University Senate Executive Committee
Monday, September 11, 2017
•
Approval of SEC Minutes of May 11
(1 of 2)
•
Provost’s Report –James Stellar
•
Senate Past Chair’s Report – James Collins
•
Senate Chair’s Report – Karin Reinhold
•
Other Reports
SUNY Senators’ Report (Diane Hamilton, Walter Little, Latonia Spencer)
•
Graduate Student Organization Report – Jefferson Garcia, President
•
Student Association Report –Felix Abreu, President
•
Council/Committee Chair Reports:
•
CAA – Istvan Kecskes, Chair, Mary Ellen Mallia Co-Chair
•
CAFFECoR – Carol Jewell, Chair
•
CERS – Michael Jerison, past Chair
•
COR – Robert Rosenswig , Chair
•
CPCA – Louise-Anne McNutt, past Chair
•
GAC – Sean Rafferty , Chair
•
GOV –Jim Mower, Chair
•
LISC – Sheila Bernard, Billie Franchini, Co-Chairs
•
UAC – Karen Kiorpes, Christy Smith Co-Chairs
•
ULC – Ekow King, Chair
•
UPPC – Jim Collins, Chair
University Senate Executive Committee
Monday, September 11, 2017
•
Unfinished Business
(2 of 2)
•
New Business
•
SEC rights and responsibilities
•
Council and standing committees organization and
procedures
•
Resolution of increased participation of contingent faculty in
the Senate
•
Senate/Shared Governance website
•
Adjournment
Approval of Minutes of May 11, 2017
University Senate Executive Committee
Monday, September 11, 2017
Senate Past Chair’s Report – James Collins (1 of 3)
Informational
In May, Chair Collins met several times with Vice Chair Reinhold and Secretary
Poelhmann to schedule and convene meetings of Senate Councils and Committee in
order that they might elect their Chairs for 2017-18.
In June, Chair Collins had several discussions with the Karin Reinhold, Chair of
Governance, Christian Poehlmann, Senate Secretary, James Mower, Incoming Vice Chair
of the Senate, and Chris Moore, member of the Governance Council, on ways to
improve the transmission of Council procedures and records. Following a
recommendation from Chris Moore, Group Drives will be established for all Senate
Councils and Committees, so that incoming chairs may have ready access to previous
records, in addition to the descriptions of Council procedures that were compiled in
2016-2017.
On June 19, Chair Collins arranged a meeting between Senate Officers and newly-
elected UUP officers, in order to discuss shared concerns and priorities. Among the
concerns discussed were the efforts in various schools and colleges unilaterally to
increase faculty workload; among the priorities were enabling the fullest participation
of Part-Time Academics Instructors in the life of the University, including especially their
participation in the University Senate.
Senate Chair’s Report – James Collins (2 of 3)
In late June and early July, Chair Collins and Vice Chair Karin Reinhold prepared and
circulated to the SEC and Senate a draft resolution calling for greater supporting and
inclusion of Part-Time Academic Faculty in the University Senate.
On July 11 and August 23, Chair Collins, Vice Chair Reinhold, Immediate Past Chair
Cynthia Fox and Incoming Vice Chair James Mower met with the Interim Provost
and Chief of staff for a regularly scheduled Campus Governance Leaders meetings.
Among the issues discussed were improvements to the Senate website, Senate
participation in the assessment of Administrative Units, reports of administrative
efforts to increase faculty (teaching) workload, and support for the Senate, including
the participation of Part-Time Academic Faculty in the University Senate.
On July 24, Chair Collins, Vice Chair Reinhold, Immediate Past Chair Cynthia Fox and
Incoming Vice Chair James Mower met with incoming President Rodriquez to
discuss shared governance at the University, including (a) the Senate leaders’
position that it is important to have a faculty voice in the assessment of
administrative units, including the academic units, and (b) UAlbany’s history of
collaborative Administrative, Senate, and Union collaborative efforts to improve the
conditions of Contingent and Part-Time faculty at the University.
