University Senate Executive Committee
Monday, September 12, 2016
2:45 PM
UNH 306
Jim Collins, Senate Chair
Minutes
Present:
Collins, James; Fabris, Daniele; Fox, Cynthia A; Hamilton, Diane; Jerison, Michael; Jewell, Carol; Little, Walter;
Mamorella, David; McNutt, Louise-Anne; Mower, James; Poehlmann, Christian; Reinhold, Karin; Smith, Christy;
Spencer, Latonia
The meeting convened at 2:45 p.m.
APPROVAL OF SEC MINUTES
The minutes of April 27th were approved, with 6 abstentions.
PROVOST’S REPORT – JAMES R. STELLAR
The President’s last day would be September 23rd, and there would be a new Interim President selected. As a candidate,
the Provost added that he would be interviewed by the Board of Trustees the following day, with an announcement of
the result on Wednesday. During the morning's renaming of the East Campus to the Health Sciences Campus, George
Hearst underlined that there is a great team in place which will carry on.
We have a lot of items on our agenda. With the 2 new colleges of Homeland Security and of Engineering and Applied
Sciences, we have hired 73 new faculty members this year. We are really happy that they are joining us. Our faculty,
students and staff are the great strength of our University. Provost Stellar then touched on several topics including the
following: a successful Convocation ceremony; optimism about the pending freshman to sophomore conversion rates;
the strategic planning process and formation of that committee; a new "futuring white papers" process; and a "concert of
ideas" event that will take place in early December.
In closing, Provost Stellar stated that when twice visited by SUNY, they indicated that the University at Albany is doing
a lot of good things. They advised that when it comes time for the presidential search to pick someone who agrees with
what we have been doing, and SUNY will support that decision. The presidential search starts this fall led by the
University Council under its Chair Michael Castellana. We will work together as a University to keep the momentum
going and use the strategic plan in a creative way. We expect that our new President will come in and continue that
momentum.
Chair Collins asked to modify the agenda to begin with the Past Chair’s report.
UNIVERSITY SENATE IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR’S REPORT – Cynthia Fox
I. Informational
a. On May 12, Senate leadership (Fox, Collins, Stefl-Mabry) met with Provost Stellar, Chief of Staff Wirkkula and Vice
Provost Bruce Szelest to discuss the administrative review process.
c. On June 6, the Interim Dean of CEAS distributed a memo announcing the reorganization of the information science
disciplines within the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Chair Fox referred the matter to the Governance
Council to determine whether formal consultation as required by University Senate Bylaws Article 1 Section 2.2.2 had
taken place.
b. On June 9, Senate leadership (Fox, Collins, Stefl-Mabry) had its first monthly leadership meeting with Provost Stellar
and Chief of Staff Wirkkula since February. The topics discussed included formal consultation that needs to take place
this summer, and especially the question of when UPPC will be brought into the Compact Planning process;
compensation for contingent faculty representatives and for Senate Campus Governance Leadership; jawboning the
Deans in support of the Senate; and administrative review of the statement that GOV prepared for the Senate website.
d. On June 21, Senate leadership (Fox, Collins, Stefl-Mabry), Collins, Stefl-Mabry, Gulatee) met with incoming officers
(Reinhold, Poehlmann) to prepare for leadership transition.
e. On July 15, Senate leadership (Fox Collins, Stefl-Mabry) attended meeting with Provost Stellar, Vice Provosts
Hedberg and Szelest for formal consultation on a transition to permanence for the Dean of the College of Engineering
and Applied Sciences.
f. On July 15, Senate leadership was informed that the Senate Vice Chair and the Immediate Past Chair will each
receive one course release for the 2016-17 academic year.
g. On July 19, President Jones called a meeting of Senate leadership (Fox, Collins, Stefl-Mabry) and the Council of
Deans at which he announced his resignation from the University at Albany effective at the end of September.
h. On August 4, Senate leadership (Fox, Collins, Stefl-Mabry) and the Council of Deans participated in a meeting with
SUNY Provost Andrew Cartwright. We were invited to forward recommendations for an internal candidate to be
selected and named Interim President by the trustees at their meeting in mid-September. The individual selected will not
be considered for the permanent position. Provost Cartwright also outlined the presidential search process which will be
led by the University Council President Michael Castellana and completed so that a new president is in place in time for
the next academic year.
i. On August 9, Senate leadership (Fox, Collins, Stefl-Mabry) received a request from Provost Stellar for formal
consultation on a transition to permanence for the Library Dean.
j. On August 17, Incoming Senate Chair Collins wrote University Council Chair Michael Castellana to initiate
communication regarding the upcoming search for a new President for the University.
k. On August 22, Incoming Senate Chair Collins wrote University Council Chair Michael Castellana to request that
the Presidential Search Committee be expanded to include an additional (7th) faculty member, a graduate
student, and an additional (2nd) representative from the campus foundation board. The request is provided for in
the current SUNY Guidelines.
