Osgoode Committees and Boards 2011-2012

Faculty Council Standing Committees

Faculty Committees are specialized committees that report to Faculty Council. The work undertaken by these committees is detailed below. Ultimately, proposals from these committees are brought to Faculty Council as a motion.

Faculty Committees are comprised of Osgoode professors, administration, LLM students, and LLB students selected by Student Caucus. All students on a Faculty Committee have a voting right on that committee and are responsible for serving and protecting students interests on committee matters.

Academic Policy and Planning Committee

*** This Committee requires a significant commitment over the school year***

  • Review all existing and proposed courses, seminars, and programs
  • Supervise and assist in the development of the curriculum
  • Review the academic rules,
  • Undertake long range curricular planning,
  • At the beginning of each academic year, present for the information of Council, a work plan developed in consultation with the faculty,
  • Establish such sub-committees and working groups as are necessary to enable it to carry out its functions and shall inform Faculty Council on their purpose and composition

Chair:S. Lawrence

Faculty (4):N. Brooks, D. Perlin (Lib), B. Slattery, F. Tanguay-Renaud

Adjunct Faculty (1): 1 TBD

JD students (4): Jeff Mitchell, Jon Ungara, Joey Hoffman, Jessica Lee

Ex officio:R. Bessner, L. Mirando, S. Gavigan

Admin. Assistance: K. Willoughby

Academic Standing Committee (This committee commences May 1, 2011)

  • Hears and decides final grade appeals, including applications to change a grade, to repeat a year, to write a deferred examination or provide any other remedy as may be appropriate in the circumstances;
  • Grounds on deciding appeals are either based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, or unfairness or defects on the grading process
  • Have terms of reference as provided in the Academic Rules of Osgoode Hall Law School, Section E. Examinations and Grading, sub-sections 6.4 through 6.7 inclusive, or as amended from time to time;
  • Report annually to the Council by its March meeting

Chair: M. Mandel

Faculty (4):A. Dhir (winter), S. Kierstead, G. Van Harten (fall), R. Mykitiuk, (winter), D. Vaver (fall), A. Young

Student (1):James Stevenson

Ex officio: S. Gavigan

Admin. Assistance: N. Sperling

Admissions Committee

*** This Committee requires a significant commitment over the school year***

  • Responsible for student admissions to all years of the LLB programme;
  • Develop, maintain and periodically review policies governing the admission of applicants to the first year and upper year LLB programmes;
  • Present for Council approval policies relating to new admissions categories and proposals to change substantially the eligibility criteria of established admissions categories;
  • Annually review, and, where necessary, revise, procedures for administering the admissions process;
  • Monitor admissions decisions for the non-discretionary admissions category;
  • Make admissions decisions for all discretionary admissions categories, including admission to the Extended Time programme in all years of the LLB programme;
  • Maintain policies and procedures for deciding:
    • Applicant requests for reconsideration of admissions decisions,
    • Applicant requests to waive deadlines and eligibility criteria;
  • Annually review data on applications, offers and registrations;
  • Prepare an annual report on admissions data, and on the procedures and policies followed by the Committee, for presentation to the Council no later than its March meeting;
  • Review the mandate of the Admissions Committee every 5 years;
  • Facilitate monitoring of the impact of deregulated tuition fees by:
    • Surveying applicants who decline offers about their reasons for rejecting an offer. Data on the reasons for rejection shall be included in the Committee’s annual report;
    • Presenting in its annual report on admissions data any changes or trends that the committee believes are relevant to the impact of deregulated fees.

Chair: J. Stribopoulos

Faculty (4):B. Berger, T. Edgar, S. Slinn, E. Tucker

JD Students (3): Burton Taylor, Joanne Thai, Samara Secter

Grad. Student (1): Todne Bryan

Ex officio:M. Bulwa, S. Gavigan, B. Ryder

Admin. Assistance:L. Resendes

Clinical Education Committee

  • Monitor all clinical programmes of the Faculty,
  • Develop proposals for new clinical programmes for approval by the Academic Policy Committee

Chair ex officio: T. Farrow

Faculty (5): F. Bhabha, S. Imai, J. Mosher, S. Rehaag, A. Young

Students (3):James Stevenson, Faye Ling, Sofia Hirji

Ex officio: R. Haigh, M. MacGregor, S. Gavigan, M. Bulwa, N. Henderson

Admin. Assistance: N. Tucci

Equality Committee

  • Identify and act on equality issues in the Law School in order to ensure that the commitment expressed in the Equality Resolution is being fulfilled. As well, the Equality Committee will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the recommendations for Osgoode Faculty Affirmative Action Plan.
  • Report annually to Council

