Committees

Merryl H. Tisch, Chair
Joseph W. Belluck
Eunice A. Lewin
Cesar Perales
Cary F. Staller

Staff Liaison: John B. King Jr.
Counsel: Kapil Longani

Committee Purpose:

The Executive Committee is empowered to determine and act upon any matter within the jurisdiction of the Board, except to grant degrees or to make removals from office, and such determinations and actions shall be the determinations and actions of the Board and shall be reported to the Board at its next meeting. 

The charge of the committee is to review and make recommendations, when necessary, to the Full Board on:  

• Acts for the Board between Board Meetings Board Governance Matters including Chancellor and Officer Review and Compensation
• Presidential Reviews and Compensation 
• Board of Trustees Operational and Membership Matters 
• Power of SUNY Strategic Plan 
• University Legal Matters

Executive Committee Charter

Stanley S. Litow, Chair

Staff Liaison: Ram Ramasubramanian
Counsel: Kapil Longani

Committee Purpose:

The Academic Affairs Committee will oversee and ensure the highest standards of academic achievement on all campuses. The Committee will insure that implementation of the Strategic plan and continuous improvement in appropriate areas are defined and set forth with objectives and measures and encourage better preparation of entering students for college-level study;
The charge of the committee is to review and make recommendations, when necessary, to the Full Board on:

• Academic Programs and Review, including Degree Approvals
• Master Plan
• Honorary Degree Approvals
• Faculty Awards and Recognition
• Student Mobility, Enrollment Planning
• Diversity and Educational Equity
• The academic aspects of Global Affairs / SUNY and the World
• Libraries and Distance Learning
• Athletics
• University Sector Coordination and Cooperation
• Student Affairs
• Faculty Senate and Faculty Council

Academic Affairs Committee Charter

Eric Corngold, Chair

Staff Liaison: Val Grey
Counsel: Kapil Longani

Committee Purpose:

The Academic Medical Centers and Hospitals Committee will provide oversight and policy formulation associated with the University's health professions education and health delivery system. The Committee is responsible for creating policies reflecting a balanced educational, administrative and financial environment for the University's health science centers and academic campuses offering professional medical education programs.

The charge of the committee is to review and make recommendations, when necessary, to the Full Board on:

• Excellence in Medical Education and health professions education
• Hospital and clinical structure, governance and operations, {in cooperation with Finance & Administration Committee} issues relating to funding and finances
• SUNY's role in meeting the needs of a Healthier New York
• Management and operation of clinical practice plans
• Fulfillment of quality assurance obligations and requirements
• Clinical affiliations with outside institutions and organizations
• In cooperation with the Research &Economic Development Committee, issues relating to Research Excellence in Academic Health Center Clinical & Translational Research (REACH)
• Other policy issues affecting the delivery of education and services in health care fields

Academic Medical Centers Charter

Edward M. Spiro, Chair

Staff Liaison: Amy Montalbano
Counsel: Kapil Longani

Committee Purpose:

The primary role of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities relating to the University's financial statements, financial reporting process, systems of risk management, internal controls, compliance, and the internal and external audit process. This is accomplished by meeting periodically to discuss and assess the University's:

• Financial statements and other relevant information;
• Systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance, and ethics;
• Auditing, accounting, and financial reporting processes; and
• Risk assessment and management processes (Enterprise Risk Management Program).

The Audit Committee should encourage continuous process improvement and compliance with laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and practices. The Audit Committee should provide for communication among management, the independent auditors, the internal auditors, and the Board of Trustees.

COMPOSITION

The Audit Committee shall consist of at least three members who shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, one of whom shall be designated by the Chairman of the Board to serve as chairman of the Committee. The members should have an understanding of financial matters and should be comfortable reviewing financial reports. The members shall serve at the pleasure of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for terms of three years.

MEETINGS AND QUORUM

The Committee shall meet at least twice a year, with the expectation that additional meetings may be required to adequately fulfill the obligations and duties outlined in the charter.

