This item contains the agenda, minutes, and attachments for the Faculty Senate meeting on this date. There may be additional materials from the meeting available at the Faculty Center.

Although significant progress has been made to increase the throughput rate of students with disabilities in tertiary education, there is still much to be done as many disabled students face discrimination and difficulty in acquiring and receiving support. Moreover, disability policy often does not lead to practice at tertiary level. Many students with disabilities still need an ally for basic accommodations. The focus of this research study was on the perceptions and experiences of the students with disabilities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal: Howard College Campus regarding the University’s Disability Unit. This is in terms of the facilities and services offered by the Disability Unit as well as how effective it is in its functioning and meeting its students’ needs. This study was designed to explore the Disability Unit from the perspectives of students’, their experiences and responses to it. This research study was conducted with students with disabilities from the University of KwaZulu-Natal: Howard College Campus. The sample population included six participants from the major categories of disability at the University: visual and physical impairments. Of the six participants selected, two were without sight, two were partially sighted, and two were physically disabled. Furthermore, participants comprised both males and females and were studying at different levels at the University (i.e. first year, second year, fourth year and fifth year students). This research study aimed to explore the effectiveness of the Disability Unit at the University of KwaZulu-Natal: Howard College Campus in meeting the academic needs of its students with disabilities, from the perspective of the students with disabilities. Results from the current research study revealed that inadequate staff, resources and funding, poor coordination and communication between significant role players, substandard relationships, and insufficient awareness (around disabled students’ academic and social needs) among the entire University population represent major barriers to success for students with disabilities. Moreover, although student support services play a crucial role in supporting students with disabilities, the entire institution and university population, staff and students alike, is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where students with disabilities can experience a sense of community and attitudes of embracing diversity and accommodating differences. Responsibility, thus, lies with all relevant role players of the University of KwaZulu-Natal: Howard College Campus who must work together to overcome institutional as well as social barriers; accommodate for the students with disabilities, endeavour to meet their academic, emotional and social needs, and help them develop academically. In the future, progress can be made through the increased coordination of disability support services and programmes to educate faculties and peers about support, accommodations and rights of individuals with disabilities. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

The study described in the following pages was conducted in the summer of 19 9 3 at the King Edward Campus, (KEC) of Vancouver Community College. The subjects of the study were students attending classes at the Provincial Level of the Adult Basic Education (ABE) program at the college. The primary purpose of the study was to determine the characteristics of the students as compared with the literature, and to discover whether students used the support services designed to assist them. A student survey was developed and administered to students by instructors during class time. The sample was selected by targeting all Provincial Level classes in session at the time the survey was conducted, and thirty questionnaires were given to instructors in the self-paced program to be handed out to students when they were scheduled to come in. The information from the questionnaires was then entered into the computer and a statistical analysis was done. When the results of the study were compared with the information gathered from the literature review, it was learned that at KEC, the Provincial Level ABE student is more traditional than nontraditional, that is, the students were younger than anticipated, and the number of female students was only 3.8% higher than the ABE STUDENT PROFILE AND USE OF SUPPORT SERVICES III number of male students. It was also learned that the majority of the students had already completed secondary school before coming to study at KEC, but were stil l taking grade twelve level courses in order to have the prerequisite knowledge to enter the programs of their choice at Vancouver Community College or other institutions. Although students used the support services available to them, there were some differences in how the high proportion of second language speakers used them. However counselling, in particular, although used somewhat differently by second language speakers, was used by students at the Provincial Level for advising before registration, rather than for personal counselling or career planning. As colleges plan for the future, it has become even more important to obtain student feedback regarding services designed to assist them. The development of a student profile enables administrators and practitioners alike to gain insight into their student population and what the students perceive to be their needs. It is hoped that this study will be the first of many which will help to identify the needs and gaps in ABE programs and the services that are provided to support the students.

