Proposed Minutes

please email corrections/additions to the Secretary

Minutes November 14, 2002

Present: Heidi Brear, Margaret Anne Enders, Elizabeth Maupin, Christine Conkin, Katie Yahns, Greg Tatchell, Mary Lynn Siwallace, Margaret Powell, Sophie Rolland, Jennifer Goddard-Sheppard, Dawn Hermann, Barbara Boruff, Scot McLoed, Phil Murray, Vivian Seegers

Regrets: Vida Jaugeiis, Minnie Hornidge, Anke Rohleder

Opening

Scott McLeod called the meeting to order and opened with prayer. In response to the lack of quorum, members present agreed to proceed with conducting business in this meeting and to look at a constitutional amendment that negates the need for quorum, a necessary measure in light of low levels of participation.

Minutes

Mary Lynn Siwallce noted an error in the spelling of her name. Dawn Hermann moved that the minutes be approved with the spelling correction. Margaret Anne Enders seconded. Motion carried.

Reports

Faculty Council Margaret Anne Enders

· Curriculum The new curriculum will follow a more standard university model. The M.Div. degree program will follow a two-track format:

Testamur: for ordination track students
Non-testamur: for lay, academic and non-ordination track students

Both tracks are 100 credit hours, not including Field Education. There is more flexibility, particularly in the non-testamur track. The billing process will be “pay as you play”; there is no option to take extra courses without charge.

The new MA in Theology degree is a two-year, 48 credit degree that is more academic. The MS in Spirituality has an option for an extra 66 hours in order to become certified as a Spiritual Director.

· Workload Workload for both students and faculty remains an issue under consideration

· D.Min Program This program is on-hold and accepting no new candidates.

· Evaluation and Gateway A meeting will be held the last week in November regarding the changes in the grading system, Gateway is being evaluated and at present it is being viewed as an integrating discussion without an evaluative component.

· Registrar Dana Mellis is the new Registrar.

· Search Committee Dr. Phillip Kroll will assume the position of Assistant Professor of Ethics in July.

2. UBC/AMS Student Council Christine Conkin

· U-Pass The universal bus pass is likely to soon be a reality. It will be a pass with photo ID that allows unlimited rides for $20.00 per month. Everyone will be required to pay for the pass. Actual cost of the pass is $23, with $3.00 for each pass being subsidized by the AMS. Voting will take place in a February referendum. Translink has promised to restore late night weekend service as part of the deal. Additionally, $300,000 in rebates will be returned to on-campus residents.

· Health & Dental Plan A survey of students using the plan indicates an overwhelming number of them approve of the plan. Last year, more money was paid out in claims than was collected in premiums, indicating a high usage rate

· Smart Card Plans are underway to consolidate some 39 different UBC Ids into one card which would integrate a variety of services.

3. Board of Governors Elizabeth Maupin

· The issue of tuition doubling for international students is still under consideration. Several Korean students have submitted a letter to the Board outlining the financial burden placed upon international students. Additionally, Elizabeth has done research with other seminaries and has learned that several of them do not follow this practice. Elizabeth encouraged more input from students on the issue.

· The Board is looking at the issue of fund raising.

· Enrollment was reported to be 130 students.

· Redevelopment plans are progressing. The Iona renovations will commence with a move-out in June or July. Move-in is expected to take place in September 2004. Epiphany chapel will possibly be moved or a new chapel built which will have a food service area on the lower level. The joint library project is looking less feasible. At present, plans are for the Library to be moved into the Iona Building.

4. Health and Dental Plan Barbara Boruff

At present, a detailed report cannot be compiled as we are awaiting a final list from Studentcare Networks which will confirm student enrollments and opt-outs. Students are currently using the plan to pay for prescriptions, glasses, and dental care, and are reporting satisfaction with the plan. A more comprehensive report will be presented at the next meeting.

5. Library

No report.

6. Housing Mary Siwallace

The Housing Committee has met for an orientation meeting. Also, emailed letters have been sent to current residents asking about their housing needs for the Fall. The letters must be replied to by Friday, November 15. Some concern was raised because several students did not receive the email.

7. Transition Committee Phil Murray

Construction will begin in June; however, if the need would arise, there is a plan that would move the beginning date back one year. All Iona offices will move to the Chancellor Building, which will be rearranged to accommodate them. Faculty offices will move to the residence first floor of Trinity. Two apartments will be used for meeting rooms. The second floor will contain administrative offices. The third floor will be for overflow needs. The Dean’s office will be in the main hallway of where the Bookroom is. Sally McFague’s office and VSTSA will be relocated so that Chalmers Institute can occupy that area. Columbian Apartments will remain as is for now. Food service will be shared with St. Andrews. St. Andrews has offered to share classroom space. Thirty residences will remain available in the Chancellor Building; none will have kitchens.

Future housing will not be subsidized; higher rents will be offset by an increase in scholarship.

UBC students will be notified soon that they will need to find other housing for the Fall.

Road construction is scheduled to begin in December or January.

A number of student concerns surrounding the transition period include the need for study carrels, lockers and access to photocopiers. Possibly the Trinity Lounge will be an area for some of these needs. Student input is needed.

8. Auxiliary Luncheon

A written report and expense request was submitted by Minnie Hornidge and Anke Rohleder. Planning is well underway and student participation in the project has been excellent.

Budget Dawn Hermann

Most students have paid their fees; a number of students still have not. Of these who have not paid, one or two cannot afford to pay. The others have not responded to invoices or disagree with amounts charged. Dawn asked the group for a consensus on how to handle delinquent accounts. There was unanimous agreement that students who have not paid should not be allowed to register for the next term or graduate and that the names of those with unpaid fees should be given to administration for collection.

Dawn asked for approval for funds to be allocated for the Canadian Theological Students Conference and for approval of a request submitted by Minnie Hornidge and Anke Rohleder for approximately $150 in auxiliary luncheon expenses. Both requests were approved unanimously.

Elections/Appointments

1. First Year Representative: None appointed. A Korean student is being sought.

2. Board of Governors Representative: Greg Tatchell

3. Grading Policy Subcommittee: No longer needed

4. Proxies to UBC Student Council: No volunteers have come forward.

5. Property Development Committee Representatives: Several are needed to provide input.

6. First Year Review of Principal Ken Macqueen. Several volunteers are needed to provide written reviews. Volunteers include Barbara Boruff,

New Business

1. Canadian Theological Students’ Conference

The CTSC is being promoted through information on the bulletin board and the Altar Ego. The longer we wait to register people, the higher the fees; thus the deadline of November 25 for registration. Applications are posted in the student lounge.

2. Book Signing for Harry Maier

Katie Yahns proposed that VSTSA sponsor a book signing for Harry Maier. In light of a Christmas reception already being planned, it was decided to combine the two events early in December. Planning committee members will be Dawn Hermann, Barbara Boruff and Vivian Seegers.

3. Follow up on Retreat Issues

Vivian Seegers raised the issue of concerns surrounding racism at VST that were brought forward at the Fall retreat. There being insufficient time to discuss the issue fully, it was decided to follow up with individual meetings. Dawn Hermann will raise the issue at the next Harassment Committee meeting.

4. Sweat Lodge Ceremony

Vivian Seegers proposed that VSTSA sponsor a sweat lodge ceremony. Time did not permit sufficient discussion of the matter, and it was decided that the VSTSA executive will meet with Vivian for further discussion.

Old Business

Time did not permit the discussion of old business items. The VSTSA executive will meet to determine whether these issues can be resolved outside of the meeting.