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
