University Senate
Minutes
April 7, 2008

I.  Approval of Agenda – approved.

II.  Approval of Minutes from March 3, 2008 – approved.

III.  President’s Report – President Kenny not present (See written report below)

IV.  Provost’s Report (E. Kaler):

  • The search for a Director for the NY Center for Computational Sciences has concluded.
  • Admitted Students Day will be held on April 12th.  Expecting approximately 1500 new students.
  • Budget situation has considerable shortfalls.  There will be campus-wide reductions.
  • Best guess will be a 3% cut in state expenditures.  This will translate to an approximate 2 ½% cut on all elements across the board.  This includes a 2 1/2 % cut in the Provost’s budget (approximately $8 mil.).  Asking Deans for advice on cuts.
  • Dean of CAS put 388 sections on hold that were scheduled.  Department Chairs responded wonderfully.  A variety of funding sources were identified from the Provost’s office and by the end of the day when students were able to register for classes, all but 11 of those classes remain available for students to take.
  • Dr. Robert Kerber asked about faculty workload.  Provost Kaler:  We need the data from Department to Department.  This will be field specific. Use measures of student engagement or teaching workload that are relevant to those fields.
  • Peter Baigent brought up the fact that they are carefully watching student lending.
  • Frank Myers:  Housing is at an all time low.  This might be a good time to hire faculty.

V.  Stewardship Program (A. Provenzano):

  • What does Environmental Stewardship mean to Stony Brook:  Energy conservation, recycling, alternate energy sources improving environment and decreasing costs.
  • Dr. Kenny has a five-year plan including Energy reduction targets.
  • College and University Presidents across the country have signed on to commit going carbon neutral at some point in the future.
  • Stony Brook recycling efforts include paper, ink jets, plastics, tires, etc.
  • Electricity, steam, natural gas and fuel oil consumption has gone down.
  • Stony Brook is managing energy conservation.
  • Listed sustainability efforts in process such as a plan to convert a Stony Brook bus to run on kitchen oil from our own kitchens, creating greenhouses at Southampton and R&D to grow our own annuals and herbs for our kitchens, etc.
  • Talked about how we can help e.g., turn off lights, turn off office/computer equipment at end of day and make double-sided copies.
  • A suggestion was made to put recycling bins out at big events.
  • Please email Amy Provenzano for a copy of her presentation.

VI.  University Welcome Program (D. Buehler):

  • In 2004, George Myer sent out a memo for President Kenny’s 5-year plan to establish a volunteer group to welcome new faculty and staff to campus.
  • After the appeal went out, about 85 faculty and staff volunteered with a lot of diversity among the groups.
  • Program now coordinated through the Employee Assistance Program.
  • A brochure and website has been developed.  The website has a wealth of information about the community and has a link for new hires to correspond with volunteers about Stony Brook.

VII.  Smoking Policy (L. Esparza):

  • Louis is the Chair of the Smoking Policy Subcommittee which is part of the Senate Campus Environment Committee.  Formed two years ago.
  • The Resolution to ban smoking on campus was not passed.
  • Meeting this past year with pro/con (on smoking) people to discuss ways to form a policy that would be a compromise for everyone.
  • Would like to increase the distance where you can smoke near buildings from 15 ft. to 20 ft. There is also a proposal to ban smoking on the Academic Mall between the Administration Building and the Earth and Space Science Building.  There was discussion that the Javits Lecture Center should be included.
  • This was vetted by the Campus Environment Committee and the Graduate Student Organization

VIII.  Senate President’s Report (B. Lane):

  • We will put the Smoking Policy and background information on the web for discussion and take this to a vote at the next Senate meeting.
  • Please nominate someone or volunteer for the position of President of the Senate.  We also need a Secretary. 
  • Norm Goodman was asked to speak about the SUNY-Wide Committees that have openings.  They play a significant role in shaping SUNY policy.  Urge you to volunteer for these important committees.  They meet between 3 and 4 times a year and your travel is paid for. 
  • The Constitution and Bylaws need to be revised.  Please read them over and email any suggestions you may have.

IX.  Old Business:  No old business.

X.  New Business:  No new business.

Meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.

Submitted by:

Laurie Theobalt
Secretary