Teaching Learning The View from Senate Clayton

Teaching & Learning: The View from Senate Clayton Smith, Ed. D. Vice-Provost, Students & Registrar

A Limited Conversation n n Focus only on topics contained within Senate bylaws & policies But there is more information in: Collective Agreement n Public laws: FIPPA, Human Rights Act n Student Disability Services, Human Rights Office, Legal Counsel’s Office n

A Little about Senate

Powers of Senate n Ultimate and final responsibility for the academic well-being of the university: Institution/termination of academic programs n Reduction in programs for fiscal/economic reasons (but no budget decision-making authority) n Reviews Budget Committee proposals and forwards feedback to the Budget Committee and the Board for consideration n

Composition of Senate n n n n Ex-Officio Members Faculty/Library Representatives Board of Governors Representatives Student Representatives Alumni Representative Faculty Association Representative Non-Faculty Professional Staff Representative Aboriginal Council Representative Current Senate includes 84 members

How Senate Operates n 3 Substantive Senate Committees: n n n n Academic Policy Committee Program Development Committee Student Committee Senate Steering Committee President chairs Senate Meetings (monthly) are normally open Support provided by the Office of the Senate Secretariat Follows Robert’s Rules of Order, where procedures not listed in our bylaws

Senior Academic Appointments (Duties) n n n n n President Provost & Vice-President, Academic Vice-President, Research Associate Vice-President, Academic Affairs Vice-Provost, Students & Registrar Vice-Provost, Teaching & Learning Deans of Faculties Associate Deans AAU Heads

Areas of Focus: Senate Bylaws n n n n Types/Terms of Appointments Renewal, Promotion & Tenure Procedures Criteria for Promotion & Tenure Academic Evaluation Procedures Student Discipline Senate Rules of Procedure & Standing Committee Mandates/Rules of Procedure Powers & Rules of Procedure for AAU’s & Faculties

Areas of Focus: Senate Policies n n n Admission Requirements Course & Program Changes Final Examination Procedures Faculty Duties & Responsibilities Protection of Privacy Mature Students Residence Requirements Student Evaluation of Teaching Student Code of Conduct Web Calendars …etc. (not an exclusive list)

Teaching & Learning: Broad Topics

Learning-Centredness Defined n Our first commitment is to advance learning by preserving, promoting, producing & disseminating knowledge. n n n To understand & accommodate different learning styles; To provide academically-challenging and personallyenriching educational experiences (intellectual, creative, social, ethical, physical, spiritual, emotional); To provide a caring, engaging, welcoming & supportive campus environment that is built on a partnership in learning characterized by mutual respect and meaningful interactions;

Learning-Centred (Cont. ) n A focus on student learning and success: n n n To continually improve and adapt learning experiences to address the needs of our diverse student base; To infuse learning-centred activities in all aspects of university life: teaching, learning, research, student development services, campus environment and administrative practices; and To provide friendly and responsive non-academic services

Academic Freedom n n Academic freedom is intended as a safeguard against all those who would challenge the legitimate autonomy of the University, or who would seek to utilize its resources exclusively for the propagation of their own ideologies The proper exercise of academic freedom is contingent upon the recognition and adequate discharge of duties and responsibilities

Freedom of Discussion n n Mutual respect of student and teacher is fundamental to the learning process Freedom is limited: A reasonable right for students to question and comment upon material under discussion n Instructor to ensure freedom of discussion for all students n

Right of Assembly n n The University supports the right of assembly and the open expression of ideas and opinions. Right of assembly is limited: n Responsibility to not interfere with the rights and privileges of others or the continuity of the educational process.

Fair Treatment n All people are treated fairly without concern to: n n n n Religion Race Colour National origin Gender Sexual orientation Disability Age

Confidentiality n Respect must be accorded the essentially confidential relationship between the University and its students by preserving to the maximum extent possible the privacy of records relating to each student

Student Conduct n n n Respect for the dignity & individuality of all persons, and the rights and property of others To practice personal and academic integrity To take responsibility for their own personal and academic commitments To contribute to the University community to gain fair, cooperative and honest inquiry & learning To respect and strive to learn from differences in people, ideas & opinions To refrain from & discourage behaviours which threaten the freedom & respect that every individual deserves

Teaching & Learning: Some of the Details

Teaching Excellence n n n Involves both method & content Requires good communication with students Informed by student evaluations Effectiveness in promoting students’ academic pursuits and where appropriate stimulating interest in continued study of the discipline Day-to-day availability to students

Research Excellence n n Best evaluated by reputable academics in his/her field Outside appraisers needed in fields where published research is not required for academic excellence (e. g. , creative scholarship)

Academic & Professional Responsibilities of Faculty n n n University committee and administrative work expected when reasonably requested Contributions to the activities of learned & professional societies and other community services utilizing professional expertise is to be highly regarded Neither, however, can replace the need for teaching and research excellence

Academic Evaluation n n Must provide meaningful feedback to students on their in-course performance prior the voluntary withdrawal deadline (20%) Course outline by first day of each course, with no changes made after the 1 st 2 weeks of classes; a hard copy must be submitted to the AAU Head by the end of the 2 nd week of classes No single evaluative procedure worth more than 50% of the final grade Non-optional, meaningful final assessment (written test, oral interview, take-home test)

Academic Evaluation (Cont. ) n n n Must be 2 full calendar days between the last day of class and the beginning of the final exam period Students who have 3 final exams scheduled for the same calendar day may request one of their exams be rescheduled on a supplemental exam day Unofficial final grades to be submitted to the Dean no later than 7 calendar days after the final exam has been written Examinations, essays, lab exercises and assignments should never be left in public places Students have the right to review the marking/answer guide and to examine their final examination answer papers

Academic Evaluation (Cont. ) n n Students may appeal their final grade on the basis of incorrect evaluation or irregular procedure provided they do so within 3 weeks of the grade being posted The Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET) must be administered within the final 2 weeks of the term Plagiarism prevention software is permitted (Turnitin. com) Students may make a complaint to the Vice-Provost, Students & Registrar regarding discrimination, bias, sexual or other forms of harassment or procedural irregularities with respect to academic instruction or appeals

Audio-Recording n Students may audio-record lectures if they have been provided with permission by the Student Disabilities Services (formerly Special Needs) Office related to an approved accommodation

Sabbaticals n n Normally granted to enable faculty members to engage in research/scholarly/creative activities, which are appropriate for the faculty member’s discipline Provides opportunity for intellectual renewal

Special Needs n n The most appropriate accommodation is one that most respects the dignity of the individual with a disability, meets individual needs, best promotes integration and full participation, and ensures confidentiality Accommodation is a process and is a matter of degree

Student Evaluation of Teaching n n n Provide information based on student opinion for input in the promotion & tenure process Provide feedback to instructors on their teaching for the purposes of teaching improvement Provide information for students for choosing courses

Calendar n The official calendars are the Undergraduate & Graduate Web calendars

Panel Discussion: Faculty Challenges on Implementing Senate Bylaws & Policies • Kai Hildebrandt, Associate Dean, FASS • Phil Dutton, Associate Dean, Faculty of Science

For More Information Office of the Senate Secretariat Ext. 3317 www. uwindsor. ca/senate