This webpage includes a listing of many committees at SUNY Cortland related to academic and professional affairs.
To submit an edit or update, please complete this form.
This page will be updated annually on Oct. 1.
This webpage includes a listing of many committees at SUNY Cortland related to academic and professional affairs.
To submit an edit or update, please complete this form.
This page will be updated annually on Oct. 1.
Chair: April Thompson
Members: 11
Meeting frequency: As needed
Charge:
(Approved by President Bitterbaum and President’s Cabinet, August 2024)
Academic Faculty Affairs website
Chair: Kevin Sheets
Members: 6
Meeting frequency: Fall at least weekly. Spring as needed. Depends on number of issues raised by faculty
Charge:
To regularly review the policies and procedures of academic departments and of the library that affect faculty with academic rank for renewal of term appointment, for granting of continuing appointment, and for promotion as fully described in Section 220.06 and Chapter 220.07 of the SUNY Cortland Handbook.
To conduct a review of Section 220.06 and Chapter 220.07 of the SUNY Cortland Handbook at least once every three years, and upon completing any such review to recommend needed changes to the Faculty Senate (or to certify that no changes are currently recommended to the Faculty Senate).
To provide guidance to any individual faculty member with academic rank regarding the departmental, school or sub-school personnel review process or problems deriving from it. (See paragraph 220.06, H.5 of the SUNY Cortland Handbook.)
To conduct an investigation of the review process used during a personnel action of an individual faculty member if formally requested by that individual.
The faculty member requesting the review should submit all pertinent materials related to the review to the chair of the Academic Faculty Affairs Committee. The individual need not submit a portfolio of supporting documents to the Academic Faculty Affairs Committee, since this material typically would not be reviewed, unless there appeared to have been violations directly involving the evaluation of these materials. It is important to note that disagreements between the candidate and reviewers regarding the weighting of materials do not in and of themselves represent procedural violations. The Academic Faculty Affairs Committee should avoid making judgments regarding subjective evaluations by the reviewers.
The Academic Faculty Affairs Committee may request additional materials from the individual requesting assistance. If appropriate, the Academic Faculty Affairs Committee also may interview members of personnel committees involved in the process, as well as the department chair and dean, or for librarians, the supervisor, director of libraries and the associate provost for information resources. However, cooperation by these individuals is strictly voluntary.
The investigation may be conducted by the Academic Faculty Affairs Committee as a whole, or by a review sub-committee consisting of at least three members of the Academic Faculty Affairs Committee appointed by the chair of the Academic Faculty Affairs Committee. If a sub-committee is appointed, the chair of the Academic Faculty Affairs Committee should serve on the sub-committee, and all members of the sub-committee should have tenure whenever possible. A committee member must recuse themselves in a situation in which a reasonable question might arise as to their impartiality, or if they are already involved in the personnel process for the faculty member requesting the investigation, provided that at least three other members are serving on the investigation.
A letter reporting the committee's conclusions will be issued to the individual and to the assistant vice president for human resources. This letter should include a description of the process used during the investigation and detailed descriptions of any violations of policies described in the Departmental Personnel Policies, the SUNY Cortland Handbook, the SUNY Board of Trustees policies, or the UUP agreement as well as unwritten but consistently followed procedures of that particular department, that may have occurred.
Except for the four duties specified above, all other faculty matters to be considered by the committee will be designated to it in writing by the Faculty Senate Steering Committee. This includes recommendations by departmental, school or sub-school personnel committees, administrators or individuals.
Academic Grievance Tribunal website
Chair: Tim Delaune
Members: 6
Meeting frequency: As needed
Charge:
To adjudicate appeals by students of findings of academic honesty under the Academic Integrity Code (SUNY Cortland Handbook Chapter 340) and of students or faculty dissatisfied with the outcomes of student grievances at the university level under the Academic Grievance Code (Handbook Chapter 350).
