Wednesday, January 11, 1961 2923 A special meeting of the Senate of the University " of British Columbia was held on Wednesday, January llth, 1961, at 8:00 p.m., in the Board and Senate Room, Administration Building, to consider the report of the Committee on Ways and Means of Undertaking a Study of Higher Education in this Province. Present: President N.A.M. MacKenzie (in the Chair), Dean G.S. Allen, Dean G.C Andrew, Mr. W.M. Armstrong, Mrs. T.R. Boggs, Mr. K.P. Caple, Mr. A.W.R. Carrothers, Dean S.N.F. Chant, Mr. M. Collins, Dr. I.McT. Cowan, Dean G.F. Curtis, Dean B.A. Eagles, Dr. G.R. Elliott, Dr. W.H. Gaddes, Dean W.H. Gage, Dr. W.C. Gibson, Mr. B.C. Gillie, Mr. C.C. Gourlay, Mr. G.C Hacker, Mr. J.N. Hyland, ,4 Dr. F.H. Johnson, Dr. J.E.A. Kania, Mr. J.S. Keate, Dr. J.L. Keays, Mr. F.M. Knapp, Mr. L.J. Ladner, Mr. S.L. Lipson, Dean H. McCrae, Dean J.F. McCreary, Dean A.W. Matthews, Mr. F.A. Morrison, Dean D.M. Myers, Mr. N.T. Nemetz, Mr. E.P. Nicol, Mr. H.N. Parrott, Dean G.N. Perry, Dr. A.J. Renney, Dr. W. Robbins, Dr. W.N. Sage, Dean N.V. Scarfe, Dr. R.F. Sharp, Dean G.M. Shrum, The Honourable Mr. Justice D.R. Verchere, Mr. R.T.D. Wallace, Dr. R.W. Wellwood, Dr. D.M. Whitelaw, Mr. H.C Wilkinson, Dr. S.H. Zbarsky, Dr. K.F. Argue, Mr. J.F. McLean, Dean E.D. MacPhee, and the following members of the Committee: Mr. N. Harlow, Dr. J.M. Mather and Mr. G.R. Selman. Messages of regret for their inability to be Wednesday, January 11, 1961 2924 present were received from Rev. J. Blewett, Mr. W.E. Ireland, Mr. J.V. Rogers, Mrs. F.M. Ross, Dean F.H. Soward and Dr. W.J. Anderson (a member of the Committee). Introduction of Mr. W. L. Holland On invitation from the Chairman, Mr. W. L. Holland who had just taken up his post as Professor and Head of Asian Studies attended the meeting briefly in order that the President could introduce him to the members of Senate. Report of the Committee on Ways and Means of Undertaking a Study of Higher Education in this Province The report for discussion had been in the hands of Senate members for the past month. The Chairman stated that Senate might decide whether a study of higher education should or should not be made, and if it should, what the nature of the study should be, and the terms of reference and composition of the body making the study. He then called upon Dr. Robbins, as Chairman of the Committee preparing the report, to speak to it. Subsequent discussion by members of Senate included the following points of view: Many of the topics mentioned in the report are presently under discussion by the Faculties, or come within the scope of Faculty jurisdiction. (Dean Shrum) The Committee felt that if a study were undertaken, it would be within the purview of the Faculties to suggest the items they would prefer to review in their own Faculties. (Dean Andrew) The general question of higher education in the province should be discussed by a joint committee of University and the Department of Education, or Wednesday, January 11, 1961 292f a royal commission. For a survey of internal academic policy, three alternatives should be considered: whether a Senate committee should make the study, whether a Senate committee should work in conjunction with a distinguished outsider in the academic field, or whether a distinguished outsider should be asked to conduct a survey. (Mr. Nemetz) The Senate is looked upon in this province as the voice of education. In the very near future the Senate should make public announcement of its recommendations as to such matters as senior matriculation, community colleges, liberal arts colleges, technical and vocational training, et cetera. (Mr. Caple) Some professional schools are members of associations of colleges which work on accredited standards, and have adopted their present curricula after lengthy survey and debate. (Dean Matthews) The Committee, if appointed, should have in its terms of reference clear limitations as to its scope of operations. Matters now under study by the Faculties should not be deferred until a new Committee has studied them. It would also be extremely difficult to find three or four senior members of Faculty competent to undertake the type of study envisaged, who would be prepared to sacrifice their professional careers for the length of time involved. (Dr. Cowan) Referring to Mr. Caple's comments, it might prove difficult to convince the people of British Columbia that a group limited to professors investigating their own establishment was the most competent authority. (Dr. Gibson) If a Royal Commission were appointed to study higher education in British Columbia, the University would be expected to submit a brief to the commission. We as a Committee would have difficulty defining the terms of reference for such a commission at the present time, let alone submitting any briefs. (Dean Andrew) The various suggestions might perhaps be combined, with a royal commission assessing the overall picture and the fields that should be examined, and directing groups within the University which would make the detailed study. (Mr. Gillie) Wednesday, January 11, 1961 2926 The report suggests that a committee of five to seven members, consisting of University personnel, be set up to carry out this investigation. As a matter of principle I feel the committee should include at least one senior business executive, a representative of the high school teachers, and a representative of the community at large. (Dr. Keays) One of the original suggestions was a committee of eleven members, half from the campus, and half outsiders, including the Department of Education, B. C. Teachers' Federation, business community and professional community. We eventually decided a smaller committee restricted to university personnel would reduce the time required for the study. (Dr. Robbins) If a committee is appointed, will submissions be requested from interested outside groups? (Mr. Ladner) While it appears wise for internal matters of this institution to be left exclusively to the Faculties, it is urgent that at an early date the University declare its policy on higher education apart from the University of British Columbia on the Point Grey campus. (Mr. Hacker) In summary,the Chairman stated it seemed there were possibilities of three or four different groups making different kinds of study: (1) a royal commission or a body under some other title but still commanding prestige, making a study of higher education in the province, its organization, administration, location, e_t cetera; (2) the Faculties studying their internal problems, activities and organization; (3) an appropriate body studying practical questions of administrative and academic development, such as maximum enrolment on this campus, possible decentralization of Departments on the campus, inter-relationship of certain aspects of university work (e.g. Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Social Work, Physical Education and student welfare), the Wednesday, January 11, 1961 2927 future of the Faculty of Arts and Science, possible decentralization of library services. For obvious reasons, the members of the teaching staff are best qualified to deal with problems of this nature. Dean Gage ) Dean Scarfe) That the report of the Committee on Ways and Means of Undertaking a Study of Higher Education in the Province of British Columbia be referred to the Committee of Deans for recommendation to Senate as to: what sections of the report might be dealt with internally by the Faculties or other appropriate units of the University; what sections would be worthy of study by other groups appointed by Senate, with recommendations as to how such a study should be made; and what sections need not be or should not be included in a study. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Chairman.1 U * .