This report's aim is that by field measurements determine the function of Aprobo soundproofing material dB2 for reducing impact sounds, the measurements is done in “the school for fine art” in Umeå also known as “konstnärligt campus building nine”. The construction technique is used in areas sensitive to impact sound between different floors in the building. The measurement’s is also to do a function control of the buildings sound quality compared to Swedish and European standard when it comes to air sound, impact sound and reverberation time . The report have concluded that the function of Aprobo dB2 as an impact isolation is correct but that it have no positive result on the air sound isolation in nether horizontally or vertically when controlled in weighted values. The report’s conclusions can be used in future projections of buildings that suffer from impact sensitivity in vertical direction, it can also be used to project for impact sound isolation in horizontal direction but that it is important to choose the proper construction above the isolation for that to work. / Syftet med detta arbete är att genom fältmätning fastställa funktionen av Aprobos ljuddämpningsmatta dB2 och hur väl den reducerar stegljud. Mätningarna är genomförda på konsthögskolans byggnad i Umeå även kallad byggnad nio på konstnärligt campus. Den aktuella tekniken används i konstruktioner känsliga för ljudtransport mellan våningsplan. Undersökningens syfte är även att göra en funktionskontroll av byggnadens ljudstandard jämnfört med Svensk och Europeisk standard för såväl luftljud, stegljud och efterklangstid.  Rapporten har kommit fram till att Aprobos konstruktionslösning med dB2 har en positiv inverkan på stegljudsisolering men att den ej har någon positiv inverkan på luftljudsisolering vare sig i vertikal eller horisontalled när de kontroleras i vägda värden. Rapportens slutsats går att användas i framtida projekt av byggnader som är känsliga för stegljud i vertikalled, den går även använda vid projektering av stegljud i horisontalled men då är det viktigt att rätt konstruktionslösning väljs för övergolvet.

This thesis is an investigation of campus/community radio in Canada and an exploration of its motivations and methods of using social media as a tool to interact with listeners. It develops and applies a methodology referred to as S.M.I.L.E.S., a methodology to create triangulation and validate results when researching in areas involving social media and minimal previous literature available. Radio station staff and volunteer programmers use social media, traditional digital and non-digital methods to gather feedback about the show and/or station, promote the show and/or station, provide additional content to the listener off-air, communicate about the station itself, and achieve personal, station, and community growth. Results suggest that campus/community radio members use social media very differently than commercial or public radio station. As a whole, the campus/community radio sector is generally slow in providing support and policy when facilitating technological change, which has resulted in tentative use and lack of support for social media. Geographical location is also irrelevant as regards the utilization of social media. Also, programmers must be careful in identity management when engaging in online communication, as well as using social media as a fundraising tool and forum for information dissemination. Finally, stations need to consider implementing policy surrounding social media in order to facilitate growth within the industry. / Generously funded in part by the Snowden Program, at the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph.

The concept of campus environment and its implication to student development is important to any institution of higher learning and student affairs in particular. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