Chair: Vincent DeTuri
Co-chair: Eileen Gravani and Kimberly Rombach
Members: 17
Meeting frequency: Twice a year — does not meet in August as indicated in the SUNY Cortland Handbook
Charge:
An Academic Standing Committee will consider student appeals to academic suspension and dismissal. Since granting of an appeal is not automatic, it is intended only to accommodate extraordinary or unusual situations. The committee will convene in January, May and August of each academic year to consider student appeals and review pertinent documentation of mitigating circumstances provided by the student. The student must also provide the committee with a written plan for achieving academic success.
Chair: Mark DePaull
Members: 10
Meeting frequency: As needed
Charge:
The Access Control Advisory Board is the campus body charged with ensuring the safety and fair and equitable treatment of all university community members in issues related to the issuance, replacement and surrender of campus-owned keys and proximity credentials.
Chair: Mary Schlarb
Co-chair: Abby Thomas and Nan Pasquarello
Members: 47
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
The Administrative Directors Group represents a diverse set of offices serving a range of functions and audiences, with varying degrees of direct student interaction. Recognizing this diversity, we seek to find flexible and consistent approaches to managing our offices and staff through and beyond the pandemic. Also, we aim to establish best practices and provide more formal and continual input into planning and policies, with the well-being of staff and students at the forefront.
The Administrative Directors Group provides:
Chair: Greg Sharer
Members: 4
Meeting frequency: As needed
Charge:
SUNY Cortland Handbook 360.02.3.B 1: The university president will appoint an Alcohol Advisory Committee representing the entire university community. Campus events involving the serving of alcohol will be registered with the Alcohol Advisory Committee before the event occurs. Requests to hold on- or off-campus events that involve the serving of alcohol and include underage persons must be filed at least 30 days prior to the event and must receive written approval from the Alcohol Advisory Committee before the event occurs. The Alcohol Advisory Committee will monitor alcohol use at official university events and evaluate compliance with the alcohol policy.
Chair: Matt Pitcher
Members: 25
Meeting frequency: Members review student scholarship applications in Academic Works
Charge:
To determine the recipients for five Honors Convocation Scholarships (multiple recipients chosen for each) along with another 50 scholarship opportunities (many have multiple recipients).
Anti-Racism Task Force website
Chair: AnnaMaria Cirrincione
Members: 28
Meeting frequency: Full task force meets three times a semester and the three sub-committees meet biweekly
Charge:
To proactively identify and address matters related to racism on campus that serve as barriers or inhibitors of maximum academic, social and personal success for our BIPOC students. Furthermore, we strive to contribute to the creation of a campus climate that is socially and racially inclusive, diverse and just for ALL our students. We intend to fulfill this mission through:
Chair: Lorraine Lopez-Janove
Members: 8
Meeting frequency: Biweekly
Charge:
To update, share, address and follow up on campus bias incidents.
Chair: Lorraine Lopez-Janove
Members: 9
Meeting frequency: Biweekly
Charge:
To plan, organize and implement a Black Lives Matter mural on campus.
Chair: Lorraine Lopez-Janove
Members: 15
Meeting frequency: Biweekly
Charge:
Its members were charged with the development and implementation of a survey instrument. The committee was also expected to form focus groups and analyze the data responses.
Chair: Mark DePaull
Members: 12
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
Chair: Kathleen A. Lawrence
Members: 7
Meeting frequency: We meet frequently (perhaps 1-3 times a week) during late December (after nominations are received)- through February 15 when the nomination is due to SUNY Central
Charge:
To select, following guidelines provided by the SUNY Chancellor's Awards Process & Procedures and the directive given the committee via Faculty Senate and it's established guidelines, to meet to select the best nominee (from nominations received) most befitting the honor of demonstrating Excellence in their Faculty Service.Chair: Laura Davies
Members: 5
Meeting frequency: once a month between November and February
Charge:
To prepare the nomination for the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional ServiceChancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship Selection Committee website
Chair: John Foley
Members: 5
Meeting frequency: As Needed
Charge:
The selection committee solicits nominations; conducts an objective and rigorous evaluation of the merits of candidates nominated; recommends to the campus President nominees to go forward to the System Administration level; and prepares the final nomination portfolio.Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching website
Chair: Maria Timberlake
Members: 6
Meeting frequency: Generally 2 in-person meetings per semester that run for 1.5-2 hours. Then virtual meetings periodically to check progress.
