Senate Minutes
I. Approval of Tentative Agenda
At 3:35 p.m. the University Senate President, Brent Lindquist, called the meeting to order. The agenda was approved.
II. Approval of Minutes
The minutes from March 6th were approved with two changes (VI: Council changed to Counsel and VII: the word Committee was added after the Senate Executive).
III. President’s Report: President Kenny was not present and a written report was available.
IV. Provost’s Report – Robert McGrath
BNL: Provost McGrath brought us up to date on BNL – one of many hats that he wears is that as VP for BNL affairs. Stony Brook and Batelle are in second 5-year of their BNL management contract which terms 3/08.
The National Syncrotron facility is getting old (25 years) and BNL needs a new one (Billion dollar project). A decision is expected in January of 2007 with the DOE on money commitment. For the first time in history, NY state has committed to a funding match for a facility at BNL.
We are searching for a new BNL Director.
China Trip: A 6-person delegation from SUNY went to China to discuss a possible agreement to build a new University in Najing (possible name: SUNY Najing University). Bob was one of the delegates. There will be a two-plus two programs plus research connection opportunities. The Chinese will build the University and SUNY will help operate it.
FAHSS RIIF: he Office of the Provost, the VP for Research and the Dean of CAS are pleased to invite applications for the new FAHSS Research and Interdisciplinary Initiatives Fund. The purpose of FAHSS is to encourage interdisciplinary dialog, research, and teaching, in the Fine Arts, Humanities, and lettered Social Sciences at Stony Brook. For more information go to: http://stonybrook.edu/fahss.
V. Campus Climate Task Force-George Myer and Al Jordan
Co-chairs Associate Dean Al Jordan and Assistant Vice President George Meyer, working together with Director of Diversity and Affirmative Action Christina Law and faculty member Carolyn Peabody have spent several months reviewing Stony Brook’s historical documents related to campus climate. The Presidential Task Force on Campus Climate was formed to follow up on the Campus Climate Survey given in 2004. They would like to get additional input from the campus community via the website. Comments recorded by the website will be sent to the appropriate sub-committee (comments are anonymous): http://www.stonybrook.edu/sb/climate.shtml.
There are five sub-committees on the task force. A great amount of work was done by these committees and all the reports are transmitted and placed on the web. They have been meeting regularly with the President and Vice Presidents. The recommendations will provide a roadmap to improvement in the campus climate.
The final report will be finished by Spring 2006. The draft will go to the President and her cabinet. The intention is that action items (and the responsibilities for ensuring action on the items will be formulated in the fall.
Note: there will be a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, April 20th from 12:30-1:30 in SAC 302. You are encouraged to attend to share opinions, suggestions, and experiences with the members of the Campus Climate Task Force Steering Committee.
VI. Senate President’s Report:
The Senate Elections are proceeding as planned. The slate of candidates has gone to DoIT to be put in ballot form on the Solar System. We’ve had the usual problems of filling the vacancies. There are a lot of open slots on the Campus Environment Committee.
Norm Goodman: An email was sent to you soliciting nominations (including self-nominations) to the Standing Committees of the SUNY University Faculty Senate. I urge to you consider nominating yourself or a relevant colleague for one of these committees. It is a wonderful opportunity to express yourself on relevant issues, play a role in influencing SUNY policies and practices, and meeting very interesting colleagues from other SUNY campuses. Also, it is important that Stony Brook be represented on these committees to insure that our campus' interests are given voice in the Senate's actions to influence SUNY policies and practices. All travel expenses are paid by the SUNY University Faculty Senate.
VII. Old Business – none
VIII. New Business – none
Meeting adjourned at 4:35