Sector Reports
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University at Buffalo Plenary - May 2009 Health Sciences Sector Report |
Morrisville State College Plenary - February 2009
Health Sciences Sector Report
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SUNY Potsdam Plenary - October 2008 Chancellor's Response to Fall 08 Sector Reports Health Sciences Sector Report |
SUNY Delhi Plenary (April 2008) University at Albany (February 2008) Health Sciences Sector Report |
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SUNY Cortland - October 2007 Health Sciences Sector Report |
SUNY Brockport Plenary - April 2007 Comprehensive Colleges Sector Report |
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Stony Brook University - January 2007 |
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Health Science Sector Report, University at Buffalo – May 2009 The Health Science Sector had several concerns which are directly and indirectly related to the budget crisis. As state support is reduced, there is increasing pressure to generate clinical income. This is putting a greater pressure on the clinical faculty, often at the expense of time committed to teaching, research and service. This has a direct impact on the attainment of promotion and tenure.. Overall, there should be greater transparency and adherence to policy and guidelines governing promotion and tenure. Many of the colleges are undertaking time and activity audits of all clinical faculty with limited faculty input and engagement. While there is a basic understanding of the need for accountability and budget constraints, faculty should be involved in this process, to ensure that the mission of the university is being served. Despite shrinking state support, many programs are increasing enrollment. In addition to a need for more and not fewer faculty members, space is becoming a major issue. Facilities for conducting these programs including classrooms and laboratories are no longer sufficient. The Health Science Sector is very concerned about the recent decision to eliminate the nursing program at SUNY New Paltz. Is this a single campus decision or part of a state-wide view of nursing programs? This is also a concern of the community colleges since this is a 2 year program accepting students from 7 community colleges. Where will these students go to obtain their nursing degrees? Loss of this program is a loss to the students, the faculty and staff and the community. Why are nursing programs being eliminated when there is a critical shortage of nurses in the state? A discussion of this concern brought to our attention the fact that allied health programs exist at various colleges other than those designated as members of the Health Science sector (Upstate, Downstate, Buffalo, Stony Brook, Optometry). The Health Science sector would like to obtain a list of all allied health programs throughout the university to be sure their interests and concerns are being addressed by the University Faculty Senate. Technical Colleges Sector Report, University at Buffalo – May 2009 Specialized and Statutory Colleges Sector Report, University at Buffalo – May 2009 Douglas Eich, SUNYIT University Centers Sector Report – May 2009 The Senators from the University Centers are greatly concerned about the difficult budget situation in general, and about the following items in particular. Respectfully submitted, R. Michael Range, Senator University Colleges Sector Report – May 2009 The University Colleges began by re-surveying our 13 campus responses relative to this year’s budget reductions. We compared that commentary to our previous survey in January. Budget We note that a number of university colleges cite excellent work by their financial officers and presidents to regain liquidated surpluses. We applaud the hard work that has left most part-time faculty in place. Transparency in Budgetary Changes The current financial crisis creates difficult choices for New York State and the State University; and, we know the current budget crisis is threatening the quality of public higher education in New York State. The Comprehensive Colleges call for transparency and appropriate consultation between Central Administration and campus administrations prior to any major decision concerning allocation of resources that affects educational quality and curriculum. Access The comprehensive colleges are concerned that our mission of broad access is narrowing as students from higher socioeconomic classes find SUNY's high quality education to be an excellent value for the price. As our student populations change to reflect this, we feel our mission of access is being compromised. The Comprehensive College faculty reaffirm our commitment to the mission of broad access for the citizens of the State of New York We want to see SUNY admissions policy reflect the original mission more closely. Assessment redux We want useful and effective measures of our success, and we are confident that those results will demonstrate that we meet and surpass the expectations of our stakeholders. However, we object to assessment that is duplicative, overly intrusive, and counterproductive. As stated in our earlier resolution, we respectfully request a thorough dialog with local administration and System Administration. Morrisville State College Plenary - February 2009 The Health Science Section is, of course, very concerned about the proposed 16.5% reduction in hospital funding. System Administration is committed to restoring this money to the budget and the sector will participate in this process. Tell us the best way we can help. The proposed budget and reduced state support does create additional concerns for the sector. As positions are left unfilled and/or recruitment becomes more difficult, workload increases. The health science centers become less pleasant places to work, and there is a downward spiral in faculty morale and productivity. Budget cuts also typically fall on the backs of the clinicians who are asked to produce more clinical income. There is less (if any) time for professional development and no recognition for scholarly work that is accomplished despite having no time. The budget cuts are also leaving geographic full-time faculty out in the cold. Geographic full-time faculty is defined in the policies of the Board of Trustees as follows: Many of the geographic FT faculty have an academic rank and yet are not being paid by the state for the time they invest in teaching our students and residents. It is unclear what impact the proposed tithing of the Research Foundation will have on biomedical research. However, this approach to “backfilling” the budget in the face of cuts in state support is immoral and unethical. The ability to obtain grants from prestigous foundations and institutes may be jeopardized. The Health Science sector has noticed an increasing workload associated with assessment of educational outcomes, often attached to various accreditation requirements. Faculty are spending increased time involved in these activities, often at the expense of implementing programmatic changes and scholarly activities. Colleges of Technology, Morrisville State College – February 2009 Barbara Brabetz, SUNY Cobleskill, Convener
