Monday September 10, 2012
2:45 PM
UNH 306
Andi Lyons, Senate Chair
Present: Philippe Abraham, Thomas Devlin, Susanna Fessler, Richard Fogarty, Elizabeth Gaffney, Tim
Groves, Yenisel Gulatee, Vincent LaBella, Danielle Leonard, Andi Lyons, Carolyn MacDonald,
Adrian Masters, John Monfasani, Susan Phillips, Sanjay Putrevu, Leslie Saint-Vil, Christine
Wagner, Ryan Witte
The meeting convened at 2:46 pm.
APPROVAL OF SEC MINUTES
The minutes of May 2, 2012 were approved.
PROVOST’S REPORT – SUSAN PHILLIPS
Provost Phillips began by welcoming everyone back. She informed SEC members of 45 new full time faculty hires this fall. About half of those are faculty of color, representing one of the most diverse “incoming group” of new faculty. An orientation was held for both new faculty; a new orientation is being developed to be deliver this year for new staff. The Provost referred to recent emails messages announcing new faculty and Provost
Fellows.
Enrollment is strong and the campus is over its goal of admitting 2,550 new freshmen. There are however fewer transfer and graduate students than anticipated. The entering class has about 300 out of state and international students. The Honors College saw a 17% increase in enrollment with 145 new freshmen entering. Diversity among incoming freshman is strong with about 38% being students of color. Quality and achievement metrics among the entering class remain steady.
Provost Phillips said more information would be forthcoming about the academic calendar and a compromise solution for the 2013-14 calendar. UPPC will be taking up the issue and rethinking the calendar guidelines.
An announcement was made over the summer on the outcome of the first round of the SUNY 2020 hiring plan. There were 14 proposals that were approved so far with about 30-40 faculty search authorizations. The
University continues to work with the governor’s office to get formal approval.
Provost Phillips discussed progress on the strategic plan. The progress of year one can be found at the following website: http://www.albany.edu/strategicplan/year_1_progress.shtml
. Further information about the plans for the coming year will be forthcoming. Two notable steps taken to start the second year included the formation of an academic support services council and online teaching and learning.

The Provost discussed two SUNY-related items. The Board of Trustees will be discussing UAlbany’s acquisition of the Schuyler Building near the downtown campus. The BOT will also review a new budget allocation model that will be based on clear dimensions of enrollment, research, special mission, and geographic differential, as well as some performance-based funding.
The Provost was asked for an update on the presidential search. She noted that the Search Committee had forwarded names to the University Council, who in turn had selected names to forward to the Chancellor. It is thought to be possible that a candidate would be put forward at the next BOT meeting this week.
CERS Chair MacDonald asked Provost Phillips if the parameters for SUNY 2020 have changed. The Provost responded that the basic numbers are identical as those presented last August for students and new faculty and staff. The financial package and distribution of faculty has not changed but there has been some change in the signature projects.
SENATE CHAIR’S REPORT – ANDI LYONS
The Chair would like to welcome everyone back to campus for the 2012-13 academic year. As of Friday, August 30, all Council and
Standing Committee Chairs have been elected, and we hope to have both graduate and undergraduate students to fill those Senate seats as quickly as possible.
We will hold all full Senate meetings on Mondays, beginning at 2:45pm, continuing the tradition designed to attempt better accommodation of teaching schedules and the varied commitments of Senators. SEC meetings will also begin at 2:45pm, and will be on Mondays except October 10 and May 1, because of conflicts with Columbus Day and a full Senate meeting respectively.
We ask Council Chairs to schedule regular meeting times for their Councils, and to inform the Secretary of those meeting times as soon as possible so we may post them.
In current events of special interest to the SEC and Senate, the SUNY Chancellor is continuing to meet with final candidates for the position of UAlbany President. At this time, we do not know when this phase will conclude. Every indication is that the Governor’s office will approve the final version of the campus NYSUNY2020 plan soon. Meanwhile, this fall finds us welcoming to campus a much larger group of new faculty than we have seen in recent years. The Chair looks forward to a productive year in the Senate.
Chair Lyons informed the SEC the Senate will have a new parliamentarian from Albany Law School, Sabrina Rackow.
The Chair briefly discussed two Senate forums that will be will be held in November in conjunction with an initiative of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. A consultant will be present and a request has been made for the Senate to make every effort to have people present to hear the presentation. The dates are scheduled for November 14 and 16. Chair
Lyons discussed an agenda item for the first Senate meeting to have council chairs who are non-Senators elected as senators for a one year term. The chairs are LISC Chair Elizabeth Gaffney, GAC Chair Tim Groves and CAA Chair
Adrian Masters. She also hopes to have an orientation and clicker testing at the meeting. UFS Senator and past Senate
Secretary Danielle Leonard has met with Secretary Gulatee to discuss preparations for holding an election to fill a parttime senator at large seat. Chair Lyons is working with Scott Birge’s office on a new seating arrangement for Senate meetings.
OTHER REPORTS
SUNY Senators’ Report (J. Philippe Abraham, Danielle Leonard, Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik)
The SUNY Senators will attend for the Faculty Senate Fall Plenary meeting hosted by SUNY Oswego, October 25-27, 2012.
Senator Leonard reported that UFS Senator Shahedipour-Sandvik has been asked to continue as chair of the UFS
Graduate and Research Committee. UFS will hold its planning meeting in Syracuse on September 21-22.
Graduate Student Organization Report – Thomas Devlin
Mr. Devlin reported on a busy summer for the GSO. Last year’s budget was overspent by $80,000 and will be troublesome during the coming year, especially with the reduced enrollment of graduate students. The annual welcome back picnic was very successful. GSO is working on providing the names of its senators for the councils.

