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University Senate
Tentative Agenda
March 7, 2011
Wang Center, Lecture Hall 2

I. Approval of Agenda

II. Approval of Minutes from February 7, 2011

III. Report from the Senate President
- reorganization of standing committees (constitution amendment)
- elections

IV. Report from the President (S. Stanley)

V. Report from the Provost (E. Kaler)

VI. Report from East Campus (K. Kaushansky)

VII. Report from the UUP (A. Shertzer)

VIII. General discussion

IX. New Business

X. Old business


University Senate
Minutes
March 7, 2011

I. Approval of tentative agenda: approved.

II. Approval of minutes from February 7, 2011: approved.

III. Senate President’s Report (F. Walter)

  • Elections will be taking place in mid April. Please nominate or volunteer yourself for a standing committee or an at-large seat.
  • The EC has been discussing the utility of the Computing and Communications Committee. The Senate has an ad hoc committee on Teaching and Learning. We need a committee on teaching and learning and since it overlaps with the Comp. & Commun. Committee we would replace it with the TLC. Requires an amendment to the constitution to include a new committee and then we will have three subsequent discussions. Will have a charge at the next senate meeting.
  • The Provost has two motions he would like passed by the Senate. We would like to move course evaluations from paper to on-line. The response time is 1-1½ weeks. There are no incentives. This involves the West Campus only. The cost to the university is approximately $30k per year for unlimited course related evaluation and early semester assessments (the second motion). The Executive Committee has unanimously approved the motion.

Motion 1

The current course evaluation questions will be delivered through an online process contracted through an external company for Spring 11 with the understanding that a new set of questions will be developed and implemented within a year. End of semester course surveys will be conducted using the university’s online system during the final third of a course, ending one day after the registrar scheduled final exam period. Respondent data will be anonymous and available to faculty and approved reviewers one month after this date. University approval must occur by March 15th 2011 for this to proceed.

Motion made to approve the motion to move course evaluations online: All in favor, 1 opposed and 2 abstentions.

Motion passes. Going to defer second motion on early semester assessments until general discussion.

IV. President’s Report (S. Stanley)

  • Budget: Receiving and estimated $12 million cut to direct state funding on the academic side as well as $55 million cut to the University Hospital. Face a $20 million gap as we face 2011/2012. Our response is to try to get a rational tuition increase. Continuing dialogue with assemblymen, legislators, etc. Ability to raise revenue at the Hospital is limited. Looking at closing or downsizing programs.
  • A “Budget Impact” website has been developed to provide the University with a detailed overview of the proposed cuts and anticipated impact of proposed reductions on jobs, programs, etc.
  • The University of Buffalo 2020 bill was approved unanimously by the Senate and then it has to be passed by the assembly.
  • New Chief Information Officer is Chris Kielt, who will be starting on May 2nd.
  • Provost Search: Committee formed with David Ferguson and Nancy Times as co-chairs.

V. Provost’s Report (E. Kaler)

  • Touched on upcoming Provost’s lecture series.
  • We are hosting the 15th Annual Swartz Lecture on Monday, April 11th at 4:30 in the Staller Center, Main Stage.
  • The University Education Assessment & Enhancement Committee (in partnership with AAC&U), will host a one-day gen ed institute on Friday, March 18th.
  • SB Southampton will start the Semester at the Sea in Fall 2011.

VI. Report from the East Campus (K. Kausansky)

  • Budget: Executive Budget proposed $54.8M cut to SBU Hospital.
  • Looking at virtually every program for its fiscal importance, or its excellence or for its importance in our goals once we have a budget.
  • Going under re-accreditation next month.
  • Launching a new program: Med Into Grad Initiative Program by which Ph.D. students are given a clinical experience. A medical boot camp where they are given some intense exposure to how you take the history from patients, etc. Then they are teamed with a mentor from the HSC.
  • Joint initiative between East Campus, West Campus and BNL on shared imaging.
  • Recruitments: Chair of Medicine (interviewing final candidates now), Dean for Clinical Affairs and Cancer Center Director (interviewing candidates now).

VII. UUP (S. Shertzer and C. Southerton)

  • Spoke about the seriousness of the budget and the impact on jobs. The University needs a tuition increase.
  • Extremely important that we contact the legislators, etc. We have a month to make a difference.
  • You can download letters to legislators at Savesuny.org.

Second motion by the Provost was read on early course assessment – would happen five weeks into the course. Discussion open. Discussion tabled until April meeting.

VIII. New Business: None.

IX. Old Business: None

Meeting Adjourned: 5:00 pm. Submitted by: Laurie Theobalt, Secretary