Our Senate
The Senate is comprised of representatives from the full-time and part-time faculty, the administration, the staff, the students, the Board of Governors, and the Anishinaabe People’s Council.
The Algoma University Act of 2008 outlines and establishes the role of Senate in the direction and operation of the University. The Senate is responsible for the educational policy of the University and may enact by-laws and regulations for the conduct of its affairs. For more information on the role and operation of Senate, please view the Academic Senate By-Laws (PDF).
Meet our Senate Executive Members
Members of the Senate Executive Committee include:
Senate Committees
All you need to know about our Senate Committee, terms of reference and membership.
Adjunct Professorship
The title, Adjunct Professor, is normally granted by a university to individuals not holding a university appointment, but whose professional background and qualifications have led to their active participation in joint undertakings, usually teaching and/or research, with university faculty.
The position is intended to provide formal recognition of the special relationship between an individual outside the university (or an individual whose expertise contributes substantially to studies currently being undertaken by the university) and an academic unit within the university and shall be recognized as such under the Tri-Council Policy.
Senate Meeting Schedule and Minutes 2024 - 2025
Senate meetings for this cycle are scheduled to take place on the Fridays listed below starting at 1:00pm. Meeting minutes will be posted here as they are approved. Meetings will operate hybridly from the Sault Ste. Marie campus in room CC201. The meetings will enable remote participation for Senators who are not able to attend in person.
2024 Senate Meetings | 2025 Senate Meetings |
---|---|
September 13, 2024 Senate Minutes Senate Agenda | January 10, 2025 |
October 4, 2024 Senate Summary Senate Minutes Senate Agenda | February 7, 2025 |
November 1, 2024 Senate Summary Senate Minutes Senate Agenda | March 7, 2025 |
December 6, 2024 Senate Summary Senate Agenda | April 4, 2025 |
May 2, 2025 | |
June 6, 2025 |
How Can I Attend an Open Session Senate meeting?
The open session of meetings will be live-streamed via youtube for anyone interested in observing. Additionally, the open session of meetings will be available to in-person non-Senator observers. Attendance for non-Senators will be subject to space limitations on a first come, first served basis. It is advised that Non-Senator observers who wish to attend in person reach out to [email protected] at least 24 hours in advance of a meeting to request an observer seat. Members of the media may also request observer seats and are kindly asked to email both [email protected] and [email protected].
Past Minutes
Below is a list of all our past meeting minutes.
2023 Senate Meetings | 2024 Senate Meetings |
---|---|
September 8, 2023 Agenda Minutes | January 12, 2024 Agenda Minutes |
October 6, 2023 Agenda Minutes | February 2, 2024 Agenda Minutes |
November 3, 2023 Agenda Minutes | February 16, 2024 Agenda Minutes - Special Meeting A Minutes - Special Meeting B |
December 1, 2023 Agenda Minutes | March 1, 2024 Agenda Minutes |
April 5, 2024 Agenda Minutes | |
May 3, 2024 Agenda Minutes | |
June 7, 2024 Agenda Minutes |
2019 Senate Meetings | 2020 Senate Meetings |
---|---|
September 6, 2019 Minutes | January 10, 2020 Minutes |
October 4, 2019 Minutes | February 7, 2020 Minutes |
November 1, 2019 Minutes | March 6, 2020 Minutes |
December 6, 2019 Minutes | April 3, 2020 no Senate meeting was held due to COVID-19 |
May 1, 2020 Minutes | |
June 5, 2020 Minutes |
Awards
Honorary Membership may be bestowed upon persons who have contributed distnctive and distinguished service to the University or community. Investiture will take place at Convocation and will consist of a citation and the awarding of appropriate regalia. Normally an individual receiving the Honour would be expected to be present at Convocation, however, under exceptional circumstances, the Honour could be awarded absentia.
Criteria and Guidelines for Selection of Distinguished Faculty Awards
In 2006, the Academic Standards & Teaching and Learning Committee and the Algoma University College Senate established a Distinguished Faculty Award to recognize exceptional faculty contribution. The recipient embodies the ideals of the University’s mission: teaching excellence and scholarship, with a demonstrated commitment to community and institutional citizenship. One award will be presented annually at the June convocation to recognize the exemplary contribution to educational excellence at Algoma. Eligibility: The annual award is open to all faculty at the University, regardless of discipline or level of appointment. Selection: The Senate Executive Committee will evaluate evidence of: (a) excellence in teaching and scholarship over a number of years, and (b) commitment beyond the nominee’s discipline or profession; specifically, to the community and University.
