Queen’s Academic Plan

Queen’s University, as a result of budget cuts and the present economic situation, is in the midst of writing an academic plan that will have a great impact on both present and future Queen’s students’ educational experience. As such, students have a vested interest in ensuring our thoughts and opinions are heard. We have created this page to educate Arts and Science students about this process and encourage each and every one of you to get involved and make your voices heard. If you have any comments about the academic plan or information you feel should be included here, please send them to us at feedback@asus.queensu.ca.

UPDATES
March 23, 24, 28, 29, 2010  – ASUS hosts “Academic Planning and You: A Series of Discussions for the Future of Queen’s Education“. Please click here for more information.

BRIEF BACKGROUND
January, 2010 – Principal Woolf released a vision document entitled “Where Next? Toward a University Academic Plan” in order to engage each Faculty in discussion surrounding the important priorities that should be included in the final academic plan.

January to April, 2010 - Principal Woolf solicited responses from individual departments, faculty, staff, and students and asked the Dean’s of each Faculty to create Faculty-specific responses to his “Where Next?” document. During this process ASUS held three Town-Halls in conjunction with the Dean on April 6th (minutes), April 8th (minutes) and April 9th (minutes) in order to solicit student opinions to the Faculty of Arts and Science’s draft response to the Principal’s document.

April to September, 2010 – An Academic Writing Team consisting of 6 faculty members was formed and reviewed all responses, compiling them all into a report to the Principal entitled “Imagining the Future: Towards an Academic Plan for Queen’s University“. The Academic Writing Team also held Town Halls on June 12th (minutes) and August 12th (minutes) in order to further solicit opinions, concerns and suggestions. During this time the Principal also issued an update, extending the academic planning process by several months.

September, 2010 – The Academic Writing Team report was referred to the Senate Committee on Academic Development (SCAD), who will consult with Senate, the Academic Writing Team as well as staff, students and faculty in order to complete a draft of the academic plan.

November 25, 2010 - The Senate voted to establish a Task Force to develop the Academic Plan for Queen’s University. The membership of the Task Force is 3 Faculty, 1 Dean, 1 Staff, 2 Students (1 undergraduate, 1 graduate/professional) and in addition, a Chair appointed by the Principal. A majority shall be senators.

November 30, 2010 – The Senate asks for NOMINATIONS for ALL POSITIONS. You can apply or nominate someone! Simply complete the online nomination form.

December 10, 2010 – Nominations are due! Once the Task Force is formed ASUS hopes to hold more Town Halls in order to solicit student input into this draft, so stay tuned!

January 17, 2011 – The Senate Task Force has been formed and will be working on completing an Academic Plan by April. Click here to read more and to see the composition of the Task Force.

February 16,2011 – The Senate Task Force launches an interactive website to solicit feedback regarding the Academic Plan. Click here to read more.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Read the documents below in order to understand what is being proposed for our future.
Comment on the Academic Writing Team’s report, “Imagining the Future” by participating in the Academic Plan Forum where you can easily review the Academic Writing Team’s report, give your feedback and see other comments.
Post on the Senate Task Force Interactive website and give your feedback about the Academic Plan.
Send feedback to the Principal anonymously through this online form.
Email us at feedback@asus.queensu.ca for suggestions on how to ensure student voices are heard or comments on the planning process as a whole.

DOCUMENTS
Where Next? Toward a University Academic Plan
Faculty of Arts and Science’s response
ASUS Town Hall minutes – 1, 2, 3
Imagining the Future: Towards an Academic Plan for Queen’s University
Academic Writing Team Town Hall minutes – 1, 2

OTHER RESOURCES AND LINKS
Senate Academic Planning Interactive Website – information about the Academic Plan and a forum for comments and discussion
Academic Plan Forum – a forum for comments on the academic planning process
Principal’s Academic Planning Page -  links and information regarding the Academic Planning process
Senate Committee on Academic Development – information about the committee working on creating a draft Academic Plan
Academic Writing Team – information about the Academic Writing Team and links to various documents

On November 25, 2010, the Senate voted to establish a Task Force to develop an Academic Plan for Queen’s University.  The membership of the Task Force is: 3 Faculty, 1 Dean, 1 Staff, 2 Students (1 undergraduate and 1 graduate/professional) and in addition, a Chair appointed by the Principal.  A majority shall be senators.