University Senate Executive Committee
Monday October 10, 2012
2:45 PM
UNH 306
Andi Lyons, Senate Chair
Minutes
Present:
Susanna Fessler, Richard Fogarty, Elizabeth Gaffney, Tim Groves, Yenisel Gulatee, Vincent
LaBella, Andi Lyons, Carolyn MacDonald, Adrian Masters, John Monfasani, George Philip, Susan
Phillips, Sanjay Putrevu, Leslie Saint-Vil, Christine Wagner
The meeting convened at 2:50 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of September 10 were approved.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT—GEORGE PHILIP
President Philip said he looked forward to Dr. Jones arrival at UAlbany. Dr. Jones is expected to visit the campus
a few more times before January and President Philip believes he will want an opportunity to meet with the Senate
leadership.
UAlbany’s SUNY 2020 plan was presented to the governor and we are not waiting for the pro forma final
approval. The president said he was not expecting any major issues to arise from the presentation. He wanted to
reinforce that the SUNY 2020 plan is not just about sciences and tech transfer. Because of the tuition revenue to
be generated, the plan will benefit the entire university. He expects CAS and the Arts to be positively impacted.
The president said it will create areas of excellence beyond what we already have.
The Community Service kick off with student from Albany High School was a great success. Marguerite Vanden
Wyngaard, the new superintendent of the City School District attended. She showed great enthusiasm and cares a
great deal about the students. The student to student initiative is very exciting and President Philip said he believes
it will continue for a long time.
A new initiative with RPI, Albany Medical Center and UAlbany was launched that creates and alliance fostering
biomedical research. Ten grants have been awarded totaling $745,000. The funding came from seed money and it
is hoped that will generate federal money to support other initiatives.
This weekend the campus will host its fall festival, Fallbany. Events will include the alumni luncheon with Randy
Cohen, Ashton Holmes and Carolyn Grosvenor. Other events will include a very rare opportunity to hear Nobel
Prize-winning author J. M. Coetzee speak at an event hosted by the NYS Writers Institute on October 12.
The Citizen Laureate Award Awards Dinner will be held on November 1 in the SEFCU Arena to accommodate the
600-700 people expected to attend. The event is expected to raise $250,000 in scholarships for our students. This
year’s reception will honor Academic Laureate Katherine Briar-Lawson and Community Laureates Norman and
Micki Massry.
President Philip provided an update on the status of the purchase of the Schuyler building. SUNY has passed a
resolution approving the transaction and it has been approved by the City of Albany as well. Our architects have
gone through the building and are very impressed with it. It is expected that funds from the master plan will be put
towards the rehabilitation but not the purchase.
The University will finance approximately $88 million for its proposed ETEC facility. This will result in debt
serve of approximately $5.7 million per year (Ests. 2017-18), which is expected to be supported by F&A and
partnership program fees.
PROVOST’S REPORT – SUSAN PHILLIPS
Provost Phillips reported that graduate enrollment was down about 350 students from what was expected compared
to the enrollment plan. Some overall recovery was made by an increase in undergraduate students but not enough.
Total campus enrollment was up about 200 from last year. Recruitment efforts will be more aggressive for the
spring semester. She pointed out the importance enrollment plays in the budget and that tuition brings in more
money than state aid does. There was a startling drop last year in the number of graduate students enrolled, and
while we have been able to make up a portion of that shortfall, it has a large impact on the budget.
COR Chair Monfasani asked if there were particular areas where the shortfall was. The Provost said the biggest
areas were in CAS and SOE. Rockefeller College also had some decline, as did all schools and colleges except
SSW and Criminal Justice, which exceeded their enrollment expectations. She also noted there has been a decline
in the graduate student population nation-wide according the Chronicle of Higher Education. Work has already
begun with Communications and Marketing to improve the Graduate Admissions web page.
Provost Phillips announced three forums scheduled regarding the strategic plan implementation which will be an
opportunity for the entire campus to provide input. There was good progress in the first year of implementation
and the second year plan is ambitious as well.