This study explores the use of electronic information services (EIS) by students at the Howard College (HC) campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in the faculties of Engineering and the Humanities, Development and Social Sciences (HDSS). The objectives were to establish usage among students; identify determinants of usage and to make recommendations. To achieve these objectives, the study concentrated on answering these research questions: • Do UKZN students use library e-resources? • Which e-resources are UKZN students using? • Where do UKZN students access library e-resources? • Why do UKZN students use library e-resources? • What characterises non-users of library e-resources? • What barriers exist to the use of electronic information services (EIS)? A review of the literature identified a mix of quantitative, qualitative and combined methods used to investigate EIS usage. In various research studies, the variables considered to be determinants of use included age, status, discipline of study, subject content, computer proficiency, ease of use, availability and print formats in academic environments. The barriers experienced when using EIS formats, the adoption of technology and the usability characteristics of EIS were also important aspects evident in the literature. The methodology adopted was based on a pragmatic philosophical approach and sought to establish baseline data. A quantitative research design was used which set out to achieve the research objectives through data collection on two fronts. Firstly, the overall usage environment at UKZN was established by reviewing vendor usage statistics. The COUNTER compliant statistics for selected databases and e-journals were collected and analysed. As COUNTER statistics were not available for e-books, the statistics available from the vendors were used. Secondly, a stratified, random sample of students on the HC campus was surveyed by means of an online questionnaire. A response rate of 22.5% was achieved. Data collected established the characteristics of users; whether they made use of e-books, e-journals and databases; where they used them and how often; why they made use of them; and what barriers and problems they experienced when using them. Data from non-users was also solicited. Data is presented in graphs and frequency tables. The Chi-square test was applied to establish significant associations between variables and these results are produced in contingency tables. The findings established that EIS are used by students and usage fluctuates during the course of the academic year with peaks occurring in each semester and low points during the vacation periods. e-Journals and databases are used more than ebooks, while postgraduate students use EIS most. Non-users made up almost a third iv of the sample; while habitual, frequent and infrequent users were reflected in almost equal numbers among those who use EIS. Age, gender or discipline of study were not in evidence as determinants of use. Students undertake searches mainly from computers in the LANs but off-campus computers are also used, which highlights the importance of remote access. The library website is most often the starting point for navigation, although search engines are also popular as a virtual starting point. Locating information was the prime motivation to use EIS, and students largely rated the EIS they used as good or excellent. Barriers were experienced by as many as 37% of users who reported that the non-availability of EIS was the main problem, although they experienced other difficulties. In concluding, issues of library service delivery and recommendations regarding usage are made. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

Student engagement research includes student success, grade point average, persistence, recruitment, retention, and belonging (Bean, 1980; Becker, Cooper, Atkins, & Martin, 2009; Willms, 2003). Campus recreation research explores benefits, involvement, satisfaction, participation, and community (Astin, 1984; Barcelona & Ross, 2002; Dalgarn, 2001; Kovac & Beck, 1997; Tsigilis, 2009). Research considering the relationship between student engagement and campus recreation is limited. The purpose of this research was to consider the role(s) of campus recreation participation in undergraduate student engagement at a post-secondary commuter campus. A case study approach using initial exploratory interviews and follow-up focus groups explored campus recreation participation in terms of social, academic, and intellectual engagement. Participants were current full-time undergraduate students, 18-24 years old and had participated in a campus recreation activity within the past four months. Findings provided guidance for enhancing student engagement through campus recreation and contributed to and connected the existing knowledge bases of campus recreation and student engagement.

This practicum analyzes the leadership, management practices, and organizational structure of five university gardening organizations, to determine if they have had an impact on the spaces of agricultural production in the cities in which they exist. The research concludes that if university gardens/farms are to become successful demonstration projects within their cities they must: 1) have strong, collaborative, and flexible leadership structures; 2) effectively communicate with stakeholders; 3) generate consistent funding; 4) demonstrate their success on campus and within their communities; 5) create linkages with academic and community organizations; 6) create goals and objectives that overlap with university and municipal strategic plans. Furthermore, this study illustrates that university gardens/farms are important to planners as ‘living laboratories’ of urban food production; as well as educational tools that build the capacity of residents to grow local food, and understand the importance of agricultural urbanism (AU) for city planning and design.

This paper undertakes to develop an in-depth interpretation of Piranesi's Il Campo Marzio. While drawing heavily from specific details in both the text and images, the study retains a contextual outlook, speculating that Vico's New Science can lend meaning to Piranesi's work. / Based primarily on Vico's concept of the Ideal Eternal History, parallels are drawn between the two works. While this provides the key to entering into Piranesi's work, it reveals only its inner horizon, merely describing in different terms what is already there. / The insights provided by this exercise, however, demonstrate that the making of architecture as promoted by the Campo Marzio is not unlicensed Romantic freedom, but a fundamental, culturally-bound human activity. The paper concludes, moreover, that the making of the Campo Marzio interpretively re-enacts the original imaginative founding of the Eternal City and, as such, constitutes an attempt to re-found Heroic Rome.