Academic College Council Update | Academic Newsletter | Seneca Polytechnic

by JoAnn Purcell , Academic College Council Chair

in the June 2019 issue

As I reflect on the work of Academic College Council (ACC) this past year, it is the work on the complete overhaul and implementation of the Academic Integrity Policy that stands out. This policy was rewritten from the ground up to reflect the new philosophical approach – from a punitive model to a teaching and learning model. It appeared on the agenda at most meetings and was presented to council from many different perspectives over the course of this past year. The at Seneca website is in operation with links to the policy and resources for students and faculty. Institutional collective thinking and processes can be slow to change but the hard work of the academic integrity sub-committee, co-chaired by Amy Lin (Director of the Teaching & Learning Centre) and Kathryn Klages (Manager of Library Literacy, Instruction & Outreach), has made this transition smooth and efficient and can be upheld as a model for change.

More details about the Academic Integrity resources for students are available in the Striving for Honest Academic Practices with Seneca Students article in this issue.

We spent some time this year considering communication strategies to try and find the best way for the work of ACC to reach the college community. With the volume of emails, communication notices, website feed, and social media, it can be a real challenge to effectively get the work of ACC to the front of the line to be seen and understood. Faculty and students are busy with the job of teaching and learning, and the administrative hum often takes a back seat. When the information is needed, though, everyone needs to be apprised quickly. A snow ball to the back of the head – or the more seasonally appropriate metaphorical big wave that catches you off guard at the beach – is probably not the best way. Better institutional communication requires a multifaceted approach and we invite any creative ideas for effective communication strategies. I can refer you to begin at the webpage managed by Pina Marinelli-Henriques (Assistant to the Vice-President Academic). It makes excellent beach reading!

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We continue to work to make ACC a dynamic and responsive council; as such, I invite you to bring forward timely items related to academics and student experience to be discussed at Council under New Business. Please send your items to me (joann.purcell@senecacollege.ca) or to your Council member (). I look forward to hearing from you. The next meeting is Monday, September 23, 2019!

Wishing you all the very best for the summer, wherever it takes you!

View the June 2019 issue of the Academic Newsletter.