University at Albany, State University of New York
Governance Council
Friday, September 18, 2009
Eric Lifshin, Chair
Minutes
The meeting convened at 3:28 pm
MINUTES:
The minutes of April 27, 2009 were previously approved via e-mail by 2008-2009 Council
members and no further action was needed.
CHAIR’S REPORT BY ERIC LIFSHIN
Chair Lifshin informed GOV members that the Executive Committee had met this past Monday
and the Senate will meet next Monday.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion of Provost’s comments on recommendations for the Honors College Governing
Board:
Chair Lifshin received a request from Provost Phillips on August 22, for a slate of six faculty
members to serve on the Governing Board of the Honors College. Her request gave a deadline
of September 11 for submitting those recommendations. The Chair submitted the
recommendations on September 10. GOV members discussed the Provost’s follow-up
correspondence with comments concerning the selections and the criteria that were used. GOV
members felt additional information provided in the Provost’s request would have been helpful.
GOV members also felt that more time was needed in this particular request and that the Chair
acted appropriately in making such a request. Chair Lifshin suggested that, for future
consideration, someone who is making a request for a slate of candidates might join GOV to
answer questions and address concerns. Overall, GOV believed they met the objective through
a holistic approach.
Recommendation of Members for the Committee to Select DTP and DSP:
Currently, there are two positions that need to be filled on the Selection Committee. GOV
members reviewed Senate Bill 0708-05 and the role of GOV in the selection process. Chair
Lifshin requested that a list of current Distinguished members be distributed to GOV members.
The list should also include those members who are currently serving on the Committee and
their terms. GOV members will submit their recommendations from that list via email. The
timing and recommendations will be discussed at the next meeting.
Charter changes relating to membership of the Appellate Subcommittee on Academic
Standing
GOV also reviewed a request to eliminate an anachronism in the Senate Charter, section
X.3.8.4.1 concerning membership of school and college representatives on UAC’s Appellate
Subcommittee on Academic Standing: “… Three representatives shall be invited from the
College of Arts and Sciences and one from each of the following: Business, Criminal Justice,
Education, Information Science and Policy, Rockefeller College, and Social Welfare.” In the
period following the Charter’s approval, the ISP School has evolved into the College of
Computing and Information and there are now undergraduate major programs in the College of
Nanoscale Science and Engineering and the School of Public Health. The Council felt the
intent of the Charter was clear and voted unanimously that these are simple housekeeping
changes and do not require a formal amendment of the Senate Charter.
Setting a meeting schedule
Council members agreed to meet on alternate Fridays at 4:00 pm. The next meeting will be
held on October 2. A full schedule of meetings will be provided to all members.
OLD BUSINESS:
Senate Handbook
Reed Hoyt informed GOV members that the draft of the document was started with the Chair
that preceded him, Diane Dewar. The most recent draft results from work completed over the
summer. It was agreed that further revisions should be tabled until matters concerning the
Charter amendments from last year are resolved.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:16 pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Gail Cameron, Recorder