Year | Distinguished Faculty Award Recipient |
---|---|
2024 | Dr. Paulette Steeves |
2023 | Dr. Pedro Antunes |
2022 | Dr. Olibanji Akinola [posthumous] |
2021 | Dr. Trevor Tchir |
2020 | Dr. Warren Johnston |
2019 | Dr. Cheryl Reed-Elder |
2018 | Professor Dave Galotta |
2017 | Dr. Michael DiSanto |
2014 | Professor Don Jackson |
2013 | Dr. Istvan Imre |
2012 | Dr. Gayle Broad |
2010 | Dr. Linda Savory Gordon |
2009 | Professor Jim Gibson |
2008 | Dr. Thomas Allaway |
2007 | Dr. Francis Guth |
2006 | Dr. William Osei |
Honorary Member of Algoma University
Honorary Membership may be bestowed upon persons who have contributed distinctive and distinguished service to the University or community. Investiture will take place at Convocation and will consist of a citation and the awarding of appropriate regalia [academic hood]. Normally an individual receiving the Honour would be expected to be present at Convocation, however, under exceptional circumstances, the Honour could be awarded in absentia. The Algoma University Senate will have the purview to award more than one Honorary Member of Algoma University during a calendar year.
Year | Senate Award Recipient |
---|---|
2023 | David Orazietti |
2022 | Jay Jones |
2020 | John Cutruzzola, Bill Kanellopoulos |
2019 | Robert Cooper |
2018 | Judy Syrette |
2017 | Michael Cachagee |
2015 | Justus Veldman |
2014 | Donna Hilsinger |
2013 | Christine Sayers, Anne Marie Jones |
2012 | Brian Currran |
2011 | Donald Mitchell |
2008 | Errol Caldwell |
2007 | Carolyn Harrington |
2006 | Lou Lukenda |
2005 | Daniel Lang |
2004 | Gerry McGuire |
2003 | James Greco |
2002 | Rita Adams |
2001 | Terry Varcoe |
2000 | Greg Sorbara, Gerald Nori |
1999 | Nicholas Hirt |
1998 | Elsie Ann Savoie, Russell H. Ramsay |
Algoma University’s professor emeritus’ maintain their close ties to the University. As professors, they were instrumental in the shaping of the University’s academic legacy, and many today, continue their ongoing relationship with Algoma U.
For information on the appointment of professors and librarians emeriti, view our Appointment of Professors Emeriti and Librarians Emeriti policy (PDF).
School of Business and Economics
- D. V. Galotta, B.Comm (Hons), M.B.A (Queen’s), C.M.A
- R. K. Kadiyala, B.Sc. (Andhra), M.Sc. (Purdue), Ph.D. (Western)
- J.S. You, BA, MA (Seoul), PhD (S.U.N.Y)
School of Computer Science and Technology
- M.A. Keppel-Jones, BSc (Natal), BA (Hons) (Toronto), MSc (Queens), PhD (Cornell);
- J.J Rajnovich (Lake Superior State, MSc (McMaster), PhD (Western)
Community Economic and Social Development
- Dr. Gayle Broad, BA (Laurentian-Algoma), PhD (Bristol)
English and History
- J. Gibson, BA, MA (Manitoba);
- C.A. Sharman, BA, MA (British Columbia), PhD (Toronto)
- J.R Abbott, BA (Hons), MA, PhD (Toronto)
- F.R. Guth, BA (Hons), MA, LPh (Ottawa) PhD (Toronto)
Geography, Geology and Land Stewardship
- W. Osei, B.A. (Hons) (Ghana), M.A. (Carleton), Ph.D. (Western)
Modern Languages
- C. Ross, B.A. (Queen’s), M.A., Ph.D. (Universite de Bordeaux III)
Music
- T. Hahn, Mus Dip. (Davis), (Manhattan College of Music), Pius X School (Pontifical) of Liturgical Music (Manhattanville College)
Political Science
- J.T Ross, BA (Hons) (Carleton), MA (Toronto)
Psychology
- T. A. Allaway, BA (Hons) (Swarthmore), MA, PhD (Pennsylvania), C, Psych.; J.A Dunning, BA (Grinnell), MA (Western Michigan)
- C. Reed-Elder, B.Sc. (Mount Saint Vincent, B.Sc. (Hons) (St. Mary’s), M.A., Ph.D. (Dalhousie), C. Psych
- L. Sorensen, BA, MA, PhD (Western Ontario), C.Psych
Sociology
- A. Rajput, MA (Punjab), MA (Indiana State), PhD (Minnesota)
Social Work
- L. Savory Gordon, BA (Queen’s), MSW (McGill), PhD (Bristol)
Criteria and Guidelines for Selection of Honorary Degree Recipient
The Senate Executive Committee of the Algoma University Senate solicits recommendations for candidates for an honorary degree. The following guidelines
apply:
- Honorary degrees should not, except in exceptional circumstances, be awarded posthumously;
- Honorary degrees should not, except in exceptional circumstances, be awarded in absentia;
- Honorary degrees should not be awarded to Algoma University personnel oractive politicians;
- At the level of the Senate Executive Committee, unanimity among those presentis required (abstentions are not counted).