Members of the Audit Committee are expected to attend each committee meeting, in person or via videoconference. The Audit Committee may invite other individuals, such as members of management, auditors, or other technical experts to attend meetings and provide pertinent information, as necessary.

The Audit Committee will meet with the independent auditors of both the University and the University Hospitals at least twice a year to discuss audit planning and the results of the audit of the financial statements.

Meeting agendas will be prepared for every meeting and minutes of those meetings will be recorded.

The presence of a majority of the appointed members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the members present shall be the act of the Committee.

REPORTING

The Audit Committee shall report periodically to the Board of Trustees on its activities, and present annually to the Board of Trustees a written report of how it has discharged its duties and met its responsibilities as outlined in the charter.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

The Audit Committee's primary responsibilities and duties are to:

• Oversee the selection of the independent external auditors of the annual financial statements of the University and the University Hospitals, review the external auditors' findings, and provide the Board of Trustees with appropriate reports;
• Review comments applicable to the University set forth in any internal or external audits of the State of New York and provide the Board of Trustees with appropriate reports.
• Review and approve the organization, responsibilities and activities of the Office of the University Auditor and provide the Board of Trustees with appropriate reports on the Office's activities.
• Render advice and assistance to the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities for University accounting and reporting practices, risk management and internal controls, and undertake such other activities and responsibilities as shall be requested from time-to-time by the Board of Trustees.
• Foster direct communications with independent accountants and external auditors, and provide for direct access and reporting from the Office of the University Auditor.

The Audit Committee shall assist the Board of Trustees with its governance responsibilities by performing the following functions:  

1. Independent Auditors and Financial Statements

• • Oversee the independent auditors and approve non-audit services provided by the independent auditors;
  • Review the University and University Hospitals' audited financial statements and associated management letter, report on internal controls and compliance, and on all other auditor communications; and
  • Meet with the independent audit firms to discuss the financial statements and any significant issues that may have surfaced during the course of the audit.

2. Office of the University Auditor

• • Review with management and the Office of the University Auditor the charter, activities, staffing, and the organizational structure of the internal audit function;
  • Ensure that the Office of the University Auditor is organizationally independent from University operations and its affiliates;
  • Review and approve the annual internal audit plan; and
  • Review the results of the work of the Office of the University Auditor and campus-based auditors.

3. Internal Controls, Compliance and Risk Management

• • Review management's assessment of the effectiveness of the University's internal controls;
  • Review the independent auditor's report on internal controls and compliance;
  • Ensure that the University has an appropriate confidential mechanism for individuals to report suspected fraudulent activities, allegations of corruption, fraud, criminal activity, and conflicts of interest or abuse;
  • Ensure there are procedures for the receipt, retention, investigation and referral of complaints concerning accounting, internal controls, auditing, and other matters; and
  • Review management's risk assessment process and plans to manage and mitigate key risks (Enterprise Risk Management Program).

4. Other Responsibilities of the Audit Committee

• • Present annually to the University's Board of Trustees a written report of how it has discharged its duties and met its responsibilities as outlined in the charter;
  • Obtain any information and training needed to enhance the Committee members' understanding of the role of the independent auditors, the financial statements, internal audit, internal controls, compliance, risk assessments, and other areas as appropriate;
  • Review the Audit Committee's charter annually, reassess its adequacy, and recommend any proposed changes to the Board of Trustees and
  • Stay informed regarding issues and concerns related to the University and campus-related entities, and provide input on issues, as appropriate.

