University Senate Executive Committee

University Senate Executive Committee

Monday,September11, 2017

2:45 p.m.

UNH 306

Karin Reinhold, Senate Chair

Minutes

Present:Collins, James;Franchini, Billie; Hamilton, Diane; Jerison, Michael; Jewell, Carol; Kiorpes, Karen;Little, Walter;McNutt, Louise-Anne; Mower, James; Poehlmann, Christian; Rafferty, Sean; Reinhold, Karin; Rodríguez, Havidán; Rosenswig, Robert; Smith, Christy; Spencer, Latonia; Stellar, James; Wharram, Dawn

Absent:Bernard, Sheila; Fontaine, Jerlisa; Kecskes, Istvan; King, Ekow; Mallia, Mary Ellen

Guests:Szelest, Bruce; Winchester, Kathie

The meeting convened at 2:45 p.m. with introductions.

Following introductions, membersunanimously approved to amend the agenda to add an item under new business.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of May 11, 2017 wereapproved, with minor changes and two abstentions.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Havidán Rodríguez

Dr. Rodríguez greeted the Senate Executive Committee on his first official day as President of the University at Albany. He noted that he had observed our strong commitment and sense of energy and excitement about things that are happening here. He stated that he looked forward to discussions regarding how we can collectively and collaboratively work together to continue to enhance and strengthen this institution. He added that we would also be systematically addressing the issues and challenges we currently have.

President Rodríguez emphasized that the University community has been involved in ongoing strategic planning, and he promised that there would be many more opportunities for engagement in the process. This is a great way to continue to define who we are as an institution, where we want to go, and how we can get there together, he stated. The President emphasized that this has to be a plan that we own and are passionate about, defining our vision and our mission in terms of student success, excellence in research and scholarship, and student engagement.

Engaging with the community, he said, will also play an integral part and is key to our success. The President remarked that he had read, learned and discussed a lot about the great things happening at UAlbany. Since being appointed by the SUNY Board of Trustees, he explained, he had made several visits. He noted that he had met during those visits with leadership, faculty, students, staff and the external community. He stated that he anticipated future meetings with the SEC, Provost Stellar, and others because we need everyone on board to develop a strategy we can all be passionate and enthusiastic about. He thanked members for their continued support. Our success is our responsibility, he stressed, and needs to be a community effort.

PROVOST’S REPORT – Jim Stellar

Provost Stellar listed some areas of focus, including the strategic plan, community engagement, and the new colleges of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cyber Security. He welcomed questions on these items or any other areas of concern. The Provost addressed a question regarding the status of the three Blue Ribbon Panel implementation teams on part-time and contingent faculty. He provided background on the issues and outlined follow up on recommendations related to addressing salary issues, encouraging course assignments to ensure eligibility for health benefits, longer-term employment commitments, and pathways for progression to permanence.He noted his commitment and enthusiasm in continuing work with UUP and at the level of the state to improve negotiations.He then responded to a question regarding the impact of the new schools, on CAS in particular.He indicated that countering concerns regarding potential negative impact takes active management, reports on data, and conversations around areas includingmission, resources and space. President Rodríguez described a similar circumstance at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, adding that he anticipated similar results, with synergies thatwill enhance, expand and benefit the entire institution.The Provost also responded to questions relating to DACA students and international programs and issues, and it was noted that the Dean for International Education and Vice Provost for Global Strategy Harvey Charles would be reporting to the Senate early in the semester. Provost Stellar elaborated on efforts to close the gap between graduate student stipends and the national average, adding that he would consult with Graduate Dean Kevin Williams and report more next time.

SEC CHAIR’S REPORT – James Collins, 2016-17 Chair

Informational

In May, Chair Collins met several times with Vice Chair Reinhold and Secretary Poehlmann 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.

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.

