Senate Executive Committee
University Hall 306
January 23rd, 2:45pm
MINUTES
Meeting commenced at 2:53
Attendees: Mary Ellen Mallia; Deborah LaFond; Billie Franchini; Sam Axley; Chris Poehlman;
Christy Smith; Sean Rafferty; Robert Rosenwig; Kaylynn Enright; Karin Reinhold; Zina
Lawrence; Jim Mower Elga Wulfert; Ann Marie Murray
Approval of SEC minutes of November 26, 2018
Discussion:
There was some discussion of the policy for policy making, and whether it could be utilized to
address the change in the policy on naming buildings. There is a committee who is working on
this policy who will come to present to UPPC. They are currently seeking names for buildings
that are not descriptive of the departments inside, to avoid confusion as units move from one
building to the next for rehab.
Addition to the minutes of the November 26 meeting: there was some contestation of the
definitions of terms as well as conflation of sexual harassment and consensual relationships as
well as civil rights law concerns. Add mention of where comments should be sent.
The policy was sent to SUNY Central, but we will have another chance to work on the policies
for UAlbany specifically.
Motion to approve: 9 in favor; 0 opposed; 0 abstentions
Q: Comment on the status of the search for the new Provost
A: The Provost shared that from the Executive Council meeting the President announced that the
search is moving forward on time and the pool looks strong.
Q: Could a committee be created to rank proposals for action plans and initiatives for next year’s
funding?
A: The Provost shared that she will check in with VP Foreman and pass along what he says.
Chairs Report: Ann Marie Murray shared with Senate leadership that a committee will be
convened to examine the process for program review and approval. President Rodriguez will be
addressing the Senate on February 4th.
1. SUNY Senators’ Report – Diane Hamilton, Latonia Spencer, Sam Axley
UFS: Plenary was in Cobleskill, where there was a number of reports and updates including from
the Provost, the CFO and others. The resolution summary was shared. Chair Mower shared that
there may be issues with quorum on the Ratification Process change in order to approve the
change. Senator Axley will pursue information on how this vote can be conducted. Senator
LaFond mentioned that for a Change to Length of Service for Distinguished Professorships
should include a term that is inclusive of the appropriate rank of librarian. It was confirmed that
it was already present in the source documents. Senator Axley will share greater details in
writing at a later date.
There was some discussion of targeted efforts as a campus and as a system to grow the number
and quality of online courses and programs. Various opportunities and concerns were discussed,
and there was general agreement that there is a program development and a faculty development
piece that both need to be addressed.
Provost’s Chief of Staff Murray reminded that the Plenary will be hosted at UAlbany in the
spring.
2. Graduate Student Organization Report – Kaylynn Enright, Lead Senator
Passed a resolution on parking because graduate students are staying late or coming early and
they get tickets. There is a higher education action day and GSO members will attend to
advocate. They are voting on the Student Activity Fee.
3. Student Association Report – Langie Cadesca, President
Not present.
4. Council/Committee Chair Reports:
i. CAA – Istvan Kecskes/Mary Ellen Mallia, Co- Chairs – Nothing to add
ii. CAFFECoR – Malcolm Sherman, Chair – Not present
iii. CERS – Youqin Huang, Chair – Not present
iv. COR –Robert Rosenswig, Chair – Nothing to add
v. CPCA – James Hargett, Chair – Not present
vi. GAC – Sean Rafferty, Chair – Nothing to add
vii. GOV – Zina Lawrence, Chair -- The Council is taking up bills on the use of
Senate email (listserv) and another on campus security. Christy Smith
volunteered to serve on the committee.
viii. LISC – Billie Franchini, Chair – Nothing to add
ix. UAC – Christy Smith/Karen Kiorpes, Co-Chairs: The Council approved a
forensic science minor
x. ULC – Deborah LaFond, Chair – Nothing to add
xi. UPPC – Karin Reinhold, Chair -- The issue of naming buildings will be
brought before UPPC. There has also been discussion of which group should
establish the ranking for strategic planning initiative. UPPC has suggested that
it be the Strategic Plan implementation team. UPPC will consider whether
there is a way of shortening the process of approval for combined programs.
New Business:
a. Resolution on December/Departmental Commencement Ceremonies—Deborah
LaFond, ULC
Discussion -- Departmental:
Debra LaFond had to leave the meeting early but left information that was shared by Jim Mower.
There was some discussion about the option to hold departmental graduation ceremonies as long
as it is not within the “blackout times”. It was discussed that there are conflict with exams,
unequal resources between departments, etc. It was suggested that a message should be sent to
faculty encouraging flexibility in Thursday’s exam. It was shared that there is a committee to
discuss all of this with faculty representation, and so if there are schools and colleges without
representation they should reach out to Christy Doyle or Peter Smith to be added to the
committee. Another member mentioned that there are clear and specific logistical constraints
that were shared by University Events, and if there are no proposed solutions to the space
problem and other constraints it should not be brought forward as a resolution. Others indicated
that historically resolutions are positions that do not necessarily have to include solutions. It was
suggested that it be recommended to ULC to provide some solutions so that it is conveyed that
the Senate understands the challenges and are open to working together to find solutions.
Vote: Departmental Graduations 7 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstention
Discussion -- December: It was suggested that when eliminating the December graduation was
first proposed it was indicated that it was a cost consideration, so maybe there would be an
opportunity to revisit to see if that is still an issue, and that there will also be a new Provost
which may give an opportunity for revisiting this. It was suggested that students should have the
option to graduate the year before or the year after, or to change the number of remaining credits
required to “walk”. Another concern is that people move away and so cannot come back, or that
students are not happy graduating with students who they don’t know. This also seems to send a
bad message to students that their celebration is not a priority. Some senators shared that
according to surveys students may not actually be interested.
Vote: December graduation 7 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention
Climate Action and Sustainability Plan: Mary Ellen Mallia (presentation attached)
Discussion:
Add a distinction like the Global Distinction?
Share with the local media? Add it to our messaging?
Mary Ellen Mallia will share this presentation throughout the community of University
stakeholders.
