Faculty Council
Minutes of the meeting of November 11, 1991
0. Chairperson M. L. Lunde called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m.
1. R. Belliotti moved that the announced agenda be adopted, seconded by M. Nelson. Motion passed.
2.a. M. Nelson moved the approval of the minutes for the September 9, 1991 meeting as printed; seconded by F. Krohn. Motion passed.
2.b. R. Weist moved the approval of the minutes of the October 7, 1991 meeting as printed; seconded by F.Krohn. Motion passed.
3. Report of the President, D. MacPhee: Multi-cultural goals. Appointments to three committees now complete: (1) Prejudice Reduction Models Review Committee will recommend best model by which we might systematically address issues on campus having to do with our relationships with one another. (2) Ethnic Nomenclature Committee will look at what we call one another as individuals and as groups. (3) An advisory committee to advise Dean of Students on bias-related incidents, appropriate responses, ways to improve our guidelines for such responses. Budget. We are operating under a freeze ordered by Chancellor, which provides some flexibility to honor previously-made travel commitments. We are waiting to see the magnitude of the cuts to be made. Mid-year cuts like this one are very serious. We are proceeding with key searches for faculty and administrators. We will make every effort to continue the mission of the college. Serious physical threats to one of our students have been reported by the Leader. The student is not now on campus. We are taking this very seriously. We are working through all appropriate channels to bring the culprit to justice.
4. Chairperson M. L. Lunde introduced new FC member: Bridget Sweeney, SA representative. Report of the Search Committee for the Vice President for Development and College Relations was given by D. Burdette: We have had two candidates visit, one more to come. Report of the Search Committee for Dean of Natural and Social Sciences was given by W. Foeller: The committee has reviewed 97 applications for the position, narrowing the number to ten, five of whom will be invited to campus. Chairperson Lunde announced that elections will take place in January for Vice Chair of Faculty Council and for College Senate Secretary. Any nominations, including self-nominations should be made known to her soon.
5. Vice Chair, S. Warner had no report.
6. Faculty Senator J. Straight submitted a one-page written report: FS met at Alfred U. Oct. 18-19. Chancellor Johnstone spoke on "SUNY 2000" citing positive demographics, heightened student interest in SUNY, and an increased need for SUNY's research and public service. Vice Chancellor Anslow reported on SUNY's preliminary budget for 1992-93, stating that since 1975 faculty lines have been cut 5.3%, support lines more than double that, while holding enrollment fairly constant; SUNY has requested an increase of 3.1% or $44.3 million for 92-93. FS also heard an impressive presentation from Empire State College Pres. James Hall, chair of the SUNY Presidents' Task Force on Educational Technology; their report, recommended reading, is avail. from Straight. M. Nelson: What are the stats on reduction of classes? Straight: 201K students served in 1975, 205K in '91.
7. Report of the chair of the Governance Committee, F. Krohn: Faculty Preference Poll has been circulated; 20% response level vs. about 33% for previous years. The committee is presently computing data relative to the annual representation census.
8. R. Jordan reported for the Affirmative Action Committee: This is my 6th year on the committee which is now very exciting, proactive. My goal: return "affirmative" to Affirmative Action. There is not enough support for any new faculty, though I would not go so far as to say they are "thrown to the wolves". We need to take a more active personal role in making the new faculty people welcome. I commend Pres. MacPhee for his initiatives to open dialogue with students and the entire campus community on these issues. We plan to have more accurate, more widely-distributed minutes of meetings. We are considering an occasional newsletter to improve flow of A/A info. On the recent resignations of four minority faculty: We are asking them for their input on these issues. Committee will review the responses, make a report. President's statement on bias had a tremendous, favorable impact and engendered a heightened sense of responsibility.
