Governance Council
Monday, January 27, 2014
11:30AM
UNH 300
Joette Stefl-Mabry, Chair
Minutes
Present:
Liang Chu, Cynthia Fox, Yenisel Gulatee, Caitlin Janiszewski, Ann Kearney, John Schmidt,
Kabel Stanwicks, Joette Stefl-Mabry
The meeting convened at 11:35 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of December 16, 2013 were approved with 1 abstention.
CHAIR’S REPORT
Charter Amendment Re Composition of CPCA:
A letter from the SUNY Associate Vice Chancellor for Employee Relations that had been shared by Christine
Wagner was reviewed by GOV.
Members discussed that the letter did not seem to speak to the issue UUP raised. The statements in the letter
were unclear regarding
 Reference to “academic employees” and indicating how the term could be applied, and
 Rules for non-tenured people, including students, serving on committees.
Council Member Chu pointed to confusion regarding the definitions of qualifying and academic rank.
Senator Schmidt noted that also, the larger issue is the difference between SUNY’s interpretation of the
contract and UUP’s interpretation of a seeming violation.
Chair Stefl-Mabry considered that the statement “The language was in no way intended to determine the
membership of such academic review committees.” did not seem to align with the statement that followed,
“Indeed, my experience has been that many of campus bylaws or other guidelines specifically exclude
employees without continuing appointment recommendations.”.
Discussion ensued, and it was the understanding that UUP’s contract would supersede other documents.
GOV’s recommendation regarding the Amendment to the Charter was to continue as it stands, and go through
SEC and the Senate. GOV agreed that UUP should also weigh in on the letter.
CAFFECoR
It was discussed that the re-formation of CAFFECoR should be for the purpose of it becoming the venue
where initiatives such as StartUpNY are looked at to ensure StartUp businesses will contribute to and help
shape the University’s core academic mission. Senator Fox suggested that CAFFECoR be charged with
looking at some of these current and pending initiatives. GOV recommended that CAFFECoR be tasked to look
into these as campus governance issues.
EdTPA
EdTPA has affected students and the curriculum, and Chair Stefl-Mabry indicated she was pleased that UUP
and NYSUT have been putting pressure on NYSED to reconsider its implementation of edTPA –Educative
Teacher Performance Assessment. Students must pay a $300 fee for edTPA, in addition to another $400 for
other required tests. A passing score on the edTPA is required for anyone applying for an initial certificate in
New York on or after May 1, 2014. Per Senator Schmidt, the exam questions set up by Pearson, working with
the state, have not been geared so that students are studying what they need to pass this certification; for
instance 40% of students failed at SUNY Cortland and at another pilot-tested institution.
OTHER REPORTS
Senator John Schmidt reported on topics of the 166th UFS Winter Plenary hosted by UAlbany January 23rd to
25th:
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Seamless Transfer A committee composed of 1,138 faculty at institutions, each knowledgeable about the
major in their area, is working online to develop what will be transferable. There are 37 pathways / majors
where students can earn Associate’s degrees, then go on with the goal of transferring to earn a 4-year
degree within the next 2 years.
StartUpNY There was talk about the role of campus governance leadership and getting input to SUNY
Central regarding what particular business entities are in fact consistent with the University’s educational
mission. There was no promise by Chancellor Zimpher of how this would work, but just that she would
look into it.
Online courses SUNY is pushing forward, asking that individual institutions prepare their online courses.
Chair Stefl-Mabry reported that she attended the dinner meeting, in place of Senate Chair Christine Wagner,
of all the Chairs and faculty of the Senates and their derivatives. She found the experience educational in
listening to how other campuses are helping to shape shared governance.
Senator Schmidt stressed the importance of Senate governance representing the voice of the faculty. As soon
as issues come up, committees should be formed to discuss and have input to administration on documents
prior to the finalizing of decisions. He also noted that all these initiatives come with extremely fast deadlines
and stressed the need to be proactive in addressing them.
NEW BUSINESS
Committee Reports and Updates
The Committee on Assessment of Governance and Consultation
In Senator Dutta’s absence, Senator Schmidt shared that the survey was circulated only within the
subcommittee and that member candidate John Pipkin is really busy and has not responded regarding a
request to review the survey draft. Chair Stefl-Mabry noted that timing is critical in order to get the survey out
by March and asked that the committee continue to recruit members as was discussed in December.
Senator Janiszewski was then asked to summarize the progress and issues with the formatting of student
questions to be included in the survey. She explained that the sub-committee attempted to determine the role
of students in shared governance. Senator Janiszewski relayed they tried to break down questions for graduate
and undergrad students. She noted she had forwarded the questions formulated to Chair Stefl-Mabry on topics
which the Chair shared including the following: Position and awareness of UAlbany Senate and its functions;
how often does the University seek meaningful input from undergraduates; how adequate are administrative
support structures; awareness of governance bodies; advisement regarding timely degree completion. It was
discussed that the survey could highlight the need to articulate why students should be knowledgeable about
and active in the Senate, how their voices are important, and what the potential gains are for student advocacy
in the Senate. It was noted that only about 400 students can currently opt in the listserv; the other 4,600
students are reached once in a while through a Student Success e-mail blast. In the discussion, it was
recommended the student newsletter feature Senate news and invitations, and perhaps the Senate webpage as
well.