Actions taken

On May 4 and 8, sent to President Stellar Senate several Bills, which were approved:

1. Bill 1617-03: PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH B.A. / M.I.A. PROGRAMS, approved on May 9,
2. Senate Bill Senate Bill 1617-04: PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH AN M.S. IN DATA SCIENCE, approved on May 9;
3. Senate Bill 1617-05 PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERSHIP, approved on May 9
4. 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

Immediate Past Senate Chair Collins highlighted that much of the meetings and work achieved was in conjunction with the other Senate officers, Karin Reinhold, Cynthia Fox, Chris Poehlmann and Jim Mower.

SEC CHAIR’S REPORT – Karin Reinhold, 2017-18 Chair

I. Informational

July 26th Website meeting with JD Hyde and Angela D’Atri. Vice Chair Reinhold was requested graphs for shared governance and content input for the different councils.

Tue Aug 1st & 8th Vice Chair Reinhold met with incoming Vice Chair Mower to plan the elections’ calendar.

Thu Aug 10th Scott Bridges gave E. Lopez and Vice Chair Reinhold a tour of the new Campus Center facilities, including the new Board room where Senate meetings will be held once the room is ready.

Wed Aug 22thSenate leadership discussed the future visit of SUNY Senate President Gwen Kay and shared governance graphs to be displayed in the new website. Gwen made us aware that the announcement forDistinguished Professorships has been released, PIF funds (approved by chancellor and CFO) would be released Oct 15, promote and consider presenting atand/or attending the2017 SUNY Diversity Conference: Engaging Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity in the Classroom, Campus and Community, 29 Nov - 1 Dec.

Wed Aug 23rd CGL meeting addressed the next steps of theStrategic planning process. President Rodriguez will review and set forth his vision for the university during the Fall.

The assessment of academic units is underway. The Assessment Advisory Committee has been formed, and it includes 3 representatives of the Senate. We continue to request the development of a process for assessment of Deans.

Fri Aug 25th Routing proposals meeting with UPPC Chair Collins, Vice Dean for Graduate Education Bartow (OGE), Assistant Dean Undergraduate Education K. Winchester and C. Lavalle (UNE), and Associate Provost A.M. Murray.

New programs procedures are clearly documented and procedures for routing changes to programs were clarified. Timetables for proposal evaluation were discussed, to ensure programs receive timely evaluation. It was stressed the need for all involved parties to maintain communication.

Vice Chair Reinhold attended the Convocation. Interim President Stellar and President Elect Rodriguez welcomed the class of 2021, with 4000 students (including transfers).

Wed Aug 30th Senate leaders met with consultant from the AASCU-Penson Center for Professional Development and Dr. Charles Bantz, former Chancellor of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. We discuss items from which the culture of the university will be inferred.

Vice Chair Reinhold and McNutt had meetings and conversations during the summer months regarding the composition of CPCA, which needed to be updated after the charter amendment in the composition of CPCA.

Chair Collins and Vice Chair Reinhold ran a petition of behalf of contingent faculty to increase contingent faculty representation in the Senate. The petition was distributed to the Senate and was signed by 70 faculty and staff, which included 12 senators.

During the week of Aug 28th, Chair Reinhold had conversations about the Global Distinction proposal with Dean and Vice Provost J. Altarriba, Assistant Dean Undergraduate Education K. Winchester, Chairs of UAC K. Kiorpes & C. Smith, Dean and Vice Provost, International Education H. Charles & Director of Global Academic Programs A. Richie, and Chair of UPPC C. Fox.

II. Actions taken

Appointments of Senate representatives to the Assessment Advisory Committee: Penny NG from CAA, Ilka Kressner from GOV & Joette Stefl-Mabry from UPPC.

III. 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.

IV. 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 forstudents across the SUNY system to come together and display, talk about, demonstrate and/or perform their research and scholarly activity.

Senate Chair Reinholdadded thatthere were vacancies in University Auxiliary Servicesso there may need to be a special election in the fall, the Campus Recreation Advisory Board,and UAC. If you have recommendations, please communicate with Jim Mower of GOV.

OTHER REPORTS

UFS (University Faculty Senate) – Diane Hamilton, Walter Little & Latonia Spencer, SUNY Senators

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

Senator Little added that he would be going to Syracuse and to please forward to him any concerns for discussion. He noted that Chancellor Johnson showed great respect for faculty governance, was very receptive to critiques and indicated that she is open to working with the Senate. Senate Chair Reinhold asked the UFS Senators to consider recommendations regarding UAlbany membership on SUNY-wide committees.