SUNY’s Tech Sector has moved far beyond the budgetary “tipping point”. We are decades beyond the times where mid-year budget cuts were aimed at the “fat” in campus financial plans. As you’ve heard in a litany of previous Tech Sector concerns personnel salaries, academic equipment and capital monies have never recovered from the last great SUNY budget crisis of the early 1990’s. Blue-collar and middle class student pools, our bread and butter, will struggle to deal with any tuition increase coupled with a tight lending market. It is especially galling that only a small fraction any increase will be headed to the institution asked to educate them. 1. Canton The campus has now adopted a 4-day class schedule. This has been a mixed blessing. On a positive note commuter students are realizing gas savings, but there are more negative aspects affecting instruction and student life. Parking is now a concern, faculty office hours are wedged in between classes, and lab-oriented courses have not been able to move to a 4-day model due to scheduling conflicts. On the student life side there is a growing concern that a 4-day week may create a ghost campus on weekends, possibly fostering a divide on campus between local rural students (who travel home weekly) and the urban student population who stay on campus. Some other measures, although well-intentioned, have been taken to extremes. With heat down to uncomfortable temperatures nights and weekends, our faculty can see their breath in the office for hours each morning. 2. Cobleskill Budget-driven curricular issues were brought forward by the Provost to department chairs in a wholesale fashion and were not vetted with governance or curriculum committee. We in governance struggle to reign in the momentum of these initiatives which include, among many issues, lowering degree credit requirements for associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. Out of fears that state funding will continue to shrink, maintaining tuition dollars from healthy student enrollments has some sobering effects. Published academic dismissal standards have been lowered and strategies of preferentially admitting out-of-state and international students for Fall 2009 has come from senior administration. 3. Delhi The faculty are concerned about rising enrollment caps, a natural and expected consequence of a de facto faculty hiring freeze. As at the other tech campuses, the heat in offices, dorms and classrooms has been turned down to uncomfortable levels. As a consequence of fewer full-time permanent faculty at a small college, each educator is expected to pitch in to absorb the load – more advisees, more commitments on weekends, summers and breaks to work at advising days, etc. 4. Farmingdale Although there is no official elevation of classroom limits, many sections this semester are overloaded, a few beyond posted classroom capacities and with not enough seats for registered students. Adjunct class sections have been cut while numbers of matriculating student are exploding. 5. Morrisville Class enrollment caps are rising and part-time faculty positions have been cut. Although these moves were first billed as temporary and voluntary, they continue. A. FLEXIBILITY B. LEADERSHIP C. CURRICULAR OFFERINGS & PENDING PROPOSALS D. PRESSURE FOR ONLINE COURSES E. ASSESSMENT New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University - Statement of Senator 1. Kermit Hall, President of the University at Albany died tragically in the summer of 2006. Since that time, Albany has not successfully completed a search for a replacement. As academic administrative offices below President have become vacant, they were initially filled on an interim basis and later those appointments made permanent. The net result is that now all administrative offices, except for the Deans of some of the smaller colleges, have been filled without benefit of an affirmative action search and without normal consultation with campus governance. While we are experiencing turbulent times in SUNY and in the State, SUNY should adopt more robust administrative appointments policies which will not allow such a situation to repeat. 2. The University Centers are concerned that the combination of the increase in tuition along with the reduction in the number of teaching and research assistantships will result in a troubling decrease in the number of new graduate students entering our programs. Suppose a Ph.D. program takes 5 years. In equilibrium, 20% of the students are in each of the 5 years. If budget reductions require a 20% cut in graduate student lines, that will likely result the admission of zero new students. Such a drastic decrease in new graduate students hurts SUNY by diminishing its reputation, by making it harder to obtain research grants, and by decreasing the number of undergraduate sections. 3. We strongly support SUNY's negotiations with Elsevier and hope the result will be a better contract than the previous one, freeing up badly needed resources for other library needs. However, we are concerned about the decrease in support for SUNY's Office of Library and Information Services. 4. Increased enrollment along with decreased numbers of faculty and teaching assistantship lines will damage the quality of education within SUNY. It will increase the time-to-degree at all levels and reduce course availability for our students. This historic trend of reducing SUNY per student resource seems to be accelerating and, if not reversed, will cause major damage to the future of New York State and its workforce. 