Senate Chair’s Report – James Collins (3 of 5)
Actions taken
On May 4 and 8, sent to President Stellar Senate several Bills, which were
approved:
i.
Bill 1617-03: PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH B.A. / M.I.A. PROGRAMS,
approved on May 9,
ii.
Senate Bill Senate Bill 1617-04: PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH AN M.S. IN
DATA SCIENCE, approved on May 9;
iii.
Senate Bill 1617-05 PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
PROGRAM IN COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERSHIP, approved on May 9
iv.
Senate Bill 1617-06 PROPOSAL TO CREATE MINOR IN LEADERSHIP (SOE),
approved on May 9
On June 22, appointed Professor Joette-Stefl Mabry to the Administrative
Assessment Advisory Committee
Senate Chair’s Report – Karin Reinhold (1 of 2)
Informational
•
Petition for increased participation of contingent faculty on the Senate
Actions taken
•
Appointments of Senate representatives to the Assessment Advisory Committee:
•
Penny NG from CAA,
•
Ilka Kressner from GOV
•
Joette Stefl-Mabry from UPPC.
Recommendations for actions
•
Council and standing committee’s chairs review the shared governance website
page for their council/standing committee, become familiar with posting calendar,
minutes and agenda on the website & prepare news and updates as appropriate.
•
Global Distinction proposal was sent to UPPC for endorsement.
Senate Chair’s Report – Karin Reinhold (2 of 2)
Announcements
•
SUNY Senate President Gwen Kay will visit SEC on Oct 2nd and the Senate on Oct 16th.
•
2017 SUNY Diversity Conference: Engaging Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity in the
Classroom, Campus and Community, 29 Nov - 1 Dec.
•
SUNY Undergraduate Research Symposium 2018: Friday, April 20 at Oneonta, and
Saturday, April 21 at Monroe County Community College. UFS supports this
opportunity for students across the SUNY system to come together and display, talk
about, demonstrate and/or perform their research and scholarly activity.
SUNY Senators’ Report – Diane Hamilton, Walter Little, Latonia Spencer
1) that the SUNY Senate Fall Planning meeting will take place September 14-15, 2017
at the Holiday Inn Syracuse Liverpool. This meeting sets the SUNY Faculty Senate
and its various committees' agenda for the coming year. At this meeting, the chair
and fellow committee members work on their respective committee agendas and
discuss issues and assignments. Members of the SUNY UFS Executive Committee
review and discuss the individual committees’ agendas.
2) that the SUNY Senate Fall Plenary meeting will take place October 19-21, 2017 at
SUNY Delhi.
3) that SUNY Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the University Faculty Senate
will be hosting a conference entitled “Engaging Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity in the
Classroom, Campus and Community: Celebrating a Decade of Transformational
Diversity Leadership” on November 29-December 1, 2017 at the Albany Marriott
Hotel, located at 189 Wolf Road, Albany, New York. For more information on this
event, please visit our website at www.suny.edu/2017diversityconference .
University Senate Executive Committee
Graduate Student Association Report – Dawn Wharram, Lead Senator (1 of 3)
The GSA E-Board for the 2017-2018 academic year is as follows:
Position
Name
President
Dylan Card
Vice President
Chad King
Treasurer
Tom Robertson
Equity & Inclusion Chair Jaime Coffino
Grants Chair
Sydney Heiss
Programming Chair
Mitch Torres
All University Senate Committees and Councils as well as Ad-Hoc Committees have
been staffed. Below are the 2017-2018 GSA representatives.