Audit Committee Charter

Joseph W. Belluck, Chair
Eric Corngold
Marcos A. Crespo
Eunice A. Lewin
Edward M. Spiro

Staff Liaison: Kathryn Connell-Espinosa
Counsel: Carrie Gee

Committee Purpose:

The Board of Trustees of the State University (the "Board of Trustees") is charged with several tasks as a designated "charter entity" or authorizer of charter schools under the New York Charter Schools Act of 1998 (as amended, the "Charter Schools Act") (Education Law § 2850 et seq.). The Charter Schools Committee, together with SUNY System Administration and particularly the SUNY Charter Schools Institute (the "Institute"), carry out the required charter school oversight and execute other required functions under the Charter Schools Act. The current delegated functions and authority of the Charter Schools Committee and the Institute were specified by the Board of Trustees by resolution of June 12, 2012. Those functions of the Committee include:

1. the approval, denial or abandonment of the following:
   • a)an application to establish a charter school education corporation;
   • b) an application by a charter school education corporation for authority to operate an additional school or site as defined in the Charter Schools Act;
   • c) an application to renew the charter of a charter school education corporation;
   • d) an application by a charter school education corporation to renew the authority to operate a particular a charter school or site;
   • e) an application for a charter revision to merge or consolidate charter school education corporations; or for the addition of new elementary, middle or high school programs; and
   • f) an application to extend a charter for a period of greater than two school years for schools that did not open opting instead to take one or more planning years prior to operation; including the resubmission of any of the foregoing to the Board of Regents with or without modification, if applicable, and the consideration of any school district comments in connection therewith;
2. the closure of all of the schools operated by a charter school education corporation and the approval of any renewal or revision application to replace the education corporation’s educational programs;
3. the placement on probation of a charter school education corporation;
4. the involuntary termination or revocation of an education corporation’s charter or its authority to operate a particular school or site;
5. the approval or denial of applications for federal and State charter school grants; and
6. the promulgation and revision of policy related to the authorizing and oversight of charter schools authorized by the Board of Trustees
7. In coordination with the Chancellor and her designees, oversight of the Charter Schools Institute in all of its functions under the Charter Schools Act, which include authority delegated to the chief administrative officer of the Institute to:
   1. approve or deny charter revisions not requiring Charter Schools Committee approval; and
   2. approve or deny approve charter extensions of up to two years for schools that did not open opting instead to take one or more planning years prior to operation; including the resubmission thereof to the Board of Regents with or without modification, if applicable, and the consideration of any school district comments in connection therewith; and
   3. take all other actions not delegated to the Charter Schools Committee as set forth above with respect to the Board of Trustees’ statutory authority as a charter entity under the Charter Schools Act;

Pursuant to existing administrative law, the Charter Schools Committee, on its own initiative, or on request of the Institute, may take up any matter generally delegated to the Institute, and it may also refer any matter within its authority to the full Board of Trustees if it so desires.

Charter Schools Committee Charter

Robert J. Duffy, Chair

Staff Liaison: TBD
Counsel: Cara Palumbo Schrantz

Committee Purpose:

The Community Colleges Committee will provide oversight and policy formulation associated with SUNY's 30 community college campuses, as appropriate. The Committee will utilize procedures that foster an understanding of the missions, regulations and structures unique to the sector, the relationships between SUNY and its community colleges, and the issues of particular interest to them.  The Committee will periodically receive regular updates from key community college constituency or stakeholder groups, including but not limited each of the community colleges, the New York Community Colleges Association of Presidents (NYCCAP), the New York Community College Trustees (NYCCT), the Faculty Council of Community Colleges (FCCC), and the SUNY Student Assembly.  

The charge of the Community Colleges Committee is to review and make recommendations, and when appropriate, such recommendations will be made to or in collaboration with other SUNY Board of Trustees Committees (particularly Academic Affairs, Education, College Readiness and Success, and Finance and Administration) and to the Full Board of Trustees regarding: 

• SUNY community colleges' ability to provide open access to an affordable and quality education for all students able to benefit;
• Policy, structural, and financial issues related to SUNY's community colleges and their missions; 
• SUNY community colleges’ ability to serve as economic drivers and cultural hubs for their respective communities;
• Developing a system approach to assisting SUNY community colleges in meeting national and state demands.

The goals of this Committee will be to strengthen the State and National profile of community colleges, improve the understanding of the sector and address major policy issues that impact the community colleges. 

