Senate Notes

The University of Manitoba Senate met on Oct. 1, 2008.

Senate approved two degrees to be granted notwithstanding including a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Laws.

The report of the senate committee on awards outlined 24 new offers that will be awarded at the October convocation. They also outlined 48 amended offers and the withdrawal of three offers.

During closed session, there was a report given by the senate committee on honorary degrees.

Matters that were forwarded to Senate for information included a letter of implementation from Robert Kerr, vice-president (academic) regarding a Master of Physician Assistant Studies programs. Also included was a letter of intent sent to the Council on Post-Secondary Education regarding a graduate program in pediatric dentistry.

Kerr noted that preliminary numbers had indicated a 1.9 per cent drop in enrollment although the official count will be made as of Nov. 1. He also noted a four per cent increase in graduate enrollment and indicated that U1 enrollment remained stable.

No questions were brought fourth during question period and Senate approved the minutes of the Sept. 3 meeting.

Senate approved the nominations of Curtis Martel (Arts) and Jessica Armah (Science) to the committee on nominations for a one-year term ending on Oct. 14, 2009.

Senate approved and recommended to the Board of Governors for approval, the report of the planning and priorities for the siting of a football stadium within the designated sports and active living precinct submitted by Norman Hunter, chair of the committee.

There were a number of questions and comments put fourth regarding the siting of the football stadium.

Members expressed concerned regarding the placement of the proposed parkade. Hunter said that the site for the proposed parkade had not been determined.

He also said that a subcommittee would determine the new location of the displaced tennis courts and outdoor soccer fields. Hunter also said that the new location determined for the tennis courts and soccer fields would not displace parking.

The comment was put fourth that a traffic analysis should be made to assess the campus’ ability to deal with large amount of traffic on game days. Debbie McCallum, vice-president (administration), said that a subcommittee had already considered the idea and a traffic plan had been developed. McCallum also noted a public forum slated for early November that would include those on campus, students in residence and the greater Winnipeg community.

Members also expressed concern about the amount of noise and light pollution the stadium would bring. McCallum said these issues would be addressed during the November forum. She also noted that the bowl design of the stadium with its partial roof would greatly reduce the amount of noise and light pollution.

With the question of whether the stadium would have a universal accessibility design, McCallum said the design had not progressed that far but that the stadium would be designed to be accessible to all individuals.

Senate approved and recommended to the Board of Governors for approval the report of the senate planning and priorities committee for the siting of the west grid computing building.

Mark Whitmore, dean of science, noted that design of the building left “room for expansion.”

David Barnard, university president, said that the proposed stadium would bring “improved facilities for students” and allow for “strategically different interaction between campus and the community.”

With the approval and recommendation to the Board of Governors for approval of the report of the senate committee on awards and the deferral of the report of senate committee on nominations to the Nov. 5, 2008 meeting, senate was then adjourned.