5. Budget cuts seem likely to have a disproportional effect on minority student population, at both undergraduate and graduate levels. If this is allowed to happen, New York State will not have the supply of diverse scholars needed for the 21st century. 6. We recommend attention be paid to reducing the duplication in required assessments within SUNY. Such a reduction will decrease campus workloads and, if carefully done, may improve the effectiveness of the remaining assessments. 7. The UB 20/20 proposal to give the University at Buffalo increased freedom from State regulations was discussed. The University Centers support the recommendation in the Governors Commission that SUNY needs increased flexibility. However, some members of our sector raised strong questions about some aspects rumored to be in the current UB 20/20 Bill. Initial Budget Cut Survey There were further concerns voiced, specifically: Subsequent discussion with senior senators indicated that UUP has deferred to act on class size in the past. Is that a greater reason to have the UFS advocate on class size issues? Two Issues of Concern The Comprehensive Colleges now perceive 14 layers of assessment in SUNY: At present, approximately a third of our time as professors is consumed by assessment, taking away from the time we can devote to that which is being assessed: teaching and learning. As Comprehensive College faculty we are engaged primarily in teaching our students. So, we believe in accountability. We want useful and effective measures of our success, and we are confident that those results will demonstrate that we meet and surpass the expectations of our stakeholders. However, we object to assessment that is duplicative, overly intrusive, and counter-productive. Agreement was unanimous to address both of these issues through resolutions from the floor, with prior review and approval by the Executive Committee. Resolutions were drafted and approved during the sector concerns meeting and presented to the Executive Committee the following morning. The motions will be posted at http://www.suny.edu/facultySenate/ApprovedResolutions.cfm Submitted by the University Faculty Senators for the Comprehensive Colleges: University Centers, SUNY Potsdam – October 2008 1. Campuses need budget information now so they can make reasonable plans. 2. SUNY is special. Dollars going to SUNY are an investment in the future of New York State with there being no greater engine for economic development than SUNY. 3. SUNY's effectiveness is hampered by its status, effectively, as a state agency. SUNY needs more independence and flexibility, as recommended by the New York State Commission on Higher Educations. 4. Campus Presidents should be reminded that it is not acceptable for their administration to admit students to graduate programs, overriding the recommendation of the faculty. 5. Curriculum is a faculty responsibility and, as such, campuses should be more careful not to offer courses for credit that have not been approved by their faculty. 6. The newly imposed 4 year limit on Teaching Assistant support causes great stress at both undergraduate and graduate level. Is this a SUNY policy or do campuses have flexibility in its implementation? 7. The policy for forming Presidential Search Committees currently requires election by all teaching faculty. This is not practical for some units, e.g. very large numbers of faculty on multiple campuses. In such cases, we suggest it would be more appropriate to let campus governance recommend membership. Comprehensive Colleges, SUNY Potsdam – October 2008 The Comprehensive Colleges are concerned about transferability, budget cuts, administrative intrusion into campus governance, and administrative improprieties regarding curricular design. Transferability and Articulation Transferability may also create assessment problems for programs that are involved in licensure and professional accreditation, by requiring de facto acknowledgment of a program not registered to a licensing board or accreditation agency. The Comprehensive Colleges oppose the misconceived deadlines and amateurish threats by which the SUNY Board of Trustees has pressured the Joint Committee on Transferability and Articulation into a hasty contrivance, interfering with a fragile transfer environment that demands mutual trust and collaboration. Despite these problems, the comprehensive colleges endorse the joint committee’s resolution on transferability. Administrative Intrusion into Governance Administrative Intrusion into the Academy Budget Practices Respectfully submitted, Health Sciences Sector, SUNY Potsdam - October 2008 Questions for the Chancellor from the Health Sciences Sector Thank you for responding to our concerns. These questions come from the combined representatives of Stony Brook, Downstate, Upstate, Buffalo and Optometry. 1. Have you included an assessment of success in shared government in your formal Presidential review? Is direct faculty governance feedback being sought? Specialized and Statutory Colleges, SUNY Potsdam – October 2008 Campus Governance Leaders, SUNY Potsdam - October 2008 The CGLs would like to thank the University Faculty Senate for its hospitality and opportunity for us to convene to discuss our issues. On Thursday night, Ed Alfonsin gave another excellent presentation and workshop on parliamentary procedure. Fourteen interested individuals took part on campus and another 8 individuals took part through video conference. Ed’s presentation was recorded and will be made available for later distribution to those interested. The majority of the meeting focused on budget issues plagued by all campuses. As is always the case when this group meets, we find many new differences between our campuses, and managing the current budget crisis and having a part in the campus budgeting processes are no exception. As was pointed out by President Wiezalis yesterday, campus governance consultation and involvement with budgets vary widely; with some campuses having what they see as adequate consultation and involvement while others are left out of the process entirely. Regardless of the extreme differences between our campuses, it is highly recommended that transparency be employed in these processes and we encourage the Chancellor to pass that message along to the campus presidents as we try to