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Chair: Susan Camp
Recorder: Sarah Lewis
The meeting was called to order at 4:08 P.M.
I. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved unanimously.
II. Approval of Minutes of General Faculty Meeting of February 1st, 2010
The minutes were approved unanimously.
III. President's Report- D. Stanley
The President
began her report by answering questions that the faculty had about issues
and events happening on campus. She stated that there was no
change in the budget since she reported at the last General Faculty Assembly in February. Another question was raised about the process that is undertaken with the awarding of Honorary Degrees at
Oswego. She stated that the college has had no set list of criteria for awarding honorary degrees, other than those from SUNY. She stated that
when selecting candidates they look for someone who has a connection
to the campus and who has had an extraordinary life. She stated that the two who are to receive degrees at graduation are Secretary of the
Army John McHugh and Arnold Gardner, who was on the SUNY Board of
Trustees and Board of Regents and was a good friend to our campus.
She then
continued to report that there is no committee of faculty and students that
exists right now on campus to decide honorary degrees, though there has been in the past. She suggested that Faculty Assembly look
into this issue and discuss a possible implementation of some sort of committee that decides this. President Stanley also stated regarding
the controversy that surrounds Secretary John McHugh speaking at Commencement, that the event is to honor the graduation candidates above all and to keep that in mind. She stated that she wanted to keep Commencement much the same in decorum as it has been, and she is arranging for a meeting with Secretary McHugh before the ceremony so that concerned faculty, staff and students can voice their concerns about
the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. She then continued her report to talk about how Admissions have seen a rise in applications for the upcoming academic year. She also stated that Admissions
reports that applications have been strong and show a bright group of applicants who have applied to Oswego.
She then
discussed the estimated budget for the upcoming 2010-2011 academic year. She stated that there is about a 2.3-2.4 million dollar cut that will be seen at Oswego, and the campus will be able to absorb this cut. She suggested that this is a time to move forward and to start making
lasting changes and savings to this campus. She stated that there is
going to be a suggestion box set up at the Campus Center Welcome Center. This will be a way for faculty, staff and students to make anonymous
suggestions about budget savings, and suggestions will be posted on the
Ning community.
President Stanley then discussed different projects and events that were occurring on campus this summer and the next academic year. She stated that she is actively working with the Budget Advisory Group, which hosts the Ning website for suggestions for the budget, as well as suggestions
for budget planning. She also reported that the Middle States reaccreditation process will start next year, and to be on the lookout for
events that will be occurring relating to that. She also reported that the Summer Scholars Program will be occurring on campus this summer, and
that about 20-25 students will be participating in this program. She lastly reported that SUNY Oswego made the U.S. President's Community Service Honor Roll again for this year, as well as that this
year’s Reunion Weekend in Oswego will be one of the biggest Oswego has seen in years.
IV. Faculty Senate Report-L. Brown
Faculty Senate Alternate Brown began her report by discussing the President’s report from the April 2010 Faculty Senate Plenary meeting at SUNY New Paltz. President Ken O’Brien stated that phases I and II of the Chancellor’s Strategic Plan for SUNY are complete, with Phase II including the launch of “The Power of SUNY” beginning April 12. He stated that this plan involves a major redirection for SUNY, with more involvement between SUNY and the greater community in the areas of health, clean energy, education at every level, and research and agency collaborations.
She continued her report and discussed that with the budget that the Governor’s cuts totaled $118 million, with an addition $34 million unspecified union give-back. She stated that the budget debate in Albany rages on. Also, due to the budget crisis at the State level, there will be an estimated 2700 fewer classes offered at SUNY campuses this fall, and unfortunately this will mean longer times to graduation for SUNY students, which is being used by private colleges in advertising against SUNY. In order to close the budget gap, there would need to be a 30% increase in tuition, which would equal about $1600. There would also be no guarantee that SUNY would be able to keep the increased revenues on campus.
Faculty Senate Alternate Brown then continued her report to discuss PHEEIA. In the President’s report, he stated that the Empowerment Act has been largely rejected by both houses of the Legislature and that SUNY administration sent a letter through the Chancellor to state leaders requesting numerous suggestions, which included: restoration of community college aid, moving SUNY funds to aid to localities, differential tuition for university centers, public-private partnerships for university centers and elimination of pre-audit for purchases.
She continued her report by discussing the Student mobility and the revision of General Education and SUNY assessment. She stated that the Board of Trustees has passed revisions of existing policies that significantly increase flexibility for each campus. Student Mobility has been geared towards a more uniform systemic approach, with the Provost’s Office working to identify 5-6 core courses students can take for every major prior to transfer to a 4 year school. This would include a General Education minimum of 30 credits in any 7 of 10 General Education categories, plus math and writing comprehension. She reported that the assessments of majors and General Education will no longer be reviewed by the Provost’s office, but rather by external accrediting agencies.
Faculty Senate Alternate Brown then continued her report by discussion the Interim Provost David Lavallee’s report. In his report, he stated that eight administrative positions have not been filled in Provost’s office, but two associate provost posts will be filled shortly. These two associate provosts will be responsible for academic program review and assessment, and the other for interactions with the comprehensive colleges sector. He also stated that there would be an administrative reorganization that will include oversight of six geographical sectors in the system, each with its own contact in the Provost’s office.
