Council on Research Meeting Minutes
March 29, 2012
Life Sciences Research Building, Conference Room 1143
9:35 am – 10:40 am
Members present: Michael Amrozowicz, Berhane Araia, James Castracane, Samantha
Friedman, Elizabeth Gaffney, Robert Gluck, Hemalata Iyer, Dan Keyser, Elaine Lasda-Bergman,
David Lewis, Brian Macherone and Charles Scholes.
Members absent: Vishnu Chaturvedi, James Dias.
Also attending: Thecla Philip
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Council Chair, James Castracane, at 9:35 am.
Minutes
A motion to accept the February 2 and March 1, 2012 minutes was made by Elizabeth Gaffney
and seconded by Elaine Lasda-Bergman. Motion carried.
Subcommittee Reports
 Benevolent Award Review Report – Samantha Friedman, Chair
Prior to her report, Samantha disseminated flyers for the Research Opportunities Using
the New York Confidential Research Data Center seminar sponsored by CSDA to be held
on March 30, 2012 in B-29. There was a short discussion on the value of this research
tool.
There were nine applications for the Benevolent Award; available funds were $3,500;
seven applicants were awarded a total of $3,393. There was a discussion on the scoring
of the applications and if the committee’s decision would have been different had there
been more available funds. The committee concurred that their decision was based on
the merit of the applications and would have been the same regardless of additional
funding. Motion was made by James Castracane for the committee to recommend the
rankings to the VPR. The motion was passed unanimously.
Prior to the next COR meeting, Samantha will provide COR members with the
recommended revised procedures for the Benevolent award. The current instructions are
not clearly stated.

Conference/Journal Report – Daniel Keyser, Chair
Concerns were expressed about the limited number of applicants for this award:
a. Could the requirement for applicants to fund the registration fee for a
conference deter them from applying and, therefore, limiting the number of
applicants?
b. Could the requirement for the conference to be held locally also deter faculty
from applying?
c. If there were no such restrictions in place, would the number of applicants
increase?
David Lewis pointed out that the number of applicants has been consistent over the years.
James Castracane asked that any recommendations for improving the guidelines be made
at the next meeting.

Committee on Centers/Institutes/Labs, Brian Macherone, chair
Of 65 active centers, no current reports were submitted. It was suggested that the
requirement to submit reports is enforced. It was suggested that the COR committee reinstates the review of five Center per year. A complete review, not just a report, would
determine which Centers are productive. There was concern that the perception among
Center Directors is that they would be funded regardless of Center’s activity/inactivity.
Brian will contact the Directors for submitting reports by 9/1/12 as stated in VP Dias’
1/20/12 memo. It was mentioned that the role of the committee on
Centers/Institutes/Labs is unclear – how does VP Dias view the committee? What are the
expectations?

Early Career Achievement Award, Berhane Araia, chair
A revised draft proposal was submitted to the COR members for discussion. The
proposal will be finalized and submitted to the VPR and Provost office for approval.
James Castracane, informed the committee that the proposal does not require University
Senate approval. There were concerns on point 5.3 of the report. Berhane will discuss
the Strategic Plan reference with Dr. Dias. Concerns were also expressed about the
relationship of this award and tenure (would it be perceived that the recipient will be
guaranteed tenure?) Any suggestions for modifications are to be submitted directly to
Berhane.
Old Business
None
New Business

David Lewis inquired about the UAlbany 2020 Master Plan. Concern was expressed
about the impact on departments and how research will be conducted. Chair, Castracane
will invite Errol Millington from Campus Planning to the next COR meeting for a
presentation.

Elaine Lasda-Bergman invited COR members to her presentation on How to Choose a
Journal to be held at the Terrace Lounge today, March 29, 2012.

Chair, Castracane requested that if committee members want to continue their
participation on their current committee on any other committee for next year, to contact
Gail Cameron, in the President’s Office. This is Chair Castracane’s last year on COR.
Meeting adjourned at 10:40 am
Submitted by Thecla Philip (in the absence of Janice Bogan)