COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE SUMMARIES
Meeting of the University Senate, September 30, 2013
As submitted to Yenisel Gulatee, Senate Secretary, University Senate
UNIVERSITY SENATE CHAIR’S REPORT –Christine Wagner, Chair
President Jones, as part of the formal consultation process, met with the Senate Executive Committee on
6/13/13 and 7/17/13 to discuss the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering’s pursuit to become an
independent, free-standing degree-granting structure within the SUNY System. In a memo (8/29/13) to Chair
and Vice-Chair of the Senate, President Jones asked the University Senate to recommend fifteen (15)
individuals to serve on a campus advisory committee that will assist the President, and UAlbany representatives
on the SUNY Implementation Team, in considering issues associated with this transition. In accordance with
Article II.5.5 of the Faculty Bylaws, the Senate Chair asked GOV to recommend individuals for the campus
advisory committee. The recommended names were provided to President Jones on 9/13/13. The Senate
Executive Committee recommended that GOV form a subcommittee to review internal Senate issues that may
arise following the separation of CNSE.
UUP has raised the issue that the composition of CPCA, as defined by the Senate Charter, may be in conflict
with Article 33.1.c of the UUP Contract. Consequently, the Senate Officers met with UUP local chapter
president, Jim Collins, on 5/29/13 and again with Jim Collins and current local chapter president, Bret
Benjamin, on 9/12/13.
UFS (University Faculty Senator’s Report) –Danielle Leonard, J. Philippe Abraham & John Schmidt,
SUNY Senators
The SUNY Faculty Senators are looking forward to attending the Fall Plenary which will take place October
24-26 at SUNY Maritime. We are also pleased to announce that the University at Albany will host the 166th
Winter Plenary January 23-25, 2014.
GSO (Graduate Student Organization) – Caitlin Janiszewski, GSO President
We have a new name: Graduate Student Association
We also have a new constitution, are working on new bylaws, as well as a strategic plan to address our most
critical challenges.
-We are working on strategies to encourage committee and council attendance (committee coordinator and
polling system).
-Improve our communication mechanisms (listserv and now a newsletter).
-Documenting our processes (developing programming and financial handbooks) to ensure efficiency and
continuity from year to year.
-Working on a mission statement.
-Expanding to downtown campus.
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-Developing a network of partnerships with offices and groups which already work to support graduate students
(ITLAL, GSEU, UUP, International Studies, Graduate Studies, Career Services, Library Services, Financial
Services).
-Working to represent graduate student interests the best we can throughout the separation of CNSE from
UAlbany.
-Taking the lead in facilitating the President's forum promised to us by President Jones.
SA (Student Association) – Marc Cohen, Student Association Representative
2013-2014 Student Association Executive Board
President:
Francis Agyemang
Vice President:
Nick Butler
Chief of Staff:
Lee Stanton
Programming:
Ajon Crump
Marketing:
Steven Valentine
Legislative Affairs:
Marc Cohen
Academic Affairs:
Derek Ellis
Community Engagement:
Rose Avellino
Student Group Affairs:
Katie Thomas
Multicultural Affairs:
Rachel Arnaud
Gender and Sexuality:
Emma Suarez
Dippikill Outreach:
Alexis Klein
Programming:
Block Party on September 22 was a success. Great student turnout. Performances went for well over an
hour.
Next event is the world Within Reach Speaker Series: Behind the Obama Campaign on September 28.
For the first time, David Axelrod, David Plouffe and Jon Favreau will speak together in a public forum
about the campaign and other issues. The panel will speak and then answer questions.
Legislative Affairs:
Voter Registration Drive was a success, more than 50 forms received. We tabled for Constitution Day
during which we asked students questions about the Constitution and had information available for
them.
Met with Clifford Kim about this year’s Legislative Agenda. Working on a number of issues including In
State Tuition for Veterans Bill, TAP Increases, and Capital Investment continuation.
Academic Affairs:
“Things I wish I Knew As A Freshman” program. Working on a list of items for incoming freshman to
help them better assimilate into the University community
Working with academic departments on campus to assist students with academic concerns and
complaints
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Student Group Affairs:
6 new student groups already, more to come
Now temporary groups need faculty advisors, used to just be permanently recognized groups
Multicultural Affairs:
Working on bring a Farmers Market to campus which would bring native foods from different countries
to campus
Gender and Sexuality Concerns:
Second Chance Prom
Coming Out Week
Dippikill Outreach:
Creating a new advertising poster
Trying to reach out to student groups that haven’t previously been to Dippikill
Working to help find groups easy and affordable transportation
CAA (Council on Academic Assessment) – Deborah Bernnard, Chair
The Council on Academic Assessment met on Fri. Sept. 20. Chairs of the Academic Program Review
Committee and the General Education Assessment Committee were elected. Members of the Council chose the
committee on which they will serve for the 2013-2014 academic year.
CAFFECoR (Committee on Academic Freedom, Freedom of Expression, and Community Responsibility)
– Susanna Fessler, Chair
Nothing to report.
CERS (Committee on Ethics in Research and Scholarship) – Carolyn MacDonald, Chair
CERS is planning a training session.
COR (Council on Research) – John Monfasani, Chair
Nothing to report.
CPCA (Council on Promotions and Continuing Appointments) – Sanjay Putrevu, Chair
CPCA met on Sept. 6 and will meet again on Sept. 20.
GAC (Graduate Academic Council) – Ronald Toseland, Chair
The Graduate Academic Council had its first meeting and organized three committees.
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GOV (Governance Council) – Joette Stefl-Mabry, Chair
GOV met on 09/09/13 to address:
1. the request of President Jones’ to recommend 15 names for the CNSE Advisory Committee, and
2. the co-chair of the President’s Advisory Committee on Campus Security’s request to recommend two
names of teaching faculty for the current open seat on that committee.
On September 13, 2013 the list of names for the CNSE Advisory Committee was sent to the Chair of the Senate
who forwarded the names to the President's office.
We also met on 09/23/13:
1. formed the ad hoc committee to examine and make recommendations re: CNSE and Senate separation
issues.
2. selected two names to send to the Campus Security Committee and
3. discussed the election for the new senator -at large.
LISC (Council on Libraries, Information Systems, and Computing) – Elizabeth Gaffney, Chair
The first LISC Meeting was scheduled for Monday, September 23, 2013, from 3:00 – 4:30 PM in AS 122. This
will be a basic organizational meeting.
UAC (Undergraduate Academic Council) – Richard Fogarty, Chair
Nothing to report.
ULC (University Life Council) –Michael Jaromin, Chair
The first meeting will be held on Monday, September 23rd. The ULC will also continue to work in conjunction
with the Office of Diversity & Inclusion on the Inclusive Excellence initiative.
UPPC (University Planning and Policy Council) –Andi Lyons, Chair
UPPC had its first meeting on Friday, September 20. At that time, Provost Phillips updated the Council on the
opportunities and issues surrounding Governor Cuomo’s Start-Up NY initiative. The Council plans to invite
Registrar Chico-Hurst to its next meeting, to provide an update on the Academic Calendar beyond 2014-15 and
on the implementation of Chancellor Zimpher’s seamless transfer system. The next meeting is scheduled for
Friday, October 4, at 1pm.
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