McGill Committees

McGill University Committee Descriptions

McGill University is a large institution, and underneath the McGill Senate, there are many University-level Committees. This is where planning, discussions, and consultations take place for various issues concerning various bodies in the University. This is also usually where the SSMU Senators, as well as undergraduate students like you, can start advocacy projects and initiatives. This document will list the University-level Committees with open student seats and provide descriptions for each. Unless otherwise noted, most committees consist of 20-30 members, 2-3 of which are students. The remainder are a combination of University Administrators, members of Senate, members of the Academic staff, etc. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to ua@ssmu.ca or uasecgen@ssmu.ca.

CATEGORY 1: Senate Standing Committees (and their Subcommittees)

Academic Policy Committee (APC)

The APC is a Standing Committee of Senate charged with making recommendations to Senate on all matters regarding academic course and program proposals in order to determine whether they meet academic standards and are aligned with the academic mission and priorities of the University, whether they are based on an adequate body of knowledge, whether proposed teaching or learning methods and methods of evaluation of student performance are satisfactory, and whether the necessary human and material resources are in place. Occasionally the APC deals with academic policies.

  • Subcommittee on Courses and Teaching Programs (SCTP)

The SCTP is a subcommittee of APC tasked with exercising all the functions and powers of APC as regards courses, revisions to existing courses teaching programs, and proposals for new teaching programs. It then informs and makes recommendations for the APC in a timely manner.

  • Subcommittee on Teaching and Learning (STL)

The STL is a subcommittee of the APC tasked with recommending initiatives and/or policies to enhance the quality of teaching and learning, as well as maintaining regular communication with the Faculties (through its Faculty representatives) on matters relating to teaching and learning. It reports to Senate through APC once a year.

    • University Teaching Labs Working Group (UTLWG)

The UTLWG, a subcommittee of STL, sets a vision for improving labs for teaching and learning at McGill. Its mandate is to identify needs for teaching laboratories, establish pedagogical and technical principles for the renovation and upgrade of teaching laboratories, establish priorities for improvements (upgrades, repairs) to teaching laboratories across the University (including new teaching laboratories), support the University to benefit from funding opportunities, recommend funding for the creation, upgrade and maintenance of teaching laboratories and related equipment. It is affiliated with the Teaching and Learning Services (TLS).

    • Course Evaluations Advisory Group (CEAG)

The CEAG, another subcommittee of STL, works to develop strategies and instruments to increase student participation, to increase the number of instructors participating in the dissemination of results, and to advise on other activities of the Teaching and Learning Services (TLS) related to Mercury and the course evaluation system in general. It is affiliated with the TLS.

Committee on Enrolment and Student Affairs (CESA)

The CESA is a Standing Committee of Senate charged with oversight of enrolment and student affairs matters, and making recommendations to Senate about such matters. This includes policies about course timetabling, student records, academic integrity, student advising and orientation, as well as admission standards and policies of the University. In addition, it reviews and approves new awards/aids and changes to existing awards/aids available for students.

  • Enrolment and Student Affairs Advisory Committee (ESAAC)

The ESAAC is a subcommittee of CESA and discusses and offers advice on issues related to recruitment and admissions, scholarship and student aid, and student affairs broadly speaking. It will make recommendations concerning student records, sessional dates, course and examination timetabling, academic integrity, student advising, student awards and student aid, as well as recruitment and admissions.

  • Scholarship Review Subcommittee (SRS)

The Scholarship Review Subcommittee, another subcommittee of ESAAC is tasked with determining the status of student appeals regarding the potential revocation of their merit-based scholarship renewals. For this reason, we ask that students applying to sit on the SRS have ideally had prior experience with the merit-based scholarship process (whether you still have your scholarship or not is irrelevant). This committee is comprised of half students and half Faculty members, and is chaired by the Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning).

Honorary Degrees and Convocations Committee (HDCC)

The Honorary Degrees and Convocations Committee is a Standing Committee of Senate. Its mandate is to recommend to Senate outstanding individuals for the conferral of McGill honorary degrees, the highest honour that the University can bestow. It shall also advise on convocations matters as required. All business of the HDCC is strictly confidential.

Senate Committee on Libraries

The Senate Committee on Libraries is a Standing Committee of Senate charged with making recommendations to Senate about broad policies concerning the Library in support of the University’s strategic plans and academic priorities, reviewing and advising on planning documents and reports as they relate to the Library, and reviewing resource allocation policies as they relate to the Library’s strategic plan.

Senate Committee on Physical Development (SCPD)

The SCPD is a Standing Committee of Senate charged with advising on the nature of physical development as it reflects the academic priorities and needs of the University. It also monitors trends in the use of facilities for academic purposes, and makes recommendations or modifications to the University’s Physical “Master Plan”.

