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: James Dias, Tracey Chen, Vishnu Chaturvedi, David Andersen.
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, with the following corrections, minutes was made
by Elizabeth Gaffney and seconded by Elaine Lasda-Bergman. The adjourned time of the March 1,
2012 meeting was corrected to 9:45 a.m and Araia Berhane as well as Elizabeth Gafney were noted as
absent from that meeting. 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 additional
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. (ACTION ITEM) 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. (ACTION ITEM)

Conference/Journal Report – Daniel Keyser, Chair
Considering the limited number of applications (four) for this award, questions arose whether the
requirement for applicants to fund the conference registration fee, from other than award funds
and for the conference to be held locally deters faculty from applying.
Page 2- COR meeting minutes 3/29/2012
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 sixty five active centers, no current reports were submitted. It was suggested that the
requirement to submit reports is enforced. It was also suggested that the COR committee reinstates the review of five Centers per year. A complete review, not just a report, would
determine which Centers are productive. Brian Macherone will contact the Directors for
submitting reports by 9/1/12 as stated in VP Dias’ 1/20/12 memo. (ACTION ITEM) It was
mentioned that the role of the committee on Centers/Institutes/Labs needs clarification. (ACTION
ITEM)

Early Career Achievement Award, Berhane Araia, chair
A revised draft proposal was submitted to the COR members for discussion. There were
concerns on point 5.3 of the report. Berhane will discuss the Strategic Plan reference with Vice
President Dias. (ACTION ITEM) Concerns were also expressed about the relationship of this
award and tenure. Any suggestions for modifications are to be submitted directly to Berhane.
The proposal will be finalized and submitted to Vice President Dias and Provost Phillips for
approval. (ACTION ITEM) James Castracane informed the committee that the proposal does not
require University Senate approval.
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. James Castracane will extend an
invitation to Errol Millington, from Campus Planning, to the next COR meeting for a
presentation. (ACTION ITEM)

James 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. (ACTION ITEM) This is James Castracane’s last year on COR.
Meeting adjourned at 10:40 am
Submitted by Thecla Philip