Senate Moves Change Forward

Guelph - Following a marathon meeting, the University's Senate Tuesday night voted to ratify an earlier decision made by its Board of Undergraduate Studies (BUGS) to cancel the women's studies and five other majors and two degree programs.

The organic agriculture major was given a one-year reprieve. Senators directed the Ontario Agricultural College to spend the next 12 months looking at how to attract additional students to the major. The college was also asked to seek new commitments for industry funding and teaching support.

The changes only affect incoming students. People currently enrolled in women's studies and the other cancelled majors and programs will be able to complete their degrees.

More than 40 courses offered by departments across campus concerning women's issues, gender, sexuality and diversity will continue to be offered.

Prior to making its decisions, Senate discussed and debated the issues for four and a half hours. Members listened to comments from visiting students, faculty and others who were opposed to the changes. Senate also heard from the colleges and departments that put forward the recommendations to cancel the majors and programs.

"These were difficult but necessary decisions," says president Alastair Summerlee. "While upsetting to some, it's important to keep in mind that in these trying economic times we must better utilize our resources. We must focus on the majors and programs with the majority of our students in order to retain quality and improve the learning process."

The changes to majors and programs are among a bevy of proposals that came out of discussions in units, departments, program committees and colleges as part of the multi-year plans for reaching budget targets.

To better use resources, colleges, departments and program committees were asked in the fall to discuss courses that consistently have fewer than 10 students enrolled and majors that consistently register fewer than 40 students. Those discussions led to the recommendations that went to BUGS in March. The other majors that were cancelled include classical languages and urban landscape management.

Senate also upheld BUGS decision to approve in principle the elimination of minors in the degree programs. The decision was made with the understanding that there will be consultation with stakeholders on the matter, and that the Provost will submit proposals for alternate methods to achieve the academic objectives of secondary areas of study by March 2010.

Senators were told that the proliferation of minors has resulted in a complex and administratively-heavy curriculum structure at U of G, yet only 9.25 per cent of students have a minor.