Charge:
review nominations, decide on eligibility, obtain candidate's portfolio and schedule review of candidate portfolio by committee , coordinate year 1 and year 2 committee observations of candidate, compile observations, generate a letter to Provost on candidate nomination to SUNY.Chair: Matthew Brubaker
Members: 9
Meeting frequency: As Needed
Charge:
The Climate Financial Tracking and Coordination Committee is charged with the task of consulting with departments and divisions on campus to assemble what the College is planning to do for the coming five years to fund actions related to the most current version of the Climate Action Plan. This would include assessing how much money should be budgeted, from what sources, and how much external support they plan to seek related to external grants or loans.College Research Committee website
Chair: Andrea Davalos
Members: 8
Meeting frequency: As needed
Charge:
Responsible for the Faculty Research Program and to review nominees for the Dr. Peter A. Di Nardo '68 and Judith Waring Outstanding Achievement in Research Award
Chair: Kati Ahern
Members: 7
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
Committee on Teaching Effectiveness website
Chair: Matt Moyer
Members: 8
Meeting frequency: Biweekly
Charge:
To work with a labor relations person from UUP and an administrative representative to review eight potential program systems for course teacher evaluations (CTE).
New questions for the CTE are approved but not in the SUNY Cortland Handbook yet. Language needs to be revised. The committee is charged with rewriting section 260.02 of the handbook, except for subsection 1.1.
Chair: Rich Coyne
Members: 15
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
Management of Corporate Affairs — Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation or these Bylaws, the activities, property, affairs and personnel of the Corporation will be managed by the Board of Directors (the ''Board'') in accordance with the State University of New York Guidelines for Auxiliary Service Corporations (the ''SUNY Guidelines''), as may be amended from time to time, and any contract or other memorandum of understanding then in force between the Corporation and the University. Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, the Bylaws or the SUNY Guidelines, the Board shall have the power to hold meetings at such times and places it deems advisable to appoint committees, to select and employ an Executive Director responsible to the Board, to manage the operations of the Corporation, to employ other necessary employees, to approve periodic fiscal reports, audited financial statements, and the annual budget of the Corporation and authorize proper expenditures from the same after approval of the budget by the President of the University and the SUNY Vice Chancellor, and to take such other measures as may be necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of the Corporation.
Chair: Ben Wilson
Co-chair: Nikolay Karkov
Members: 20
Meeting frequency: Meetings are based on setting the event schedule. It is different each semester.
Charge:
To choose a theme each year to frame a yearlong series of lectures, discussions, film screenings and art exhibitions. This theme is meant to promote cultural life on campus and help the campus and Cortland community engage in discussions connected to issues relevant to today's world.
Distinguished Professor Committee website
Chair: Christopher McRoberts
Members: 8
Meeting frequency: With active nominations, committee meets multiple times (3-5) between December and January
Charge:
The committee is empaneled specifically to solicit nominations, to conduct an objective and unbiased evaluation of the merits of proposed candidates, to prepare the final nomination portfolio, and to forward to the campus president or the president's designee only the campus' finest exemplars of the qualities recognized through each distinguished rank. The local selection committee must determine that a candidate meets, and preferably surpasses, the selection criteria for the distinguished designation for which nominated (e.g., that for the distinguished professor, the candidate meets and preferably surpasses the campus' requirements for scholarship).
Distinguished Service Professor Committee website
Chair: Anne Burns Thomas
Members: 6
Meeting frequency: As needed
Charge:
To select and successfully nominate a SUNY Cortland candidate for Distinguished Service Professor.
Distinguished Teaching Professor Committee website
Chair: Peter M. McGinnis
Members: 8
Meeting frequency: As needed
Charge:
According the the Distinguished Teaching Professor document created by Faculty Senate several years ago, committee's responsibilities are ''to solicit nominations, to conduct an objective and unbiased evaluation of the merits of proposed candidates, to prepare the final nomination portfolio, and to forward to the campus president or the president's designee only the campus' finest exemplars of the qualities recognized through each distinguished rank.''
