Faculty Council
Minutes of the meeting of February 14, 1995
Meeting called to order by Ted Steinberg at 4:03 P.M.
1. Approval of Agenda. Passed. Steinberg asked that the Report of the Library Advisory Committee be postponed. Moved and Seconded.
2. President's Report:
President MacPhee commented/summarized the February 10, 1995 general faculty meeting where he spoke about the proposed budget for SUNY. He stated that his remarks will be made available this week. He then asked for any questions. Mac Nelson- How much will our cut be? MacPhee- difficult to know at this time. But "no campus will be reduced by 31%". The answer depends on the balancing of four variables, which are tuition increase (how much), enrollment decline (driven by tuition), system structural change (central office, closings, etc.), and lastly campus cuts. Ted Steinberg asked- Will the learning center be closing in April? MacPhee- It should be OK in the "shortfall". Ken Lucey- Any movement on early retirement incentives- MacPhee- Yes TIA/CREF is currently working on it. Brenda Stevens inquired asked what seems to be driving the proposed budget? MacPhee- The proposed budget appears to be, "driven by the numbers". Jack Gillette- What about capitol projects on campus? MacPhee- yes some will be put on hold. Minda Rae Amiran asked, Will positions that are lost by early retirement be filled or will the loss be permanent? MacPhee deferred to V.P. David Burdette. Burdette- SUNY will allow flexibility regarding replacements for early retirement positions. Rose Klassen-Students are concerned. Maybe someone maybe the president should talk to them and say "everything is OK". MacPhee commented-yes we have spoken to many students. He further elaborated on his concern for all students and also his concern for the EDP program. Mac Nelson questioned the "politics of the situation". MacPhee commented that the current situation represents a monumental change in public policy regarding state funded institutions, i.e. funding from 90% to 40%. President MacPhee concluded with, "... It is a time for sharing concerns but not for panic".
3. Chairperson's Report:
Welcomed new members to Faculty Council including: Professional Staff/ Management: Susan Maloney, William Ortega, & Terry Tzitzis; Natural and Social Sciences- Nancy Gee, Greg Prechtl, & Deborah Welch; and Arts, Education, and Humanities-Robert Deming, Larry Maheady, John Onufrak, & George Sebouhian.
4. Vice Chairperson's Report: no report
5. Faculty Senator's Report: postponed
6. Standing Committees' Reports:
Governance:
Sandra Lewis reviewed her "overview" handout noting new members.
Academic Affairs:
Tom Rywick reported that the committee was meeting and had no formal motions at this time.
Calendar Subcommittee:
Mac Nelson submitted calendar for approval. Passed with minor revision.
Planing and Budget: no report
Professional Services: no report
Student Affairs: no report
7. Report of Faculty/Staff Scholarship Committee:
Jean Malinowski submitted a report regarding the Faculty /Staff Endowment Scholarship Fund which included the percentage of donors based on full-time employment: Management 90% Professional 45% and Faculty 27%.
8. Report of Library Advisory Committee: postponed
9. Report of Director, Creative Services:
Colin Plaister presented information regarding the present and future considerations for multi- media classrooms including a description of a "smart" classroom. The next room to be so equiped will be Fenton 105. Current project is in McEwen 202. The next project will be in Fenton-105. Ken Mantai commented that more equipment outside of the classroom is needed in order to fully utilize the "smart" classroom. Ken Lucey asked if there will be a visualizer in the "smart "class room. Plaister answered no. There were additional comments by those in attendance all supporting the efforts by Creative Services.
10. New business:
Tom Malinowski handed out and briefly discussed a brochure entitled "Our Vital Resources" which describes the economic impact of SUNY College at Fredonia on the Western New York Region.
Meeting adjourned 4:58 P.M.
Note: Attendance was inadvertently not taken at this meeting.
John A. Onufrak, Faculty Council Secretary