Senate agenda is out (REB issues continued)

Since we had a robust discussion about the REB on this list, you should know that the Senate agenda dealing with the REB issue is out (see it here: https://www.sfu.ca/content/sfu/senate/agenda/_jcr_content/main_content/download_287460849/file.res/Open%20Senate%20Agenda%20with%20Documents.pdf). Pursuant to the last Senate meeting you’ll notice that there is a five-motion proposal offered to address the REB issues. I’ll have more to say about this at Senate, but as I read it, it is essentially the same proposal we were concerned about at the last meeting, with the addition of an ad hoc committee to oversee adjustments of the new procedures to the SFU context. I note those new procedures will be in effect during the review, except as related to REB appointments, which will run through another ad hoc committee generally controlled by the SFU administration (comprised of the Director of ORE, a member of the REB, and another faculty member appointed by the President. Further, the Chair of the REB would be appointed by the President).

As before, my own concerns regarding the administration ignoring its existing policies and procedures remain and are now exacerbated by the attempt to have Senate legitimatize that capricious approach to governance. I also remain concerned about the appearance of a conflict of interest between administrative oversight and REB independence. Please take a look at the plan coming out of SCAR and feel free to share your thoughts with your Senators as they prepare for the discussion. For a full list of Senators, see: https://www.sfu.ca/content/dam/sfu/senate/membership/Senate%20Membership%20List%20January%202023.pdf.