Diversity Narratives Project website
Chair: Lorraine Lopez-Janove
Members: 12
Meeting frequency: Bi-weekly
Charge:
Note: The Diversity Narratives Project was completed in the summer of 2021. The charge of the committee members was to assist the SUNY Cortland community narratives project's goals as follows: create a greater representation of diversity in curriculum, highlight underrepresented students, especially students of color, challenge critical thinking about belonging, destigmatize issues of mental health and wellness, build cultural competency, and breakdown limiting assumptions about minoritized groups and create broader visibility of diversity on campus.
Educational Policy Committee website
Chair: Eric Edlund
Members: 12
Meeting frequency: Biweekly
Charge:
From the SUNY Cortland Handbook, Section 150.03, Article VII, Part 3a:
Chair: James FitzGerald
Co-chair: Dan Harms
Members: 13
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
Chair: Chris Maroney
Members: 13
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
From the SUNY Cortland Handbook, Part 130.08, Section VII. Facilities and Master Plan Oversight Committee (FMPOC):
The Facilities and Master Plan Oversight Committee (FMPOC) will oversee space allocation and recommend future space needs as defined by the master plan.
A. Function:
The Facilities and Master Plan Oversight Committee makes nonbinding recommendations to the president on issues and proposals involving campus facilities. The committee is charged with the following responsibilities:
Chair: Kathleen Lawrence
Members: 42
Meeting frequency: Biweekly
Charge:
Faculty Senate Steering Committee website
Chair: Kathleen Lawrence
Members: 9
Meeting frequency: Biweekly
Charge:
Garden Advisory Committee website
Chair: Sarah Beshers
Members: 6
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
Chair: Kathleen Burke
Co-chair: Carol Van Der Karr
Members: 13
Meeting frequency: Biweekly
Charge:
General Education Committee website
Chair: Lauren deLaubell
Co-chair: Jenn McNamara
Members: 14
Meeting frequency: Biweekly
Charge:
Chair: April Thompson
Co-chair: Peter McGinnis
Members: 15
Meeting frequency: once in fall semester, every 3-4 weeks for spring semester
Charge:
To plan for graduate commencement
Graduate Faculty Executive Committee (GFEC) website
Chair: Nance S. Wilson
Members: 18
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
There shall be a graduate faculty for the purpose of accepting responsibility for graduate curricula and associated graduate academic affairs of the university. The graduate faculty shall provide a direct advisory mission to the administrative officers designated for graduate studies and related affairs. The organizational structure and operating procedures of the graduate faculty shall be subject to ongoing review and approval by the Faculty Senate. A representative of the graduate faculty shall represent it on the Faculty Senate. The graduate faculty shall provide the Senate with a written annual report at the end of the academic year.
Chair: April Thompson
Members: 12
Meeting frequency: $con.frequency
Charge:
Chair: Jenn McNamara
Members: 12
Meeting frequency: As needed
Charge:
Chair: Philip J. Buckenmeyer
Members: 18
Meeting frequency: Meet monthly in the spring semester prior to April
Charge:
Responsible for programming the annual Honors Convocation for the purpose of acknowledging students for their academic achievements, particularly those in the top 5% of their class, with awards and scholarships.
Chair: Mark DePaull
Co-chair: Francis Cullen
Members: 10
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
Chair: Lisa Kahle
Members: 14
Meeting frequency: $con.frequency
Charge:
Chair: Josh Peluso
Members: 16
Meeting frequency: $con.frequency
Charge:
Institutional Planning and Assessment Committee website
Chair: Carol Van Der Karr
Members: 20
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
With the goals of institutional effectiveness, growth and transparency, the Institutional Planning and Assessment Committee (IPAC) is responsible for coordinating the work of institutional strategic planning and supporting planning and assessment throughout the campus. This includes recommending a meaningful and assessable university-wide plan to the President's Cabinet, monitoring evidence indicators, assessing the plan, allocating strategic funds in alignment with the plan (as available), and updating the plan as need to align with the mission and needs of the students and the campus.