Chair Stefl-Mabry asked that Senators Schmidt and Dutta consult and respond to her regarding whether or not
it would be prudent to share the current survey draft with the President. She suggested potentially running a
mock survey on Survey Monkey and having committee members analyze the data and inspect the data for
effectiveness within the next 2 weeks.
The Ad Hoc Committee on Senate Implications of the CNSE Transfer
Senator Ann Kearney asked that Committee members arrange to meet in the next couple of weeks to prepare a
list of items upon which they have agreed.
Elections
Senator Yenisel Gulatee will be providing dates pertaining to the upcoming elections. She will need from the
community a preliminary slate of candidates, and will later request more. The positions that will be in need of
replacement have been identified, and Senator Gulatee will bring the list to the next meeting to see who GOV
could nominate. There will be cases where the incumbent can run again and where term candidates cannot run
again. The Vice-Senate Chair will be open, and Chair Stefl-Mabry solicited names for candidates from GOV.
Chair Stefl-Mabry noted she would send out the SUNY University Faculty Senate Handbook, a reference that
has a lot of interesting and pertinent information especially in regard to shared governance and what that means.
CAFFECoR
The preliminary draft of an amended charge for CAFFECoR, drawn up by subcommittee members Fox, Scheck
and Janiszewski, was presented by Senator Fox. She explained CAFFECoR is one of the current two standing
committees, along with CERS. She noted a potential problem with the general language which states
“…through the Executive Committee, shall be appointed to be called upon as needed to offer review and
implement policies governing the conduct of the University community.”
She highlighted that is what it has been argued that the committee cannot really do. If that is the case for this
committee, it is probably the case for CERS also. This is a secondary issue she recommend be addressed.
Senator Fox suggested that the composition of the responsibilities be revised to clarify the committee’s role, and
other modifications and substitutions would need to be done to how it currently reads:
VII.7.3.2. Responsibilities.
VII.7.3.2.1. The Senate affirms its commitment to the principle that the widest possible
scope for freedom of expression is the foundation of an institution dedicated to vigorous
inquiry, robust debate, and the continuous search for a proper balance between freedom
and community responsibility. Therefore the Council charges the committee with the
following:
The committee shall take up issues and consider potential problems concerning
matters of academic freedom, freedom of expression and community
responsibility.
The committee shall set fora to foster campus-wide dialogue and debate on
matters of academic freedom, freedom of expression and community
responsibility.
The committee shall recommend policies and forward resolutions pertaining to
matters of academic freedom, freedom of expression and community
responsibility.
Through the rationale they ask, in the debate on the Senate floor it was agreed that the current function is
untenable, but what about the remaining functions? Should there be a standing committee for them or an ad hoc
committee? Senator Fox stated they interpret that they should be a standing committee. Review of the minutes
over the last 10 years revealed that CAFFECoR was set up for and was helping negotiate different
interpretations and policies among different constituencies for many items, such as The Patriot Act and campus
policies regarding freedom of speech. The second part of the rationale would be to clarify these are things they
have done in the past and ought to continue to do. The third part of the rationale would address whether or not
this should be a standing committee to try to stay on top of things instead of catching up.
Senator Schmidt suggested a further revision of responsibilities as outlined in VII.7.3.2.2. CAFFECoR to
include faculties’ role in curricula.
Chair Stefl-Mabry pointed to the need to strengthen and rewrite the draft, and said she would ask SEC to charge
CAFFECoR to begin looking at the following issues discussed in GOV
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Startup NY
Open SUNY
Seamless Transfer
edTPA
Increased hiring of non-tenure tract faculty
Want to know there is faculty input on kinds of companies approved to use SUNY resources align with
the academic mission, and that faculty should have input in the bidding process.
Senator Janiszewski noted the Graduate Association passed a resolution regarding contingent faculty both for
the raising of pay at campus level, and concern for there not being tenure track positions for which to apply.
Having CAFFECoR also take up the issue would be helpful to them.
Chair Stefl-Mabry noted concern that given the tight turnarounds (courtesy of the Governor’s office) there
could potentially not be faculty input due to time constraints. Now, moving forward, it is important to ensure
mechanisms exist and what they are. Senator Schmidt understood that, at the Winter Plenary, SUNY voiced
leaving this process up to local campuses. Discussion continued regarding the concern of GOV and SEC roles
to make sure the mechanisms are in place. It was suggested that Cortland and Startup guidelines and the clause
regarding the President’s decision be looked at regarding the merit of partnerships. The concern is that, for
instance, companies could get tax breaks and not do what was promised. GOV suggests campus governance
role is to suggest that benchmarks are included in contractual agreements so that the University can review and
assess the benefits companies provide to the University
The status of the CAFFECoR amendment is that the committee will continue working on some of the language
and suggest changes. Meanwhile, the amendment has to be introduced to the SEC at least 10 days before the
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 1:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Elisa Lopez, Recorder