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Arts & Sciences Senate
HomeRecordsSenate Minutes2010 2011February 21 2011

Tentative Agenda
Arts & Sciences Senate
February 21st, 2011
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Javits Room, Library

I.  Approval of Agenda

II.  Approval of Minutes from November 15, 2010

III.  President’s Report (E. Mendieta)

IV.  Sense of the University Senate motion on SUNY’S Budget Crisis (F. Walter)

V.  Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Report (E. Chang)

VI. Committee on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities Policies- Chair: Hugh J. Silverman to present “procedures and guidelines for the Award Title of Senior Lecturer” and changes to senate by-laws to accommodate new procedures thusly: 
                The Arts and Sciences Senate already includes a sixth Standing Committee entitled: "Senior Lecturer Promotion Review Committee (SLPRC)." This is specified in section C. (Standing Committees).  Section C. 2. f. describes the committee itself. However, Section C. 3. specifies the membership of each of the Standing Committees except for the "Senior Lecturer Promotion Review Committee (SLPRC)."  So we propose to amend the Constitution to add the following:

C. 3. f.  The Senior Lecturer Promotion Review Committee (SLPRC) shall consist of five voting members:

        (1)      one elected Tenured or Senior Lecturer Member each from:

                 (i)      the humanities and fine arts (including journalism)

                 (ii)     the social and behavioral sciences;

                 (iii)    the natural sciences (including physical sciences, mathematics, biological, and marine sciences)

        (2)     two members appointed by the Provost from disciplines including Lecturers on their faculty.

This will bring the A&S Senate Constitution into conformity with the procedures specified in the final Guidelines document. (Included with this minutes)

VII.  CAS Dean’s Report (N. Squires)

VIII. Old Business

IX.  New Business

______________________________________________________________

Arts and Sciences Senate Minutes
February 21, 2011

I.  Approval of agenda:  approved with minor changes.

II.  Approval of minutes from November 2010:  approved.

III.  Senate President Report (E. Mendieta)

IV.  Sense of the University Senate motion on SUNY’S Budget Crisis (F. Walter)

  • Another 10% cut in budget.  State support wiped out to the hospital. 
  • Tuition at Stony Brook is very cheap.  The Governor will not look at a tuition increase.
  • Stony Brook University is the main employer in Suffolk County.
  • The GSO does not agree with the University Senate motion.  They feel they were not involved in discussions. 
  • F. Enciso made a motion to release a statement by the A&S Senate that they do not believe that a tuition hike is the only way to get out of the financial crisis.  Motion seconded.
  • Motion was made to table the GSO motion.  All were in favor of tabling the motion until the GSO came up with a statement.

V.  Committee on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities Policies- Chair: Hugh J. Silverman to present “procedures and guidelines for the Award Title of Senior Lecturer” and changes to senate by-laws to accommodate new procedures.

  1. There are approximately 100 lecturers on campus.
  2. Dr. Silverman gave an overview of the award of title of Sr. Lecturer.
  3. The Provost, Human Resources, and the FRRP Committee have approved the final document.
  4. First reading of constitutional change:    adding the Senior Lecturer Promotion Review Committee to the A&S Standing Committees. 
  5. Dr. Silverman made a motion that the Senate add to the election procedure for the elections that are taking place now, three members with staggered terms, and follow  the formulation that which will become part of the constitution.   All were in favor.  Motion passed.
  6. First reading of constitutional change:  Since the chairs of the standing committees are already part of the A&S Executive Committee, the Coordinating Council (part F) should read:  F.  it shall facilitate the sharing of information and the coordination of activities among the standing committees of the Arts and Sciences Senate. 

VI.  Curriculum Committee Report (E. Chang) (written report provided)

  • Written report provided.
  • The committee met 25 times in 2009/2010.
  • Approved 56 new courses, along with a new interdisciplinary major in Early Civilization, and the Turkana Basin Institute, a study abroad program made up of five new courses from the Anthropology and Geosciences departments.
  • The committee met with Graham Glynn and Pat Aceves regarding putting syllabi online.  Discussed online teaching.
  • Met with Martin Schoonen to discuss future plans for the students on the campus and Southampton degree offerings.
  • Committee concerned that it was not more involved in the Gen Ed discussions given its current responsibility to review Gen Ed requirements and courses.  Also concerned that it may be difficult to ensure “seamless student mobility” as mandated by SUNY in proposed new models.
  • Motion to accept report:  all in favor.

VII.  Dean’s report (N. Squires)

  • Project 50 Forward – Operational Excellence:  moving in to design phase.  Initiative teams:  Finance and Budget, Procurement, and Human Resources.   More teams will be rolled out in the next three months.
  • Budget is bleak.  State support has been declining for the last 20 years.
  • CAS has put together a CAS Advisory Group to discuss ways to save such as restructuring, how to make hiring decisions wisely, etc.
  • Pressure our legislators.

VIII.  Old Business:  none.

IX.  New Business:  none.

Submitted by:  Laurie Theobalt, Secretary

Senate Minutes
Senate Minutes