FGS Policy Initiatives 2020 21 Presentation to FGS

FGS Policy Initiatives 2020 -21 Presentation to FGS Faculty Council - October 1 st, 2020 Mark Hayward Associate Dean Academic Faculty of Graduate Studies October 1, 2020

New Policy Context for FGS • The de-centralization of curriculum development is changing the role that FGS plays in the governance of grad studies. • Key Question: How does this affect the role of FGS, alongside the roles played by Senate (University-wide, but not grad specific) and anchor faculties (increasingly grad-specific, but not university-wide)? • University-wide standards and policies for elements of graduate degrees and procedures.

Current Policy Priorities Overview • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion/Anti-Racism in Grad Studies • Intellectual Property for Graduate Researchers • Comprehensive/Qualifying Exam Policy • Professional Masters • Revising Faculty Council

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Goal • To implement and support effective support for EDI and antiracism initiatives across FGS. Next Steps • Visit from appropriate members of the group developing the University Equity Plan. • Determining through consultations at faculty council and its committees appropriate venues and formats for pan-university discussion on matters related to EDI among graduate students and graduate faculty. Timeline: Ongoing (started in August 2020)

Intellectual Property Goal • The FGS Intellectual Property policy was adopted in the late 1990 s and has not been revised since. The policy governs issues related to copyright, intellectual property, authorship related to graduate student research. It requires updating in numerous areas. Next Steps • Consultation with students/programs/university experts about areas of concern. • Preparation of draft policy for review and discussion by relevant subcommittees • Draft policy to Faculty Council for Spring 2020. Timeline • Initial discussions are already underway, broader consultation through October/November with draft to subcommittees for early 2021.

Comprehensive Exams Goal • Unlike theses and dissertations, there is no university-wide policy or framework regarding comps/qualifying exams. This can cause concern to students and program members. • Similar to FGS appointment criteria, the standards would provide a framework for what information must be shared about a program’s Comp process to students and faculty members. • Related to revision of TD policies for alternative format dissertations Timeline: • November/December: Consultation with students/programs/experts on graduate milestones both internal and external to York • February: Consultation with Faculty council subcommittees • March/April: Draft policy to Council for discussion.

Professional Masters Goal • To determine how FGS can support best practices regarding the development and approval of professional graduate programs. • Related to this, a discussion of the need for, and parameters of, policies regard non-degree courses. Timeline: • Background presentation and determining future action to council between November and January.

Revising Faculty Council • With decentralization, current FGS policies establishing council and its subcommittees need to be revised. • Also, the current constitution of the council needs to be recalibrated to align with Senate practice. Timeline: • February: Background/Overview to council • April/May: Discussions of Draft Revisions

Other Topics • Feedback on revised Academic Honesty Policy/Impact of FGS policies and procedures • Academic Impact of Risk Assessment Processes • Consistency of policies related to part-time status across FGS. • Ongoing changes in governance of Grad curriculum development • Online Teaching/Degrees • Other COVID-related matters

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