University Senate Executive Committee
Monday January 26, 2015
2:45 PM
UNH 306
Joette Stefl-Mabry, Senate Chair
Minutes
Present: Marc Cohen, Susanna Fessler, Cynthia Fox, Boris Goldfarb, Yenisel Gulatee,
Caitlin Janiszewski, Robert Jones, Danielle Leonard, David McCaffrey, Timothy
Mulcahy, Sanjay Putrevu,
Abebe Rorissa, John Schmidt, Joette Stefl-Mabry (via telephone), Robert
Yagelski
Guests: Leanne Wirkkula, Susan D. Phillips
The meeting convened at 2:48 p.m. led by Senate Vice-Chair Cynthia Fox in conjunction
with Senate/SEC Chair Joette Stefl-Mabry who participated via telephone.
APPROVAL OF SEC MINUTES
A vote was unanimously approved, with 1 abstention, to table the minutes of December 1*
due to a request for more of that meeting’s recorded conversation on ‘New Business’ to be
included.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT - ROBERT JONES
President Jones provided an update relating to Albany Law School. The compelling reason
for this affiliation is to leverage the academic strengths of both institutions to assist them
in systematically redefining how legal education is conceived and delivered beyond just
the J.D. degree program. This would provide a unique and exciting opportunity to expand
our scope and leverage our academic strengths with longstanding, historic ALS in ways
that will be mutually beneficial and build for the future.
As we continue to explore the opportunity, we are acting now informally to consider ways
in which UA and ALS strategic plans might align to create different paths, and offer more
degree options and joint programs. You will hear more in the months ahead about actions
toward a loose affiliation, which does not yet require official approval. We need to first
demonstrate the capacity to work together, propose joint programs, and create synergy to
see if in fact this would attract the students we envision before proposing the best option
for a formal framework, which we expect will emerge from a deeper academic affiliation.
The Chancellor, SUNY System and Board of Trustees have been and will be kept informed
of the progress of the exploration. The President and members of the leadership team met
with Chancellor Zimpher and system leaders for the purpose of providing a brief overview
of the strategic direction and value proposition. We will seek the Board’s approval at its
March meeting to continue to this dialogue with Albany Law and for the first phase to
move ahead in mid-March.
It will also be critically important to move beyond engaging with small groups, and to
have faculty-at-large comment and listen. To this end, open forums are planned and will
be announced to take place after the BOT meeting in mid-March and perhaps into April. It
is the administration’s desire that the UAlbany community feel engaged, that the process
be very transparent, and that the prospects get them excited as well. This could be a win-
win proposition if methodically and strategically done.
As to how SUNY Excel might work for our campus, the Chancellor spoke about this in her
recent address. This is not a new idea and is tied, as with Minnesota, to the budget
allocation and negotiating with legislatures on how funding comes. We already have in
place most of the indicators, so there is no real issue about whether or not we can meet
them. We will have the opportunity across campus to decide which of those make the most
sense for our campus. Whatever is decided, a certain percentage of the budget will be
held back until we demonstrate we can meet our goals. This will be the first accountability
model, like that of Tennessee’s, which NY has used.
There will not be any delay in our ALS discussions with their announcement of having
named a new President. Alicia Ouellette had been the Associate Dean, then became Dean,
and has been around the table and in the focus groups. She is completely on board with
how we are approaching discussions. Her appointment is not going to have any negative
implications on the exploration. Dean Andrews continues to serve this academic year, and
we work very closely with her as well.
President Jones announced the latest news that the Governor had identified UAlbany as
the place to host a new College of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland and Cyber
Security. We are excited about this opportunity to be the first university in this country to
integrate across these 3 areas that would be inter-disciplinary, with both a virtual and
physical presence. The appropriation in the legislative language last year was $15 million
for planning purposes. The administration is working with the Governor’s office to better
understand where that figure now stands and what it is intended for, as the funds have
not yet been released. It has become very clear why UA was chosen. Unlike other public
and private universities in the state, UA had all the key elements, including academic
programs, proximity to State agencies, and a potential a law school affiliation was of
benefit, too. The vision for the final project must be done systematically and
incrementally. It will be necessary to show progress, depending on the recommended
framework, to the Governor. The administration will convene a leadership meeting this
Thursday to begin discussions about a framework for the 3 main pieces - academics
programs, financing and facilities. This will have to go through a strategic vetting process.