Chair: Lorraine Lopez-Janove
Members: 0
Meeting frequency: On hold
Charge:
Since the dialogues are most effective and best done in person, they were placed on hold during the pandemic. A list of members is not currently available.
Joint Committee on Student Interests website
Chair: Katarina Silvestri
Co-chair: SGA president
Members: 7
Meeting frequency: As needed
Charge:
Chair: N/A
Members: 8
Meeting frequency: As needed
Charge:
Chair: Juanita Larrabee
Members: 8
Meeting frequency: $con.frequency
Charge:
Chair: John Foley
Members: 6
Meeting frequency: As needed
Charge:
President's Council on Inclusive Excellence website
Chair: Lorraine Lopez-Janove
Co-chair: Christopher Ortega
Members: 22
Meeting frequency: Biweekly
Charge:
Professional Affairs Committee website
Chair: Stuart Daman
Members: 11
Meeting frequency: As needed
Charge:
Resource Advisory Council website
Chair: Kathleen Burke
Co-chair: Jody Maroney
Members: 16
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
1) Ensure alignment of the institutional operating budget with the New York state, SUNY and university timelines.
2) Create and review policies and procedures associated with requesting funding and the decision-making process to ensure alignment with the campus strategic plan.
3) Develop mechanisms to educate and effectively communicate financial information to the campus community.
(effective March 22, 2022)
Members
Co-chair: Jody Maroney, assistant vice president for finance
Co-chair: Kathleen Burke, professor, Economics Department
Rich Coyne, vice president for institutional advancement
Wendy Cranmer, associate vice president for human resources
Andrea Lachance, dean, School of Education
Lisa Kahle, associate vice president for information resources
Kathleen Lawrence, professor, Communications and Media Studies Department; Faculty Senate chair
Lorraine Lopez-Janove, chief diversity and inclusion officer
Lynn MacDonald, interim dean, School of Professional Studies
Christopher Maroney, associate vice president for facilities management
Bruce Mattingly, dean, School of Arts and Sciences
Ann McClellan, provost and vice president for academic affairs
Greg Sharer, vice president for student affairs
Mike Urtz, director of athletics
Carol Van Der Karr, vice provost for academic affairs and institutional effectiveness
Mark Yacavone, vice president for finance and management
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression website
Chair: Erin Morris
Members: 30
Meeting frequency: Biweekly
Charge:
Chair: Carol Van Der Karr
Members: 13
Meeting frequency: Biweekly
Charge:
In 2015-16, the committee was charged with:
Chair: Matthew Brubaker
Members: 12
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
Chair: Jeremy Jimenez
Co-chair: Kati Ahern
Members: 8
Meeting frequency: As needed
Charge:
Chair: Andrea Lachance
Members: 36
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
There are 26 voting members and 10 ex-officio members.
Chair: Maggie Wetter
Co-chair: Kathleen Burke
Members: 7
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
Chair: Maggie Wetter
Members: 15
Meeting frequency: As needed
Charge:
Chair: Lauren Scagnelli
Co-chair: Eve Mascoli
Members: 12
Meeting frequency: Monthly
Charge:
Chair: Bruce Mattingly
Members: 13
Meeting frequency: About five meetings per year — two planning meetings in the fall; meeting in early spring to finalize artwork and call for presentations, second meeting in spring to schedule the presentations; meeting in late spring to debrief on the event
Charge:
Chair: Dan Dryja
Members: 10
Meeting frequency: Once every other month
Charge:
Chair: April Thompson
Members: 22
Meeting frequency: Once in fall semester, every 3-4 weeks in spring semester
Charge:
University Curriculum Review Committee (UCRC) website
Chair: Katherine Polasek
Members: 15
Meeting frequency: Biweekly
Charge:
University Curriculum Review Committee/Graduate Faculty Executive Committee