University Senate
Minutes
March 9, 2009

I.  Approval of tentative agenda:  approved with changes in order.

II.  Approval of Minutes from February 2, 2009:  approved.

III.  Senate President’s Report (M. Schwartz)

• Letter was sent out to campus community as incoming University Senate President to ask for input on pressing issues.  Received 63 responses with a lot of great suggestions and very interesting ideas.
• The Executive Committee has approved the resolution on the budget crisis and would like the senate to approve it today.
• Proposing a lobbying effort program which will involve putting together teams (faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduates, etc) to visit downstate offices of state legislators.
• The Executive Committee is putting together a Task Force on the Southampton campus and how the budget will affect it.

IV.  President’s Report (S. Kenny)

• We’ve met and passed our Capital Campaign goal of $300 Mil.  The campaign continues until June.
• Enrollments total 22,969, 696 more than last year.
• Accepting fewer students for higher yield.
• Average SAT scores of the admits has increased by 20 points from last year.

Budget:

• Each VP has developed a plan to include both cuts and revenue enhancements to reach at least a 10% reduction in state expenses, however, the President’s office and a number of  VPs took slightly more of a cut to ease the burden of the cuts to the Provoost’s office
• The state keeps cutting SUNY budget.
• Ninety percent of the tuition increase to be taken by the State.
• SUNY to receive $40Mil from Stimulus package.
• Dan Melucci spoke about specific cuts.
• CUNY budget was not cut as severely as SUNY.

V.  Learning Assessment Conference (G. Glynn)

• The Learning Assessment Conference will be held on March 27th from 10:00-3:00 p.m.
• Conference focuses on helping faculty use assessment tools to improve their courses.

VI.  Provost’s Report (E. Kaler)

• Eight percent reduction in provost area.
• Slightly more than 5% cut in provostial units
• Twenty percent reduction in graduate stipends.
• Encouraging all units to create revenue enhancement that may include such programs as increasing summer school and winter session enrollments, adding students to our master’s programs, increasing out-of-state and international enrollments, adding certification programs, etc.

VII.  Report on Graduate Tuition Scholarships (C. Taber)

• Commitment for Graduate tuition scholarships remains firm for students already here including TAships.
• In 2001-2002 the Graduate tuition scholarship costs were borne by SUNY to campus.  In 2008-2009 campus funds paid for more than half of GTS’s.
• If SUNY tuition scholarship allocation remains stable (8 Mil), expect campus portion to go up to $10 Mil.
• Campus will have to come up with $11 Mil if there is a 15% cut in 09/10.
• Increase in campus burden.

VIII.  Change in Charge for Campus Environment Committee (G. Hanson)

• Two reasons for change in charge and name of Campus Environment Committee:

1.  the Campus Environment committee should be renamed “University Environment Committee” because this committee oversees more than one campus
2.  To make it clearer as to what are the different aspects of the environment that we are considering.

• First reading of the proposed amendment was read.

IX.  Senate Action of Budget Cuts (M. Schwartz)

• Senate to consider the proposed budget cut resolution and the organization of a lobby effort.
• The resolution was read and discussion ensued.
• Discussion on wording of :

“Be it further resolved that fully funded graduate students receive full tuition”

Motion to vote on resolution with the delegation to the Executive Committee to fix the language to include Teaching Assistants, Graduate Assistants and possibly Research Assistants. 

Motion made to vote on change:  All in favor

Subsequent motion made to have the Executive committee frame a new resolution for further consideration to address returning veterans and retraining people who are out of work. 

Motion to vote:  None in favor.

Discussion to add the word healthcare to third paragraph, last sentence, to read “role in resolving the current fiscal, social and healthcare crises that are….”

There was a motion to table this.  Motion seconded.  Motion failed.

Motion to move previous question, motion seconded.  All in favor of adding the word “healthcare” to the sentence.

Motion to vote on budget resolution:  All in favor of resolution.

• Dr. Schwartz discussed the proposal on the University Senate lobbying of State Legislators.  Sign up sheet was passed around.
• Put together teams of 4-5 people to lobby and make appointments with legislators in each district in NY metro area. 
• Prepare a document(s) supporting the Senate’s position specific budget issues.
• Discussion regarding having documents as narratives or bullet listing.  Sense of the senate body favors narrative.

Paper ballot was sent around during the Senate meeting on the Constitutional Amendment regarding unit affiliation:  54 for, 4 against.  Amendment passes

X.  Old Business:  No old business.

XI.  New Business:  No new business.

Meeting adjourned at 5:15.

Submitted by:  Laurie Theobalt, Senate Secretary

Proposed SBU Senate Resolution
on the
Effect of the NYS budget cuts

Whereas, the proposed level of budget cuts to SUNY would significantly reduce Stony Brook University’s reputation and standing in the academic world by causing a serious loss of quality faculty that will make the recruitment of new talent (faculty and students) almost impossible, and will undermine its high quality academic programs , and

Whereas, the proposed level of budget reductions would significantly reduce the course offerings available to undergraduate students, lengthen the time they need to graduate, increase the cost of their education, and increase the size of courses to a level that is not conducive to quality education, and

Whereas, the proposed cuts to support graduate education, specifically the reduction in tuition scholarships and failure to cover the cost of the required tuition increase, will rob New York State and the nation of the educated professionals who will be needed to play a significant role in resolving the current fiscal, social and healthcare crises that are likely to last for some time, and

Whereas, the educated workforce provided by Stony Brook University is a necessary investment in New York State’s future and an engine of economic productivity that it sorely needs, and

Whereas, the decision to have New York State retain 80% of the annualized tuition increase is in effect a state tax and an unconscionable burden placed on students to solve the state’s budget crisis, and

Whereas, the introduction of a tithe on Research Foundation funds will curtail the targeted research supported by these funds, which are of great benefit to New York State,

Therefore, be it resolved that the entire tuition increase be returned to Stony Brook that generated these funds, and

Be it further resolved that full tuition waivers be reinstated for university funded teaching assistants and graduate assistants, and for eligible research assistants, and

Be it further resolved that an adequate number of tuition scholarships to support high quality graduate education be provided, and

Be it further resolved that sufficient funds be provided to ensure the availability of an adequate number of courses for undergraduate students to avoid an increase in the time and cost of their education, and that will not require the size of their courses to be increased to a level that is not commensurate with high quality education, and
 
Be it further resolved that New York State government recognize that public higher education is an investment in its future and is a major engine of economic productivity, and that it needs to provide the resource support necessary for the quality of its academic and research programs.

___________________________________________________________________
Change in Charge for Environment Committee 

Proposed text:
Change name to University Environment Committee
This committee shall examine all aspects of the university environment, including but not limited to conservation of natural areas, ecological preserves and historical artifacts; transportation; parking issues; infrastructure; facilities planning; human health issues; safety and security; energy efficiency; recycling; waste management; and general appearance of all university locations. It will consult with and advise the Vice-President for Facilities and Services and the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Existing Text:
It shall examine all aspects of the campus environment, including but not limited to safety, security, facilities planning, state of facilities, and general appearance of the campus. It will consult with and advise the Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Services