do the same. Related to this was discussion on existing structures such as budget committees and advisory groups across the campuses. Again, many differences exist here and best practices were shared. It is likely that future activity of this group will be a survey of the campuses on this issue, much like surveys have been employed for similar best practices. It was mentioned that one of the greatest rationales for having these meetings of the CGLs is to share best practices and concerns we all have. It allows us to go back to our campuses and share this information with our Faculty, Staff, and Administrators in the hopes of eventually following the successful practices of our peers at other campuses while also avoiding their misfortunes. Also related to this issue was the desire for more time together to discuss common issues of campus governance leaders and potential solutions. If something can be done to help facilitate this, it would be greatly appreciated. |
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Health Science Sector Report - April 19, 2008 |
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Rochelle Mozlin, Optometry, Convener This sector needs greater flexibility to make purchases in a timely fashion. Article VII legislation that will maintain legislative oversight but eliminate the need for pre-approval of most purchases has been submitted along with the SUNY budget and is very important. The Health Sciences Sector appreciates the substantial increase in the capital budget because its need for more buildings, classrooms, and laboratories, as well as funds to provide for critical maintenance for existing facilities. The need for a senior administrator in SUNY with expertise in the health sciences has been a continuing concern, one which was echoed in the Commission report. This senior administrator would be expected to provide oversight as programs expand to enable the sharing of resources, promote collaborative efforts in clinical education, research and service, and promote greater diversity by the recruitment of members of minority groups among faculty, staff and students. The group wishes to expand on the efforts of President Wiezalis to forge links between professional programs in SUNY and the state's licensing agencies. This expansion might involve a conference or meeting to discuss the expansion of existing programs to increase the number of licensed professional, the development of new programs to offer greater flexibility and options for students, the expansion of privileges associated with certain professional licenses, and exploring issues of conflict of interest in industrial relations. |
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Comprehensive College Sector Report - April 19, 2008 |
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Runi Ratnam Mukherji, Old Westbury, Convener One of the main areas of discussion in this sector meeting was the issue of transfer articulation agreements, especially in light of the interest of the New York State Commission on Higher Education and the New York State Legislature. Several concerns were voiced: (1) Courses taken in high school taught by high school teachers are transferred as college credit; and if a Community College accepts those credits, then a 4-year college to which those students are also required to accept those credits. (2) The advising situation at many Community Colleges is less than optimal, making the process of transfer more difficult than it should be. (3) There is some concern that students transfer courses from a Community College that doesn't adequately prepare them for success at the 4-year college. (4) It was suggested that the Commission's and Legislature's interest in this matter may be a result of private colleges being more accepting of courses from Community Colleges than are SUNY campuses thus subjecting SUNY students to higher costs in order to further their education. The group was somewhat chagrined by the lack of mention of the Comprehensive Colleges in the Commission Report, and little consideration of the role of or support for research throughout SUNY in other than the University Centers. Also, as an example of "mission creep," there are an increasing number of bachelor degree programs appearing at the Specialized and Technical Colleges as well as several Community Colleges offering upper-division courses or (in conjunction with some private colleges) bachelor degrees, each of which affects the ability of the Comprehensive Colleges to recruit students. In addition, there is some question as to whether the projected increase of 10,000 students at the University of Buffalo would divert students from colleges in other sectors of the system Two "regulatory" issues were discussed: (1) The implications of the definitions of and the laws governing lobbying for faculty need to be more clear for faculty across the system. (2) There are instances on some campuses where one person holds two or more administrative positions that can generate a conflict of interest. |
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Technical Colleges Sector Report - April 19, 2008 |
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Joseph Petrick, Alfred State, Convener First and foremost, the members of this sector reiterate their interest in the need for SUNY to work with the relevant institutions to develop a plan for the mission and vision of the sector. There was surprise about the paucity of mention of the sector in the Commission report. There is also a disparity noted between campus strategic initiative requests and what funds are provided by the state to meet those needs. There was interest expressed in reexamining the Budget Allocation Process (BAP II) to reduce differences in allocations to the different sectors and to secure necessary "special mission adjustments" that have part of the budget allocation to other sectors. |
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Special & Statutory Colleges Sector Report - April 19, 2008 |