The administration’s support of and consultation with Senate leadership was appreciated regarding 1) the
transition of the 2 interim deans to permanence; 2) the merger of 2 departments in CEAS, where GOV determined
that to constitute formal consultation the proposal needed to go through the standard Senate review process.
UNIVERSITY SENATE CHAIR’S REPORT – James Collins
I. Informational
1. Chair Collins has been in email and telephone communication with University Council Chair Castellana and SUNY Provost Cartwright
regarding the Presidential Search Process in light of President Jones’ resignation. The primary, but not exclusive, Senate role will be
nominating and electing 6-7 faculty representatives to the Presidential Search Committee. Chair Collins will take part in a conference call
on these and related matters on 9/2/16, and will report on the 12th to the SEC.
2. Chair Collins worked with the Provost’s Office and Senate leaders to respond to CEAS proposals. Both Governance and UPPC were
convened as part of this effort.
3. Chair Collins and Immediate Past Chair Fox and several members of UPPC met in July with James Van Voorst, VP for Finances and
Administration, to discuss the most recent (2015-2016) Compact Planning Process. We were informed that award decisions have been
made, but not announced, and so we do not know how the CP funds were distributed. All parties agreed to improve the consultation
process by involving the Senate and, in particular, UPPC, earlier in the process. This will likely entail at least one UPPC meeting over the
summer.
II. Actions taken
N/A
III. Recommendations for actions
Chair Collins wants to work with the SEC to improve the working conditions of all Councils, beginning with educating all council
members about their council mandates, and focusing council rosters to that Councils are best able to conduct their mission.
Chief of Staff Leanne Wirkkula, Chair Collins and U Council Chair Castellana discussed on 9/2 that Michael
Castellana would work on an outline and overview of the selection process soon. They will then discuss, including GOV
Chair/Vice Chair Karin Reinhold, the call for nominees, final slates, etc.
We met in the summer regarding the CEAS proposals and are pleased that they will go through the appropriate
governance channels.
The 2 important UPPC subcommittees previously discussed will be meeting regularly.
Chair Collins, GOV Chair Reinhold and other GOV members worked on the Survey on Governance and Consultation
report, to be presented at the October Senate meeting. There will be a forum as a follow-up.
Chair Collins reminded of the importance of the timely submission of electronic reports for the SEC and Senate.
OTHER REPORTS
UFS (University Faculty Senate) – Diane Hamilton, Walter Little & Latonia Spencer, SUNY Senators
Nothing submitted.
Senator Little noted he had become by default part of the Executive Committee for the state Senate. It had been a big
day, with a teleconference of the search committee for the Chancellor, and he would serve as a conduit to the search
process to forward questions, concerns or names for consideration. They want to hear from us. There was
overwhelming concern regarding ensuring participation in real shared governance, and over the candidate’s
advocating preferences. Chief of Staff Leanne Wirkkula noted that she believes University Council Chair and alum
Michael Castellana serves on the search committee, as well as former SA President/SUNY BOT member Mark Cohen.
Provost Stellar urged everyone to participate and thanked Senator Little for his service. As sector rep, Senator Little
will also be permitted to ask the Chancellor direct question on behalf of the campus. Upcoming meetings: Executive
Committee – 9/15 & 9/16; SUNY-wide Faculty Plenary – 10/20 – 22 at SUNY Cobleskill; Diversity Conference to
which ODI will send representatives. – 11/9 & 11/10.
GSA (Graduate Student Association) – Jefferson Garcia, GSA President
Assembly Resolutions and Advocacy
Nothing submitted.
SA (Student Association) – Felix Abreu, Student Association President
Nothing submitted.
COUNCIL/COMMITTEE CHAIRS’ REPORTS:
CAA (Council on Academic Assessment) – James Mower, Chair
CAA met on May 3, 2016 to review and vote for approval of 2 reports, as follows:
1) Assessment Report of the Department of Philosophy (approved)
2) Assessment Report of the Department of Psychology (approved)
CAFFECoR (Committee on Academic Freedom, Freedom of Expression, and Community Responsibility) –
Carol Jewell, Chair
Nothing to report.
