COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE SUMMARIES
UNIVERSITY SENATE – May 14, 2007
As submitted to Dick Collier, Secretary, University Senate
CAA (Council on Academic Assessment) -- William Lanford, Chair
Nothing to report.
COR (Council on Research) – Lawrence Schell, Chair
The final meeting of the Council on Research was held n May 2nd. The council discussed the proposed change in policy regarding
indirect cost allocation with Deans Horney, Phillips and Wick-Pelletier. VP Videka gave her report to the council. The Benevolent Review
Committee has made changes to the application form that was endorsed by the full council. A proposal for the establishment of a new
university center, the Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, was received and discussed. Senator Frank Hauser took over
as chair for the discussion. The Committee on Centers and Institutes recommended establishing this center which had provisional status
before. The motion was discussed and then carried unanimously. It was forwarded to VP Videka and the Senate.
CPCA (Council on Promotions and Continuing Appointments) -- David Shub, Chair
The council has been meeting for 2 ½ - 3 hours once a week throughout the spring semester. We are on track to clear all of
our cases by the last day of classes.
GAC (Graduate Academic Council) -- Sally Friedman, Chair
GAC met on 5/4. We discussed changes to several programs and voted on some: Changes to qualifying exam structure in
Department of Economics: we approved. M.S. in Forensic Biology: we approved. School of Education – Department of Educational
Theory and Practice’s request for program revisions to the MS in General Educational Studies: we approved; needs to go to UPC and
full Senate in fall. Structure of program in Doctor of Public Health: more discussion in fall. A change in the name of the M.A.
program in LACS to conform to the department name of the Department of Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies: we
approved; must go through NY State.
GOV (Governance Council) -- Reed Hoyt, Chair
The Governance Council met on 23 April with guest Ray Bromley, Director of International Programs. Professor Bromley met
with the Executive Committee on 30 April. The Council discussed a draft of a handbook for senators, senate officers, and council chairs.
LISC (Council on Libraries, Information Systems, and Computing) – Daniel White, Chair
Nothing to report.
UAC (Undergraduate Academic Council) – John Monfasani, Chair
The UAC approved several items which are before the Senate.
ULC (University Life Council) – Joan Savitt, Chair
ULC is discussing ways that the University at Albany might provide assistance to newly admitted students who will be living
off campus. The needs are clear but the resources are not! We expect this topic to be carried over into the 2007-08 academic year. A
joint proposal from ULC and UPC on Recreation is before the Senate.
UPC (University Planning and Policy Council) – Steven Messner, Chair
UPC met on April 19th and took the following action: Approved the draft academic calendar for 2008-9 proposed by Robert
Gibson, University Registrar; Approved a proposal for the termination of the BA in Broadcast Meteorology and the initiation of a
Broadcast Meteorology minor available to students pursuing the Atmospheric Science BS. The council discussed “Reading Day” but
did not take action requiring any recommendation for change.
The council also met on May 3rd and took the following action: Approved a slightly revised resolution originally proposed by
ULC on enhancing recreational facilities; Approved the request for a change in the designation of the Major in “Public Policy” to
“Public Policy and Management.”
Council members consulted with Mary Gallant from the School of Public Health on the proposal for an undergraduate major
in Public Health. As a faculty-initiated major, the proposal does not require formal UPC approval. The council also began discussions
of a proposal for a change in the MS in General Education Studies.
CAFFECoR (Committee on Academic Freedom, Freedom of Expression, and Community Responsibility)
-- Lawrence Snyder, Chair
Nothing to report.
CERS (Committee on Ethics in Research and Scholarship) -- Elga Wulfert, Chair
CERS and the Vice President for Research met to discuss possible changes to the policy because its application has revealed
some areas of ambiguity. Further discussions are scheduled to take place with the Officer in Charge, the VPR, and University Counsel.
Amendments to the policy are likely and will be brought before the Senate in the fall.