Our campus hosted a visit of representatives from SUNY-Korea. The campus opened officially this year and they
currently have three graduate programs with SUNY Stony Brook. The goal is to add programs, if possible, from
the university centers and FIT. Currently, SUNY-Korea is focused on graduate level study but they are also
interested in adding undergraduate programs tied to the graduate study. They have shown interest in our programs
with the SOE, SSW, Public Policy and Atmospheric Sciences, as well as others.
Provost Phillips discussed the SUNY budget model. The continuing discussions consider several different models.
Models include funds for special mission issued, dedicated larger expenses such as those at SUNY Maritime and
SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry. The model for what our budget will look like next year will depend
on adjustments made and how the state budget process plays out.
SENATE CHAIR’S REPORT – ANDI LYONS
As Council sub-committee formation continues, the Chair reminds all Council Chairs that a list of those willing to serve on these
committees is maintained by the Recorder and can be a useful resource for populating committees. Of course, faculty members who are
not on the list are also eligible to serve, as long as the pertinent section of the Charter stipulating committee composition is not
violated. Please remember to send finalized committee rosters to the Recorder so they may be posted on the Senate web site.
Apart from the particulars of any Senate resolution brought to the floor without vetting by a Council or Standing Committee, the Chair
would ask GOV to consider the best way to reconcile the recent standardization of SEC meetings two weeks before the full Senate
meetings with Article II, Section 7.7.1 of the Bylaws, which states, “any Senator shall have the right to place items on the agenda by
submitting such items to the Chair of the Executive Committee at least ten days before the scheduled meeting.”
The Senate Chair has received a proposal from the Art Department requesting to change its name to the Department of Art and Art
History. The Chair recommends that this proposal be reviewed by UPPC, and brought to the full Senate as soon as possible.
A discussion ensued about resolutions that are not coming through the normal channels. Chair Lyons said the difficulty of
addressing such resolutions is the appearance that the SEC is attempting to obstruct the procedure for advancing them if
they are referred to a council. The Bylaws states “any Senator shall have the right to place items on the agenda by
submitting such items to the Chair of the Executive Committee at least ten days before the scheduled meeting”. Clarification
is needed on whether that means ten business days or ten calendar days. Chair Lyons said a resolution that receives some
vetting before going to the Senate floor seems to be in better form and allows for debating of the resolution’s content as
opposed to discussing its format. This is a problem with the Bylaws and will not be easy to rectify. There are many
inconsistencies with the Bylaws and amending it piece-meal will be difficult. She suggested holding off until a larger body of
changes are identified. UPPC Chair Fessler said if we don’t amend the Bylaws, the new president will inherit them and we
need to present him the best document to work with and we need to have a document that will allow the president and the
Senate to work together well. She added that it’s important that amendments come from the SEC instead of the new
president. Chair Lyons said we should also have feedback on changes from President Philip since he would have an
understanding and valuable perspective concerning the difficulties that have existed with the current language.
Chair Lyons addressed a few issues that exist with the membership of the smoking task force. The task force was approved
last spring to look at smoking on campus. Some of the members have since declined. Vincent Delio from the President’s
office said the president had made ten recommendations and GOV advanced 11 names. Some were unable to serve so it
raises the question about whether it should go forward or if GOV should present new recommendations. Chair Lyons wanted
to make sure GOV has input since this could be a contentious issue and would want all constituencies to be represented. She
pointed out that a couple of key constituencies may not be represented because of those who can no longer serve. Mr. Delio
said those would be UUP and PEF but any additions should include students as well. Chair Lyons would like this to move
quickly. CERS Chair MacDonald made a motion to forward the issue to GOV to recommend new members and to approve
the task force roster. The motion was seconded and approved by a vote of SEC members.
OTHER REPORTS
UFS (University Faculty Senator’s Report) –Danielle Leonard, J. Philippe Abraham & Shadi ShahedipourSandvik, SUNY Senators
UFS senator Shahedipour-Sandvik attended the UFS planning meeting on sept 20th. The Graduate and Research Committee met and
devised a set of objectives and plans. The Committee will report on these and any progress at the UFS Fall Plenary meeting in Oct. The
report will be posted on UFS website. In addition the second SUNY wide, graduate research exhibition will be held on Feb. 26th at the
Legislative Office Bldg, in Albany. Deans will be contacted to solicit graduate research posters for the exhibit, soon.
