University Senate
Minutes
October 5, 2009

I.  Approval of agenda:  Approved

II.  Approval of minutes from September 14, 2009:  Approved.

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

  • The Senate has been active in the Library Review.
  • Beginning to look carefully at the proposal and process for the new Korean campus.
  • Hope that in the next couple of months we will be able to look carefully at these two issues:  the new MA Programs being developed around campus and the consideration of the further development of Southampton.  The bulk of the November 2nd meeting will focus on the Southampton campus.
  • Election Reform:  first reading of reform proposals.

IV.  Provost’s Report (E. Kaler)

  • External review team for the Melville Library has been commissioned.  Goals are evaluation, benchmarking resources and looking into the relationship between the Melville Library and the HSC Library.
  • Discussion is moving forward on Korea/Songdo.  There is a schedule for public presentations/discussions by Brent Lindquist.  In terms of decision-making, we expect to begin our presentations to the President starting in January.
  • CAS Dean search:  President Stanley intends to have a comprehensive strategic planning process so there may be reorganization of the colleges.  The decision was made to suspend the Dean’s search until at least the first of the year.  Nancy Squires will be the Interim Dean for the CAS.

V.  UUP Activities (K. Southerton)

  • The state has mandated that most health workers receive the H1N1 vaccine.  See the UUP website (uupinfo.org) to see updates on how the UUP is handling this.  You can also see budget cut updates on the site.

VI.  President’s Report (S. Stanley)

  • Presidential inauguration scheduled for October 23rd.
  • First 90 days in office has been great.  Spent time meeting with Deans and Vice Presidents.  Met with the East Campus Chairs, and hope to meet with the West Campus Department chairs along with faculty and staff. 
  • Spent some time meeting with elected state and local legislators.  They are important to Stony Brook in terms of their roles in state government.
  • Met with the new Chancellor, Nancy Zimpher and other SUNY officials.
  •  Common themes that kept coming up on campus:  faculty enthusiasm for Stony Brook; faculty workload (need more faculty to increase scholarly activity); Graduate Student support (including stipends); cost of living and affordable housing for graduate students and young faculty; and the role of the university in terms of economic development.
  • Chancellor Zimpher is establishing a Strategic Planning Steering Committee.  Stony Brook has submitted names of 3 faculty, 3 administrators and 3 affiliates to be considered as nominees.  Formed the University Council consisting of Deans and Vice Presidents.
  • Budget:  13 M. in cuts that we have not dealt with yet.  Moving forward knowing that there may be additional cuts.
  • We do have positive revenue components.  Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, there has been in increase in money for sponsored research.  We also have 25 M. in new money from the Provost.
  • We have to generate new revenue:
    • “Big 6 Bill”.  Hold disadvantaged students harmless even if there are tuition increases.
    • Get more grants – sponsored research, clinical revenue
    • Philanthropy and fund-raising.
  • Dean of SOM search:  We are collecting names for candidates.  There will be a town hall meeting in the HSC with the search committee.  Search committee is just convening for a new VP for Development.  The search is ongoing for the Dean of the School of Nursing.  Have met one candidate and have three more to meet.
  • Facilities:  SB Hotel project has been approved and will go forward.  It will be operated by Hilton Garden Inn and situated on an 11 acre parcel between Nicholls Road and the administration garage. 
  • Undergraduate Student asked what would be the benefit of a South Korean campus to undergraduates at Stony Brook.  Provost Kaler responded that 1) a footprint for an international study abroad experience.  We do not do a good enough job in finding opportunities for study abroad and 2) it will bring students from Korea to Stony Brook for a semester or a year which provides an enriching opportunity for Stony Brook Students to have interactions and encounters with students from other cultures.

VII.  Old Business:  No old business.

VIII.  New Business:  No new business.

Meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

Submitted by:

Laurie Theobalt
Secretary
University Senate