We hope to leverage expertise not only from UA, but also from other campuses in SUNY
and maybe even other private universities beyond ALS. Provost Jim Stellar will play a
leadership role in managing this opportunity.
The President welcomed a report from Sue Phillips on conversations with several different
focus groups identifying strategic opportunities in partnership with ALS.
VICE PRESIDENT FOR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS - SUSAN D. PHILLIPS
Vice President Phillips pointed out that UAlbany already has a 3+3 program with most
undergraduate majors with ALS. We also have joint degree programs including Social
Welfare, the MBA, MPA and MRP with the JD program, so this is not new territory. Those
pathways are not used as often as they could be. As we first started to think about this we
put together an academic synergies group consisting of 3 people from ALS and 5 from
UAlbany (Sue Phillips, Jim Dias, Jeanette Altarriba, Kevin Williams and Chris Haile). We in
addition asked deans and department chairs to identify and recommend faculty with
interest and expertise in specified areas to participate in focus groups with counterparts
at ALS. We did this around the 6 opportunity pathways ALS has outlined to be their
strategic focus: Business, Tax, and Financial Markets; Civil and Criminal Advocacy;
Government, Policy and Public Service; Health; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; and
Public Interest Law. Those groups met for an initial conversation about opportunities for
deepening relationships in those areas. A handout shared with the SEC outlined the result
of those synergy and focus group conversations, with thoughts about what might be
possible. This included graduate and undergraduate academics, academic support,
research, student service, public engagement and other related areas. Each focus group
was asked to consider, and are currently working on, what we should develop first. A
preview of those programs includes a possible undergraduate program in legal studies
here and a joint PhD in Criminal Justice. There would be another meeting within the next
couple of weeks to continue these discussions. We are looking to broaden the
conversation to bring in ideas from the campus community. Some areas already have
relationships outside of these particular 6 groups, which will be wonderful opportunities
as well. We welcome input on thoughts and challenges. David McCaffrey, who had
participated in one of the groups, added that the discussion was tremendous. It had been
genuinely exciting to see UA and ALS faculty playing off each other.
INTERIM PROVOST’S REPORT - R. TIMOTHY MULCAHY
Interim Provost Mulcahy reiterated that the following week the new Provost James Stellar
would take the reins at UA. Provost Stellar has indicated he is excited to be here and has
already been very engaged and working with staff. He promises to hit the ground running
and have a good start for UAlbany.
The Interim Provost offered thanks for how welcome he had been made to feel at UA. In 6
months a good deal was accomplished, and he felt good about and enjoyed his time here.
In relation to the administration’s request on ex officio voting, it was noted to be more
controversial than ever expected. For that reason, insight was shared on why the request
was made. There had been concern expressed that the administration was using the
Governance survey as justification. Nothing could be further from the truth. President
Jones had stressed his interest in rebuilding trust, increasing transparency, and working
effectively across campus. Opinions expressed in the survey presented an opportunity to
come forward with the proposal. At his first meeting as Interim Provost his vote was
sought on a program brought to a committee. Interim Provost Mulcahy noted that in his
experience administrators did not vote and announced that he would not vote as a matter
of principle, not wanting to influence the outcome of the decision making of governance.
Jim Van Voorst also noted that voting by administrators differed from his previous
experience. The administration had discussed the desire to be viewed as partners and to
not be seen as potentially exerting direct influence on such decisions. After concern was
voiced from the survey, we took the opportunity to suggest that voting practices for
administrators at UAlbany going forward be more in keeping with other institutions. This
request was presented at a Senate meeting. The intent was that it be seen as a good faith
gesture, not to introduce division but to respectfully differentiate roles.
Interim Provost Mulcahy added he would be here through the 10" of February,
overlapping with Provost Stellar to provide him with history of ongoing processes.
Decision making processes such as approving faculty lines or transition funding would be
deferred to the new Provost, and it was suggested there would be no better way to get to
know Provost Stellar than come to with issues.
The Senate offered Interim Provost Mulcahy many thanks and much appreciation for his
efforts on behalf of the UAlbany community.
