Graduate Academic Council
2010 – 2011
Minutes of the Council meeting of September 24, 2010
Approved by the Council on October 12, 2010.
In attendance: J. Baronner (staff), F. Bolton (staff), S. Chittur, S. Commuri, C. Fox, , T.
Groves, S. Kazanas, L. Kranich (Chair), W. Lanford, H. Miller, N. Novroski
Guests: R. Bromley, S. Goel
Unable to attend: J. Aini, J. Bartow (staff), G. Cameron, L. Fuller, T. Timmons, K. Williams
1. Chairs report – L. Kranich
Dean Williams is unable to attend today’s meeting since he is at a meeting of the SUNY
University Faculty Senate. The Dean requested the Chair report that the NRC rankings
will be available on Monday of next week. The data will also be available. Dean
Williams will be reporting to programs next week.
The Executive Committee met on September 13th. Chair Eric Lifshin mentioned that one
of the themes he would like to stress this year is community outreach. This is one of the
“big ideas” contained in Chancellor Zimpher’s Power of SUNY plan.
An orientation meeting for both new and on-going senators was held last Monday (9/20).
Each Council Chair was asked to present a description of their council, the main agenda
items from last year, and the anticipated items of business for this year.
Monday (9/27) is the Senate’s first meeting for 2010-11.
The Chair mentioned that he had requested council members to provide their Net ID in
order to establish permission to access the wiki site containing the CAA reports. Bruce
Szelest informed the Chair of a problem editing the security settings for the wiki site.
Members from last year should be able to continue accessing the site, but new members
have not yet been given access. The Council is scheduled to begin discussing the CAA
reports at its October 1st meeting. However, that meeting may have to be postponed if the
problem persists
2. New Business
Council Committee Memberships
The Council needs another member of the teaching faculty. The Council unanimously
approved the committee memberships contingent on identifying an additional member of
the teaching faculty and reserving approval of that member for a future meeting.
School of Business Proposed Graduate Certificate Program in Information Security
Professor Ray Bromley, Office of International Education, and Professor Sanjay Goel,
Information Technology Management and Informatics, presented the proposed Graduate
Certificate in Information Security. There is much interest from NY State Police, from
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September 24, 2010
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professionals in the U.S. North-East, and from the international community. Logistics of
moving to a different country for an extended period is an impediment for some
international students. To reduce the burden, a blended curriculum is planned with some
classes offered on-line and others being held in Albany. The program would be offered in
the summer to make it more viable for students to attend classes. The program consists of
five courses, four core (required) and one elective. The University has the necessary
expertise to offer a coherent graduate certificate in Information Security. The certificate
would help us develop foreign markets and relationships. Completing a Masters or PhD
program at the University is very expensive for international students. Bringing this
program into existence will ensure a shorter living period in the USA for students with
appropriate educational and career objectives. The University has partnered with both the
Bauman Moscow State Technical University and the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
(UAM). UAM has just developed a Masters program in security and forensics and this
certificate will be embedded in their program. Previously, such a curriculum was
developed at the NYS Center for Information Forensics and Assurance (CIFA) using
grants from the National Science Foundation, Department of Education, and New York
State.
The Council discussed the certificate program with the guests. It was mentioned that
neither the method of delivery (in-class versus on-line), the summer scheduling, nor the
affiliations with other universities are contained in the proposal. Professor Goel stated
that they do not want to restrict students. He also mentioned the program will have two
different models – NYS agencies and international partnerships. The program could be
offered during the summer and fall semesters if there is sufficient interest and if (faculty)
resources are available. At present there are no plans to change the admissions process
from the current University standards, including English proficiency criteria. Admission
requirements will be discussed with the State Agencies for workforce training. The
program will be a structured for each constituency (NYS residents versus international).
In the mixed mode delivery the initial classes will be delivered in person. Heather Miller
suggested that Professor Goel contact Mary Van Ullen, the Library’s Business
bibliographer. She also mentioned that the Library is limited with their purchasing. The
Library does not have the LexisNexis™ Program, which is very expensive to purchase.
