University Senate
Minutes of December 1, 2008

Meeting called to order at 3:36 by President Lane.

I.  Approval of Agenda:  approved

II.  Approval of Minutes of  November 3, 2008:  approved

III.  Provost’s Report (E. Kaler)

  • The grand opening of the Center for the Undergraduate College of Science and Society is being held this afternoon.
  • Changing Climates, Changing Minds Conference was held on November 12th.  Expressed Stony Brook University’s commitment to interdisciplinary education and research.
  • Together with the Senate, the Provost Strategic Advisory Group has been formed to advise on strategic directions for our West Campus academic programs. 
  • Vice Presidential areas to take a 10% cut in budget and there will likely be additional cuts as we move forward.

IV.  Learning Space Policy and Procedures (G. Glynn)

  • There were no policies or procedures in place as of two years ago on how classrooms were managed.
  • Procedures have been put together to define responsibilities for ownership/maintenance/coordination.
  • The Provost’s Advisory Group, Capra, Senate Executive committee etc. have had input into report.
  • Brent Lindquist is responsible for classroom/research space.
  • There is no cost associated with the use of General Purpose Classrooms for credit-bearing courses and associated activities run by the University.

Motion was made to adopt the Learning Space Policy and Procedures document.  All in Favor:  all in favor; Opposed:  none

V.  President’s report (S. Kenny)

  • There will be a tuition rise for out-of-state starting in the Fall.  SUNY sent out incorrect information regarding the tuition rise for out-of-state students.  There will be a 21.3% increase rather than the 28% increase originally reported
  • Stony Brook has the lowest fees out of all four SUNY centers.
  • Stony Brook Day in Albany will be cut back to around 100 people on 2 buses.

VI.  Proposed Constitutional Amendment (R. Ben-Zvi)

  • There are seven senates on campus.
  •  The amendment pertains to brand new units with less than six faculty members (e.g., School of Journalism – Dean requested they be under the Arts and Sciences Senate.)
  • Proposing to amend the Constitution to include that the Dean of an academic unit having less than six full time members of the academic staff will make this initial choice for the unit.  Dr. Ben-Zvi read the amendment to Senate.
  • The affiliation is binding until six faculty members are hired.
  • After first reading and discussion, the amendment will be read again (with changes) at the February 2009 Senate meeting.

Amendment with changes:

Proposed Constitutional Amendment:

The University Senate Constitution currently defines affiliation as follows:

3. Affiliation
Academic units may, upon approval by the University Senate, choose the major governance unit with which to affiliate for representation in the Senate and/or for academic governance.

This definition does not address the issues of affiliation of new academic units before they have enough full time faculty members who can choose their senate representation and affiliation with academic governance. The following amendment is proposed:

3. Affiliation
Academic units may, upon approval by the University Senate, choose the major governance unit with which to affiliate for representation in the Senate and/or for academic governance. The Dean of an academic unit having fewer than six full time members of the academic staff will make this initial choice for the unit. Upon approval by the University Senate this choice will be binding until the unit has at least six full time members of the academic staff. At that time, those members of the academic staff shall affirm the initial governance affiliation or choose an alternative affiliation, which will be binding on that unit.

VII.  Nomination of University Senate President and Secretary (A. De Chambeau)

  • No additional nominations were received.
  • There are two candidates for Senate President

Dr. Bernard Lane, Professor of Pathology and Dr. Michael Schwartz, Professor of Sociology

  • The candidate for Senate Secretary is Dr. Edward Feldman, Professor of Family Medicine.

All in favor for Dr. Edward Feldman as Secretary:

All in favor:  All in favor, none against

Dr. Lane thanked Aimee De Chambeau for the past two years of service as Senate Secretary.

VIII.  Consideration of Resolutions from SUNY Faculty Senate (N. Goodman)

  • Resolutions on “The Effect of New York State’s Budget on SUNY” and
    Implementing the Recommendation of the New York State Commission on Higher Education” were passed at the University Faculty Senate’s 150th Fall Plenary Meeting in Potsdam.
  • The University Senate was asked to vote in favor to adopt the resolutions.

All in favor to adopt:  all in favor

IX.  University Senate President’s report (B. Lane)

  • Thanked the Coordinating Council (consisting of all Chairs of the Standing Committees) for reporting to the Executive Committee this past year.
  • Statements for the University Senate President candidates will be posted on the Senate website.
  • The Election will be held at the February 2nd Senate meeting by paper ballot method.

Meeting adjourned 4:55 p.m.

Minutes submitted by:

Laurie Theobalt
Secretary