Resolution on Administrative Reports to the Council

Background

According to the bylaws of the New Brunswick Faculty Council (NBFC):

The New Brunswick Faculty Council is the principal faculty body from which the New Brunswick Chancellor seeks advice and to which the Chancellor is accountable on New Brunswick-wide academic policy issues. (Bylaws Section I).

The Council shall advise the New Brunswick Chancellor on all appropriate matters including, but not limited to, curricula and academic programs; academic regulations and standards; admissions and graduation requirements; research and teaching facilities; and budgetary priorities. It is the responsibility of the Chancellor to respond to the Council's advice and to inform the Council fully about plans and proposals of concern to the faculty.(Bylaws Subsection III.3).

The Bylaws thus make it very clear that regular, direct communication between the New Brunswick Faculty Council and the Chancellor is essential for the proper functioning of the Council.

A critically important part of this essential communication is the administrative report traditionally given by the Chancellor at Faculty Council meetings. We believe, therefore, that the Chancellor should present an administrative report and answer questions from Council members at every Council meeting. In the event that the Chancellor cannot attend a particular Council meeting due to a scheduling conflict, s/he should designate an appropriate senior administrator to present the administrative report in her/his place. This recommended procedure is a win/win situation for both the Faculty Council and the Chancellor. It is analogous to the long-established practice of the Senate, whereby the President or her/his designee presents an administrative report at every Senate meeting.

Resolution

Therefore, be it resolved that an administrative report is required at every New Brunswick Faculty Council meeting and if the Chancellor is not available s/he should send a replacement.