Senate Award for Service in University Governance
Award Objective and Rationale: Senate is the body identified traditionally and in the Mount Saint Vincent University Charter with the academic governance of the University. The core of its enterprise is academic life, encompassing teaching, research, and collegial collaboration and support. That work takes place, of course, at Senate, which bears ultimate responsibility for academic governance, but it is also dependent on the efforts of department Chairs and Directors and the work of a variety of committees and other bodies that initiate, develop, and monitor policies established by Senate. These bodies ensure consultation with different parts of the academic community and critical reflection on the issues that shape the academic experiences of our students and faculty members.
In recognition of the importance of the work of academic governance, Senate has approved the establishment of a Senate Award for Service in University Governance.
Nomination Guidelines:
Nominations, signed by at least two nominators, shall be made to Senate Executive through the Secretary of Senate, by 15 January. Accompanying each nomination shall be a rationale that provides evidence of the nominee’s extensive, consistent, and valuable record of service to academic governance at the University.
Nomination/Selection Criteria:
While each nominator will have a distinctive understanding of the terms employed in the rationale, nominators and those considering the nominations should evaluate the service record of each person under consideration according to the criteria suggested above. Service should be extensive, i.e., carried out over a sustained period, normally several years, and in a variety of governance activities. The service should be consistent, i.e., given on a continuing basis during the person’s time at the University. Finally, service should be deemed valuable, e.g., that the person’s contributions are regarded as constructive, committed, and collegial.
Selection Procedures:
At the closing date for nominations, Senate Executive shall, if nominations have been received, establish a small task group to review the evidence presented by the nominator(s), inquire among colleagues as to both the extent and the quality of the nominee’s service, and make recommendations to Senate Executive, which, in turn, shall consider them and bring to Senate for confirmation those recommendations which it approves. Senate will consider, in-camera, the recommendations of Senate Executive and vote, by secret ballot, to approve or not approve an award.
Recognition:
The award will include both a framed certificate and recognition on a plaque placed at an appropriate location in the University, and recognition in Insight and/or through another appropriate notice issued through the Public Affairs Office. Recipients will be honoured at the last meeting of Senate for the academic year in which the award is given.
16 October, 2008
Recipients:
2011 - Mr. Peter Glenister
2010 - Dr. Mary Lyon
2009 - Dr. Kenneth Dewar