He also reported on the Mobility and Transfer articulation. He stated that conversations have taken place with all colleges to identify courses to be taken in the first two years of each major with a grade of C or better, so that transfer students will have those courses in hand when they arrive. It was also mentioned that appeals and reconsideration of specific courses are possible and appropriate. Also, there was discussion with strategic Enrollment Management, and there were possible caps on programs and majors. Also a re-evaluation of how many elective, upper-division courses should be offered given problems with graduation delays. He also reported on Out-of-Classroom Experiences, which is an initiative to increase and advertise co-op activites, internships, service learning, study abroad, honors programs and student research.
She then reported on the Chief Operating Officer Monica Rimai’s report, which included discussion about PHEEIA. She discussed that with PHEEIA, it is a three legged stool of tuition, procurement efficiency and new revenue streams. Also with the budget, she discussed that that was still up in the air, as of May 1st, no campus construction workers can be paid because they are not included in emergency spending bills. With the campus cuts, Senator Alternate Brown quoted that “All campuses have plans for retrenchment and other draconian cuts…furloughs, layoffs and program eliminations will occur, and within the next two weeks announcements will be made”
She lastly reported on the Chancellor Nancy Zimpher’s report. In her report, she discussed the SUNY Strategic plan, which includes research and innovation, a Seamless Education Pipeline, which would be from kindergarten to 20 years of age, also known as Cradle to Career, Health and Wellness, Energy and Sustainability, the Vibrant Community and SUNY and the World.
V. UUP Report- S. Abraham
President Abraham began his report by stating that there would still be a 3% increase in everyone’s paychecks in the fall, despite the budget situation and the calls for give backs by the state. He stated that they were so adamant against the give back since it would most likely just end up in the general fund. He also reported that there was close to $28,000 in IDAP awards this year, with special thanks to Winfield Ihow and his committee. Also, he reported that there was a new faculty orientation, fall picnic and a holiday party that were all a success and hosted by UUP over the past year.
He then continued his report to discuss the new website that is the UUP website that is exclusively for faculty in SUNY Oswego. This website has very useful information and things that you might find helpful with your dealings and questions that you might have dealing with UUP. Also, on April 8th, there was a chapter meeting with President Phillip Smith in attendance. At this meeting they discussed the Higher Education Act and about why UUP was not in favor of this Act. President Smith presented the reason why UUP was not in favor of the Higher Education Act.
President Abraham continued his report by discussing DSI for adjuncts here in Oswego. The main reason most adjuncts do not apply for DSI was that they did not fill out the online form. The Provost was in favor of adjuncts receiving DSI, and stated that adjuncts should still submit applications for DSI. Also, the sick leave problems were fixed with adjuncts.
He continued his report by stating that the Retirement Party will be on May 10th, and to RSVP at uup@oswego.edu . Also he stated that the Fall picnic will be on September 7th, 2010, and this year there is no conflict with CELT, as there was last year for the picnic. The cost to attend the picnic will be $5 a person.
President Abraham continued his report by stating that there is only one more year left with the current contract. There will be a 4% raise in the fall as of now, this raise is not on hold or frozen, and there is no call for givebacks. He stated that this could possibly change in the future. There is also no call for furloughs for UUP members. He also stated that IDAP will be both in the fall and spring. He continued to state that after next years contract, he encourage people to be open minded that next contract might be rough, due to the budget constraints by state.
He concluded his report by stating that if you are employed at SUNY Oswego that you need to fill out time sheet. The University cannot verify that you work at Oswego if you do not fill them out. He asked that everyone encourage everyone to do this, that way there is no confusion when it comes to sick time and vacation time.
VI. Chair Report- S. Camp
The Chair began her report by having faculty members to please consider nominating yourself for one of the committees for University Faculty Senate. She stated that these standing committees and their charges are available at
http://www.suny.edu/facultysenate/Standing_Committee_Charges.cfm She stated that each committee meets several times per year, once in early September which is usually in Albany, and then the other times are decided by the respective committees membership. These meetings are held both live and using teleconferencing. She also stated that all travel expenses for committee members are paid for by UFS. She stated that if you have any questions about the work of committees please talk with her, Gwen Kay, Al Stamm, Mary Frances Stuck, Jim Nichols, Harrison Yang or Lorrie Clemo, which are all current or former committee members.
She continued her report by stating that the budget advisory council will meet again tomorrow. She asked that if you have any suggestions for the budget, saving money, new initiatives that you either please share them on the Ning community, send them to her or whomever you would like to take your idea forward.
She then continued her report to share with everyone that there is a College Hour program that will be talking about the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. The speaker will be J. D. Smith, a graduate of a U.S. service academy, and who helped to found Citizens for Repeal. This will be in 101 Lanigan Hall, on Wednesday May 5th. This event is sponsored by SUNY Oswego's United University Professions and Pride Alliance.
VII. Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business for this meeting.
VIII. New Business
*Election of Faculty Assembly Chair and Faculty Senator- Susan Camp was elected Faculty Assembly Chair by acclamation
*Approval of Candidates for degrees
- o College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: R. Mandel made a motion to approve 562 candidates for undergraduate degrees. The motion was passed unanimously
- o School of Business: R. Skolnik moved the approval of 322 undergraduate degrees. This motion was passed unanimously.
- o School of Communication, Media and the Arts: F. Messere moved approval of 233 undergraduate degree candidates. The motion was passed unanimously.
- o School of Education: L. Markert moved the approval of 415 candidates for undergratuate degrees. The motion was passed unanimously
- o Division of Continuing Education: Y. Petrella moved the approval of 20 candidates for evening and online degrees. The motion was passed unanimously.
- o Division of Graduate Studies: D. King moved the approval of 254 candidates for graduate degrees. This motion was passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:23 P.M.
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