Co-Chairs (2): D. Scott, J. Gilmour

Faculty (1): A. Dhir

Students (3): Shellnutt, OrielVarga, Rahim Jamal

Staff Member (1): N. Martin

Prof. Librarian (1): Y. Dina

Ex officio: S. Gavigan

Faculty Recruitment Committee

  • Make recommendations to the Faculty Appointments Committee concerning the appointment of full-time faculty in accordance with the priorities approved by Faculty Council
  • Develop procedures for the recruitments of full-time faculty, for the approval of Faculty Council
  • Develop and maintain a three-year rolling plan for faculty appointments that is consistent with the policies approved by Faculty Council
  • Present the three-year plan for approval annually by the October meeting of Faculty Council

Chair: C. Scott

Faculty (4): R. Buchanan, J. Cameron, S. Slinn, P. Zumbansen

JD Students (3): Chanakya Sethi, Burton Taylor, FahadSiddiqui

Grad. Student (1): VanishaSukdeo

Ex officio: S. Gavigan, J. Gilmour, P. Puri, L. Sossin

Admin. Assistance: A. Wassermuhl

Grades Review Committee (New Committee starts May 1, 2011)

Ex officio: S. Gavigan

Faculty (4): J. Cameron, S. Kierstead, K. McNeil, B. Ryder

Admin. Assistance: N. Sperling

Food Services Advisory Committee

JD Student (1): Joanne Thai

Graduate Studies Committee

Ex officio: P. Puri

Grad. Program Dir. R. Buchanan

Faculty (6): B. Geva, M.J. Mossman, D. Priel, L. Salter (fall), S. Wang (Lib), P. Zumbansen

Grad. Students (3): R. Buchanan

Ex officio: L. Sossin, V. Watkins

Admin. Assistance: L. Bunker

Information Technology Committee

  • Make recommendations to Faculty Council or to other committees of Faculty Council on issues within its or their jurisdiction relating to Information Technology that:
    • Relate to academic policy
    • Would substantially benefit from faculty or student input
    • Are referred to it or on which advice is sought by another committee
  • Oversee the process of and make recommendations to Faculty Council with regard to strategic planning for Information Technology
  • Comment on decisions of the Administration relating to Information Technology
  • Make recommendations to the Administration on issues relating to Information Technology
  • Develop and implement a plan for broader ongoing faculty and student input into issues relating to Information Technology, and recommend similar initiatives to the Administration
  • Report annually to Faculty Council

Chair: P. Zumbansen

Faculty (2): N. Brooks (winter), T. Johnson, D. Vaver (fall)

JD Students(3): Preston MacNeil, Philip Poles, Terry Wong

Grad. Student (1): TBD

Law Librarian: L. Mirando

Prof. Librarian (1): T. Knight

Ex officio: S. Gavigan, S. Wong (Dean’s Designate)

Admin. Assistance: Q. San

Library Committee

  • Concern itself with Law Library policy as it affects the academic life of the Law School, and the University. In so doing, it will respond to submissions from groups or individuals or will independently investigate problems, in order that it may advise on matters on which have a bearing on academic affairs.
  • Collaborate with the Law Library in review and evaluation of rules for the use of the Law Library.
  • Receive the preliminary budget for the Law Library in the Law School Budget and the rationale for such a figure, so as to participate in the discussion leading to the establishment of the Law Library Budget. The Library Committee shall also receive the preliminary allocations within the Law Library Budget from the Law Librarian for communication and advice,
  • Submit reports for the information of Faculty Council. In order to perform this function effectively, it will receive for information and review the Law Librarian’s Annual Report to the Dean, or such similar reports as may be available.
  • Facilitate effective communication between user groups and the Law Library, and the Law Library and Faculty Council

Chair: M.J. Mossman

Faculty (3): B. Geva, D. Hay, D. Priel

Law Librarian, ex off L. Mirando

Prof. Librarian (1): S. Wang

JD Student (1): Evan Vella

Grad. Student (1): Jianlan Zhu

Prof. Lib.Staff (1): M. Perot

Non-Prof. Lib. Staff(1): J. Fu

Ex officio: S. Gavigan, S. Wong

Admin. Assistance: A. D’Ambrosi

Nominating Committee

  • Make recommendations to Faculty Council, annually at the concluding meeting of Council and as necessary throughout the year, concerning membership and chairship of its Standing and Special Committees, and faculty membership of the Senate and its Committees and other Administrative bodies of the law School and the University