While the Committee is responsible for finding the best possible candidates in a given year and for ensuring a balance across various disciplines and groups over a period of time, the following categories are emphasized:
- Individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the life of Northern Ontario and/or the area served by Algoma University;
- Individuals who have made outstanding contributions to intellectual and/or creative advancements in disciplines offered at Algoma University;
- Individuals who have made outstanding contributions in fields of regional, national and/or international life.
- Individuals who have made outstanding contributions that contribute to and reflect the special mission of Algoma University.
In the final analysis, the selection of honorary degree recipients at Algoma University should be guided by the outstanding nature and/or the originality of each candidate’s achievement. The degree awarded should be appropriate to the recognized contribution of the recipient. Pursuant to the Postsecondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000, Algoma University is allowed to advertise and offer one honorary doctorate per calendar year. The Algoma University Senate has the authority to award the following degree options: Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Science, Doctor of Music, Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Social Work and Doctor of Fine Arts.
Nominations for Honorary Degree will be recommended by the Senate Executive Committee to be approved by the Algoma University Senate. Deferred nominations will be placed on the nominee list when it considers future nominations. Nominees will remain eligible for reconsideration for a period of three years from the date of the nomination was first considered by the Senate Executive. If not selected for recommendation to Senate or denied with the three-year period, the name will be removed from the nominee list.
The report from the Senate Executive Committee regarding Honorary Degrees is then discussed and voted on by the members of the Algoma University Senate in camera; the results are not herein reported on the grounds of confidentiality. The successful candidate will be contacted by the Office of the President and will be allowed 45 days to confirm their availability to attend Convocation to receive the Honorary Degree. If the successful candidate cannot confirm their availability within this time period the nomination will be withdrawn, the name will be returned to the nominee list, and Senate Executive will recommend a new nominee to Senate.
On the recommendation of the Senate Executive Committee, the Senate may revoke an Honorary degree from an individual or remove an individual from the nominee list if any of the following becomes known to the Committee:
- The individual has been convicted of an indictable offence; or
- The individual has obtained the Honorary degree or been added to the nominee
list by fraud, deception, or any other inappropriate means; - The individual has been removed for misconduct by a legal authority from any
official register or membership of the profession to which they belong.
Honorary Degree Nomination Form
Year | Honourary Degree Recipient | Award |
---|---|---|
2024 | Dr. George Sefa Dei | Doctor of Fine Arts |
2023 | Christi Belcourt | Doctor of Fine Arts |
2022 | Chief Lyle Sayers | Doctor of Letters |
2021 | Bud Wildman | Doctor of Letters |
2017 | Paul Thompson | Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) |
2016 | Senator Murray Sinclair | Doctor of Laws |
2015 | Errol Caldwell | Doctor of Science |
2014 | Les Pyette | Doctor of Letters |
2013 | Joseph Boyden | Doctor of Letters |
2012 | Guy Traficante | Doctor of Letters |
2011 | Justice Susan E. Lang | Doctor of Laws |
2010 | Daphne Odjig | Doctor of Fine Arts |
2008 | Ronald Francis | Doctor of Letters |
2007 | Steven Jeromy Carriere | Doctor of Science |
2006 | Frederick Griffith | Doctor of Letters |
2005 | David M. Paciocco | Doctor of Laws |
2004 | Honourable James K. Bartleman | Doctor of Laws |
2003 | Frank Paci | Doctor of Letters |
2002 | Ted Nolan | Doctor of Laws |
2001 | Margaret Atwood | Doctor of Letters |
2000 | Olive Dickason | Doctor of Letters |
1999 | Nicholas Goldschmidt | Doctor of Letters |
1998 | Basil Johnston | Doctor of Letters |
1997 | Ken Danby | Doctor of Fine Arts |
1994 | Robert-Ralph Carmichael | Doctor of Letters |
1993 | David Lloyd Johnston | Doctor of Laws |
1992 | Tom Angus | Doctor of Science |
1991 | Roberta Bondar | Doctor of Science |
1990 | Morley Torgov | Doctor of Letters |
1989 | Daniel Erskine Pine | Doctor of Laws |
1987 | James E. MacDonald | Doctor of Letters |
1985 | D. G. Howell | Doctor of Science |
1982 | W. C. Winegard | Doctor of Laws |