University Senate Executive Committee
Monday, September 12, 2016
Graduate Student Association Report – Dawn Wharram, Lead Senator (2 of 3)
University Senators
Member
Lead Senator, UPPC
Dawn Wharram
Senator, GOV
Chad King
Senator, COR
Tom Robertson
Senator, LISC
Cathleen M. Green
Senator, GAC
Sydney Faught
Ad-Hoc Committees with a GSA Representative Member
Campus Recreation Advisory Board
Bek Luke
Sustainability
Dylan Card
University Auxiliary Services (UAS)
Dylan Card
University Senate Executive Committee
Monday, September 12, 2016
Graduate Student Association Report – Dawn Wharram, Lead Senator (3 of 3)
University Senate Council
Representatives Member
LISC
Cathleen Green
CAA
Jeremy D. Berman
COR
Amanda Aykanian
COR
Tom Robertson
GAC
Jonathan Whyte-Dixon
GAC
Sydney Faught
GAC
Natalie Turner
UAC
Sadie Firstencel
ULC
Amani R. Edwards
ULC
Wenqian Wang
ULC
Mario Arredondo
UPPC
Dawn Wharram
UPPC-FAC
Ajay Raghavendra
UPPC-Resource Analysis & Planning
Dawn Wharram
University Senate Executive Committee
Monday, September 12, 2016
Student Association Report – Felix Abreu, Student Association President
Nothing to Report
University Senate Executive Committee
Thursday, October 13, 2016
CAA – Alifair Skebe, past Chair
CAA – Istvan Kecskes, Chair, Mary Ellen Mallia Co-Chair
Nothing to report
CAFFECoR – Carol Jewell, Chair
CAFFECoR will meet for the first time this semester on September 27, 2017.
COR (Council on Research) – Robert Rosenswig, Chair
Nothing to report
University Senate Executive Committee
CPCA (Council on Promotions and Continuing Appointments) –Nothing reported
College/School
Full Professors/Librarians
Associate Professors/Librarians
CAS – ScienceMacDonald, Carolyn (Phy)
Lnenicka, Greg (Bio)
Fabris, Daniele (Chem)
Zhu, Kehe (Math)
CAS – Social Sci.
James Hargett (East Asian)
Marilyn Masson (Antro)
CAS – Humanities Sayahi, Lotfi (LLC)
Andi Lyons (Theater)
S-Frelin, Adam (Art)
CEAS
S-Narendran, Paliath
Rock College
S-Cruz, Jose (Poli Sci)
Erika Martin (Public Policy)
Libraries
Carol Anne Germain
S-Kessler, Jane
School Business
S-Chandra, Uday (Acct)
School Education
Donna Scanlon (Reading)
David Yun Dai (Ed Psy, Method)
School Public Health
Moslehi, Roxana (Epi)
Weller, Wendy (HPMB)
School Social Work
Ramos, Blanca
Robert Miller
University Senate Executive Committee
GAC (Graduate Academic Council) – Sean Rafferty, Chair
Sean Rafferty was elected chair.
GOV (Governance Council) – Jim Mower, Chair
GOV will conduct its first meeting of the semester on September 6. This
report will be updated at the Sept. 11 SEC meeting.
LISC (Council on Libraries, Information Systems, and Computing) –
Nothing to report
UAC – Karen Kiorpes and Christy Smith, Co-Chairs
(1 of 3)
University Senate Executive Committee
In early May via email UAC voted to approve some changes to the major in
Computer Engineering. Selected courses from the CEN program have been
revised to meet ABET accreditation requirements and guiding principles.
On May 22nd, Registrar Karen Chico Hurst and Assistant Dean of Undergraduate
Education Kathie Winchester extended an invitation to members of UAC and its four
subcommittees to attend a meeting to continue discussion of the draft proposal to
expand the language of the undergraduate grading and grade change
policies. The goal was to be in compliance with SUNY’s 2013 guidelines,
incorporate current business practices into the policies, and set a time limit on
when grades could be changed. Earlier UAC and CAS feedback had been
incorporated. Chief of Staff Szelest also had input into the document. In June it was
circulated via email to the working group in attendance at the meeting for final
approval.