Regarding an inquiry as to the Start-up NY approval process, the Interim Provost
responded that he had reviewed and familiarized himself with the procedures at the
request of the Senate and UUP. He explained there had been one application approved he
was not involved with. The idea is that a company makes inquiry of interest, and the
University first checks eligibility under the program’s specific requirements. Information
is then retrieved on the business including research, academic and programmatic benefits
to the University and space commitments. The general process outlined in UAlbany’s
application to the state was found to be fine, but the Interim Provost recommended
changes be made to the roster of the advisory committee. Additional consultation in
specialized areas could take place on an ad hoc basis. It was recommended the Provost, as
Chief Academic Officer, chair the committee. Other administrators on the advisory
committee would include the VP for Research, the Dean of Undergraduate Education, a
dean (on a rotating basis), a distinguished research professor and a distinguished
teaching professor, a representative from the Senate, and a graduate and undergraduate
student. The roster would be constituted after review and endorsement by the
Governance Council and approval by the President. The General Counsel would review
aspects related to potential conflicts of interest from individual and institutional points of
view. If an advisory committee member should have a conflict of interest, it will be
recommended they be reminded to refrain from voting. UA cannot have a process that
takes months to deliberate or companies will lose interest. GOV’s involvement in the
appointment of the advisory committee would constitute formal consultation.
The Blue Ribbon Panel on Adjuncts and Part Time Faculty has been appointed. Requests
for nominees for the slate were sent to GOV, student bodies, and deans. GOV reviewed
and approved the proposed roster, then letters were sent to individuals and, if not
accepting service, to alternates. There has been an enthusiastic response from those
invited to serve. The process was similar for populating the Graduate Student Stipend
Panel. Each group should be meeting shortly after next week.
The Senate again wished Interim Provost Mulcahy a happy retirement and thanked him
for his service.
CERS Chair Susannah Fessler reminded the SEC that the report on assessment of
governance had not been presented to the SEC previous to the Senate meeting and that
the report was not voted on by the Senate.
NEW BUSINESS
A motion was made and unanimously approved for a change in the agenda to move new
business.
Amendment RE: Voting for Ex Officio Members of the University Senate
It was pointed out that GOV had prepared the proposed Bylaw Amendment which would
go out to voting faculty as only they vote on Bylaws amendments. If the Bylaws
amendment does not pass, it was suggested it would not make sense to not put forward a
Charter Amendment. GOV members had indicated they were working on the Charter
Amendment in the event the Bylaws amendment does pass. The vote would be conducted
on PeopleSoft. Senate feedback on the item was welcomed. It was suggested that as our
current Bylaws are erroneous in terms of the names of offices, updates on such name
changes be included as part of the Amendment. It was also asked to be considered that a
prior amendment, one which had not met quorum voting requirements, regarding the
Charter and Bylaws not being in alignment be included. This might include adding a line
of explanation in the rationale for clarification. A full report of the effects of this
amendment on Council and Committee quorums was being discussed at GOV and would
be shared. This issue would not affect the Bylaws amendment vote but would affect a
potential corresponding Charter amendment. The Senate quorum change had been
considered and would be slight, by approximately 7 people. Though the amendments
would be a formalization of what is written on the final page of the Senate Handbook, it
was explained to be an informal and relatively recent document. Senate Chair Stefl-Mabry
shared that during the recent UFS Winter Plenary meeting at Farmingdale, it was
indicated that administrators do not vote on the Senates of any of our peer institutions.
Proposal to establish a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering:
As of 12/18/2014 UPPC and UAC had reviewed and approved this proposal.
As there was no objection, the motion for the proposal go to the Senate floor for a vote
was unanimously approved.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Placement of items on Senate Agenda
It was noted that this topic had already been brought up at last Senate meeting and could
be tabled for another session if desired.
UNIVERSITY SENATE CHAIR’S REPORT - Joette Stefl-Mabry
I. Informational
* Senate Chair will be attending the Winter Plenary in Farmingdale, Long Island, January 22- 24",
2015.
II. Reports of Actions
* Proposal to establish a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering was approved by UAC on
December 18", 2014.
III.Recommendations for Actions
° N/A
OTHER REPORTS
UFS (University Faculty Senator’s Report) -Danielle Leonard, J. Philippe Abraham
& John Schmidt, SUNY Senators
UFS Senators look forward to attending the Winter Plenary hosted by Farmingdale State College January
22-24.
Some updates on the Winter Plenary were shared including the following:
SUNY is moving towards a requirement that undergraduates have at least one
experiential learning experience, which faculty will have to try to fit in. There are two
issues associated with this language being inserted into the budget: 1) The governor and
legislature would be intervening in the curriculum, which sets a bad precedent (as in first
Gen Ed proposal years ago); 2) Though this could be a great opportunity, there would
need to be an office to coordinate the effort. In addition, it should be considered that
requiring institutions to send not the best or most enthusiastic students could affect
reputation.
