Present: Susan Coultrap-McQuin (presiding), Michael Ameigh (recording). Yvonne Petrella, Mary Beth Bell, Linda Rae Markert, Lanny Karns, David King, Sara Varhus.

Announcements:

Provost Coultrap-McQuin announced $350,000 has been added to the Academic Affairs budget for 2006-2007, most of it a permanent supplement.  These funds are earmarked to cover startup costs for new full-time faculty; expenses related to the NCATE re-accreditation process now underway; additional funding for library acquisitions, School of Education, and Theatre performance budgets; and two new full-time faculty lines.

The Provost informed the deans she looks forward to visiting all departments again this year and that she will ask faculty to include students in these meetings. More information will be forthcoming.

Penfield Library's Union Catalog inter-system library materials request process has been streamlined. Students will no longer pick the library from which to receive a requested item.  The selection process will automatically select providers at random.

Steps are underway to identify a new course management system for the SUNY Learning Network.  Greg Ketcham, Instructional Designer, has been named to the technical team that will facilitate this transition system-wide.  Probable adoption date is fall, 2009.

'Beat the Deans,' the annual walk/run fall icebreaker for new and returning faculty is set for Wednesday, August 23rd. All faculty are welcome to participate.

Criteria for Promotion and Tenure:

The Council discussed revisions to the document formerly titled 'Provost's Memo on Promotion and Tenure' that defines policy regarding tenure, promotion and discretionary salary increase considerations.  Following the discussion the Provost indicated she will revise the document to incorporate suggestions, consult with other groups, and then distribute it in hard copy format.

Academic Affairs Retreat:

The Academic Affairs Council will meet in the East Conference Room, Sheldon Hall, on Wednesday, August 23rd to reflect on 2005-2006 accomplishments and begin the process of setting goals for 2006-2007. 

-adjourned