GSO (Graduate Student Organization) – Thomas Devlin, GSO Representative
No response
SA (Student Association) – Arthur Rushforth, Student Association President
Mr. Rushforth was not it attendance but UPPC Chair Fessler announced that the Albany Speaker Series will be held this
Saturday, October 13. The speaker this year is Russell Simmons.
CAA (Council on Academic Assessment) – Adrian Masters, Chair
Chair Masters reported that the council will meet on Tuesday, October 16.
CAFFECoR (Committee on Academic Freedom, Freedom of Expression, and Community Responsibility) –
Leslie Saint-Vil, Chair
No response
CERS (Committee on Ethics in Research and Scholarship) – Carolyn MacDonald, Chair
Nothing to report
COR (Council on Research) – John Mofasani, Chair
COR has met once and elected chairs to some of its subcommittees, but it still has some vacant subcommittee chairs. These it will fill in
its next meeting on October 18th.
Chair Monfasani reported that the council still needs to populate some its subcommittees.
CPCA (Council on Promotions and Continuing Appointments) – Sanjay Putrevu, Chair
CPCA met on September 19 to discuss, revise, and approve operational procedures. Two dossiers were distributed to committee members.
The next meeting is slated for October 3.
Chair Putrevu reported there are six cases pending.
GAC (Graduate Academic Council) – Tim Groves, Chair
All three of the GAC committees are fully constituted per the Senate Charter. The GAC has no bills or resolutions to go before the Senate.
Chair Groves reported that the Committee for Curriculum and Instruction is in need of a chair. He expects that will be
resolved before the end of October.
GOV (Governance Council) – Christine Wagner, Chair
GOV met on 9/17/12. Members of the UPPC Research Analysis and Planning Committee (RAPC) subcommittee and the University
Facilities Committee (UFC) were constituted from the appropriate members of the standing committees, the Strategic Plan
Implementation Committee and the Facilities Master Plan Committee. GOV approved and appointed the membership of RAPC and UFC.
GOV approved a Charter Amendment that would permit the election of Council Chairs by electronic ballot. This Amendment has been
forwarded to the SEC for approval. GOV recommended a change in the roster of LISC to maintain compliance with the requirement of
the Charter. Diane Dumesnil (CNSE) offered to move from LISC to CAA. GOV recommended that procedures for the replacement of the
CAS at-large Senator, David Wills (who is currently on leave), be determined by the CAS Faculty Council. GOV generated an initial slate
of nominations for a part-time faculty Senator replacement. GOV will reconvene the Council previously referred to as the Council on
Administrative Review and Evaluation (CARE) in the near future. GOV will also reconvene the ad hoc committee formed (in spring of
2012) to address Resolution 1112-05R (the Resolution 5 Committee). GOV approved the replacement of two Resolution 5 committee
members who are on leave or have left the university. GOV members suggested that an additional member with relevant expertise be
added to the committee.
Chair Wagner reported that the CARE committee is revitalized and has changed its name to the Committee on
Administrative, Institutional Review (CAIR). The committee will be meeting with Bruce Szelest. The committee to address
Resolution 1112-05R has been constituted an attempt to get the group together is in progress. Once the group meets she
expects they will produce a report that will be presented to the Senate but is unsure of what action would come from the
Senate. UPPC Chair Fessler said the findings of the report would have no binding power. If in the end the committee’s
findings recommend reactivation of certain programs, a proposal would have to come from those particular areas and move
through the normal governance channels, and then be signed by the president.
LISC (Council on Libraries, Information Systems, and Computing) – Elizabeth Gaffney, Chair
Chair Gaffney reported that the council met yesterday and is attempting to populate all of its subcommittees. She said
additional names will be required and Chair Lyons said the omnibus list would need to be referenced.
