Senate rejects representation for UWOSA
The president of Western’s staff association will not have a seat at Senate, even as an observer.
A motion to provide representation was defeated 33 to 18, with five abstentions.
Senate’s Operations/Agenda committee recommended against representation, saying those who have observer status represent groups whose primary role is with academic policies, regulations and programs. While some UWOSA members work directly in academics, many work in areas that are not academic.
Undergraduate Program Assistant in Kinesiology Arzie Chant says staff members play a variety of roles on campus. While Chant is one of two staff members currently on Senate, he feels it wouldn’t be proper for either to speak on behalf of the entire association.
“Staff have a unique role and interaction with students and faculty,” he says, noting issues have come before Senate where staff would have liked to present their views.
“We want to be actively involved and share our knowledge. We feel our role is equally integral to the success of the university.”
Police incident
President Amit Chakma expressed his gratitude to Senate members for taking a “balanced view” of what happened during an arrest by campus and London police of a Western student Oct. 14.
“I am not one to rush into judgment over a video,” says Chakma, who was out of town the day of the occurrence. “I am not satisfied I know everything at this stage, but I am pleased that we are not painting this institution with a broad brush. Things happen – good and bad – and this was an unfortunate incident.”
Gitta Kulczycki, Vice-President (Resources & Operations) says it is standard procedure at London Police when force is involved restraining an individual that an automatic review is conducted and adds Western will certainly cooperate fully.
The student has been charged with mischief, resisting arrest, assault, and escaping custody.
Remembrance Day
Following the September Senate meeting, a notice of motion requesting the suspension of classes, exams and evaluations on Nov. 11 (Remembrance Day) each year from 10:30 – 11:20 was forwarded to the Senate Committee on Academic Policy and Awards (SCAPA).
Feeling there wasn’t sufficient time to consult the university community on the issue, SCAPA deferred consideration until further input could be received.
However, the campus community is reminded of the current Senate policy with respect to two minutes of silence between 11 a.m. and noon.
New Scholarships and Awards
Senate has approved the folliowing scholarships and awards:
· The Bill Teng Hong Kong Scholarship will be awarded to an international student who is a permanent resident of Hong Kong and is entering the first year of any full-time undergraduate degree program with the exception of Ivey. This scholarship, valued at $2,500, is made possible by Bill Teng (BA Economics ’79) who is affiliated with the Alumni Association’s Hong Kong Branch.
· The Chorley & Bisset Ltd. Consulting Engineers Engineering Award will be awarded annually to a full-time student in second or third year of engineering, alternating between the Mechanical and Materials Engineering program and the Electrical and Computer Engineering program. The award, valued at $1,000, was established by Chorley & Bisset Ltd. Consulting Engineers.
· The Richard C. Seewald Entrance Scholarship in Audiology will be awarded annually to a full-time student entering the first year of the audiology program in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. This scholarship, valued at $1,000, was established by an anonymous donor and by friends and colleagues of Richard Seewald, a leading international expert in pediatric audiology, particularly children’s hearing amplification fitting.