Student Association Report – Arthur Rushforth
After a busy summer the Student Association is back on track and ready for an exciting year. Over the Summer SA has been working on continuing important initiatives such as the Student to Student Imitative, and the ResLife-EOP trips to Dippikill Inc. We also have been working on booking an event for speaker series which will be announced soon! SA has also been preparing to announce the
FallFest concert as well. Please be aware that this year will see an expansive role of both the Academic Affairs director as well as the
Student Advocate position. If you have any questions about this report or anything in particular I can address them any time you'd like arushforth@albany.edu.
Ryan Witte reported on the following activities in his capacity as SA Interim Vice President:

A special election will be conducted in October for a new vice president.
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Names of those who will serve on councils should be available by Friday, September 14.
The Student Senate will be using clickers this year.
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SA held its annual block party and over 150 student groups participated
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Russell Simmons will be the featured speaker at the next installment of the Speakers Series.
COUNCIL/COMMITTEE CHAIRS’ REPORTS
:
CAA (Council on Academic Assessment) – Adrian Masters, Chair
Chair Masters reported that the new year’s membership is the same as last year with the exception of one new member.
The council met on September 6 and has a meeting schedule for the year. CAA Staff Support, Joel Bloom, has developed an agenda for the year.
CAFFECoR (Committee on Academic Freedom, Freedom of Expression, and Community Responsibility)
– Leslie Saint-Vil, Chair
Chair Saint-Vil reported that the committee will hold its first meeting on September 17. CAFFECoR members will address some issues from last year.
CERS (Committee on Ethics in Research and Scholarship) – Carolyn MacDonald, Chair
Chair MacDonald will meet with the Vice President for Research to set up a framework for training and reporting under the new Misconduct Policy.
COR (Council on Research) – John Monfasani, Chair
COR will hold its first meeting of the year on Thursday, September 13 th , at which time it will select the chairs of its standing committees and begin to develop an agenda for 2012-13. Members of SEC are welcome to suggest items that COR should take up as part of its work this year.
Chair Monfasani reported the council will meet on September 13.
CPCA (Council on Promotions and Continuing Appointments) – Sanjay Putrevu, Chair
We (CPCA) presently have 52 cases expected for the 2012-13 academic year. Three are already in queue in the Provost's office. Ben just sent out a reminder to the Deans to get an updated estimate of which cases are coming, so the number may change slightly. The
CPCA met on Tuesday, August 28 and Sanjay Putrevu was elected as Chair. The committee will meet weekly or bi-weekly
(depending on workload) starting on Wednesday, September 19.
Chair Putrevu reported that the council is expecting a large number of cases this year and the council met in August.
Last year’s council worked through the summer. Chair Putrevu wanted to emphasize that cases will be reviewed on time.
The council will meet on September 19.
GAC (Graduate Academic Council) – Tim Groves, Chair
GAC has begun the process of constituting its three committees and electing chairs for 2012-2013.
GOV (Governance Council) – Christine Wagner, Chair
Our first meeting is on September 17 th , so nothing new to report yet.