UAC (Undergraduate Academic Council) – Richard Fogarty, Chair
UAC has met twice this semester, once to preview items that will come before the council in the coming months, and then again later to
begin discussions of a proposal for a university writing program that comes to the senate from the Strategic Planning Working Group on
Undergraduate Academics (the proposal is also presently before UPPC). The chairs of the Working Group, Lee Bickmore and Sue
Faerman attended UAC’s 19 September meeting to explain the proposal and answer questions. Our discussion of the proposal is in its
beginning stages, and will continue in subsequent meetings. Beyond this, UAC’s various standing committees are now staffed, and have
begun to turn to their respective tasks.
Chair Fogarty reported that the council is working almost exclusively on the writing proposal. CERS Chair MacDonald
expressed concern about elements of the proposal that have been left out such as spelling and grammar. Chair Fogarty said
the proposal does not reject teaching the mechanics of writing but explained that when grammar is imbedded with content
and other elements, it becomes more effective. He said the project is very ambitious and will encompass those elements.
COR Chair Monfasani asked how the project would be assessed. Chair Fogarty said assessment is built in as part of the
general education program. He added that the writing proposal was initiated by the strategic planning implementation
group and a main priority of the strategic plan.
ULC (University Life Council) – Vincent LaBella, Chair
ULC has met on 9/21 with the diversity consultant and had an excellent conversation on topics of diversity and inclusion on the UAlbany
campus. Our next order of business is to response to specific questions from the consultant which we will accomplish at our next two
meetings on 10/9 and 10/23.
Chair LaBella reported that the council met with members of the diversity council on October 9 and discussed the upcoming
diversity forum. They are working on a series of questions and how to advertise the event. The goal of the forum is to
discuss awareness and the current environment at the university. He added that some statistical data regarding
demographics will be shared during the forum. Chair Lyons announced a production of the Theatre Department that ties in
with the forum. The production “Words” explores hate and fear in our country.
UPPC (University Planning and Policy Council) – Susanna Fessler, Chair
UPPC is working on helping the Registrar update our guidelines on establishing the academic calendar. We are also looking at the
Writing Program proposal. Our next meeting is on October 3.
Chair Fessler reported that UPPC met with the Registrar to discuss the calendar guidelines. She reminded everyone to
expect substantial reaction to the spring calendar due to the recent announcement that classes will be in session during
Passover and Easter.
Chair Fessler pointed out some matters of housekeeping for council chairs. She reminded them that once their
subcommittees are formed to send the rosters to the recorder as well as council minutes for posting on the web pages. Chair
Lyons added that they should be reported to Secretary Gulatee and she will give monthly reports on changes at the Senate
meetings. Secretary Gulatee asked the chairs to inform her and the recorder if students contact them to serve on their
councils.
COR Chair Monfasani asked if UPPC will be addressing the writing proposal. Chair Fessler said it would be on the next
agenda
NEW BUSINESS
Charter Amendment re: Election of Council Chairs (GOV)
GOV Chair Wagner opened the discussion to the amendment. At the end of each spring semester, councils must
physically convene to elect a chair. If it cannot be accomplished at the end of the spring semester, it needs to be
done over the summer. Both time periods present challenges in assembling a quorum. The amendment calls for
conducting the election electronically or in person with a quorum responding in both scenarios. She pointed out
that in the majority of cases the councils are convened and someone is elected by acclamation. A suggestion was
made to add the phrase, if necessary, referring to the election by electronic ballot. The idea was that meeting in
person to elect a chair is preferred but if a quorum cannot be assembled by the end of the semester then it would be
possible to conduct the election electronically. SEC approved forwarding the amendment to the Senate.
Department Name Change:
Chair Lyons received the request on Monday from the CAS Dean’s Office to change the name of the Art
Department to the Department of Art and Art History. The Art Department would like to more accurately identify
themselves. Dean Wulfert supports the change which will need approval from UPPC. SEC members agreed to
have it forwarded to UPPC.
LISC Chair Gaffney expressed her appreciation on the seating arrangement at the Senate meeting. CPCA Chair
Putrevu also appreciated the setup and agreed it was an improvement.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:32 pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Gail Cameron, Recorder