Daily Bulletin

T-4 slips ready soon T-4 and T-4A slips -- essential documents as people get ready to file their income tax returns -- are being produced now and will be mailed to UW employees' home addresses by February 28, says Sandie Hurlburt of the human resources department. She said UW will be issuing more than 10,300 T-4 forms (reporting earned income) and 7,500 T-4As (for scholarships, bursaries, fees and similar income). One other note: "When you receive your form, please keep it in a safe place, as there is a $10 charge for a replacement."

Arbitrator rules on grade changes

The students were in the "advanced" section of Math 247 in the winter term last year. After writing an exam that everyone agreed was tough, they had an average final mark of 73, much lower than the marks usually expected in "advanced" sections. The math faculty has "guidelines" about marks which say that advanced courses "will normally have class averages well about 80 percent". The idea is that a student should get the same mark in the advanced section that he or she would have had in the regular section of the course, although the advanced section deals with more complicated material.

After discussions and a review of the students' work, the dean of math -- Alan George, who later became acting provost of UW -- raised the marks.

The professor, Stan Lipshitz of the applied math department, filed a grievance saying that because UW guarantees academic freedom in teaching, and teaching includes marking, his academic freedom had been violated. He argued that the average was low because some of the students in the class should not have been there, and that he, as the instructor, was the person qualified to make that judgement.

The UW faculty association filed an accompanying grievance asking for a statement that a dean should not do such a thing. Hearings were held in January, and an arbitrator has now given his ruling.

His conclusion is that the dean did have the right to change marks, but should have done it differently, with better communication all round. In particular, it should have been put in writing that it was the dean who had raised the marks:

The final grades . . . can in no sense be considered to be grades assigned by Professor Lipshitz. . . . It must be made explicitly clear that the grades in question are being assigned by the University and not by the Professor, and the decision ought to be made only after a full, free, and frank exchange of views. . . .

The change of grades by Dean George was a decision falling within his jurisdiction and authority as Dean of the Faculty within the provisions of the University's policies and procedures. However, such powers must be exercised by the Dean in a manner consistent with the academic freedom entitlements of other members of the Faculty and on the basis of consultation and due process. . . .

The process that was followed constituted a significant infringement of Professor Lipshitz's academic freedom due to a deficient consultation process, and a failure to make clear that the final grades were being given by the University without Professor Lipshitz's consent.

He stresses that "Professor Lipshitz is an excellent teacher . . . no one has any concern or criticism with respect to the way the course was presented," but concludes that "the grades that were assigned by Professor Lipshitz could be viewed as an anomaly in comparison to the past performance of the students involved."

Says the arbitrator: "Those who are guaranteed academic freedom have a responsibility not to infringe upon the academic freedom and rights of other members of the University community. Among those, I would include the administration and the institution itself. . . . The protection of academic freedom would extend to the grading and assessment component of the professor's teaching. However . . . the extent of that protection cannot infringe upon the academic freedom and rights of other members of the University community."

Electronic workplace courses are offered

Interested staff and faculty members can send their registration form to Carolyn Vincent in the human resources department, or call ext. 2078 for more information.

The brochure has been sent to staff across campus. "We no longer mail the brochure to faculty members," says Vincent, "as very few have registered for courses in the past. However, we want to make sure they know about the courses available should they want to register."

Hockey, basketball, and other sports

As the battle for the Far West Division championship began, Waterloo got off to a quick start, leading 2-0 after one period. However, the Golden Hawks fought their way back to tie the game after the second period. In the third period and the first OT, both teams had opportunities to score, but both net-minders were solid. Brett Turner scored for the Warriors in the second overtime period, to the delight of the Warrior crowd.

Tonight's second game will be played at the Clarica Arena (Waterloo Recreation Complex) starting at 7:30 tonight -- a home game for Laurier. Game three (if necessary) is scheduled for Sunday at 2:00 at the Columbia Icefield.

Basketball playoffs are also under way. On the women's side, the Warriors (11-10 this season) will host the Brock Badgers (8-13) tomorrow in the OUA West division quarter-final. Game time is 2:00 at the Physical Activities Complex; tickets are $8, students $5. Meanwhile, the men's team is also facing Brock in quarter-final competition; the game will be played in St. Catharines tomorrow afternoon.

The Ontario curling championships are being held at the Granite Club in Kitchener this weekend; Wilfrid Laurier University is host. UW athletes are also taking part in the provincial swimming championships (in Guelph) and the track and field championships (in Windsor).

Notes for today and onward

Is February getting to you? "Get your life back," suggests Tom Ruttan of UW's counselling services, who will speak next Wednesday on "How to put the brakes on depression". His talk, at 12 noon, is sponsored by the Employee Assistance Program, which is asking people to send an RSVP if they plan to attend (to Johan Reis in health services).

The Hagey Bonspiel will be held tomorrow at the Ayr Curling Club -- a full complement of staff, faculty, retirees and friends is signed up for the day's fun.

Peace -- is it an elusive dream or can it be a reality? On February 27 and 28, students, community members and speakers will be dealing with this question at Conrad Grebel College's third annual student-run conference on peace issues. The theme of this year's conference is "Spheres of Action: Responding to Social Injustices in Canada." The goal of the conference: "to foster communication and action between the academic, government, religious and secular elements in the quest for peace". A feature of the conference will be a talk by former Ontario premier Bob Rae on Wednesday evening, presented as part of the student-run "2020" lecture series. I'll be saying more about the conference and Rae's visit in Monday's Bulletin.

CAR

Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
credmond@uwaterloo.ca | (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
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