University at Albany, State University of New York
Governance Council
October 15, 2007
Minutes
John Delano, Chair
Present:
Nan Carroll, Richard Collier, Edward Cupoli, John Delano,
John Monfasani, Theresa Pardo, R. Michael Range,
Helen Strother, Edward Waltz
Minutes:
The Minutes of October 1, 2007 were approved.
Discussion on Revisions to the Guidelines dealing with the Selection Committee for
Evaluating Nominees for Promotion to Distinguished Teaching Professor (DTP) and
Distinguished Service Professor (DSP):
Chair Delano reported that he met for 90 minutes with all members of the 2006-2007
Local Selection Committee for DTP and DSP last week, as a courtesy, and because they
have expertise and insights that would be important for the Governance Council to
discuss.
 Committee Membership Numbers: There was discussion on the number of
people assigned to the Local Selection Committee. It was agreed that
increasing the membership of the Selection Committee will provide not only
broader representation from among the different schools and colleges of the
University, but also allow individuals holding the rank of full professor to
understand the threshold of merit that nominees must surmount to be
nominated to the President for promotion to the Distinguished rank.
 Lower Ranking Faculty: Allowing faculty of lower rank voting on the
promotion of faculty of higher rank and the ramifications involved was
discussed.
 Student Representation: Student representation on this committee was also
considered; and that led to discussion on student representation on the CPCA.
It was agreed that it may not be proper to have students voting on faculty
promotions. After long discussion, it was agreed that members of the CPCA
should consider removing representation. (That would require a Bylaw or
Charter change.)
 Ex Officio Members: Discussion on ex officio members being eligible to be
elected as chair concluded with agreeing that the committee should be
compared with all other Senate Committees, i.e., ex officio members are not
eligible to serve as chair.
After lengthy discussion, Chair Delano and Senator Range said they will put the final
agreed upon amendments to the policy and send it out to SEC and GOV members for
review.
Chair Delano said that the Governance Council will be recommending the list of
individuals to be on 2007-2008 Local Selection Committee membership. He will
forward a list of eligible Distinguished faculty to members and this Council will be
nominating members to the Local Selection Committee at its next meeting.
The original bill that the Governance Council approved at its prior meeting has remained
intact. A friendly amendment will occur on the Senate floor stating that full professors
would be members of this committee for one year non-renewable terms; they will be full
professors without excellence awards or Collins fellows.
VOTE: One year non-renewable appointment, full professor not having either
Excellence Awards in teaching and service, or Collins Fellows are eligible for
membership on this committee. They have to be incompliance with the UAlbany
eligibility list. This was unanimously approved.
Senate Charter Discussion: There was discussion on the need for the Senate Charter,
to be clearer on processes, i.e., majors, faculty initiated majors, etc., going through
governance. Also, administratively top-down proposals process needs to be worked on.
Senator Monfasani spoke on the “First Year Experience,” he suggested there needs to be
restructuring of the composition of the UAC.
Meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Jayne VanDenburgh, Recorder