Ken Norrie announced nominations for elections to the University Planning Committee. Information about the candidates can be found online at www.mcmaster.ca/univsec/upc/resumes.cfm .

Norrie also discussed the provisional modifications to academic regulations that have been put in place to accommodate students in McMaster's Joint University-College programs affected by the recent College strike. In order for students of the Medical Radiation Sciences and the Collaborative Nursing Program to be able to complete their terms on time, modifications were made to the examination ban policy and sessional dates adjusted. For Conestoga and Mohawk Collaborative Program students, the term will be reduced to 11 weeks from the normally scheduled 12 weeks. Classes will continue into the first week of May.

The proposal to establish the Health Leadership Institute in the Faculty of Business was approved by Senate, effective July 1. The goal of the institute is to create an executive education facility and offer, in partnership with the Faculty of Health Sciences, as suite of health sector leadership/management offerings.

Janet Landeen brought forward a proposal to establish the Master of Communications Management program, also in the Faculty of Business, with the designation of MCM. Senate approved the program in December 2005; however, the committee on University Ceremonials and Insignia has now recommended the new MCM designation as well as the final specifications for the hood (black silk lined with white and trimmed in bands of cinnamon, grey and red). (Read more about hood specifications and degree abbreviations.)

A protocol for awarding degrees posthumously has been established to accommodate families of recently deceased students in their need for recognition of the students' accomplishments. Unless a specific request is made by the bereaved family for alternate arrangements, the usual protocol will be to include publication of the student's name in the appropriate lists and programs alongside classmates, with a private ceremony held immediately following Convocation, in which the Chancellor, the President and the Dean of the Faculty will present the family with the deceased student's diploma.

The Committee on Academic Integrity presented revisions to the Academic Integrity Policy (www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity) including a new definition for the term “academic dishonesty”, which is intended to alleviate challenges surrounding proving “intention”. A definition of “academic work” has also been devised to list various evaluation tools used by the University in consideration of both undergraduate and graduate work. A new appendix titled “General Penalty Guidelines” has been created and provides guidelines and suggested consequences on admission fraud.

Phil Wood introduced a number of revisions to various policies and codes of conduct requested by the Committee on Student Affairs. The Student Event Risk Management Policy has been developed from the former manual of the same name. The policy will require recognized McMaster groups to submit a standardized application form when booking on campus space. The methods by which students attain recognition as a McMaster group have also been standardized so that there is a confluence between the McMaster Student's Union and Student Affairs when considering applicants for approval.

Corinna Fitzgerald, judicial affairs coordinator, chaired the committee that reviewed the manual during the conversion process. “Over the summer, well continue to work on the event planning procedures,” said Fitzgerald. “We'll be posting the risk management portion of the policy online for students to access freely.”

As a result of the Student Event Risk Management Policy changes, minor revisions have been made to the Student Code of Conduct and the Residence Code of Conduct. Primarily, the changes surround accountability for damages or misrepresentation in event bookings. McMaster's Residence Admission Policies and Procedures have had some revisions, as has the 2006-7 Residence Agreement/Contract.

The Inter-Residence Council Constitution has been revised to reflect administrative changes to procedures, membership and structure of the Council.

Finally, the Senate heard a report on Welcome Week 2005 and agreed to revisions to the regulations governing Welcome Week 2006. Some of the changes include: