College of Arts and Sciences
Council of Chairs
October 20, 2004
2:30-4:00 p.m.
AS 122
In attendance: E. Acosta-Belen, M. Alam, J. Altarriba, I. Berger, C. Bose, E. Briere, J. Carson, B. Daniel, K. Doolen, S. Fessler, E. Gaffney, T.
Gage, S. Galime, T. Harrison, M. Hill, V. Idone, S. Isser, S. Mahan, J. Mainwaring, J. Mandle, M. Messitt, A. Millis, C. Murray, N. Murray, D.
Parker, J. Pipkin, M. Raider, G. Stevens, H. Strother, M. Sutherland, B. Szelest, R. Ward, J. Welch, J. Wick-Pelletier, E. Wulfert, A. Zak
Recorder: R. Greenhouse
Mission Review (Sheila Mahan, Bruce Szelest)
They attended the meeting to gather information and comments from Chairs regarding the Mission II Review. They would like to
know about other awards, publications, and benchmarks that your fields recognize that the document does not include. The Dean has
already pointed out several revisions. There are a few points to keep in mind: this strategic plan will be in place for the next five
years, and it is essentially a contract between the University at Albany and SUNY Administration. This is a provisional document that
will be further revised when the new president is in place. Their conversations with faculty have been helpful in zeroing in on our
goals for the next five years and developing a clear sense of the University as a whole. Several suggestions were stated: we would
like to see more emphasis on the undergraduate education experience in CAS – a more accurate picture should be made, NEH, NEA,
NSF grants should be mentioned, and more resources to hiring. UA is a unique institution. For its size of faculty and students, our
research is comparable to larger research institutions. There is a general perception that CAS was shortchanged compared to other
schools and colleges. Our faculty are more distinguished than shown in the document. [Faculty could provide more accomplishments
in order to make stronger statements. Chairs will be relied on to submit details to the Dean.] Nationally ranked programs are being
mentioned – evidence pointing to excellence is welcome. Post docs should be counted and recorded more accurately. The Honors
College within the College should be mentioned since the Mission statement covers five years. The Dean mentioned several items
from the CAS strategic plan – programs, interdisciplinary, languages. UAlbany wants more out-of-state students: 1) the diversity
makes a statement about what kind of university it is – a national university – and improves the educational environment. 2)
Budgetary-wise, out-of-state tuition is greater and about 50% of those students pay full out-of-state state tuition. The percentage of
Group I students promised in the plan is 1% per year growth, a conservative goal, with incremental changes.
Minutes:
A motion to accept the minutes of September 29, 2004 was made by Betty Daniel, seconded by Kevin Doolen, and unanimously
passed.
Announcements:
Awards -- A chart was provided to explain various awards. There is a deadline of November 5 for nominations of excellence awards.
The Dean is encouraging chairs to nominate faculty for teaching and service (research is in the spring). In order for people to receive
distinguished awards, they must first receive awards at the University level.
SEFA -- actual kick off has not taken place. Packets have been distributed.
FBI Visitors -- there have been some visitors to faculty, staff, and students by FBI and Homeland Security regarding international
students. Please tell people in your department that if they are visited or receive a phone call, ask those inquiring to send their request
in writing on letterhead or by fax. No one is required to answer any questions. Inform John Reilly’s office if you receive any calls.
Apartments - The office of International Education (2-3525) has apartments available for international students and scholars, located
at 268 Washington Avenue in Albany.
Outlook -- Chairs need to be on Microsoft Outlook in order for the Dean and College office staff to effectively schedule meetings.
Display Case -- The College display case roster is in place through March 4.
Summer Sessions 2005 -- Gregory Stevens distributed Summer Planning packets to Chairs.
Strategic Plan Progress -- If you have information regarding goals for the strategic plan flow chart, please submit ASAP. The chart
needs to be completed before end of next week so that the Dean can include the progress report with the budget plan.
Dean’s Council Report: Enrollments
Because of the enrollment shortfall, it is estimated that we will be $2 million lower than expected for fall, and if nothing changes
another $1.5 million below for spring. At a future meeting we will discuss retention issues and things we can do to keep students here.
Graduate enrollment is down 29 students resulting in a $269,000 deficit for CAS. Anticipating spring, their calculations show that we
need 132 additional graduate students. This doesn’t make sense, because we currently have 696 and they’re calculating that we’ll
have only 605 in the spring. By October 29 all deans must submit to the Provost enrollment strategies for spring. Self-pay masters
and certificate programs need to increase. On the undergraduate level, the Admissions Office will let in wait listed and transfer
students. CAS will be teaching most of these students, and can do so as long as there is part time money available to hire instructors.
BA MA programs are good feeders, as are non-degree graduate students, because they often matriculate. Last year the Provost
encouraged programs to graduate PhD students. This ended up lowering the numbers enrolled in the fall because so many graduated.
Again, encourage growth of the self-pay Masters. Some departments may be able to accept more students in the spring, though some
curriculums are not able to start students in the spring. We have not reached targets set by departments. During the last five years,
there has been no sacrificing quality for quantity. The Dean’s office doesn’t think it’s a good idea for departments to have quotas.
Adjourn: 4:03 pm