Academic College Council Update | Academic Newsletter | Seneca Polytechnic

by JoAnn Purcell, Academic College Council Chair

in the March 2019 issue

When the brutally cold weather of mid-January in Southern Ontario settles in for an extended period, my thoughts often go to our International students who have come from balmier climates. I ask them about their recent first ever experience with Canadian winter and reaction to the mounds of snow and bitter cold. While the responses are varied, uniformly the perspective is fresh. Quite often there are hints of pleasure in the extreme manifestations of nature. I am grateful for their viewpoints which shakes up any midwinter lethargy. And equally grateful for the news of groundhog Wiarton Willie’s shadow prediction of an early spring!

At Academic College Council, we continue to review and revise policies with input from all stakeholders inclusive of students, advisers, faculty, and administrators. Of note are the Student Progression and Promotion Policy, Transfer Credit Policy, and Prior Learning Assessment Policy which have all come forward to the committee for review and revision. We also have viewed updates from the working groups and individuals who continue to refine the Academic Appeal and Academic Integrity procedures so they are readily operational and accessible. We often view presentations from various departments and one presentation I would like to highlight was Mark Solomon’s excellent presentation on Indigenizing the Classroom and hope opportunities arise for him to present to a wider audience at the college.

As always, I invite you to bring forward timely items related to academics and student experience to be discussed at Council under New Business. Please bring forward either by emailing me at joann.purcell@senecacollege.ca or contacting your Council member. The next meeting is on April 15. I look forward to hearing from you!

View the March 2019 issue of the Academic Newsletter.