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Douglas Eich, SUNYIT, Convener All campuses in our sector were encouraged by recommendation of the Commission for additional faculty lines. Needs vary at these institutions; some are experiencing enrollment growth, some struggle to retain faculty in particular fields, some campuses are hoping to roll out new programs. There were questions of clarity, however, with a few descriptions of the allocation of lines on these campuses that did not gibe with statements from System Administration. The members of this sector would like System Administration to provide a simple history of when, where and why these allocations have occurred in the past; hopefully, with a clear record, local discussions and planning can proceed more smoothly. There is a continual concern about the implementation of the Voluntary System of Accountability (VSA). Poor consultation with faculty has been the norm across the system, and this sector has been no exception. One instance has resulted in an acceptable outcome: Maritime faculty governance has reached an agreement that nothing will be posted as part of the VSA without prior faculty approval. The members of the sector were briefed on the ongoing situation at New York State College of Ceramics. As has been the case for over a year, their "unit head" lacks a job description and Alfred University continues to stonewall System Administration over the results of a recent forensic audit. We all hope for continued involvement from Interim Chancellor Clark. The presentation by Nicholas Rostow, University Counsel and Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs, at the Plenary Meeting was seen as most useful. One of his stated "pet" projects is the establishment of a "war chest" to defend copyright and patent infringements for SUNY. This raised some skeptical, heated questions among the members of this sector, not only about the importance of such a goal, but also about where this money might come from. It was clear this topic opened up a much larger set of concerns, including the distribution of royalties and overhead charges on our campuses that will probably be revisited at the April Plenary Meeting. |
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University Centers Sector Report - April 19, 2008 |
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Aaron (Bill) Godfrey, Stony Brook, Convener Differential tuition was also discussed and it was believed that it should be considered, especially since it costs more to educate students at a University Center. However, support for this change in policy was coupled with the view that additional financial aid be made available to those in need to cover increased tuition to insure that students can choose where to obtain their education based on their academic goals rather than on financial considerations. It was recognized that this is a very sensitive issue with both the Assembly and UUP. Fees were also discussed as an alternative that is frequently used to compensate for inadequate state funding. Unfortunately, fees are not covered by TAP and it was recommended that TAP be adjusted to allow for the payment of fees. There was a long discussion about articulation between Community Colleges and four-year colleges as well as articulation between four-year colleges and University Centers. It was felt that this articulation should, whenever possible, be seamless. Finally, library funding was mentioned briefly with the recommendation that prior resolutions of the University Faculty Senate that the legislature provide $8 million in catch-up funds for libraries and that library funding be a line item in the SUNY budget be implemented. |
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Campus Governance Leaders Report - April 19, 2008 |
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Susan Camp, Oswego, Convener The Campus Governance Leaders (CGLs) expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to be part of the University Faculty Senate Plenary meetings. At this Plenary Meeting, sixteen CGLs were able to attend. The CGLs reviewed Sections II and IV of the Senate's Governance Handbook and also will be advising the Governance Committee of the resources needed for CGLs and others as they transition in and out of campus governance. There was concern that the diversity of students, faculty, and programs of SUNY be appropriately recognized as one of the system's great strengths. Also, there is need to appreciate faculty workload in teaching many specialties such as music, arts, technology, and various professional programs and campus budgetary allocations should reflect the needs of each campus and its program mix. The increasing number of non-tenure track, full-time faculty has affected morale, salary, loyalty and the ability to recruit faculty to SUNY campuses. In addition, as research expectations are increased for faculty, so should resources like support for faculty travel to research and professional conferences made commensurate. At present, a typical allocation for faculty research travel is $200 per year, which is clearly inadequate. If one-third of a faculty member's responsibilities is to engage in research then the resources allocated to that activity should reflect that proportion. The CGLs have crafted a resolution to be considered by the University Faculty Senate at the appropriate time in the agenda. [Editors’ note: This resolution will be found immediately below in the “Resolution” section of the summary of the Winter Plenary Meeting.] |
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Health Sciences Sector Report - October 27, 2007 |
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Peter Bradford, Albany, Acting Convener Issues of concern discussed at the meeting of this sector included the development of a public health newsletter for students and consumers to be spearheaded by the HSC Sector of the Faculty Senate. There was also considerable interest in having a health care summit to include agencies like State Health Dept, State Dept of Ed, SUNY, and other interested parties. The summit would focus on current and future needs of medicine and health in New York State. Also discussed was a plan to have a conference between SUNY and the licensed professions to discuss common issues. The HSC Sector continues its strong recommendation for the establishment of a senior level SUNY System administrator having responsibility for overseeing the SUNY HSCs. Another issue of critical concern was the large numbers of clinical faculty lines with few tenure-track lines and the apparent conversion of contracts of the clinical faculty being reduced from 3 to 1 years. |