Chair ex officio: L. Sossin

Faculty (3) P. D’Agostino, T. Johnson, S. Lawrence

Students (2): (Chair, Student Caucus) Marcel Malfitano, Dave Shellnutt

Ex officio: S. Gavigan, J. Li

Admin. Assistance: A. Wassermuhl

Osgoode Professional Development – Graduate Studies Committee

Chair ex officio: N. Brooks

Faculty (1) B. Geva

OPD Adjunct Faculty: B. Geva

OPD Students (2): B. Geva

Ex officio: R. Buchanan, P. Puri, V. Watkins

Priorities and Finance Committee

Chair: T. Johnson

Faculty (2): E. Waitzer, T. Edgar

Students (2): (Chair, Student Caucus) Marcel Malfitano, Jon O’Kane

Support Staff: H. Huang

Ex officio: L. Sossin, L. Mirando, V. Watkins

Admin. Assistance: A. Wassermuhl

Research and Seminars Committee

Chair ex officio: P. Puri

Faculty (2): R. Buchanan, S. Ben-Ishai

JD Student (1): Anna Maria Konewka

Grad. Student (1):

Ex officio: S. Lawrence, C. Scott, F. Tanguay-Renaud

Admin. Assistance: L. Cormack

Standing Committee on Teaching and Learning

Chair: S. Ben-Ishai

Faculty (1): S. Imai

Adjunct Faculty (1):

JD Students (3): Jessica Diab, Reuben Zaramian, Lisa Durnford

Grad Student (1): Ruby Dhand

Admin. Assistance: R. Bessner, T. Farrow, S. Gavigan, B. Ryder, R. Woodhouse (Academic Director, York Centre for the Support of Teaching)

Student Awards Committee

Chair: P. Emond

Faculty (2): S. Lawrence, R. Mykitiuk

JD Student (1): Victoria Riley

Ex officio: R.Bessner, P. Spence

Admin. Assistance: N. Sperling

Tenure and Promotions Adjudicating Committee

Chair ex officio: S. Gavigan

Faculty (5): J. Cameron, C. Craig, I. Mgbeoji, E. Tucker, G. Van Harten (fall). B.Berger (winter)

JD Student (1): Thomas Wilson

Grad. Student (1): Christian Chamorro-Courtland

Admin. Assistance: M. Hamilton

Other Committees and Boards

Alumni Association Board

President: J. Tobin

Faculty (2): P. D’Agostino, E. Waitzer

Student: (Pres. of Legal & Lit) Dave Shellnutt

Ex officio: L. Sossin

Ex officio (non-voting): M. Bulwa, A. Herrmann

CLASP Board of Directors

Faculty: T. Farrow (Dean’s nominee - Dir. Of Clinical Education)

JD students (3): (elected by CLASP)

Alumni (1): TBD

Nathanson Centre Executive Committee

Chair: C. Scott / F. Tanguay-Renaud

Faculty: M. Beare

Ex officio: L. Sossin

Admin. Assistance: TBD

Osgoode Community Enhancement Forum

  • Foster social and extracurricular interaction between students, alumni, and faculty through:
    • Encouraging student participation in Faculty events;
    • Encouraging faculty participation in Student events;
    • Creating unique events to facilitate the interaction between students and faculty; and
    • Encouraging alumni to attend Osgoode events

Co-Chairs ex officio: (V.P. Internal of Legal & Lit), R. Bessner

Faculty (2): B. Ryder, B. Slattery

JD Students (3): Eric Marques, Melanie Thomas, Edward Lamson

Ex Officio: A. Herrmann, A. Wassermuhl, P. Lee

Osgoode Public Interest Requirement Committee

  • Hear student appeals from decisions of the Director and determining the procedures for such appeals;
    • Setting broad policy directions; and
    • Reviewing and giving feedback to the Director on the activities of the Office.
  • Meet at least once a year to set broad policy directions and review the work of the Director, and on an as needed basis to review student appeals from decisions of the Director.
  • Three years after OPIR is implemented, a review shall be conducted by a committee including the Clinical Education Committee and three representatives from participating organizations. Among other things, the committee shall consider:
    • Retention of the discussion group and paper option;
    • Whether three hours is sufficient for the discussion groups; and
    • Whether credit should be given for all or a portion of OPIR