The comptroller audited Stony Brook with respect to disbursements of federal and state
level tuition assistance for undergraduate students and fined them $4 million for not
limiting assistance to those with minimally “normal academic progress”. As Stonybrook
was just the first, UAlbany can expect an audit here too.
The SUNY budget in the Governor’s proposal includes $50 million for recruiting Master
Innovators/Researcher full professors, $50 million for the Innovation Fund, $30 million for
online program expansion to bring more students, $18 million combined with 10 % held
back of state tax revenues for SUNY Excels, and only $2 million for the standard budget.
Issues include allotments for salary increases, the increased costs of library journals the
budget for which was renegotiated to $44 million over the next 5 years.
Open SUNY may be a key to achieving the Chancellor’s initiative to increase degrees
granted by 58,000, more than 50%, in the next 5 years.
GSA (Graduate Student Association) - Caitlin Janiszewski, GSA President
The Senator and UPPC representative Peatros Haile has resigned his position after being unable to sit to
attend UPPC meeting due to the scheduling miscommunications of last semester. The GSA is searching for a
Senator to replace him.
To kick off the semester, the GSA is also holding another orientation program for graduate students,
particularly transfer and international students on Thursday, February 5th. We are also excited about a
series of programs and a resolution we are bringing to the SUNY Student Assembly regarding access to
higher education for the formerly incarcerated. Look out for our Ban the Box programming initiatives.
After a long process of re-structuring the GSA through our governing documents we are now in the process
of refining our standard operating procedures. This is an ongoing process which includes continuing the
transition of our processes onto the Myinvolvement system, new financial guidelines, Multicultural and
Affirmative Action guidelines, and Recognized Graduate Student Organization guidelines.
We are also working on getting the President's Forum scheduled. Look out for that information in the
coming weeks.
SA (Student Association) -Marc Cohen, Student Association Representative
Nothing to report
COUNCIL/COMMITTEE CHAIRS’ REPORTS:
CAA (Council on Academic Assessment) - Deborah Bernnard, Chair
The Council on Academic Assessment met on December 17 and approved a report on assessment of Natural
Sciences in the University in the High School program. The committee also discussed options for action to
take when a program does not adequately engage in assessment.
CAFFECoR (Committee on Academic Freedom, Freedom of Expression, and
Community Responsibility) -Carol Jewell, Chair
Nothing to report
CERS (Committee on Ethics in Research and Scholarship) - Susanna Fessler,
Chair
Nothing to report
COR (Council on Research) - Kajal Lahiri, Chair
The Council on Research had a busy fall semester, with well-attended monthly meetings including
presentations on the research year in review by Vice President Dias and an invited presentation on the new
Scholars’ Archive by Lorre Smith, of the University Libraries, giving the Council information on the new
open-access publishing platform to be hosted by the University at Albany that would give researchers an
opportunity to publish their works on a channel that directly associates them with the university.
The Centers, Institutes and Specialized Laboratories subcommittee of the Council is currently reviewing a
proposal for a new research center. The fall round of funding for the Benevolent Association awards for
graduate student research was successfully completed with seven of nine applicants successfully obtaining
funding for a total of $3,490 provided for graduate student research projects. The Conference support
awards review committee also completed their fall round of funding, with all six applicants receiving
funding for conferences to be held during the spring semester at a total of $13,000.
The Faculty Research Award Program garnered 44 applications this year, a substantial increase on last
year’s 26 applications, and the awards review committee is currently undertaking the review and selection
process for those awards, which will be confirmed at the Council on Research meeting at the end of January.
The subcommittee on Excellence in Research and Creative Activities is having its first meeting this week.
We received a number of nominations.
CPCA (Council on Promotions and Continuing Appointments) - Sanjay Putrevu,
Chair
The next CPCA meeting is on Feb. 4.
GAC (Graduate Academic Council) - Abebe Rorissa, Chair
I. Informational
The Graduate Academic Council held its rescheduled meeting on December 15", 2014. We had to cancel the
original scheduled meeting for December 9", 2014. A few members were not able to attend the December
9" meeting because of, among other reasons, a schedule conflict with the public forum for one of the
candidates for Provost. The two main items on the Agenda were: (1) review of a report from the Committee
on Admissions & Academic Standing, and (2) review and approval of a proposal to establish a Graduate
Certificate Program in Homeland Security, Cyber Security and Emergency Management (HCE) by the
Department of Public Administration and Policy, Rockefeller College.