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Technical Colleges Sector Report - October 27, 2007 |
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Joseph Petrick, Alfred State College, Convener There was clear expression of the need for a comprehensive five-year plan to reassess the mission and vision of this sector that includes faculty workload issues, accurate reimbursement for high cost programs, and a general review of budgetary issues. Concern was expressed that while the Colleges of Technology are moving toward an increased number of baccalaureate programs, community colleges are increasingly moving into service areas of the technology sector. The members of this sector also note that much of the assessment programs in SUNY are being conducted without adequate compensation of faculty as well as the continuing hiring of adjuncts that do not always reduce the workload of faculty on term or continuing appointments. In one of the campuses, legislative action has led to graduates of a particular academic program to be unable to practice in New York State and thus the campus will have to suspend enrollment in that program to the detriment of students and New York State. |
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Special & Statutory Colleges Sector Report - October 27, 2007 |
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Douglas Eich, SUNY Institute of Technology, Convener The situation at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred (NYSCOC) continues to be of concern. There is continued conflict between the NYSCOC and Alfred University (a private university that shares the campus with both NYSCOC and Alfred State University) over control of administrative personnel and budgetary matters. The result of this ongoing problem is the loss of some faculty members in engineering that, it is believed, will impact student enrollment and threaten the viability of NYSCOC. The sector considered the issue of mixed progress of women in higher education and how to improve diversity among faculty and students. The issue of the use of student technology fees to meet their educational needs was discussed in light of poorly equipped laboratories for students’ academic programs. Finally, the issue of whether the university and community service of clinical faculty is recognized and appreciated was raised as an issue. |
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University Centers Sector Report - October 27, 2007 |
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Bill Godfrey, Stony Brook, Convener Issues of concern discussed at the meeting of this sector included the differing policies concerning transfer students and articulation agreements among the SUNY campuses. Also discussed was the concern that stipends for GAs and TAs are too low and non-competitive. There was agreement that the Voluntary System of Accountability should not be imposed on any campus, and concern was voiced that there was minimal consultation with faculty on its implementation (see the Resolution section for the wording of a resolution on this issue). Also discussed was the quantification of faculty workloads- faculty workloads should be departmentally controlled and not controlled by senior campus or System Administration.Top
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Comprehensive Colleges Sector Report - October 27, 2007 |
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Runi Mukheri, Old Westbury, Convener Issues of concern discussed at the meeting of this sector included the perceived decline in the “culture of consultation” between administration and faculty at both the campus and University Faculty Senate (UFS) level (e.g., with respect to a campus’s participation in the pilot program of Voluntary System of Accountability). One campus reported that their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Office of the SUNY Provost that was never discussed with campus governance . In addition, the recent Chancellor’s Critical Incident Management Task Force recommendations were not reviewed with the UFS or campus faculty governance prior to implementation. Also discussed was the issue of presidential searches and campus academic advisement and the need for a best practices manual for each. |
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Campus Governance Leaders Report - October 27, 2007 |
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Susan Camp, Oswego, Convener The Campus Governance Leaders (CGLs) are concerned about the lack of regular, effective consultation on many campuses (e.g., the lack of governance consultation in the decision of eight campuses to participate in the pilot project of the Voluntary System of Accountability) Many campus governance organizations lack the clerical support, office space, printing costs, release time for the CGL, etc. that are needed for effective shared governance. The CGLs also expressed concern with the Voluntary System of Assessment. They indicated that such continuing assessment increases workload, wastes time and money, and is not the best way to improve education. The CGLs participated in a “Parliamentary Procedure and Effective Meeting” leadership seminar led by Edward Alfonsin, Parliamentarian for the University Faculty Senate. It was followed by a report from the Governance Committee on a survey of participation in campus governance throughout SUNY. This report indicated that governance was hampered by the decreasing pool of full-time faculty and that smaller campuses have even fewer faculty to involve in governance. Finally, the CGLs recognize the need to cultivate a strong relationship between administration and faculty governance that often needs to be emphasized when there is a new senior administrator. |
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Comprehensive Colleges Sector Report - SUNY Brockport April 2007 |
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Convener - Runi Mukherji, SUNY Old Westbury 1. The Senators from the Comprehensive Colleges raised the following concerns to the Chancellor: |
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Colleges of Technology Sector Report - SUNY Brockport April 2007 |
