KPU Senate revises select course offerings, policies, and minor in counselling program

The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Senate approved changes to select course offerings and discussed policy revisions during a meeting on Nov. 18.

The Senate standing committee on curriculum recommended that two math, one physics, and three political science courses be revised. It was also recommended that two new courses — one in criminology and one in political science — be approved, and two political science courses — “Politics in the City” and “Selected Topics in International Politics” — be discontinued. The recommendations were approved. 

The standing committee on curriculum also proposed a program revision for the minor in counselling. The recommended revisions came out of a program review along with student and outside organization feedback, which the Senate approved. 

“The main thing was … making CNPS 3330 ‘Cultural Considerations in Counselling’ mandatory because of what industry said and many of the external reviewers,” Vice-Chair of Senate Catherine Schwichtenberg said. 

Other revisions Senate approved include housekeeping changes to the Faculty of Trades and Technology bylaws, like aligning proper titles and changing wording for clarity, and merging two university policies and procedures — the AC12 Naming, Academic Units and ER8 Asset Naming Opportunities — into one, the ER2 Naming of University Assets. 

The new policy will come into effect on Jan. 30 next year and governs the naming of university assets, whether they be new, existing, or in recognition of financial or in-kind contributions.  

“The two Policies and Procedures were due for an update to bring them into alignment and address existing gaps,” the meeting’s agenda reads. 

The Senate also eliminated a policy — the AD4 Continuing Education and Contract Services — which will come into effect on Jan. 29, 2025. This policy was first written in 2002 to manage the daily operations of continuing and professional studies. 

“What was covered in this policy has since been covered in other documents and other places in the university. And so this policy is not necessary anymore,” said Aimee Begalka, dean of the Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation. 

“And on the advice of legal, they said it’s kind of a risk to have this policy if we aren’t using it. That is why it’s being brought forward.” 

During the standing committee on the library’s report, Schwichtenberg said there is an updated territorial acknowledgement LibGuide. The guide outlines the purpose of a territorial acknowledgement and how to build one that is intentional and informed. To check out the LibGuide, visit www.bit.ly/3AQlfjk. 

On behalf of the Senate standing committee on teaching and learning, Wilson School of Design Dean Andhra Goundrey said they’ve been discussing scheduling options for blended learning. 

“The main purpose of looking at that is to help provide more clarity to students when they’re registering,” she said. “So with more [discussions], we realize we have to do further consultation. So more to come on that and how we can provide guidance from this committee.”

During his report, President Alan Davis said he joined Faculty of Science Dean Brett Favaro in travelling to Kazakhstan where they met embassy staff and politicians at local and national levels. 

“[We were] looking at a very interesting opportunity for KPU to be engaged in offshore delivery,” Davis said. 

“I’ll be coming back with a fulsome report on that, and should we agree to move forward, our Senate will be actively involved in approving the project to make sure that we are doing things in a way that ensures quality, first and foremost.” 

The next Senate meeting is scheduled for Dec. 16 at 4:00 pm via Microsoft Teams. To learn more about the Senate, visit www.kpu.ca/senate.