Last Wednesday, McGill Senate convened for the second time this academic year. Topics discussed over the course of meeting included the Report of the Open Forum on Free Expression and Peaceful Assembly, undergraduate cross-faculty course accessibility, postgraduate supervision, and the Achieving Strategic Academic Priorities (ASAP) 2012 project.

While presenting his Report of the Open Forum, Dean of Arts Christopher Manfredi spoke to Senators about the discussions that took place at last semester’s Open Forum series, as well as his findings, after comparing McGill policies and protocols to those at other large universities.

Following Manfredi’s presentation, Catherine Lu, associate professor in the department of political science, expressed serious concerns about the James Protocol, a provisional security protocol that currently governs access to the James Administration building. The Protocol was issued after students occupied the building’s 6th floor for six days this past February.

“I think it’s been an irritant to collegiality,” Lu said. “I think it is unnecessary, uncalled for, and unjustified. I would like to see something done [about it] quickly.”

Law Senator Stephanie Bachelet asked Manfredi and Munroe-Blum if there were plans to revise the James Protocol.

“They have been quite dramatically revised already,” Munroe-Blum responded. “We’re open to hearing recommendations or suggestions.”

Munroe-Blum also confirmed that the three recommendations listed in Manfredi’s report will be implemented.

On the topic of undergraduate cross-faculty accessibility,  Arts Senator Max Zidel presented two questions to Senate.

“In what ways can McGill encourage and remove barriers preventing interfaculty and inter-departmental course registration?” Zidel asked. “In what ways can McGill foster cross-faculty and inter-departmental programming?”

In response, Provost Anthony Masi said that McGill’s institutional and resource constraints make it difficult for the university to make a large variety of courses accessible to students across multiple departments and faculties.

“Budgetary constraints, and shortages of faculty, support staff, and space characterize the environment at McGill,” Masi said. “[The] priority is for students to register for those courses required to complete their degree. Course schedules offer what they can.”

These challenges aside, Masi said the administration would continue to work on these issues, and that the university has already made some progress in that regard.

“We have [already] created several inter-disciplinary initiatives … [and] over the years, the Faculty of Arts has reduced the number of required credits [for a major],” Masi said. “I will explore with Deans the ways we could address students wanting a more broad experience.”

Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) Senator Jonathan Mooney presented several questions regarding post-graduate supervision at McGill. In particular, Mooney expressed concern about proper training in supervision for newly hired faculty, as well as resources for graduate students experiencing difficulties with their supervisors.

“[There is] a huge power differential between professors and students,” Mooney said. “One concern at [last week’s] Consultation Fair was about students not having advocates when they have a problem with their supervisor.”

Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) Martin Kreiswirth responded that supervision is at the centre of training for new faculty, and that GPS has organized 18 events to help address concerns regarding graduate supervision.

Later during the meeting, Masi gave a presentation on ASAP 2012—McGill’s next five-year strategic academic plan. He presented three strategic priorities, and six broad goals for McGill over the next five years, including maintaining a student-centred focus, appropriate resource management, enhancing research, extending community engagement, and renewing facilities.

Several student senators expressed concern that the ASAP 2012 presentation did not feature an action plan for implementing the strategic priorities and goals. Masi responded that it would be very difficult for him to create a systematic action plan that would be applicable to all areas and spheres of the university.

“Each Dean is expected to come up with mechanisms that reflect these objectives,” Masi said. “Faculties will address this differently.”

Following the presentation, Senate passed the motion to endorse the ASAP 2012 academic priorities and goals.