Senate & the Board of Governors
Board of Governors
The Board of Governors is described as the governing body of the University. Relatively controversial, the Board has final authority on all “administrative” issues and decisions at the McGill. SSMU has only one member on this body.
Senate
McGill Senate handles the policies and guidelines governing all academic activities at the University. Composed of professors, students, administrators and union members, Senate represents the McGill community as a whole. This is where students have the most political influence, so let your Student Senators know what matters to you! To learn more about Senate and its committees, check out the website.
Although audience members cannot speak on the floor of Senate, your presence is an important way to remind Senators that they must represent the needs of the greater McGill community. You can check out Senate meetings in Leacock 232 at 14:30, one Wednesday a month.
You have thirteen student Senators representing you to the University on University Senate
| Name | Faculty / Position | Email Address |
|---|---|---|
| Rodrigo Espinosa | Arts | artssenator1@ssmu.mcgill.ca |
| Jimmy Gutman | Arts | artssenator2@ssmu.mcgill.ca |
| Max Zidel | Arts | artssenator3@ssmu.mcgill.ca |
| George Azmy | Engineering | engineeringsenator1@ssmu.mcgill.ca |
| n/a | Engineering | engineeringsenator2@ssmu.mcgill.ca |
| Stephanie Bachelet | Law | lawsenator@ssmu.mcgill.ca |
| Avi Rush | Management | managementsenator@ssmu.mcgill.ca |
| Laurence Belanger | Medecine | medicinesenator@ssmu.mcgill.ca |
| Andrew Boudreau | Music | musicsenator@ssmu.mcgill.ca |
| Shannon Herrick | Science | sciencesenator1@ssmu.mcgill.ca |
| Moe Nasr | Science | sciencesenator2@ssmu.mcgill.ca |
| Josh Redel | SSMU – President | president@ssmu.mcgill.ca |
| Haley Dinel | SSMU – VP University Affairs | ua@ssmu.mcgill.ca |
To send an email to all senators, send to senators@ssmu.mcgill.ca. Note that since Josh Redel and Haley Dinel are also senators, email sent to this address will also go to them.
Read the Senators bios here.
For more information about what your Senators are up to, check out Senator’s Corner!
University Committees
Your student Senators, along with other representatives, sit on various University committees. Committees are where a lot of the work of the University happens. We are currently looking for student representatives for the following committees. The SSMU is currently soliciting applications for SSMU representatives on the following committees. If you are interested, please submit an application to uasecgen@ssmu.mcgill.ca by March 23rd, 2012.
Enrolment and Student Affairs Advisory Committee (ESAAC)
The Enrolment and Student Affairs Advisory Committee aids the Committee on Enrolment and Student Affairs (CESA) in decisions regarding admissions procedures, the scheduling of the academic year and coordination amongst faculties. It meets approximately once a month for 2 hours.
Subcommittee on Student Affairs Policies
This subcommittee is an advisory body regarding changes of policies on student affairs and, if applicable, the creation of new policies. It is only called when such changes occur.
Subcommittee of APC on Teaching and Learning (STL)
The Subcommittee of APC on Teaching and Learning assists the Academic Policy Committee (APC) by recommending initiatives to enhance the quality of teaching and learning, as well as teaching and learning policies to the University. It meets several times per year.
Teaching and Learning Spaces Workgroup
This Work Group is responsible for creating a vision for teaching and learning space development by identifying needs and suggesting enhancements for classrooms and study spaces on campus. It meets several times over the course of the semester.
Course Evaluation Advisory Group
The Advisory Group strives to improve the effectiveness of course evaluations in enhancing the quality of teaching at McGill and meets as needed throughout the academic year.
Subcommittee of APC on Course and Teaching Programs (SCTP)
This subcommittee advises the Academic Policy Committee with regards to courses and revisions to existing teaching programs, reviews existing courses and teaching programs, and evaluates the academic quality of proposals for new teaching programs. This committee meets once per month for 2 hours.
Research Policy Committee
This committee creates and amends policies relating to research matters, and recommends the creation of new research units to the Academic Policy Committee. It meets as needed.
Subcommittee on Academic Integrity
The Subcommittee on Academic Integrity reviews University policies and procedures regarding the safeguarding of academic integrity, and recommends changes and initiatives to the Academic Policy Committee. It meets once every two months for 2 hours.
Senate Committee on Libraries
This committee recommends broad policies concerning the library to Senate and reviews planning documents and resource allocations. It also advises Senate on library and information service developments which are of academic significance to the University. It meets at least twice per semester.
Senate Committee on Physical Development (SCPD)
This committee advises Senate on broad development projects (e.g., the construction of a new building) that reflect the University’s priorities with regards to providing appropriate faculties and infrastructure, improving campus accessibility, conserving historic buildings, etc. It meets at least four times per year.
Advisory Committee on Alcohol Policy
The advisory committee reviews changes and improvements to McGill’s alcohol policy and suggests such changes to Senate. It meets as needed throughout the academic year.
Athletics Board
The Athletics Board is an advisory body to McGill Athletics and serves to coordinate and support decisions regarding athletic facilities, campaigns and the like. It meets once every two months for two hours.
CAPS Advisory Board
The CAPS Advisory Board is an advisory body to McGill’s Career Planning Service and serves to coordinate and support decisions related to events and activities of the Service. It meets at least once per semester.