Chair ex officio: T. Farrow

Clin. Ed. Committee Member (1): M. MacGregor

JD Student (1): Eric Marques

Staff (1): M. Bulwa

Alumni rep. (1): TBD

Community Organizations reps. (2): 2 TBD

Ex officio: S. Gavigan

OPIR Dir., ex officio: R. Haigh

Admin. Assistance: M. Abballe

Parkdale Board of Directors

Faculty (2): F. Bhabha (Sept/10-Aug/14), S. Rehaag (Sept/10 to Aug/12)

Ex officio: J. Mosher

York University Senate and Other Bodies

Osgoode Representatives

Senate

Dean: L. Sossin, ex officio

Faculty (4): I. Mgbeoji (2010-2013), T. Knight (Lib) (2010-2013), S. Drummond (2010-2013), R. Mykitiuk (2011-2013)

JD Students (2): Sandra Alsaffawi-David, AndreyMazurkov

Standing Committees

Academic Policy, Planning & Research (APPRC): P. Puri (2009-2012)

Senate Appeals Committee (SAC): (TBA)

Senate Executive: R. Mykitiuk (2011-2013)

Senate Tenure & Promotion Committee: B. Geva (2010-2013)

Senate Tenure & Promotion Appeals Committee: B. Ryder (2009-2012)

Sub-Committee on Honorary Degrees/Ceremonials: N. Brooks (2010-2013)

York Ad Hoc Research Fund Committee: T. Knight (Lib)

Office of Research Administration

Human Participants Review Sub-Ctee (HPRSC): C. Craig

HPRC Appeals: P. Emond

ORA SSHRC Travel & Small Grants Sub-Ctee: S. Kierstead

Faculty of Graduate Studies

Faculty Council: R. Buchanan

York Digital Researchers Committee: P. D’Agostino

Administrative Positions 2011-2012 (For information)

Dean: L. Sossin

Associate Dean: S. Gavigan

Associate Dean, Research, Graduate Studies & External Relations: P. Puri

Assistant Dean, First Year: B. Ryder

Chair, Faculty Council: J. Li

Convenor, ICT Stream: C. Scott

Convenor, Labour and Employment Law Stream: E. Tucker

Convenor, LDA Stream: P. Emond

Convenor, Tax Stream: J. Li

Coordinator, Clerkship Applications: B. Berger

Coordinator, Hebrew Exchange: B. Geva

Co-Director, JD/MBA Program: T. Johnson

Coordinator, JD/MES Program: TBA

Coordinator, China Exchange: J. Li

Coordinator, Montreal Exchange: S. Drummond

Coordinator, NYU/Osgoode Exchange: A. Dhir

Co-Director, JD/MA in Philosophy Combined Program: F. Tanguay-Renaud

Director, ATLAS: C. Scott

Director, Hennick Centre: P. Puri / E. Waitzer

Director, IP Osgoode: P. D’Agostino

Director, Institute for Feminist Legal Studies: S. Lawrence

Director, Nathanson Centre: C. Scott / F. Tanguay-Renaud

Director, Clinical Education: T. Farrow

Director, Mooting: J. Stribopoulos

Director, Osgoode Public Interest Requirement (OPIR): R. Haigh

Director, Graduate Program: R. Buchanan

Director, Osgoode Professional Development: V. Watkins

Academic Director, Part-Time LLM, OPD: N. Brooks

Director, Labour Co-op Program: E. Tucker

Faculty Advisor, International Legal Partnerships: F. Bhabha

Osgoode Hall Law Journal, Editor-in-Chief: S. Wood

Osgoode Hall Law Journal, Book Review Editor: S. Drummond

The Court, Editor: I. Mgbeoji

Get Involved

Contact us if you want to get involved or have any inquiries about student government, Osgoode or law student life.
studentcaucus@osgoode.yorku.ca

Duties associated with Committee involvement

1. All student members of Committees shall perform at least the following duties:

(a) Attend each meeting of the Committee to which they are appointed,
(b) Receive such mandates as shall be communicated by the Student Caucus and represent those mandates at meetings of the Committee,
(c) Provide a written record of the proceedings of each meeting of the Committee to the Vice Chair,
(d) Where requested by the Vice Chair, to make oral submissions to Student Caucus
(e) Any other duties that may arise from time to time on the Committee to which the student is appointed
(f) Where requested, attend Faculty Council, since committee members are permitted to vote at Council on matters associated with their committee

2. Time commitment varies with each Committee, and it is difficult at this stage to say how demanding a specific Committee will be next year. Some Committees that have traditionally required a significant commitment from its student members are marked below, but the list is by no means exhaustive.