GSA (Graduate Student Association) – Dawn Wharram, Lead Senator

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 Senators / Member
Lead Senator, UPPC / Dawn Wharram
Senator, GOV / Chad King
Senator, COR / Tom Robertson
Senator, LISC / Cathleen M. Green
Senator, GAC / Sydney Faught
University Senate Council Representatives / Member
Council on Libraries, Information Services and Computing (LISC) / Cathleen Green
Council on Academic Assessment (CAA) / Jeremy D. Berman
Council on Research (COR) / Amanda Aykanian
Council on Research (COR) / Tom Robertson
Graduate Academic Council (GAC) / Jonathan Whyte-Dixon
Graduate Academic Council (GAC) / Sydney Faught
Graduate Academic Council (GAC) / Natalie Turner
Undergraduate Academic Council (UAC) / Sadie Firstencel
University Life Council (ULC) / Amani R. Edwards
University Life Council (ULC) / Wenqian Wang
University Life Council (ULC) / Mario Arredondo
University Policy and Planning Council (UPPC) / Dawn Wharram
University Policy and Planning Council-Facilities (FAC) / Ajay Raghavendra
University Policy and Planning Council-Resource Analysis & Planning (RAPC) / Dawn Wharram
Ad-Hoc Committees with a GSA Representative / Member
Campus Recreation Advisory Board / Bek Luke
Sustainability / Dylan Card
University Auxiliary Services (UAS) / Dylan Card

Senator Wharram added that she had sent e-mails to council chairs regarding GSA paid representatives and asked that she be notified if any were not received. She also requested that attendance records be forwarded to her to assist in tracking participation. Senator Collins offered to assist with encouraging participation. Members discussed potential solutions should student Senate participation continue to be an issue with attaining quorum.

SA (Student Association) – Felix Abreu, Past Student Association President

• Nothing reported

COUNCIL/COMMITTEE CHAIRS’ REPORTS:

CAA (Council on Academic Assessment) –Alifair Skebe, past Chair

• Nothing to report

CAFFECoR (Committee on Academic Freedom, Freedom of Expression, and Community Responsibility) –Carol Jewell, Chair

• CAFFECoR will meet for the first time this semester on September 27, 2017.

CERS (Committee on Ethics in Research and Scholarship) – Michael Jerison, Chair

• Professors Marina Petrukhina, chemistry, and Richard Goldstein, mathematics, say they are willing to be CERS members. CERS is expected to meet before 9/11 to elect a chair.

COR (Council on Research) –Robert Rosenswig, Chair

• Nothing to report

Chair Rosenswig announced COR would be meeting the following Monday.

CPCA (Council on Promotions and Continuing Appointments) – Louise-Anne McNutt, Chair

• Nothing reported

Chair McNutt recapped that in May CPCA had changed the structure and procedures of the council with the aim to spread the work out and reduce the amount of hours per member, as the number of cases continues to go up. She indicate that over the summer a list of new members had been added, pendingSenate approval,and reviewed the procedures for their selection. She thanked Senate Chair Reinhold, Bill Hedberg, members of the Provost’s Office and some of the deans for their input. The Chair added that CPCA would be reporting on new procedures and recommendations, including the Provost’s Office convening of an ad hoc committee to consider the evaluation of teaching and research. Provost Stellar stated that he was very interested in meeting with CPCA to discuss ways to make the process more efficient and thanked the committee for its great work.

GAC (Graduate Academic Council) –Sean Rafferty, Chair

• Sean Rafferty was elected chair.

Chair Rafferty reported that GAC was about ready to set up its first meeting and to finish staffing its subcommittees.

GOV (Governance Council) – James 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.

Chair Mower added that GOV had met that past Wednesday and discussed items the council would be working on this year.

LISC (Council on Libraries, Information Systems, and Computing) – Sheila Bernard and BillieFranchini, Co-Chairs