academic achievement, and extracurricular activities and interests. The award ($3,000) was established by the Science Students’ Council through Foundation Western in memory of Clement Yung, a member of the council and Science Soph Team (2003 to 2008).
*Norm and Kay Irwin Hockey Award – For a full-time student in any year of any degree program, including the affiliate university colleges, who is making a contribution as a member of the men’s hockey team. The award ($2,000) was established by Marion O’Donnell and her family in memory of her parents, Norm and Kay Irwin.
Remembrance Day
Discussions about how the university recognizes Remembrance Day will begin following a request from student senator Matthijs van Gaalen to cancel classes, exams and evaluations from 10:30 until 11:20 a.m. each Nov. 11.
University policy states that in addition to regular services marking the day, that a minute of silence be observed at 11 a.m., or if not possible, before noon.
But van Gaalen says during his first year an exam was scheduled on Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon. and a moment of silence was not recognized.
“The freedom to attend the Remembrance Day ceremony or respect the moment of silence is dependent on the academic schedule,” he says, noting attendance is not a justification for absence from classes or exams and that some professors refuse to let their classes recognize the moment of silence.
His request has been sent to Senate’s Committee on Academic Policy and Awards. Also under consideration is extending the minute of silence to two minutes – one for soldiers who have died in war and one for those currently serving their country.