February 2, 2010 News

Students fear being cut out of Senate committees

by Clare Raspopow

Members of the Concordia Senate fear changes proposed to Senate committee mandates by the Academic Planning and Priorities Committee could dilute student and faculty influence, giving too much power to the university administration.

In the fall of last year, the provost put forward a series of suggested changes to the mandate of all standing Senate committees.

The changes would make the provost, the president, the vice-president of academic affairs and the vice-president research and graduate studies ex-officio voting members of all Senate committees.

The objections stem not from the administration’s inclusion in the committee but their potiential voting power. According to the changes the new voting members would not count towards quorum.

The APPC is in the process of drafting a response to the Senate’s comments about it’s recommendations.

Neither the provost nor any members of his office could be reached at press time.