LISC (Council on Libraries, Information Systems, and Computing) – Elizabeth Gaffney, Chair
LISC was convened by Christine Wagner on Friday, August 31 st . After some brief discussion Elizabeth Gaffney was elected as chair for the 2012-1013 academic year. General introductions were made. Some discussion ensued about the status of the “Responsible Use of IT” Policy that the committee had discussed previously. It was felt that the committee still had some work to do on responding to this policy. It was questioned whether LISC was an advisory body or a policy making body. Dr. Wagner clarified that the Senate is advisory and therefore its committees such as LISC are also advisory. Some research will be done as to the status of the policy and whether there is more opportunity for input from LISC.
Chair Gaffney reported that the majority of the council is compiled of returning members. The council will be discussing the Responsible Use Policy and Responsibilities and the influence LISC has over that policy. The council is also attempting to set up its meeting schedule.
UAC (Undergraduate Academic Council) – Richard Fogarty, Chair
UAC essentially has nothing to report. We’re settling meeting times, committee chairs and assignments, and the agenda for the upcoming semester. Our first meeting will be on 12 September.
ULC (University Life Council) – Vincent LaBella, Chair
ULC has met to elect chair. We will focus on two items for the coming year: (1) populating the smoking task force and (2) working with the diversity office to help with the dialog on diversity that will occur throughout the year.
Chair LaBella reported the council will meet with Tamra Minor, Chief Diversity Officer, and Dean Katherine Briar-
Lawson to obtain a sense of the University’s status on diversity. The council will also be meeting with the consultant who will facilitate the forums to be held in November mentioned in Chair Lyons report. He said ULC will be the voice of the
Senate in these proceedings. Chair LaBella said the smoking task force has been populated and is going forward.
Secretary Gulatee and former ULC chair said she has sent the names of the two students required for the task force to
Vince Delio.
UPPC (University Planning and Policy Council) – Susanna Fessler, Chair
The UPPC met once during the summer to be updated on NYSUNY2020. For the 2012-13 school year meetings have been scheduled every three weeks on Wednesday mornings. One of the first items we will address is the construction of the academic calendar, at the request of the Registrar. We hope to establish a process whereby calendars are set for more than one year in advance.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions from Helene Scheck:
Chair Lyons received a request from Senator Scheck to have two resolutions placed on the Senate agenda for
September 24. The resolutions are a result of discussions that occurred after the Special Senate meeting that failed to achieve quorum on May 31, 2012 concerning Senate Resolution 1112-03R. Chair Lyons provided the background of a meeting that took place on May 31, 2012 at the request of Senator Wills to discuss the findings of the task force charged in Resolution 1112-03R. The meeting lacked the presence of a quorum and the meeting was quickly adjourned by a vote. Those present remained to have an informal discussion. Senator
Scheck is asking for a reintroduction of Senator Wills’ resolutions but without a presence of a quorum at the
May 31 meeting, no action was taken introducing any resolutions. Thus, these have to be considered new resolutions from Senator Scheck. According to the rules any senator can request placement of an item on the agenda ten days in advance of the meeting. Senator Scheck has met the requirement for bringing these to the
Senate floor on September 24.
As background for new SEC members, Chair Lyons stated the purpose of the three resolutions introduced by
Senator Wills last year:
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Resolution1112-03 requested establishing a task force to investigate violations of procedures in the 2010 program deactivations. UPPC Chair Fessler read the provisions of the Resolution.

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Resolution 1112-04 requested a process to be put in place on specific consultation procedure before enacting deactivations. The SEC decided it was null and void since a procedure was already in place for doing that.
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Resolution 1112-05 requested establishment of a subcommittee to determine which programs should be activated or reactivated in European Language and Classical Studies. The committee met once and was unable to elect a chair. The committee is being reconstituted and will need a representative from UPPC since Senator Wills is on leave this semester. The replacement will be an agenda item for GOV.
Chair Lyons continued and said the task force submitted its report to the Senate at the end of the last session.
The task force did not feel that the term violations was useful and did not reach a consensus on whether the actions of the President rose to the level of violating the Bylaws after reviewing hundreds of pages of documents.
Senator Leonard asked to have the task of the SEC defined in terms of Senator Scheck’s resolutions. Chair
Lyons responded that while it needs to be placed on the agenda, the difficulty will be for the Senate to unravel the intent of these resolutions. The resolutions are not in a formal format for being resolved. UAC Chair
Fogarty pointed out the resolution lacks “Whereas” clauses since the task force found no violations but now the
Senate is being asked to determine that there were. ULC Chair LaBella suggested that the SEC provide recommendations to Senator Scheck for putting the resolutions in the proper format. Senator Caban was glad to accept the SEC’s suggestions last year for making his resolution presentable to the Senate.
UPPC Chair Fessler pointed out that the Charter and the Bylaws disagree on the process for placing items on the Senate agenda and caused a great deal of difficulty this past year. Chair Lyons said GOV attempted to address this last year but when the Senate officers set up a meeting schedule where the SEC would meet two weeks before the Senate meetings to provide sufficient time to submit agenda items, the ten-day rule for submission became fuzzy as it now means that items would not necessarily have to go through the SEC first.
The contradiction between the Bylaws and the Charter creates difficulty when an issue arises and it appears that the SEC is attempting to micromanage such issues if they try to change resolutions or send them to a council for consideration. This has resulted in meeting time devoted to often vain attempts to put resolutions in a proper format for voting .
Chair Fogarty said it was his belief that some senators are intent of finding certain parties guilty of violations and will continue to introduce resolutions until the Senate votes. Chair Fessler said that even though
Resolutions 1112-03, 04 and 05 were poorly written they managed to get the Senate’s approval on the basis of passion and rhetoric rather than content or enforceability.
UFS Senator Abraham presented a motion for the SEC to hold a workshop as early as possible that would inform senators on the proper procedures for submitting resolutions. The motion was seconded and discussed.
Senator Leonard agreed that more education was needed but to also point senators in the direction of existing documents that would assist them such as the FAQ that was created last year. LISC Chair Gaffney said as a senator for two years, she did not know who the senators were or how to get a resolution on the agenda. She expressed concern about new people coming to a meeting to vote on something without the proper background information or that they would know anything about. Chair Lyons expressed the same concerns that new senators may not know what these resolutions are about. UAC Chair Fogarty was in agreement as well. He said that as a senator, if these were presented at the first meeting he would move to have them tabled. Chair
Gaffney added that they should not be introduced for a vote at the first meeting
Chair Lyons recalled a conversation that took place during the discussion of May 31 where people talked about bringing forth such resolutions at the beginning of each meeting this year. But she believes there are rules that prohibit presenting something in the same session, in this case during the year 2012-2013, without substantial change once it has been voted on and defeated.