UAC – Karen Kiorpes and Christy Smith, Co-Chairs
(2 of 3)
University Senate Executive Committee
In late May via email UAC and the Curriculum and Honors subcommittee reviewed a
proposal from the Center for International Education and Global Strategy for a
Global Distinction milestone. During a UAC meeting earlier in spring semester
there was a discussion of how Vice Provost Harvey Charles was making
presentations on campus regarding dual-degree programs integrating study abroad
and international internships. The Global Distinction milestone evolved from those
presentations. The Global Distinction Milestone would be awarded to students after
they complete a set of integrated academic experiences including language study,
study abroad, and an internship. The program would be administered by CIEGS. It
does not involve any alterations to degree requirements for any major or minor.
Over the summer, CIEGS’ program coordinator will assemble lists of potential
courses which will be reviewed in Undergraduate Education prior to CIEGS setting
up meetings with individual departments. The milestone will appear on the bottom
of the student’s transcript when completed. The proposal was approved.
UAC – Karen Kiorpes and Christy Smith, Co-Chairs
(3 of 3)
University Senate Executive Committee
The Interdisciplinary Studies Committee reviewed two proposals for University-
Wide Internships for fall once the August application deadline had passed.
The General Education Committee finalized two pending proposals for general
education category designations that had been revised.
The Committee on Academic Standing met two full days in June to review appeals
for petition for late drops and academic dismissals. Approximately 265 students
were academically dismissed and 134 appealed. 5 were negated because of grade
changes, 84 were denied, 42 were approved, 1 still pending. UAC also met later in
the summer to revisit two appeals involving new information. They met again to
adjudicate an academic grievance coming out of the College of Arts and Sciences
The first UAC meeting is scheduled for 9/19. Subcommittees are forming.
ULC – Ekow King, Chair
•
Nothing to report
University Senate Executive Committee
UPPC –James Collins, Chair Submitted by Cynthia Fox, Outgoing Chair (1 of 3)
Informational
The Council met on May 11. New members for the 2017-2018 academic were
also in attendance.
The agenda included several reports:
• Vice Provost Ann Marie Murray gave the provost’s report on behalf of
Interim Provost Wheeler. She reported 1) that the Strategic Planning
Steering Committee is moving forward. There have been meetings at all
three campuses to discuss the proposal. Attendance has been good and the
reaction has been positive; 2) that the Provost’s office held the first
tenured faculty reception made up of the applicants from 2015-2016; and
3) that the Provost’s office is getting prepared for the new format of
graduation and will meet subsequently to evaluate the changes.
University Senate Executive Committee
Thursday, October 13, 2016
UPPC – Cynthia Fox, past Chair (page 2 of 3)
The Resource Analysis and Planning Committee reported on its meeting of May 10
art which they discussed the impact new enrollments and new programs have on
the College of Arts and Sciences. They voted on two motions.
Motion one states that the Campus Impact Form should be amended to
better reflect the real impact new programs will have on the College of Arts
and Sciences.
Motion two states that once a new program is approved it should be
mandatorily reevaluated again in either two or three years in order to
assess its ongoing impacts.
The subcommittee also discussed the enrollment shortfall and its impact on the
University’s budget planning. Vice President of Finance and Administration Jim
Van Voorst reported that the shortfall would be made up through other sources.
The Facilities Committee reported on its meeting of April 6. Mary Ellen Mallia,
Director of Sustainability, gave a report on Sustainability initiatives. Associate Vice
President of Facilities Management John Giarrusso gave a presentation on 2017-
18 budget implications for Facilities Management and also on construction
projects around campus.
UPPC – Cynthia Fox, past Chair (page 3 of 3)
New Business
1. The language in the draft strategic plan was discussed.
2. Proposed changes to the Campus Impact Form were presented and
discussed, with new questions raised about the form’s effectiveness in
evaluating the resource implications of new programs and the final
instructions
3. Also, the committee debated the final instructions on the approval page,
especially the instructions given for the routing of forms.
On July 26, Chair Fox attended the Libraries’ staff meeting on the topic of
proposed changes to the Science and University Libraries
In August, Chair Fox circulated a draft of the new Campus Impact Form that
included the proposed changes.
Actions Taken
The Council approved updates to the Campus Impact Form.
