Approved by Faculty Senate on 05/06/2008 after addition in red below

 

MINUTES OF THE FULL FACULTY AND

FACULTY SENATE MEETING

October 23, 2007 

 

Prof. H. Richard Naslund (Geological Sciences and Chair of the Faculty Senate) called the full faculty meeting to order at 11:49 A.M. in UU 133.  He welcomed President Lois B. DeFleur and turned the meeting over to her.

 

President DeFleur reported that the university received a record 28,000 applications and welcomed more than 3,000 freshmen and transfer students.  There was much demand for on campus housing and several new sections of classes were added especially in general education areas.  As always, Binghamton’s students are exceptional and more than 85% of new undergraduates fall in the SUNY system’s highest quality rating. 

 

President DeFleur mentioned recent campus events:  orientation; opening of new University Downtown Center; additional campus safety measures taken; homecoming; 40th anniversary of Hinman College; family weekend.  She commented that many current students are children of alumni.

 

President DeFleur reported that she has attended many meetings of Governor Spitzer’s commission on higher education in the last fourth and a half months.  There will be a public hearing in Binghamton on December 13.  The commission has considered fifteen policy option papers with recommendations regarding the tuition assistance program and other sources of financial aid; tuition policy within SUNY and CUNY; transfer and articulation; college readiness; workforce training; expanding and enhancing doctoral universities; state regulatory reform.  Governor Spitzer has requested recommendations in time for consideration in the 2008-2009 budget process.

 

President DeFleur reported that she met recently with the other SUNY Center presidents.  Some of the issues discussed were course redesign of large enrollment introductory classes; new 5-year SUNY Capital budget for 2008-2013; fundraising and alumni issues; SUNY budget priorities such as increased fulltime faculty hiring, funding additional enrollment, investments in equipment and technology; funds for research activities. 

 

The Center presidents participated in a Rockefeller Institute Policy Forum on the NYS Budget Outlook for 2008.  It is expected that 2008-2009 will be more of a challenging year with less revenue.  The focus will be on ‘core priorities’ such as education from pre-K through higher education.  A spending target of 5.3% has been established compared to 7% in 2007-2008.  Most state agencies will be asked to reduce their 2008-2008 budgets but not SUNY or CUNY.  Another priority is City Revitalization in key areas.

 

President DeFleur commented on the complicated situation in Albany since there are poor relations between the governor and legislature.  This situation has hindered key appointments of three SUNY Trustees including the Chair.  This has also affected the search for a new SUNY Chancellor.

 

President DeFleur recognized and congratulated the winners of the faculty excellence awards for teaching, faculty service, and scholarship and creative activities.

 

Prof. Richard Eckert (Computer Science) asked for comment about past recommendations by the University Faculty Senate regarding tuition increases indexed with cost of living.  President DeFleur replied that a rational tuition policy is under consideration.  Many members of the Commission feel that the issue needs state support and consultation by all parties involved.  There were no further questions.

 

Prof. Naslund introduced the proposed changes to the Faculty Bylaws as attached to today’s agenda.  There were no questions.  He stated that the changes would now be voted on by the faculty in a mail ballot.

 

The first Faculty Senate meeting of the 2007-2008 academic year was called to order by Prof. Naslund at 12:15 p.m. in UU 133.

 

1. Minutes.  The minutes of the May 8, 2007 meeting were approved as submitted.

 

2. Announcements/Questions.  a) Prof. Naslund read a list of former faculty who had recently passed away:  Prof. Bernard Bass (School of Management), Prof. Fred Garber (Comparative Literature), Prof. Robert Herbert (Anthropology), and Prof. George Stein (History).  The Senate observed a moment of silence.  As is established practice, a note of condolence will be sent to each family on behalf of the Senate.

 

3. New Business.  a) Annual reports of Faculty Senate standing committees and others (attached to agenda).  Prof. Naslund stated that the reports are moved and seconded from the Faculty Senate Executive Committee (FSEC) with a recommendation for receipt.

 

Mr. Matt Landau (Student Association representative) asked what role the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UUCC) had in the decision to eliminate some physical education programs.  Prof. Sara Reiter (School of Management and chair of UUCC) said last year the committee had little to do with physical education courses other than those designated as courses fulfilling the physical activity/wellness general education requirement.  She commented that she understands the department has a plan to designate courses as both activity and wellness but the UUCC has received no proposal yet.

 

On voice vote, the motion to receive the reports carried. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m.

 

 

Present:  A. Serdar Atav, Corrine Bertram, Bruce Borton, Maureen Boyd, Douglas Bradburn, Cassandra Bransford, Sandra Card, Michael Conlon, Aruna D’Souza, Lois DeFleur, Albert Dekin, Marilynn Desmond, James Dix, Richard Eckert, John Eisch, Alex Feingold, Joseph Graney, Vincent Grenier, Fernando Guzman, Gary James, Celia Klin, Karen Kozlowski, Jonathan Krasno, Harold Lewis, Patrick Madden, Kenneth McLeod, Monika Mehta, Sandra Michael, Bruce Murray, H. Richard Naslund, Vladimir Nikulin, Haim Ofek, Neil Christian Pages, Richard Pastore, Michael Pettid, Glenn Pitman, Sara Reiter, Nadia Rubaii-Barrett, Andrew Scholtz, Olga Shvetsova, Douglas Summerville, Mary Ann Swain, Eugene Tettey-Fio, Dale Tomich, Gary Truce, Srinivasa Venugopalan, Caryl Ward, Zili Yang, Matt Landau, Theresa Partell

 

Excused:  Lubna Chaudhry

 

Absent:  Allan Arkush, Anne Bailey, C. Beth Burch, Frederic Deyo, Patricia Dilorenzo, Ronald Gonzalez, Dennis Lasser, Brett Levinson, Isidore Okpewho, Maxim Pensky, James Pitarresi, Antonio Sobejano-Moran, Don Weiss, Thomas Wilson, Joseph Goldman, Wazir Mohamed