Senator Leonard called a point of order concerning Senator Abraham’s motion and also expressed concern that people need to assume some responsibility for informing themselves through the minutes and other information that is available to them. LISC Chair Gaffney was in agreement and supported the motion of an orientation for those who are interested in obtaining additional information.
The discussion continued both about the resolutions and an orientation. CAA Chair Masters suggested providing accompanying documentation or web links when the resolutions are sent to the full Senate. UPPC
Chair Fessler reminded everyone that the Charter states the SEC shall review proposals and may recommend for or against them. The SEC can make recommendations or refer to a council if they need additional clarification.
ULC Chair LaBella said the SEC should focus its concerns on the Senate being properly informed instead of having concerns of offending those who submit resolutions that are not in the proper form. Chair Lyons agreed and added that doing so bogs down the Senate and prevents it from being more productive. Senator Leonard urged caution about tying an orientation to an agenda item at the first meeting. COR Chair Monfasani felt having an orientation at the Senate meeting could be wasteful of the scarce time available. He believed it would be sufficient to announce the links to the items being discussed. UPPC Chair Fessler noted similarities to a class syllabus where students are given the issues to be discussed and the list of resources that need to be read.
An on-line training video was also suggested. LISC Chair Gaffney made a friendly amendment to Senator
Abraham’s motion on an orientation. She suggested the Chair’s Report include some preparatory words about being a responsible senator as well as identifying some housekeeping details and information for an orientation to be held at another time. Chair Lyons saw the difficulty of the recommended changes to the Scheck resolutions being offered as a good faith effort without it being based on events that occurred last year. UAC
Chair Fogarty suggested offering the opportunity of an orientation and then voting on the resolutions. It has been stated by a group of people what they want and he said they should have their vote. Once that happens, the subject can no longer be introduced.
Senator Leonard called the question on Senator Abraham’s motion. Chair Lyons restated the motion to hold an orientation at the first possible occasion. The motion to call the question was passed by a vote in favor. A vote for holding an orientation was also voted in favor.
SEC members made suggestions on accompanying materials to send with the resolutions such as the conclusion of the task force report and the report’s table of contents. UAC Chair Fogarty offered to read the report’s conclusion on the Senate floor which is very clear about there being no violations.
UPPC Chair Fessler made a motion that the SEC recommend for or against the resolutions and to include its recommendation with the agenda. She felt it would be beneficial for people to know some of today’s discussions. SEC discussed reasons for recommending against but Chair Lyons suggested continuing the discussion electronically. Senator Abraham said we would need to demonstrate why they were not viable.
CPCA Chair Putrevu urged caution about the appearance of the SEC strong arming the process. He suggested voting on the resolutions and moving on, saying the issue has received more prominence than needed. Chair
Fessler withdrew her motion.
Chair Lyons said it needs to be made clear that these are not Senator Wills’ resolutions but they are coming from Senator Scheck. The resolutions will be forwarded to the Senate as written and submitted by Senator
Scheck in order to prevent any appearance of attempting to manipulate the content or obstruct the process.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:43 pm

Respectfully submitted by
Gail Cameron, Recorder