Community Colleges Committee Charter

Marcos Crespo, Chair

Staff Liaison: Christa Grant
Counsel: Cara Palumbo Schrantz

Committee Purpose:

The Committee will consider policy on issues relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the University.
    
Where appropriate, the Committee will work in collaboration with other Board Committees, particularly Academic Affairs, Community Colleges, Finance and Administration, Research and Economic Development, and Student Life; as well as the Chancellor and his/her administration.

COMPOSITION   

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee shall consist of at least three members who shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, one or two of whom shall be designated by the Chair of the Board to serve as chair, or co-chair, of the Committee. The members of the committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Chair of the Board of Trustees for terms of three years.

MEETINGS AND QUORUM

The Committee shall meet at least twice a year, with the expectation that additional meetings may be required to adequately fulfill the obligations and duties outlined in the charter.

Members of the Committee are expected to attend each committee meeting, in person or via videoconference. The Committee may invite other individuals, such as SUNY students, faculty, or staff; or experts in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion, to attend meetings and provide pertinent information, as necessary.

Meeting agendas will be prepared for every meeting and minutes of those meetings will be recorded.

The presence of a majority of the appointed members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the members present shall be the act of the Committee.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Charter

Cary F. Staller, Chair

Staff Liaison: Josh Sager
Counsel: Kapil Longani

Committee Purpose:

The Finance and Administration Committee provides oversight for the university’s finances, business, and facilities activities. The committee advises the Board of Trustees on the state of the university's financial operations, budgetary allocations, student fees, personnel policies, investment performance strategy and returns, and facilities. The committee serves to ensure the university operates within available resources and applicable federal, state, and university policies in a manner supportive of the university’s strategic plan.

The charge of the committee is to review and make recommendations, when necessary, to the Full Board on:

• Annual University Budget, and any mid-year adjustments
• Quarterly and year-end financial conditions
• University Administration
• Information Technology
• Institutional Research
• Capital facilities
• Investments
• Energy Smart New York

Finance and Administration Committee Charter

Courtney Burke, Chair

Staff Liaison: Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik
Counsel: Kapil Longani

Committee Purpose:

The Research and Economic Development Committee provides oversight to programs seeking to extend the university's scientific, technological, commercialization, and educational expertise to communities, counties, agencies and organizations throughout New York and globally.

The charge of the committee is to review and make recommendations, when necessary, to the Full Board on:

• Research and Innovation
• Entrepreneurial Century
• Technology Transfer
• Economic Development and Innovation
• Co-op Programs and Internships
• Public – Private Partnerships
• Research Foundation Coordination

Research and Economic Development Committee Charter

Eunice A. Lewin, Co- Chair
Luca Rallis, Co-Chair

Staff Liaison: Cheryl Hamilton
Counsel: Kapil Longani

Committee Purpose:

The primary role of the Student Life Committee is to provide oversight and policy direction on issues relating to students’ co-curricular experiences, interactions, programs, and services throughout the University.

The Committee will focus on the physical, emotional, and social health and well-being of SUNY college students in order to identify evidence-based best practices to improve student life and secure feedback from students on the impact of these practices. In addition, the Committee will seek to engage with students and other stakeholders in advocacy efforts on behalf of SUNY.

The charge of the Committee is to review existing policies and practices, and make new policy recommendations to the Board of Trustees on matters pertaining to student life on campus, including but not limited to:

• Student Safety
• Health and Wellness
• Child Care Services
• Financial Aid and Financial Literacy
• Career Counseling and Services
• Student Governance
• Athletics, Recreation, Clubs, and Organizations
• Residence Life

Where appropriate, the committee will work in collaboration with other Board committees, particularly Academic Affairs, Community Colleges, and Finance and Administration.

COMPOSITION

The Student Life Committee shall consist of at least three members who shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, one or two of whom shall be designated by the Chairman of the Board to serve as chair, or co-chair, of the Committee.  The student member of the Board of Trustees shall have a standing seat on the Committee.  With the exception of the student trustee, who shall serve a one year term  commensurate with his/her tenure on the Board of Trustees, the members of the committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for terms of three years.

