Task Force Created to Review Interdisciplinary Programs
October 21, 2011 - Campus Bulletin
A new task force established by Maureen Mancuso, provost and vice-president (academic), will review and make recommendations on the University’s interdisciplinary programs.
Prof. Serge Desmarais, associate vice-president (academic), will chair the task force, which will comprise faculty, students and staff. The group will report directly to the provost.
“Interdisciplinary programs help ensure that our students appreciate contemporary problems broadly and across disciplinary boundaries,” Mancuso says.
“While the University appreciates the importance and value of an interdisciplinary perspective, we have rarely explored critical questions about the sustainability of these programs, especially in an era of limited resources.”
The task force will look at program support, operation and governance; best models and practices; co-ordination with U of G’s Integrated Plan; and opportunities for improvement.
Members will consult with the campus community, in particular faculty, staff and students who participate in U of G’s interdisciplinary programs.
The task force will also develop benchmarks for assessing progress in addressing the recommendations.
Preliminary findings and recommendations will be shared with the entire University community before submission of a final report at the end of the academic year.
Besides Desmarais, task force members are Prof. Mike Emes, dean, College of Biological Science; Prof. Ann Wilson, associate dean, College of Arts; Prof. Sally Humphries, director of international development studies; Prof. Neil MacLusky, chair, Biomedical Sciences; Anita Beaudette, undergraduate academic adviser, international development studies; and Jessica Carter, academic and university affairs commissioner, Central Student Association.