Committee on Student Services (CSS)

The CSS is a Standing Committee of Senate that advises the Executive Director of Student Services on the objectives and priorities relating to Student Services. It formulates broad policies, and reviews quality-enhancing initiatives and budgetary priorities. CSS is comprised of half students and half staff (both academic and administrative). The 9 Student Services are: the Student Wellness Hub, Campus Life & Engagement, Career Planning Services, First People’s House, International Student Services, Office for Students with Disabilities, Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, Scholarships and Student Aid, Tutorial Service. More information about these Services’ individual Advisory Committees can be found below.

CATEGORY 2: Student Services Advisory Committees

Many of the constituent services that comprise McGill Student Services are overseen by their own distinct Advisory Boards. Detailed information about each service can be found here. The Advisory Boards with open student seats are as follows:

  • Career Planning Services (CaPS) Advisory Board
  • Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (MORSL) Advisory Board
  • Scholarships and Student Aid Office (SSAO) Advisory Board
  • Advisory Committee for International Students (ACIS)
  • Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) Advisory Board
  • Wellness Hub Advisory Board

CATEGORY 3: Subcommittees of the Joint Board-Senate Committee on Equity (JBSCE)

The JBSCE is a joint committee of the McGill Senate and the McGill Board of Governors that shall recommend University policy regarding underrepresented groups. To this end it shall review the recruitment and status of the under-represented groups at the University and recommend ameliorations to Senate and the Board of Governors. There are 7 JBSCE Subcommittees; further information about those with open student spots can found at the links below (where they exist):

CATEGORY 4: Regulatory Committees

Advisory Council on the Charter of Students’ Rights

The Advisory Council on the Charter of Students’ Rights, which meets on an ad hoc basis, investigates any allegation that the general application of a University rule is in violation of this Charter. A request for investigation may be made by a member of the University (the complainant) or may be referred to the Council by the Committee on Student Grievances.

 

Committee on Student Discipline (CSD)

The CSD is a hearing committee which reviews cases of infringement of the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures, and makes decisions based on the evidence presented.

 

Committee on the Rights of Senate

The Committee on the Rights of Senate is a Standing Committee of Senate established to investigate and report on complaints of breach of the rights of Senate as set out in Part XIX of the Standing Rules of Procedure, Governing the Proceedings of the Senate of McGill University.

Committee on Student Grievances (CSG)

The CSG reviews any grievances lodged by students that rights accorded to them under the Charter of Students’ Rights have been infringed by a member of the University, and decides on the appropriate redress. The Code of Student Grievance Procedures can be found here.

Appeal Committee for Student Discipline and Grievances

The Appeal Committee for Student Discipline and Grievances deals with appeals regarding decisions made by the CSD or the CSG.

CATEGORY 5: Other University Committees

McGill Writing Centre (MWC) Advisory Committee

The MWC Advisory Committee deals with the service provision of the McGill Writing Centre. McGill Writing Centre (MWC) is the University’s central resource for written communication. The Centre offers credit courses in academic and professional writing and a tutorial service open to all McGill students and postdocs. In addition, the Centre offers a number of specialized writing courses open to the public.

University Health and Safety Committee (UHSC)

The UHSC is an advisory body for the Associate Vice-Principal (University Services) and the Vice-Principal (Administration & Finance) on matters concerning the health and safety of the University community, including standards and policies. It oversees the University’s Internal Responsibility System for health and safety, ensures mechanisms and procedures are in place for systematic hazard identification and their correction, and addresses health and safety issues that cannot be addressed adequately by existing mechanisms, among other things.

Sustainable Labs Working Group (SLWG)

The SLWG aims to engage the University community; promote and recognize efforts to reduce material, water, and energy consumption while maximizing cost savings; improve safety and accessibility through optimizing operations, training and awareness regarding sustainability practices within labs in the University.

Healthy Living Annex Working Group

The Healthy Living Annex Working Group is tasked with service provision at the McGill Student Wellness Hub’s Healthy Living Annex, including the Shag Shop.

Universal Access Capital Projects Working Group

The Universal Access Capital Projects Working Group solicits, receives, and prioritizes eligible proposals for capital projects to improve access to McGill buildings and facilities for persons with disabilities. These projects are funded by an annual capital grant from the MESRST. Recommendations will be presented to the Provost for final deliberation and decision.

SKILLS21 Steering Committee

The SKILLS21 Steering Committee provides high-level direction regarding the vision and goals of SKILLS21, a workshop/personal and professional development program run through McGill University.

SKILLS21 Program Committee

The SKILLS21 Program Committee provides direction regarding the particular programs offered as part of SKILLS21.

McGill Athletics and Recreation Advisory Board (MARAB)

The MARAB provides high-level direction regarding the vision and goals of McGill Athletics and Recreation, one of the constituent units of the Office of Student Life and Learning. Athletics and Recreation encompasses all sport levels available at McGill (including intramurals) and the gym.