UPPC – James Collins, Chair (page 1 of 2)
Informational
The Council met on August 30. It heard a report from VP for Finance and
Administration James Van Voorst, and council members discussed the basis for
the VP’s remarks about the capital side of the budget regarding the
CEAS/Schuyler renovations and other works, and about the operational side of
the budget, focusing on enrollments and complexities of the Excelsior program.
The council heard a report from Sridar Chittur, Chair of the Facilities Committee,
and discussed ways of helping define committee goals for this year. That
discussion will continue, and administrative visitors will be requested to help
shape that agenda. Chair Collins raised the issue of constituent concerns over
space changes made in the main University Library and the College of Arts and
Sciences.
The council heard a report from Prof Mitch Leventhal, Chair of the Resource
Analysis and Planning Committee, and discussed staffing of the committee, and
a schedule of reports to the full council, tied to committee meetings with
representatives from the Office for Finance and Administration.
UPPC – James Collins, Chair (page 2 of 2)
Informational
Chair Collins provided an overview of Council’s mission and functions for new
members; reported on the current state of the University’s strategic plan,
based on summer Campus Governance Leaders, and discussed appointments
of Senate representatives to the Assessment Advisory Committee for the
Assessment of Non-Academic Administrative Units -- Professors Stefl-Mabry
from UPPC, Kressner from GOV, and Ng from CAS.
The Council discussed proposed revisions to the Campus Impact Form, all of
which were accepted, with additional modifications.
The Council also discuss recent meeting of Senate officers with members from
the Provosts, Office of Graduate Education, and Office of Undergraduate
Education to improve routing of academic programs through the
administrative and shared governance process. It was decided not to adopt
strict deadlines for proposals but rather to encourage early consultation
about all proposed program changes, whether of (apparently) small or large
scale.
UPPC – James Collins, Chair (page 2 of 2)
Recommendations:
– That the Senate leaders and appropriate councils, as well
as the Offices of Undergraduate and Graduate Education
communicate with Academic Deans and Departments
about the need to consult early with representatives of
the Deans of Undergraduate and Graduate Education
about all proposed academic programs and changes to
existing programs. Such consultation will help those
involved to better understand the scope of the proposed
changes, their implications for more than the proposing
academic units, and the best or most feasible timetable
for their review.
New Business
• SEC rights and responsibilities
• Council and standing committees organization and
procedures
• Resolution of increased participation of contingent
faculty in the Senate
• Senate/Share Governance Website:
www.albany.edu/sharedgovernance
• Content
• News & Updates
University Senate Executive Committee
Monday, September 11, 2017
Rights and Responsibilities of SEC: Senate Charter Sect. VII
• VII.2. In addition, the Executive committee shall ensure that the Senate
address Faculty responsibilities as specified in Bylaws Article I Section 2, and
exercise the powers of the Senate as specified in Section III of this Charter, in
the broadest possible sense.
• VII.4. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for oversight of council
operations to ensure that Council Chairs fulfill their obligation as specified in
VIII.3.7.
• VII.5. The Executive Committee shall review proposals and agenda items and
may recommend for or against them. The Executive Committee shall either
refer a proposal to an appropriate Council or place it on the Senate agenda.
The Executive Committee may not prevent such items from appearing on the
Senate Agenda.
Section III: Powers of the University Senate
• III.1. The Senate shall interpret the extent of the powers and
responsibilities specified to itself in Article I Section 2.3 of the
Faculty Bylaws. Unless otherwise specifically directed by the
Faculty, the Senate shall construe its charge in the broadest
possible sense.
• III.2. The Senate assumes that any policy, practice, or condition
within the University which in its judgment significantly affects
the quality of the institution's legitimate functioning is a proper
concern of the Faculty, and hence, of the Senate.
• III.3. In order to fulfill its responsibilities to be consulted on major
appointments specified in Bylaws Article II Section 1.7, the
Senate shall interview final candidates for Provost and President.
