April 1, 2010
Ann Coulter’s visit questioned
At the March 19 meeting of Senate, member Arzie Chant raised concerns about the March 22 visit of Ann Coulter, a controversial conservative political and social commentator from the United States.
Recognizing the university values free speech, Chant questioned whether the Western should draw a line preventing speakers such as Coulter from holding events on campus.
“While we ought to be open to having difficult discussions about provocative topics at universities, the language Ms. Coulter commonly uses is entirely inappropriate and is not in line with the values we hold here at Western,” he says, citing examples of Coulter’s quotes.
Universities are places where ideas are debated, says Western President Amit Chakma, noting Coulter was invited to Western the Campus Coalition for Democracy, a University Students’ Council club.
“As much as we may disagree with the views expressed by others, I think the last thing you want to do is create any limits on our ability to express our views,” he says.
Senator Rebecca Coulter pointed out the university’s policies and procedures related to language spoken in a public forum, applies to guest speakers.
“The rights to be able to speak should be as broad as possible because it is a slippery slope,” adds Chakma. “We may have strong views about it and we have the right to express our own views in our own way.”
Timney attending Hong Kong convocation
Social Sciences Dean Brian Timney will be flying to Hong Kong to preside over The University of Western Ontario Hong Kong convocation on May 16 as Chancellor.
Timney is going in place of Vice-President (Research & International Relations) Ted Hewitt, who is unable to attend.
New programsand changes
· Effective Sept. 1, a combined honors degree program in Political Science and Business Administration begins in the Faculty of Social Science and the Richard Ivey School of Business.
· Effective Sept. 1, entrance requirements to the Honors Specialization in Psychology at Huron University College and the progression requirements within the module will rise to 75 per cent from 70 per cent.
· Effective Sept. 1, admission requirements for the Honors Specialization in Psychology at King’s University College will be increased to 75 per cent. Refer to the Report of the Senate Committee on Academic Policy and Awards in the Senate Agenda for the complete admission and progression requirements (www.uwo.ca/univsec/senate/minutes/2010/a1003sen.pdf).
· Effective Sept. 1, the Minor in Population Studies is discontinued at King’s University College. Students enrolled in the module prior to this date are required to complete the requirements prior to September 2014. By Nov. 1, 2014 the module will be withdrawn and registration discontinued.
· Effecting Sept 1, pending Ontario Council on Graduate Studies (OCGS) approval, a Master of Legal Studies will be introduced in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
· Effective Sept. 1, a Master of Health Information Science and a PhD in Health Information Science begins in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, pending final approval by OCGS.
New scholarships and awards
· Reader’s Digest Foundation Journalism Entrance Scholarship (School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Journalism) – $1,000 awarded to a full-time graduate student entering the MA in Journalism program, based on excellent academic achievement and outstanding potential in journalism. This scholarship was established by the Reader’s Digest Foundation effective May 2009.
· Hydro One Graduate Scholarships (School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Engineering) – Awarded to two full-time graduate students pursuing a master’s or PhD in the Faculty of Engineering, based on academic achievement and research merit in Power Systems Engineering. Valued at $15,000 (includes OGS matching funds from the provincial government). Effective May 2010.
· Lieutenant Colonel David A. Quick, CD, P.Eng Award (Faculty of Engineering) – Awarded to a full-time student entering the third year of the Electrical and Computer Engineering program, based on a minimum 70 per cent average and demonstrated financial need. Established by Lieutenant Colonel David A. Quick, a 1983 Electrical Engineering alumnus, through Foundation Western. Valued at $400.
· Tornado Insulation Women’s Hockey Awards – Awarded to two full-time undergraduate or graduate students who are making significant contributions as members of the Mustang women’s hockey team. This award was established by Tornado Insulation Limited. Valued at $1,000.