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Convener - Joe Petrick, Alfred State College We would like to cordially ask Dr. Risa Palm to each or any of the Colleges of Technology to discuss with faculty a number of ongoing issues. These include salary disparities between the Colleges of Technology and other sectors, workload issues, competition with community colleges, the prospect of Master’s level courses and how they would impact faculty, mission-related funds, and other issues. We are a relatively small sector whose issues tend to get lost among the problems in the smaller sectors. Dr. Palm mentioned the idea of workforce training, and we will continue to be involved in such education. We extend an invitation to Dr. Palm to discuss these issues, and look forward to such dialogue. |
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University Centers Sector Report - SUNY Brockport April 2007 |
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Convener - Edward Feldman, Sonty Brook University 1. Representative on the Executive Committee: Professor Aaron (Bill) Godfrey from Stony Brook was unanimously elected to represent the University Centers on the Executive Committee for the term July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008. 2. Graduate Student Funding: Representatives continued to discuss their concerns about funding for graduate students. There was explicit funding for graduate students in the SUNY Budget in the fall of 2006, but this funding did not appear in the final budget. While there is increased enrollment, this has not lead to increased funding for T.A.s/graduate students. This inadequate funding is at near crisis level and negatively impacts campus’s ability to recruit graduate students to SUNY. 3. Undergraduate Enrollment Increases: There was concern that the number of faculty lines has not kept pace with the increased undergraduate and graduate enrollment. 4. Intellectual Property: There was continued discussion of professor’s ownership of materials that they prepare for and present to classes. Does this material belong to the professor, the university or the student? While it would be helpful to have some clarity about this issue by System Administration through council and a “white paper”, concern was expressed that this clarity might actually cause more problems that it resolves. There seems to be some precedents as to ownership of intellectual property with books written by professors. Problems with professor’s rights to on-line course materials that they generate were discussed. Professors should make ownership agreements in advance as these courses are developed so that misunderstandings are kept to a minimum. 5. Electronic Communication: Representatives discussed the confidentiality of electronic communications and copyrighted materials. Is there a System policy on privacy (or lack thereof) of these electronic communications and downloads through university servers? Does the administration have the right to view these materials without any evidence of wrong doing or probable cause? If so, this policy should be distributed more widely. |
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| Comprehensive Colleges Sector Report - Stony Brook University January 2007 | |
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Runi Mukherji, Old Westbury, convenor There were several areas that were the focus of discussion. One of the unintended consequences of the General Education mandate was the need to hire additional adjunct and contingent faculty in key areas like American History and the Languages. However, available resources do not yet match the needs of campuses to offer an adequate number of multiple sections of the relevant courses. This is despite the laudable increase in the number of full-time faculty in the coming year’s budget. Similarly, the need for faculty to participate in adequately assessing the General Education curriculum by attending daylong workshops an assessment rubrics is an unfunded mandate since there aren’t sufficient campus resources on many campuses for this purpose. Having inherited the General Education curriculum and its assessments, the sector senators are interested in how satisfied the Chancellor is with the requirements as a whole, the results of assessment thus far, the overall delivery of the General Education curriculum, and the unintended dramatic increase in the number of part-time faculty in some content areas as a result of this curricular requirement. The new budget contains a number of new faculty lines dedicated to “research” faculty, most of which have been allocated to campuses outside this sector. There also appears to be an emphasis on funding research that has commercial application or advantage. These two apparently new budgetary directions have the cumulative effect of devaluing teaching as well as the endeavors of faculty engaged in basic research, both of which are primary emphases for faculty in this sector. The Chancellor’s commitment to transparency and consultation at all levels in the SUNY system seem not to have seeped down to all campuses. A number of examples were discussed that highlighted the lack of consultation and transparency on several campuses within this sector. Provost Palm indicated that SUNY would participate in the Course Redesign initiative of the National Center for Academic Transformation, and campuses that volunteered to participate would be given resources to do so; but resources would not be provided through this initiative for campuses that wish to rethink and redesign current pedagogy on their courses using other paradigms. Yet, the sector Senators suggested that the only available evidence that supports NCAT claim of lowered costs and increased student learning outcomes comes from in-house research, not from any independent reviewing agency. Equally important, there has been no consultation with the faculty about the adoption of this initiative. Consequently, this sector urges the Chancellor and the Provost to carefully review the evidence supporting the efficacy and purported outcomes of the NCAT Course Redesign paradigm, and to consult widely with the faculty of SUNY before implementing this initiative. |
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| Health Sciences Sector Report - Stony Brook University January 2007 | |