Article 1, Section 2: Rights & Responsibilities of the Faculty (1 of 2)
• 2.2.1. The Faculty may initiate and shall disapprove or approve and
recommend for implementation:
• (a) All changes in, additions to, or deletions from the Curriculum
• (b) Policies or standards regarding evaluation of students' academic work
• (c) Policies or standards regarding admission to the University and to its
degree-granting or certificate programs
• (d) Policies and standards for graduation of students and awarding of
academic degrees and certificates, including honorary degrees
• (e) Policies and standards for the conduct and evaluation of research and
teaching
• (f) Policies and standards for appointment, promotion, and tenure
(continuing appointment) of teaching faculty.
Article 1, Section 2: Rights & Responsibilities of the Faculty (2 of 2)
• 2.2.2. The Faculty shall be informed and given opportunity to
discuss at the earliest possible stages in their formulation, and
shall review and provide formal consultation on, prior to
adoption, all proposals regarding:
• (a) Creation, renaming, major re-organization, or dissolution of
academic units and programs
• (b) Goals and formal plans directing the future of the University
• (c) Policies or standards governing speech and assembly on the
campuses of the University
• (d) Plans for development of new campus facilities, or major
modifications or closure of existing facilities
Senate Handbook:
COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES
Much of the business of the Senate occurs within its
Councils and Committees. Councils may
• gather and disseminate information,
• act on matters for which authority has been
delegated from the Senate, and
• recommend action in the form of bills and
resolutions brought to the Senate.
Senate Handbook:
II. COUNCILS
A. Duties of Councils
… Bills and resolutions must be brought to the
Senate Executive Committee, which sets the agenda
for the subsequent Senate meeting. Executive
Committee meetings take place two weeks before
the Senate meeting, usually during the same 3:30-
5:00 time slot reserved for Senate meetings.
Example of a bill is in the appendix of Senate
Handbook. Please read the guidelines within the
Handbook.
Councils and Standing Committees Organization and
Procedures
• Always report by due date even if “nothing to report” or
“next meeting is …”
• Calendar for the whole year!
• Procedures file
• Report Minutes and Agenda
• Prior to meeting: in Council/Standing Committee Office
365 Folder
• After the meeting: on the website
• Office 365 Folders: Senate-SEC, Senate-CAA, Senate-
CAFFECoR, Senate-CERS, Senate-COR, Senate-CPCA, Senate-
LISC, Senate-UAC, Senate-GAC, Senate-ULC, Senate-UPPC
• Subcommittees (file of volunteers)
• Questions for the President or Provost
University Senate Executive Committee
Monday, September 11, 2017
University at Albany SUNY Resolution: Incorporating Part-
Time and Contingent Faculty in the University Senate
UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY, STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
RESOLUTION: INCORPORATING PART-TIME AND CONTINGENT FACULTY IN THE UNIVERSITY SENATE
Introduced by:Senators James Collins and Karin Reinhold Date: July 17, 2017
Whereas the increasing reliance on part-time and contingent academic labor to meet the teaching requirements of North
American higher education has reached the point where the majority of academic teaching faculty are on non-tenure track
appointments;
Whereas these teaching faculty are usually paid very low salaries, suffer from low status and poor working conditions, and are
excluded from many forms of shared governance across the U.S. ;
Whereas the situation at the University at Albany has been studied by a Provost’s Panel , and by the Albany Chapter of UUP , both
of which call for improvements to compensation and benefits and the professional work environment, including the participation
of part-time and contingent faculty and staff in departmental, college, and campus governance;
Whereas, the SUNY Faculty Senate passed a resolution in Spring 2017, calling on all SUNY campuses to encourage and support
part-time and contingent faculty involvement in campus shared governance;
Be it resolved that the UAlbany University Senate pursue all feasible ways encourage and include
part-time and contingent faculty in the work of the Senate, including but not limited to:
(1) encouraging these faculty to serve on Senate Councils and Committees;
(2) encouraging the administration to provide for service stipends for such work; and
(3) amending the Faculty Bylaws to grant voting faculty status to part-time faculty and staff.
Adjournment
University Senate Executive Committee
September 11, 2016