9. D. O'Connell reported for the Computer Committee: SCAP Program is to provide hands-on computing access for students. Departmental proposals are evaluated viz-a-viz SCAP guidelines. Funding has been reduced for the program. Proposals were due from departments Nov. 6. Eleven proposals were received totalling $130K, for approx. $80K available funds. Difficult to rank these very worthy proposals. Access (number of students reached) is a key factor in evaluation. P. Sinden: When is the money released? O'Connell: It's available now, must be spent within the year. D. MacPhee: SCAP money cannot be used to cover budget cuts.
10. New Business: T. Loughlin moved, seconded by M. Nelson: that Faculty Council Bylaws be amended to establish a standing committee, Intercultural Affairs Committee. Loughlin: faculty/staff of color have been meeting for some time to consider ways to improve multi-culturalism. Each unit of campus should accept some responsibility for multi-culturalism. This proposal might assist departments in moving curricula toward multi-culturalism. The proposed committee might also assist in making new faculty welcome, as recommended by A/A Committee. Faculty as an organized body has not yet entered a response to these issues. The proposed elected committee could be that response. M. Nelson: Present A/A Committee is partly elected, partly appointed. D. MacPhee: I would like to see a permanent commitment by Faculty Council to the goals of multi-culturalism; it would enhance faculty involvement with these issues. However, many other committees have "pieces of the action" on multi-culturalism. The role of the proposed committee needs to be evaluated carefully. P. Sinden: I'm opposed to the proposal. The Bylaws provide a limited mission for FC; the proposed new committee would transcend these limits. Also, the proposed committee would overlap the responsibilities of other existing committees. H.J. Straight: Governance Committee is in best position to evaluate this proposal. F. Krohn moved, R. Belliotti seconded: that the proposal be referred to Governance Committee. W.Rockett: Governance Committee should review this. FC should take a role, but there are already at least nine existing committees having responsibilities in these areas. It is important to coordinate these efforts. The proposed A/A Committee newsletter would help. Loughlin: The proposal is to test the response of FC; referral to Governance is a good idea. I don't want to "committee" us to death. S. Warner: I'm concerned when an action I'm considering to improve something is precisely that which I would take to kill it. Is this a solution, or marginalization of the issues? The motion to refer passed.
11. S. Warner moved to adjourn, seconded by M. Nelson. Motion passed.
Attendance:
Professional Staff/Management:
P. Andrews (1992)
K. Bonds (1992)
S. Clarke (1993)
T. Kflu (1993)
T. Malinoski (1993)
T. McNeil (1991)
K. Porpiglia (1992)
B. Servatius (1993)
Arts, Education and Humanities:
R. Belliotti (1993)
M. Charbonnet (1993)
J. Chilberg (1991)
R. Dipert (1991)
J. Gillette (1991)
H. Jacobson (1993)
T. Loughlin (1993)
M. L. Lunde (1992)
M. Nelson (1993)
T. Schwalbe (1992)
Natural and Social Sciences:
J. Berkley (1991)
J. Croxton (1991)
M. Grady (1992)
F. Krohn (1993)
K. Mantai (1993)
M. Seyedian (1992)
P. Sinden (1993)
R. Weist (1992)
Students:
B. Sweeney
Ex Officio:
D. Burdette
M. Dimitri
W. Foeller
D. Hess
J. Hurtgen
D. MacPhee
W. Rockett
H. J. Straight
S. Warner
Guests:
D. O'Connell
S. Brown
Excused Absences:
V. Conover (1993)
P. Deakin (1993)
G. Sebouhian (1992)
J. Hansen (1991)
A. Raspini [sabbatical] (1993)
J. Romal (1993)
Unexcused Absences:
D. Johnson (1992) [1]
S. Maloney (1992) [1]
J. Chilberg (1991) [1]
R. Klassen (1992) [1]
S. Royal (1991) [3]
J. Berkley (1991) [1]
J. Hansen (1991) [1]
T. Janik (1993) [1]
G. Prechtl (1992) [2]
P. Sinden (1993) [1]
R. Weist (1992) [1]
W. Foeller [1]
A. Wheeler [2]
Thomas McNeil, College Senate Secretary pro tempore