Environmental Science Advisory Committee

This committee was established by Science Faculty Council in November 2009.  The committee membership is comprised of the Coordinator as Chair and one member each from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Geography and Geology.  This committee was instructed to look at the E.Sc. program and make recommendations for improvement.  In November 2010, SFC added two new external members, one from academia, and one from industry or government, and that all members have a vote.

The current membership is:

Dr. Pamela Rutherford, Coordinator (to June 30, 2015)
Dr Terence McGonigle, Biology (to December 31, 3013)
Dr. Martin Lemaire, Chemistry (to December 31, 2015)
Dr. Johannes Koch, Geography (to January 17, 2016)
Dr. Michelle Huminicki, Geology (to August 31, 2015)
Mr. Derrick Turner, Assiniboine Community College (to November 30, 2014)
Dr. Yi Zhang, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (to November 30, 2014)
Mr. Morgen Burke & Mr. Zachary Polk (shared), E.Sc. Students (to August 31, 2013)

At the January 2011 SFC the terms of reference below were approved.

Terms of Reference – Environmental Science Advisory Committee

PURPOSE

The Environmental Science Advisory Committee (ESAC) was established as a standing committee of Science Faculty Council. The purpose of the ESAC is to work in collaboration with the Environmental Science coordinator on issues related to the development, implementation, and management of the Environmental Science program. If specific issues arise, subcommittees may be struck with invited participation from members (or designates) with appropriate areas of expertise.

MEMBERSHIP

The members will include:

1)     Environmental Science Coordinator

2)     One (1) representative from each of the following participating departments:

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Geography
4. Geology

3)     One (1) external non-Brandon University member from academia

4)     One (1) external member from industry/government

5)     One (1) student representative currently enrolled in the Environmental Science program

Terms of Office

Faculty representatives will normally be appointed for a three (3) year term, with the opportunity to renew for an additional three (3) years. External representatives will normally be appointed for a two (2) year term, with the opportunity to renew for an additional two (2) years. The student representative will normally be appointed for one (1) year, with the opportunity to renew for one(1) additional year. External members of the committee will be recommended by the ESAC to the Dean of the Science who will formally invite external members to sit on the committee. To ensure continuity, terms should be staggered and some memberships renewed so that no more than half of the committee members change in a calendar year.

CHAIR

The committee will be chaired by the coordinator of the Environmental Science program.

MEETINGS

Normally, the committee will meet monthly during the academic year; however, not all meetings will require the participation of external or student members. Faculty representatives may meet in the absence of external or student members to deliberate on matters of academic policy and procedure.

VOTING

Each member, including the Chair shall have one vote.

QUORUM

The quorum is met with 50% (fifty per cent) of the Committee members in attendance including a minimum of three (3) Faculty members.

EVALUATION OF TERMS OF REFERENCE

The terms of reference shall be reviewed annually at the commencement of each academic year and amendments made to reflect the current needs of the Program Advisory Committee.

DISTRIBUTION OF AGENDA, MINUTES AND REPORTING

The Chair will circulate an agenda to the committee at least one week prior to scheduled meetings. The minutes will be distributed to the Committee members and Dean of Science. As a standing committee of Science Faculty Council, the Chair of the ESAC will provide a report on the activities of the committee to SFC.