School of American and International Studies
Unit Council Minutes
October 19, 2011
Attendance: Dean H. Nejad, P. Ard, R. Atkinson, T. Barnes, L. Cassidy, E. Castellanos, R.
D’Angelo, P. Elovitz, N. Fabre, M. Fluhr, D. Fucci, M. Giacoppe, J. Gronbeck-Tedesco, S.
Hangen, R. Hayashida, K. Haywood, J. Hoch, P. Kayaalp Y. Kisor, T. Kwak, I. Lopez,
J. Mazza, C. Meyer, S. Mustafa, A. Padovano, S. Rice, M. Riff, R. Root, B. Roy, N.
Santamaria-Laorden, P. Scheckner, E. Shannon, I. Spar, P. Straile-Costa, S. Taranto,
M. Unger, and L. Williams.
Excused: V. Flenga, C. Peterson, and J. Teigen
Absent: J. Johnson
Meeting Began at 11:30 AM
Announcements
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Social Committee contributions are still needed from the Unit.
The deadline for the AIS Newsletter is November 1st.
Volunteers are still needed for Spring 2012 AIS Film Series events.
The Bischoff Award Ceremony will take place on October 26th from 1:00-2:30 PM
in The York Room.
The Model UN Club will have their International Dinner Night on October 20
from 6-8 PM in the Alumni Lounges.
Grant opportunities were sent to the Unit for their consideration.
Unit was asked to take an on-line survey about Writing Intensive Courses by the
end of the month.
SBR Applications
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Don Fucci presented 11 SBR applications to the Unit. The Unit recommended for
approval all 11 SBR applications.
Enrollment Report
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The Dean presented an enrollment report to the Unit. The Dean also discussed
actions that are currently being taken by The AIS Recruitment and Advisement
Committee in order to help increase enrollment within the school.
American Studies Major
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Stephen Rice informed the Unit that the Provost's office has expressed concern
about the number of majors in American Studies and has informed him that the
major may be consolidated or eliminated if the number does not increase. With
a unanimous vote the Unit passed the following resolution.
“The AIS Unit Council resolves to support the preservation and
continued existence of the American Studies major. We also
request that the Provost's office provide the unit with its
reasoning for how the college would benefit from consolidating
or eliminating the major.”
Sabbaticals
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It was announced to the Unit by both Don Fucci and the Dean that the College
has suspended sabbaticals for the current academic year. With a unanimous vote
the Unit passed the following resolution.
“On Wednesday, October 19, the faculty of American and International
Studies unanimously passed a resolution asking President Mercer to
restore all sabbaticals for the AY 2011-2012.”
Addendum to Minutes
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After minutes were sent out Judith Jeney replied back with the following
information “the College did not unilaterally suspend the Sabbaticals for 20112012. The College was directed by the State Office of Employee Relations not to
implement the Sabbatical Leave program until a contract is in place.”
Meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM. Minutes submitted by William Russo Unit Secretary