Counselling Service Advisory Board
The Counselling Service Advisory Board is an advisory body to McGill’s Counselling Service and serves to coordinate and support decisions related to events and activities of the Service. It meets at least once per semester.
Health Service Advisory Board
The Health Service Advisory Board is an advisory body to McGill’s Health Service and serves to coordinate and support decisions related to events and activities of the Service. It meets at least once per semester.
Mental Health Service Advisory Board
The Mental Health Service Advisory Board is an advisory body to McGill’s Mental Health Service and serves to coordinate and support decisions related to events and activities of the Service. It meets at least once per semester.
Advisory Committee on International Students
This committee advises International Students’ Services on policies and practices related to the integration and accommodation of international students at McGill, and helps the Services fulfil its mandate of supporting the growth, progress, and success of international students at McGill, and easing their transition to a new school, a new home and a new country. This committee meets at least once per semester.
Advisory Council on the Charter of Students’ Rights
The Council investigates any allegation that the general application of a University rule is in violation of the Charter of Students’ Rights. A request for investigation may be made by a member of the University (the complainant) or may be referred to the Council by the Committee on Student Grievances. The Council meets as needed.
Appeal Committee for Student Discipline and Grievances
This committee reviews appeals from decisions made by either the Committee on Student Discipline or the Committee on Student Grievances and makes a final decision, either endorsing or overturning the previous decision based on the evidence presented. It meets as needed.
Committee on Student Discipline
Hearing Committees composed of members of the committee on student discipline review cases of infringement of the code of student conduct, and make decisions based on the evidence presented. They meet as needed.
Committee on Student Grievances
This committee reviews any grievances lodged by students that rights accorded to them under the Charter of Students’ Rights have been infringed by a member of the University, and decides on the appropriate redress. It meets as needed.
Intellectual Property Appeals Committee
The Intellectual Property Appeals Committee hears appeals from decisions of the Vice-Principal (Research) or his delegate regarding disputes over or cases of infringement of intellectual property, and makes a final decision, either endorsing or overturning the previous decision based on the evidence presented. It meets as needed.
Subcommittee on Women
The Subcommittee on Women makes recommendations to the Joint Senate Board Committee on Equity (JSBCE) on the advocacy of women’s rights and promotion of women, the initiation and consolidation of women’s activities, and on liaison and networking opportunities for women. It meets once a month for one hour.
Subcommittee on Persons with Disabilities
The Subcommittee on Persons with Disabilities was established to improve services and accessibility on the McGill campus and makes recommendations to the Joint Senate Board Committee on Equity. Meetings are held approximately every six weeks throughout the year.
Subcommittee on Race and Ethnic Relations
The Subcommittee on Race and Ethnic Relations makes recommendations to the Joint Senate Board Committee on Equity on equity issues regarding visible minorities, race and discrimination. It meets regularly throughout the semester.
Subcommittee on First Peoples
The Subcommittee on Equity for First Peoples reviews on an annual basis the recruitment and status of under-represented First Nation and Inuit groups at the University and sees its mission as building equity for Indigenous peoples on campus. It meets regularly throughout the semester.
Subcommittee on Queer People
The McGill Equity Subcommittee on Queer People addresses issues of representation, inclusion and support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered students, staff and faculty at McGill with respect to academic and non-academic life on campus. Our mandate as an advisory body is to make recommendations to Senate for changes and improvements which need to be implemented on campus in order to ensure equity for all members of McGill’s community. It meets once a month for one hour.
Subcommittee on Admission Reviews
This is a Subcommittee to the University Admissions Committee and reviews allegations that a unit’s admission or review procedures were not properly followed. The subcommittee also makes recommendations regarding procedures for faculty review of admissions decisions, and ensures that all admissions units have appropriate admission review procedures and that these procedures are clearly defined and easily accessible. It meets as needed.
University Committee on Scholarships and Student Aid
This committee supports and advises the Scholarships and Student Aid office in its activities and is also responsible for awarding a number of scholarships. It meets regularly throughout the year.
University Health and Safety Committee (UHSC)
This committee advises the Associate Vice-Principal (University Services) and the Vice-Principal (Administration & Finance) on matters concerning the health and safety of the University community, including standards and policies. Its responsibilities include overseeing the University’s internal responsibility system for health and safety, addressing health and safety issues that cannot be addressed adequately by existing mechanisms; and identifying and recommending health and safety priority areas for the purpose of safety program implementation. It meets every six weeks for one hour.
Student Advisory Committee to the Office for Students with Disabilities
This committee meets directly with the Director of the OSD and offers feedback on decisions, policies and strategies of the Office. It meets twice a semester. Students sitting on this committee must be registered with the OSD.
Sustainability Projects Fund Working Group
The Sustainability Projects Fund Working Group is charged with reviewing applications to the Sustainability Projects Fund and selecting the project groups to receive funding to initiate their projects. It also provides feedback and guidance in the implementation phase. It meets several times over the semester.
Fee Advisory Committee
This committee oversees fees charged to students, evaluates requests from academic and administrative units to ensure that the fees are justifiable, and considers budgets and financial statements relevant to the fees as well as the interests of the units, the University and students. It meets several times over the semester.
Subcommittee on Undergraduate Student Advising
This committee supports the undergraduate student advising services in their activities and efforts, and proposes initiatives and recommendations to improve the quality of advising offered at McGill. It meets once a month for an hour.