SUNY Oswego - Faculty Assembly: Minutes 03/18/02

March 18, 2002

Members Absent: P. Cox, W. Silky, B. Randolph, L. Bonanno

Meeting was called to order at 3:10 PM.

I. Approval of Agenda

There were a few changes made to the agenda before it was approved. Under New Business, numbers 2 and 3 were moved to numbers 2 and 3 under Unfinished Business. Number 2 under Unfinished Business was then moved to number 4. The agenda was then approved unanimously.

II. Approval of FA minutes for February 18 and 25, 2002

Both sets of minutes were approved unanimously.

III. FA Chair's Report - D. King

D. King began by discussing some concerns that were raised regarding Walter Opello's new position as Associate Provost for International Education. A few people expressed concerns about this appointment in light of W. Opello's position as chair of P.P.C. and the process of amending bylaws. D. King believes there is no basis for any concern about conflict of interest. W. Opello's position is not a line administrative position. His responsibilities are similar to those of a department chair or program director. He is not management confidential and continues on a faculty line teaching a course.

The role of the Ad Hoc Governance Committee in making its recommendations regarding faculty governance was greatly appreciated. However, it's role is being greatly exaggerated by some people, which weakens the proper role of P.P.C. and the Assembly which are empowered to draft bylaws for approval by the General Faculty.

The Bylaws require passage of the bylaw amendments by a majority of voting faculty present for a General Faculty meeting. At the last General Faculty meeting a quorum was called which terminated debate on the bylaw amendments. D. King urged the assembly to recruit others to attend the next General Faculty meeting to ensure a credible turnout to vote on the bylaw amendments.

Trustee deRussy is the chair of the Academic Standards Committee of the SUNY Board of Trustees. She was the impetus behind the Trustees Gen.Ed. mandates and the assessment mandates. She has consistently attacked programs in minority studies, women's studies, and area studies. The resolution adopted by the UUP Delegate Assembly called for her removal from the Board of Trustees. This proposal may be addressed at the next Faculty Senate meeting.

IV. Reports of Councils, Committees and Task Forces

A. PPC reported that nominations for Faculty Assembly Chair are due between April 1st and 10th to Walter Opello.

B. Graduate Council met March 1st and approved several items. ART 572 was approved and will be on the agenda for April 15th. They approved changes to the Art Graduate Program. Two courses in CPS were approved: CPS 509 - Professional Seminar for Human Services/Community Counseling and CPS 596 - Research methods in Human Services and Community Counseling. The proposal to change the program name to Human Services/Community Counseling was also approved.

C. UCC met March 6th and approved a new course: AST 360 - Human Futures. They also approved course number changes:

BIO 212 - College Biology to BIO 112 - College Biology I

BIO 111 - College Biology I to BIO 213 - College Biology II

D. APC met on March 1st and 15th and is reporting out a proposed catalog change for Independent Studies. It will be on the agenda for April 1st.

E. Task Force on Academic Quality met March 8th with Provost Presley to discuss academic honesty. Many issues were brought up including the prevalence of the problem and strategies to detect it as well.

F. Computing Services met March 13th and approved SCAP 2002/03 proposed spending plan. They wanted to remind the Assembly to complete online web survey at http://survey.oswego.edu.

G. Student Association President wanted to let the faculty know about a list serve to help increase communication between faculty and students. If you would like to be on the list serve you can email him at SA@ oswego.edu.

H. CCC met last week and passed a resolution on the campus center program study. There are concerns regarding smooth flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and adequacy of food preparation and eating areas.

V. Unfinished Business

1. Vacancies on F.A. Councils

The vacancy on Priorities and Planning has been filled by L. Keshishian (Earth Sciences). The vacancy on Academic Policies Council has been filled by R. O'Conner (English).

2. Change in Theatre major requirements

The assembly waived the two-week rule and approved this change unanimously.

3. Changes in M.S. program in Human Services Counseling

These changes were approved unanimously.

4. Consideration and voting on Faculty Bylaw Amendments

Article 19, Section 3, Letter E was discussed and did not pass with a vote of 23 approved, 11 opposed, and 5 abstentions.

An Amendment to Article 21 was discussed and did pass with a vote of 22 approved, 10 opposed, and 2 abstentions.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 PM.