RESOLUTION

concerning

PROPOSED CLOSURE OF THE ART HISTORY PROGRAM

WHEREAS, The Ad Hoc committee called “McMaster Art History Team” claims that the
University Administration did not adequately consult students, faculty, and
other interested parties who would be affected by the closure of the Art History
program, and that the decision is not in the strategic interest of the University
and,

WHEREAS, Transparency and consultation are in the interest of the student community, its
representatives, and the University Administration and,

WHEREAS, The final motion to close the Art History program is scheduled for 14 April
2010 at 15:00 EST and,

WHEREAS, A group of student senators intend to move to defer the closure of the Art
History program by at least one year in order to provide for sufficient time to
properly consult with students, faculty, and other interested parties and,

WHEREAS, The McMaster Students Union (MSU) will “seek to facilitate communication
between the [undergraduate] student body, the University, and other
organizations” (MSU Constitution, Article 2) and,

WHEREAS, “A majority vote of the total members of the SRA shall initiate a referendum”
(MSU Constitution, Article 7) and,

WHEREAS, A referendum called by the MSU would show that the student body stands in
support of the student senators, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That, pending approval by Senate of a motion to defer the closure of the Art
History program, the Student Representative Assembly call a referendum to be
held concurrent with the earliest appropriate MSU by-election, as determined
by the Elections Committee, in the 2010/2011 Fall/Winter academic year.