University at Albany, State University of New York
Governance Council
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Susanna Fessler, Chair
Minutes
PRESENT:
Tom Bessette, Nan Carroll, Jane Domaracki, Reed Hoyt, Candace Merbler, John
Pipkin, Tremayne Price, John Schmidt, Janet Sussman, Daniel White
The meeting convened at 3:03 pm.
CHAIR’S REPORT BY SUSANNA FESSLER
Chair Fessler did not have anything to report at this time. She suggested that this time slot may
be a good time for everyone for the semester and has requested an additional poll be sent to
obtain availability.
OLD BUSINESS
Minor Revision to Language of Charter Section X.3.8.4.1:
Last year GOV reviewed a request to make a minor change to the language of the above Charter
section that would eliminate an anachronism concerning membership of school and college
representatives on UAC’s Appellate Subcommittee on Academic Standing. The change did not
require a vote by the Senate but it was not completed and an anachronism remains. The change
concerns the School of Information Science and Policy. Vice Provost for Undergraduate
Education Sue Faerman proposed making the change to “College of Computing and
Information”. It was proposed by John Schmidt that the language read “Three representatives
should be invited from each of the following schools or colleges…” This would eliminate the
need to repeat “School” or “College of”. A motion was made to approve the change and the
change was approved unanimously. The GOV chair will report this to the SEC, and barring
objection, the change will be made to the Charter.
Follow-up on Resolution 0910-02--Evaluation of Administrators and Administrative
Services and Functions:
At the end of the spring semester, the Senate passed a resolution that charged the Senate
Executive Committee (SEC) to develop a process to evaluate administrators, as well as
administrative services and functions. Chair Fessler has consulted with Immediate Past Chair
Range who informed her that the SEC charged GOV to develop an additional ad hoc committee
to form the process in April 2010. Chair Fessler also consulted with past GOV Chair Lifshin
who informed her that the process was not completed. In a review of the minutes from the May
6th meeting, the current GOV Chair noted that the 2009-2010 GOV had planned to seek best
practices from SUNY Stony Brook and SUNY Binghamton. It was agreed that the current GOV
should do this before moving forward. SUNY Senator Daniel White said he will provide GOV
members with the appropriate links to their webs sites. After GOV members have reviewed the
links, members will need to identify what is different on this campus and what to adopt as policy
on this campus. GOV will focus on the formation of the committee and the frequency of the
evaluations, and then identify who will conduct the evaluation. The discussion will be continued
at GOV’s next meeting. Chair Fessler stated that she hopes this can be accomplished soon, as
GOV is already behind schedule on this issue.
NEW BUSINESS
Formation of Council Sub-Committees and other Council Responsibilities:
Chair Fessler reiterated the responsibilities of GOV as identified in the Charter. Maintaining the
“Senate Handbook” is one of those responsibilities. A discussion about the Handbook ensued.
Veteran members of GOV indicated that the Handbook has been in a reviewing and revision
process for several years. A subcommittee that was formed two years ago did extensive work on
the document but it was never formally distributed to council members or posted to the Senate
website. It was decided that Senate Secretary Bessette would get a copy of the document as it
now stands and distribute it. GOV members agreed the handbook should be on the Senate
website and updated frequently. Chair Fessler would like to have it available for the upcoming
Senate orientation.
Committee on Liaison and Elections--GOV reviewed the composition of the committee.
Daniel White, Candace Merbler and Nan Carroll agreed to serve as the three Council
members. As for the remaining members of the committee, Chair Fessler suggested
referring to the list of people who submitted the participation form for Senate service but
were not placed. Candace Merbler stated that she would like to see junior faculty have
the opportunity to become involved and would reach out to them.
Committee on Council Nomination--The Committee is self populated by Senate officers
and council chairs.
Committee on Mediation--GOV members agreed that this committee would be populated
only if there were a need.
Committee on Assessment of Governance and Consultation (CAGC)--Chair Fessler
reviewed the charge of the committee, one of the responsibilities being evaluation of the
effectiveness of governance. Nan Carroll noted that faculty perception and knowledge of
governance was part of the Middle States review and recommendations are already
written and publicly available. The Middle States report called for assessment of faculty
perceptions of governance done by a survey. This could be a starting point for the
committee to meet is responsibilities. It was agreed that GOV members should review the
Middle States report and discuss at further meetings whether there is a) a problem with
governance, b) a perceived (but unreal) problem with governance or c) a combination of
the two.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:42 pm.
Respectfully submitted by,
Gail Cameron, Recorder