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Sara Grethlein, Upstate Medical University, convenor The Sector discussed the recent Berger Commission Report that was enacted by the State Legislature. This is of significant concern to the sector as it requires a re-evaluation of privatization. This has been a recurring theme, but now has some power of law behind it (considering but not yet requiring privatization). In addition, there were specific elements of the report that directly impact SUNY University Hospitals in Syracuse and Buffalo. Stony Brook was mentioned and the report required increased flexibility for Stony Brook. The Sector prepared a proposed resolution of support for keeping University Health Science Centers part of SUNY and not having them privatized. We discussed the need for a status report on the hiring of a health science sector administrator at SUNY central. We raised concerns about meeting state needs related to schools of nursing and allied health. This was specifically related to the needs of part time students as well as the dearth of masters and doctoral trained nurses in the community, which is requiring the hiring of adjunct faculty. We are not overly concerned about hiring additional adjuncts in the nursing schools. We have many midlife career changing students. The high needs program allows us to do more of that. There is a national shortage of nurses with a masters or doctoral degree. There just aren’t enough people interested in getting these advanced degrees and we would be interested in hearing the extent to which the chancellor is amenable to hearing about ideas to address this (e.g., providing scholarships for higher degree study). We also raised the question of consideration of ongoing needs for capital support for classroom and clinical space |
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| Technical Colleges Sector Report - Stony Brook University January 2007 | |
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Joseph Petrick, Alfred State, convenor There was considerable discussion about the importance and value of greater consultation on the part of System Administration with faculty as well senior campus administrators on the mission and vision of their campuses and sectors. Faculty provide another unique perspective on campus needs that are needed to supplement those of administrators. As a case in point, many faculty would give higher priority to ensuring adequate library resources than seems to be the case of some presidents on some campuses, especially as the number of academic programs are increased. The sector also proposed greater faculty and staff participation in a sector mission review process. |
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| Special & Statutory Colleges Sector Report - Stony Brook University January 2007 | |
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Peer Bode, Alfred Ceramics, convenor The sector is pleased to report that the Specialized Colleges are seeing that enrollments are up, new faculty are being hired, and there are new presidents and provosts in currently in place or that there will be some others shortly. There was some interest in the campuses receiving more and better demographic information to assist faculty in curriculum development and implementation. This is important for both short-term and long-term curricular planning. The members of the sector were pleased with the changes that had taken place with respect to the administration and governance of Alfred Ceramics. They also appreciated the completion of the long-awaited audit of Alfred Ceramics and Alfred University, and eagerly await the presentation of its results. There was some concern about the ambiguity of the current budget allocation process by which this year Alfred Ceramics received its budget allocation directly from the State Legislature and next year this will also be true for the statutory colleges of Cornell. The implications of this change in the allocation process is unclear. |
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| University Centers Sector Report - Stony Brook University January 2007 | |
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Bill Godfrey, Stony Brook, convenor One focus of concern was the universal agreement of the inadequacy of SUNY funding for the libraries on the campuses. The group urged continued efforts to have SUNY implement the previous, but as yet unimplemented, University Faculty Senate resolution calling for an $8 million allocation of “catch-up” funds and future funding increases tied to something like the Higher Education Index. The sector was also concerned with the escalating costs for scientific journals and electronic materials that appear to disadvantage the Humanities and Social Sciences. Questions were raised about the ownership of faculty lectures as intellectual property as a consequence of reported instances of lectures that were taped and then distributed without the permission of the faculty delivering the lecture. Finally, the continued inadequate funding for Graduate Student Assistantships weakens our campuses to compete for the best graduate students. This is an issue that requires serious attention. |
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| Campus Governance Leaders Report - Stony Brook University January 2007 | |
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Eric Johansson, Maritime, convenor The CGLs are pleased with the Chancellor’s support of faculty, faculty governance, the “full-time faculty governance initiative,” and his support of transparency. Though generally gratified by the involvement of CGLs in the MOU process, they believe that in order to evidence widespread involvement in the MOU process, that guidelines be developed to ensure that the final records be signed off by the College President, the CGL, and the Student Government President. The CGLs note, on the basis of a survey and discussion at their meeting, that there is a wide range of types and frequency of communication between the CGL and the President, the Provost, the College Council, and the College Foundation. This needs further examination. The CGLs support strong efforts at joint advocacy at the campus level for adequate resources among administration, students, UUP, and the senate. In Dr. Cline’s presentation about “campus representation on the BAP committee,” there is a noticeable absence of a campus governance leader. The CGLs request that a CGL be included in that committee. The CGLs are interested in participating in any future leadership training workshops. |
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