However, the Library does have the Homeland Security Digital Library (HSDL), which is
not mentioned in the proposal. All of the included courses have been offered previously
as electives in the School of Business and resourced via grants. It was pointed out that
some of the teaching faculty listed in the proposal are not eligible to provide graduate
instruction. The Graduate Bulletin states, “Graduate instruction may only be given by
Faculty members who hold an earned doctorate or the Master of Fine Arts (MFA); or
Faculty members who hold the rank of associate professor or higher or;…..” Exceptions
will be considered, and “The Graduate Academic Council retains final authority regarding
any exception to graduate instruction policy.” Professor Goel said he will remove
ineligible instructors from the proposal. Professor Goel is listed as a potential instructor
for each of the courses (and has taught them in the past). As such, it seems possible
students would only have him as an instructor. Professor Goel assured the Council that
will not be the case. Most teaching faculty are under a 10-month contract. Therefore, the
summer program will be staffed on a volunteer basis, and instructors will be paid via the
grant. It was agreed that the mention on page 4 that the program’s director will be paid a
stipend will be removed from the proposal. Other University certificates do not include
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September 24, 2010
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reference to the manner of a director’s pay. Professor Goel was asked whether Criminal
Justice and Computer Science were approached in order to combine resources. He
informed the Council that the proposed curriculum is more applied and practical. It was
mentioned that Homeland Security has approved the program. Also, students sign
confidentiality forms and are allowed only a certain amount of access. While the program
will be offered in the summer, full-time academic-year students will be allowed into the
program if they wish to apply. If there is enough demand, the program will be offered
other times of the year. Professor Goel believes the program will have resources for the
next 4-5 years. A free-standing certificate program that is unaffiliated with an existing
degree program seems to be a new concept and rather unusual. Students are first screened
for admission by the partner institutions (e.g. Moscow University and Universidad
Autónoma de Madrid) with a follow-up screening by the University. It was suggested
that the admissions process include three letters of recommendation. Professor Goel
agreed to include the suggestion in his update. It was noted that the program description
and details will be included in the Graduate Bulletin. Professor Goel agreed to remove on
page 4 the reference to the Director providing each of the participating departments an
annual review of the program status. It was noted that the mentioned link of
http://www.rfsuny.org/researchny/cybersecurity.htm is presently broken and will be
removed when the proposal is updated. Professor Goel mentioned the desire for
flexibility in the program. Some students may desire an internship while others want to
take specific elective courses. Approved electives are listed on page 8. Professor Lessner
is working on security modeling. It appears that some of the listed faculty do not have
information security backgrounds. The School of Business has spoken and worked with
security industry firms. No issues have arisen concerning ownership of IP. The Chair
mentioned that proposals for new programs generally contain full details in order to
demonstrate they are thoroughly developed. Such details can be modified later. Approval
by SUNY Central will be required, and they generally require such detail. The list of
instructors does not limit eligibility in the future, but simply demonstrates that the
curriculum can be provided by current staff. Future instructor substitutes would not
require State approval. A Council member mentioned that the proposal needs to provide
details of resources not tied to individual departments. Professor Goel agreed to place the
option of specified tracks on the updated proposal. The target implementation date is
Summer 2011. The proposal will need to be approved by UPPC and the full Senate.
The requested Council changes to the proposal include (1) fix or remove the cyber
security link, (2) remove the director’s salary stipulation, (3) remove reference to the
annual report to programs, (3) require three Letters of Recommendation for applicants, (4)
provide more detail of scheduling and delivery method, and (5) remove ineligible
instructors.
After the guests departed, the Council continued discussion. The proposal implies that the
program would be very autonomous, being funded entirely via a grant. What oversight
role will the University have in this case? Should we discuss/develop a general policy for
such cases? Several of the courses listed pertain to forensic accounting rather than
information/system security. Why are the former appropriate? Information security was
previously offered in School of Business but was suspended. Faculty instruction during
the summer may take time away from research. Each faculty member’s c.v. needs to be
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September 24, 2010
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reviewed to ensure they are qualified to instruct in the area. The possibility of only one
instructor teaching all courses is troubling. The program needs varied instructors. A
Council member voiced his concern of student qualifications and on-line courses. How
will the program’s integrity be maintained? It was noted that more certificate programs
will be initiated by the life sciences. What we accomplish with this certificate is very
relevant to future certificates. The Chair mentioned he will draft and distribute a list of
issues/concerns, and all members should feel free to add to the list. The list will be
forwarded to the program’s sponsors. The Chair will indicate that GAC is favorably
disposed toward the program but revisions will be necessary.
3. Future Meetings
- Tuesday, October 12, 8:30-10:00 AM, UAB 320 *
- Tuesday, October 26, 8:30-10:00 AM, UAB 320
- Friday, November 19, 9:30-11:00 AM, UAB 320
- Friday, December 10, 9:30-11:00 AM, UAB 320
* Discussion of CAS Assessment Reports
END OF GAC 9/24/2010 MINUTES
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