Our next scheduled meeting is on February 3".
II. Reports of Actions
The Council first considered the proposal to establish a Graduate Certificate Program in Homeland Security,
Cyber Security and Emergency Management (HCE) with three tracks and a 100% online option. Professor
R. Karl Rethemeyer, Chair, Department of Public Administration and Policy and Associate Dean of the
Rockefeller College, attended the December 15" meeting and provided a presentation. Following an
extensive question and answer session, GAC members voted unanimously to approve the proposal. Members
felt that the Graduate Certificate Program in Homeland Security, Cyber Security and Emergency
Management (HCE) is timely as well as attractive to students and employers.
The second major item that the GAC reviewed was a report by the Committee on Admissions & Academic
Standing regarding a student’s grade grievance. GAC members voted to endorse the recommendation by
the Committee to send the case back to the unit for further review.
III. Recommendations for Actions
The GAC endorses joint introduction of the proposal by the Department of Public Administration and Policy,
Rockefeller College, to establish a Graduate Certificate Program in Homeland Security, Cyber
Security and Emergency Management (HCE) to the University Senate to approve the proposal, pending
additional approval by UPPC. The proposal was approved by the Graduate Academic Council on 12/15/14.
Keith Sherman will be taking over as a replacement.
GOV (Governance Council) - Cynthia Fox, Chair
I. Informational
1. GOV met on December 15.
II. Reports of Actions
1. The GOV discussed and unanimously approved the language of a proposed By-Law Amendment that
addresses the Administration’s request that we consider removing voting privileges from ex-officio
members of the Senate who serve by virtue of their administrative position.
2. GOV voted unanimously to approve the roster of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Contingent Faculty.
3. GOV requested further information about the rationale for the proposed composition of the Graduate
Stipend Committee. It then voted electronically to approve the roster with one additional member.
4. The December meeting of UPPC, at which a new Chair was to be voted on, was cancelled for lack of
quorum. Election by electronic vote will close at 5pm on January 16.
5. In response to a follow-up request for information about the composition of the Start-Up New York
Campus Advisory Committee and of the Ad Hoc Academic Review Committee that are described in
the University START-UP NY Plan, Chair Fox was told that Interim Provost will be making a report to
the SEC at its January 26 meeting.
III.Recommendations for Actions
1. GOV will begin working on the language of a Charter amendment to address the Administration’s
request that we consider removing voting privileges from ex-officio members of the Senate who serve
by virtue of their administrative position.
LISC (Council on Libraries, Information Systems, and Computing) - Boris
Goldfarb, Chair
Nothing to report
UAC (Undergraduate Academic Council) -Robert Yagelski, Chair
The scheduled meeting of the Undergraduate Academic Council for December 4th was canceled so that
Council members could attend the public forum for on of the candidates for provost, which conflicted with
the UAC meeting time. The UAC met instead on December 11th. The main item on the agenda was the
proposal for a new undergraduate program in computer engineering. Associate Provost for Program
Development Ann Marie Murray attended the meeting and provided an overview of the proposal and the
process that led to its development. She also answered questions from Council members. After Associate
Provost Murray’s presentation, the Council voted unanimously to approve the proposal.
The rest of the meeting was devoted to a discussion of the university policy regarding pre-requisites and
restrictions on admission to majors and minors, an issue that arose in the context of the Council’s review of
several course proposals. Given the complexities of the issue, the Council decided to table this discussion
until it resumes its meeting schedule in spring semester.
ULC (University Life Council) - Michael Jaromin, Chair
ULC invites everyone to attend the following UACCESS initiative:
President Robert Jones Invites the
Campus Community to Participate in
Critical Conversations: Social Justice in Contemporary Society
Consisting of small group discussions and a panel Q&A, the event will bring the University community
together for a constructive dialogue surrounding issues of social justice in our society, our communities, and
on our campus.
Save the Date
RSVP information to follow
February 2, 2015 - 2 to 4pm
Campus Center Ballroom
¢) UACCESS
A UA CCES. S Initia tive
UPPC (University Planning and Policy Council) - Christine Wagner, Chair
Nothing to report
ADJOURNM.
The meeting adjourned at 4:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Elisa Lopez, Recorder
