University at Albany, State University of New York
Governance Council
R. Michael Range, Chair
September 5, 2008
Minutes
Present:
Erin Bell, Ray Bromley, Nan Carroll, Richard Collier, Edward Cupoli,
Candace Merbler, John Monfasani, R. Michael Range, John Schmidt
Minutes:
The Minutes of April 11, 2008 were unanimously approved.
The meeting convened at 12:35.
There was discussion of a meeting that was held on April 18, 2008. Members reconstructed from
memory that this was a follow up to the FYE discussion of April 11 to present one of the three options
to Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Sue Faerman. Option 1 was recommended to the Senate
and the Senate was in agreement with this selection. A report is expected at the next Senate meeting
on September 22.
Agenda topics:
Future meetings: In order to remain consistent with other Senate meetings, it was agreed that future
meetings of the Governance Council will be held on Monday afternoons at 3:30 pm, alternating with
those of the Senate and Senate Executive Committee. The next meeting will be held on September 15
in UNH 306. (A full schedule of meetings appears at the end of the minutes.)
Membership of 2008-2009 Committee to Select DTP and DSP:
Last year the Council formulated new guidelines to be consistent with the SUNY-wide Senate that
were approved by the Senate and by Interim President Philip. The membership is to be composed of
three DTP and three DSP, the chair of the senate, ex officio, and an appointee of the President.
Currently, there are two members serving the second year of a two-year term and two members serving
the second year of a three-year term. Recommendations for prospective members and alternates to
replace the two members whose terms expired last spring were made and unanimously approved.
Those names will be submitted to the President, and, once he approves, the membership of the
committee will be communicated to the Senate and posted to the web site.
There was considerable discussion regarding the need for a more diverse membership among the
selections. There are currently no guidelines in place requiring a particular demographic aside from
rank.
Charter Amendment Proposed by LISC: Discussed at length was the issue of an ex officio
member chairing a committee and whether it should be recommended to the Senate that the ex officio
member not be made chair. The chair of the Senate would like the GOV to also discuss whether chairs
of departments are eligible to chair councils and if there is anything in writing that would prohibit such
action. This needs further discussion on the part of the GOV members. Defining the role of chair will
need to be taken into consideration as part of the next discussion.
Middle States Self Study: The formation of a steering committee is moving forward following the
steps outlined in the Middle States guidelines. A letter drafted by GOV and sent to the President in
May, after the President had announced that he had appointed Vice Provost Sue Faerman as chair of
the steering committee, made recommendations regarding the leadership of the steering committee and
for candidates for consideration as vice-chair and for committee membership. It was recently
announced by the President that he appointed Sue Faerman and Steven Messner as co-chairs of the
steering committee. It was recommended that these individuals be invited for further discussion at the
next meeting of GOV. The chair will follow up with the arrangements. An update on the process is
expected at the Senate Executive Committee meeting on Monday, September 8, 2008.
Adjourned at 1:46 PM
Recorded and submitted by
Gail Cameron
2008-2009 Governance Council
Fall Schedule of Meetings
3:30 PM, UNH 306*
(*except where noted)
September, 15, 2008
October 13, 2008
October 27, 2008*
November 20, 2008
November 24, 2008
December 8, 2008
December 22, 2008
(if absolutely necessary)
*to he held in UNH 105