CAFFECoR had its first meeting that past Friday. They reviewed last year’s work and discussed possible projects for
this year, including addressing academic freedom issues related to students.
CERS (Committee on Ethics in Research and Scholarship) – Michael Jerison, Chair
Nothing to report.
COR (Council on Research) – Daniele Fabris, Chair
Nothing to report.
COR had met that afternoon and started to put together its subcommittees. Additional members were requested and
charges of the subcommittees were reviewed.
CPCA (Council on Promotions and Continuing Appointments) – Louise-Anne McNutt, Chair
Nothing to report.
CPCA would meet that Wednesday.
GAC (Graduate Academic Council) – James Fossett, Chair
Nothing to report.
GOV (Governance Council) – Karin Reinhold, Chair
Nothing to report.
GOV met on September 7th and had initially planned to discuss nominations for the presidential search committee. That
changed to a mainly organizational and informational meeting. GOV formed its subcommittees and plans to discuss
representation of contingent faculty in the Senate.
LISC (Council on Libraries, Information Systems, and Computing) – David Mamorella, Chair
Nothing to report.
LISC would have its first meeting the next Monday.
UAC (Undergraduate Academic Council) –Karen Kiorpes and Christy Smith, Co-Chairs
Nothing to report.
ULC (University Life Council) – Ekow King, Chair
Nothing to report.
UPPC (University Planning and Policy Council) – Cynthia Fox
I. Informational
a. UPPC met on July 19 to receive an update on the Compact Planning Process from Vice President Van Voorst and Associate Vice
President Bessette.
b. UPPC met on August 31. The major item of business was the consideration of a Letter of Intent and Campus Impact Form for a Master
of Science Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering (CEAS)
II. Actions Taken
a. UPPC voted to approve the LOI pending minor changes.
b. Chair Fox received the amended documents on September 1. They have been signed and forward to Provost Stellar.
III. Recommendations
a. That UPPC’s participation in the Compact Planning process occur sooner so that meaningful consultation can occur, and that the
timeline be announced sufficiently ahead of time so that members can plan to attend a summer meeting.
b. That UPPC receive bi-annual reports providing information on how progress has been made on previously approved compact planning
proposals. Such reports should include the impact of the proposed item (operational/fiscal), updates on the time period of the initiative to
be realized, and a summarization of the outcomes measured as well as a description of the tracking and measurement methodology used.
UPPC had its first meeting on August 31st. The Chair set up a review schedule for potential items to get through to the
Senate and would be getting that message out. They would be meeting again a week from Wednesday. Items on the
agenda would include 2 letters of intent for the reorganization of 1) the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
and Informational Science and 2) splitting of departments in the School of Business, details to follow. Both items call
for formal consultation, and Chair Fox asked the department Deans for further information.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Last semester the SEC had tabled the resolutions below until changes could be reviewed. CAFFECoR Chair
Carol Jewell provided an overview.
*SENATE RESOLUTION 1516-01R: RESOLUTION ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM POLICY
A motion was made and, after discussion, was unanimously approved that the above resolution was ready to be
forwarded to the Senate floor. Though the proposed resolution was immediately accepted by the administration,
members had agreed to vote on the proposal formally.
*SENATE RESOLUTION 1516-02R: RESOLUTION ON ATTACKS ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM
CAFFECoR drafted this resolution as the result of having been consulted regarding an alleged faculty harassment
incident. A motion was made that the above resolution was ready to be forwarded to the Senate floor, with the
following voting results: Approved 12; Opposed 0; Abstained: 1
*Note that the resolution numbering was revised as a result of discussion and a vote at the Senate September 26,
2016 meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
SENATE BILL 1617-01: PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION MANAGEMENT
Chair Collins noted that the proposal had been recommended by GAC and UPPC after the final SEC meeting of
last semester, and so it had come to the SEC for review at this first meeting of the fall semester. A motion was
made and, after discussion, was unanimously approved that the above proposal was ready to be forwarded to the
Senate floor.
SENATE RESOLUTION 1516-03R: RESOLUTION ON STUDENT REPRESENTATION IN
GOVERNANCE
GOV Chair Reinhold and former GOV Chairs Collins and Fox provided background on the resolution, which
started as a request from GSA. A motion was made and, after discussion, was unanimously approved that the
above proposal was ready to be forwarded to the Senate floor.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Elisa Lopez, Recorder