MEETINGS AND QUORUM

The Committee shall meet at least twice a year, with the expectation that additional meetings may be required to adequately fulfill the obligations and duties outlined in the charter.

Members of the Student Life Committee are expected to attend each committee meeting, in person or via videoconference. The Student Life Committee may invite other individuals, such as students or experts in the area of student affairs, to attend meetings and provide pertinent information, as necessary.

Meeting agendas will be prepared for every meeting and minutes of those meetings will be recorded.

The presence of a majority of the appointed members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the members present shall be the act of the Committee.

REPORTING

The Student Life Committee shall report to the Board of Trustees on its activities.

Student Life Committee Charter

Members:

Camille Joseph Varlack, Chair

Staff Liaison: Donna Linderman
Counsel: Kapil Longani

Committee Purpose:

The Committee will consider policy on issues relating to student success outcomes throughout the University.

Where appropriate, the Committee will work in collaboration with other Board Committees, particularly Academic Affairs, Community Colleges, Finance and Administration, Research and Economic Development, and Student Life; as well as the Chancellor and his/her administration.

COMPOSITION

The Student Success Committee shall consist of at least three members who shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, one or two of whom shall be designated by the Chair of the Board to serve as chair, or co-chair, of the Committee. The members of the committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Chair of the Board of Trustees for terms of three years.

MEETINGS AND QUORUM

The Committee shall meet at least twice a year, with the expectation that additional meetings may be required to adequately fulfill the obligations and duties outlined in the charter.

Members of the Committee are expected to attend each committee meeting, in person or via videoconference. The Committee may invite other individuals, such as SUNY students, faculty, or staff; or experts in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion, to attend meetings and provide pertinent information, as necessary.

Meeting agendas will be prepared for every meeting and minutes of those meetings will be recorded.

The presence of a majority of the appointed members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the members present shall be the act of the Committee.

REPORTING

The Student Success Committee shall report to the Board of Trustees on its activities.

Student Success Committee Charter

James L. Haddon, Chair

Staff Liaison: Chris White
Counsel: Kapil Longani

Committee Purpose

The Workforce Development and Upward Mobility Committee will provide oversight and consider policy associated with SUNY’s workforce development initiatives and strategy, as appropriate. The Committee will assist in identify needs in emerging high-demand fields to create, and will foster relationships between SUNY and its partners in industry and labor.
The charge of the Workforce Development and Upward Mobility Committee is to review and make recommendations, and when appropriate, such recommendations will be made to or in collaboration with other SUNY Board of Trustees Committees (particularly Academic Affairs, Community Colleges, Finance and Administration, Research and Economic Development, and Student Success) and to the Full Board of Trustees regarding:

• SUNY’s ability to provide in demand workforce training and education;
• The development of a system approach to assisting SUNY in meeting national and state demands; and
• SUNY’s ability to serve as an economic engine.

The goals of this Committee will be to strengthen SUNY as a key partner in New York’s economic future.

COMPOSITION

The Workforce Development and Upward Mobility Committee shall consist of at least three members who shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, one or two of whom shall be designated by the Chair of the Board to serve as chair, or co-chair, of the Committee. The members of the committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Chair of the Board of Trustees for terms of three years.

MEETINGS AND QUORUM

The Committee shall meet at least twice a year, with the expectation that additional meetings may be required to adequately fulfill the obligations and duties outlined in the charter.

Members of the Committee are expected to attend each committee meeting, in person or via videoconference. The Committee may invite other individuals, such as SUNY students, faculty, or staff; or experts in the area of workforce development, to attend meetings and provide pertinent information, as necessary.

Meeting agendas will be prepared for every meeting and minutes of those meetings will be recorded.

The presence of a majority of the appointed members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the members present shall be the act of the Committee.

REPORTING

The Workforce Development and Upward Mobility Committee shall report to the Board of Trustees on its activities.

Workforce Development and Upward Mobility Committee Charter