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The meeting was called to order at 4:11PM.
I. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved unanimously.
II. Approval of Minutes of
General Faculty Meeting of May 7th, 2007
President Stanley made a correction in the President’s Report on the minutes
from May 7th, 2007. She said that the school did not buy a building
in downtown Oswego with plans for opening an art gallery, but rather it was
leased. The minutes were approved with corrections to the President’s
Report.
III. President's Report – D.
Stanley
President Stanley started her report by welcoming the faculty back and
wishing them a great upcoming year. She noted that the official opening of the
Campus Center would be October 12^th , 2007. Catherine Engstrom will be
speaking at the event. She also reported that New York State Governor Elliot
Spitzer would be coming to the SUNY Oswego campus to meet with local business
leaders.
President Stanley then remarked on the stable rate of full-time undergraduate
students, which this fall was at 7,025. Similarly, the residence hall occupancy
rate is quite high because Riggs Hall was officially re-opened for the fall.
However, there are declining numbers of part-time students: only 1100 this
fall. This trend is common throughout the SUNY system, and is most likely due
to the rising and falling economic conditions from year to year.
The school is trying to approve a lease for the Metro Center in Syracuse, New
York, to get more of a presence in the Syracuse area.
There was a very high number of full-time student applications received for
this semester, allowing the selectivity rate for Oswego to grow. SUNY Oswego is
still looking to recruit more students from the downstate area.
President Stanley then noted that Susan Coultrap-McQuin would be heading a
Retention Task Force to study the reasons that many students leave Oswego
before completing their degrees.
The school is also trying to track its level of diversity among undergraduates,
graduates, faculty and staff. It has shown that there is a growing rate of
diversity at the undergraduate level, but the number is lower at the graduate
level. SUNY Oswego hired 51 new members of faculty and staff; 11 of those were
from underrepresented groups.
President Stanley went on to say that the budget has grown to over $1.9
million, including state support and campus revenue. The money will go to
faculty and staff salary raises, academic affairs, the library, new staff
positions, finishing the Campus Center, repairs to Sheldon and King Hall and to
student affairs. President Stanley also remarked that the school’s capital
campaign is going well; the goal is $23 million or more by June of 2008.
President Stanley congratulated the Art Department for its recent national
accreditation. She was also proud to report that here were 864 students
participating in research initiatives with faculty, and 233 students took
advantage of the study abroad program through Oswego along with more from other
schools. She also reported that there was an all-time high number of students
from other countries seeking degrees at SUNY Oswego, with 25 countries
represented.
The President then made notes about the College Hour for this year having 70
presentations to choose from. Also, as part of the ORI, Anthony Grooms would be
speaking on campus in October.
She also went on to say that Cathy Santos has been appointed as the new
Associate Provost for Multicultural Opportunities and Programs.
President Stanley made note of the proposed new Science Facilities Development
plan which is underway. The school has $25 million dollars in hand but is
looking for about $30 million more.
Looking ahead to the rest of Fall 2007, President Stanley remarked that Return
to Oz III, a reunion of alumni of color would be held in September. Also, Lou
Borrelli, Al Roker, Geraldine Laybourne, Shelly Palmer, Russell Quy, Doug
McMonagle and Paul Condolora will be coming to Oswego for the media summit.
President Stanley informed the staff about the new emergency plans on campus,
which were about to go to President’s council. Planning involved taking FERPA
and student/faculty/staff privacy into account. The notification system would
allow messages to two email addresses and three phone numbers. The
system, “New York Alert”, may also allow the possibility of text message
alerts. This would involve using email as a means of communication and texted
information instead of paper communications.
Speaking about SUNY Oswego being a “Green” campus, President Stanley made note
of the school auditing its energy use and taking a climate initiative to reduce
carbon emissions. The construction projects on campus all meet the standards
set by the school. She applauds the efforts of everyone involved with this
transition.
IV. Faculty Senate Report – M.
Ryniker
There was nothing to report from the Faculty Senate but there will be a
Senate plenary committee meeting later in the month.
V. UUP Report – C. Spector
The first item of business reported by the UUP was that the Upstate Medical
University appears to have been saved from combining with Crouse. UUP has been
active in supporting nominees for the Board of Trustees. UUP also reported that
UUP President, William Scheuerman, was appointed to the Governor's Commission
on Higher Education.
UUP then reported that the Pension Equity Bill, to be phased in over a few
years, would create a 3% increase in the faculty's take-home pay if they are in
the O.R.P. and have 10 years of service. All of the faxes and emails sent about
these issues were helpful. UUP also asked that each team member contribute $1
per paycheck, as this money can be used by our political action committee in
its lobbying efforts. Union dues cannot be used for these purposes.
The $800 supposed to be received by faculty will be in the October 3rd
paycheck if it has not already been received.
The UUP had nothing to report as far as negotiations. Benefits are
scheduled to continue unless there they specifically sunset with the old
contract. The joint labor/management Grant Program sunsets. However, the
current round of DSI was covered under the old contract. If the negotiations
team comes to a conclusion with the state, the proposed contract will be sent
to the negotiations committee to be voted on and then sent to the
union.
UUP then reported possible plans for a phased retirement. This is already in
effect at several SUNY campuses, and Oswego plans to explore the option.
There will be an annual "Retirement Reception" to honor retirees one final
time before they leave SUNY Oswego. The union and management will explore a
date and the union will try to fund a reception.
There is a faculty picnic scheduled for September 21st.
Given that this is Yom Kippur, food will be served early, at approximately
3:45.
VI. Faculty Assembly Chair Report - S.
Camp
Dr. Camp first welcomed everyone back and then referenced her report from a
year ago in which she discussed a transitioning campus. She said that the
school is continuing that transition with two interim Deans and the development
of a new school, along with new and revised programs. Though the progress or
transitioning was good, she reported; members of the faculty need to be wary
not to overwork their fellow workers. She reported hat a way to do this was
lightening the load on everyone by increasing the number of workers on the
team. She urged the faculty to enlist others as they work toward the
future.
Dr. Camp then reported that for those who had not seen the latest Conflict
of Interest and Professional Ethics proposal, they should ask their FA rep for
an e-version.
Dr. Camp sent out an e-version of the Task Force recommendation on a
Professional Development center. For those that have not seen it, ask their FA
rep for a copy.
A proposal for eight Student Graduation Outcomes was distributed this past
spring and will be emailed out again this week. During the fall the Faculty
Assembly will ask departments and councils to review and examine how they will
become involved and report feedback to the Academic Policies Council by
November 1st.
VII. Unfinished
Business-
There was no unfinished business.
VIII. New Business-
There was no new business.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:16 P.M.
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