���������������������� ���� FACULTY SENATE MINUTES #11

����������������������������������� ��������� March 24, 2009 

 

The eleventh meeting of the Faculty Senate 2008�2009 was called to order by Chair

William Buxton on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 1:10 PM in the Park Center Hall of

Fame Room.

 

SENATORS AND MEMBERS PRESENT:B. Buxton, K. Lawrence, J. Duncan,

J. Shedd, D. West, D. Miller, T. Phillips, J. Reese, J. Walkuski, J. Governali, J. Hendrick,

O. White, A. Dahlman, D. Harrington, T. Vigars, T. Slack, D. Videto, M. Ware, S. Snell,

M. Dwyer, R. Rainsford, A. Rossi, M. Prus, G. Sharer, S. Anderson, T. Phillips

 

SENATORS AND MEMBERS ABSENT:I. Jubran, N. Helsper, J. Rayle,

B. Langhans, E. McCabe, E. Bitterbaum, R. Franco, W. Shaut, R. Kendrick, C. Cirmo,

R. Collings

 

GUESTS PRESENT: G. Levine, P. Koryzno, J. Cottone, B. Mattingly, J. Mosher,

B. Klein, A LaChance, J. Palmer, H. Steck, T. Pasquarello, M. Holland, K. Pristash,

J. Feliciano, L. Ashley

 

IAPPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The minutes were approved from March 3,

2009.

 

II.SENATE ACTIONS:

There was a vote to approve the Academic Calendars for 2011-2012; 2012-2013;

2013-2014; from the Calendar Committee, G. Levine, Chair {as revised editorially}

{ SEE Appendix 3} (Approved)

��

III.CHAIR�S REPORT: ��

Chair Buxton opened the meeting by urging all members of the campus community

to participate in at least one of the open forums sponsored by the Strategic Planning

Steering Committee next week.He stated that these forums are designed as another

opportunity for the campus to give feedback regarding a mission statement and core

values for the college, as well as for individuals to offer their vision of what this

college might be in the future.He deferred to the Provost, who is chairing the

committee, and his report, for additional details about this effort. Dates of the

open meetings are:

 

a.       Monday, March 30, 1-3 pm, Hall of Fame Room, Park Center

b.      Tuesday, March 31, 3-5 pm, Jacobus Lounge, Brockway Hall

c.       Wednesday, April 1, 11 am � 1 pm, Exhibition Lounge, Corey Union

d.      Thursday, April 2, 1 � 3 pm, Hall of Fame Room, Park Center

e.       Friday, April 3, 2 � 4 pm, Jacobus Lounge, Brockway Hall

 

Chair Buxton gave an update on e-mail distribution explaining that at the last

Steering Committee meeting President Bitterbaum was asked if the Faculty Senate

secretary could be given access to an all campus distribution list. He explained that

the Faculty Senate listserv has a limited range and many faculty and staff are not on

that listserv. Chair Buxton further reported that the Faculty Senate has proposals that

impact many people on the Faculty Senate listserv.President Bitterbaum has

endorsed giving the Faculty Senate secretary access to a broader distribution list.

Negotiations are currently underway with the Associate Provost for Information

Resources to obtain this access.

 

The third item of business was regarding the College Curriculum Review Committee.

Chair Buxton explained that this proposal was originally presented to the Faculty

Senate in the fall of 2006 as recommended for approval from the Educational Policy

Committee.The chair reported that in November of 2006 the Faculty Senate proposal

was referred to the newly constituted Review of Governance Committee. After that,

it is not clear to what extent the proposal influenced the final recommendations of the

Review of Governance Committee.Chair Buxton explained that Cindy Benton,

Chair of the CCRC, recently asked the Steering Committee to investigate the status

of its proposal, which was almost 2-1/2 years old. Given the long history of

this proposal, the Steering Committee felt the fairest solution was to reintroduce

the proposal as old business. Chair Buxton explained that in doing so, there was

the expectation that the proposal would not be voted on at that day�s meeting,

and a vote would only occur at the next Faculty Senate meeting on April 7,

at the earliest.

 

IV. VICE CHAIR: K. Lawrence � The Vice Chair reported on the Faculty Senate

Ad Hoc Committee to study a new Senate time, consisting of members:K. Lawrence,

J. Governali, D. Miller, and O. White.The survey has gone out via e-mail, responses

have been received, and the data is being tabulated, including graphs.The Vice Chair

ended by stating that the committee will be meeting again after that day�s Senate

meeting and with a report available soon.

 

V. TREASURER�S REPORT:J. Shedd � No report.

 

VI.SECRETARY�S REPORT: J. Duncan � no report.

 

VII.PRESIDENT�S REPORT: ��

M. Prus gave a brief report on behalf of President Bitterbaum, who had a prior

obligation and was unable to attend.

 

VIII.STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

Student Affairs Committee - T. Phillips � T. Phillips reported that B. Langhans,

Financial Aid Office, has put out a call on e-mail for applications from the student

body for the Faculty Senate Memorial Scholarship, which has been reduced from

$1000 to $500.00 this year, due to economic conditions.

 

Faculty Affairs CommitteeR. Collings �J. Walkuski reported on behalf of

R. Collings that the Faculty Affairs Committee is reviewing departmental policies.

The committee is also working on reviewing the College Handbook according to

its charge.

 

Long-Range Planning CommitteeC. Cirmo � No report(absent)

 

Educational Policy Committee � R. Kendrick, Chair � W. Buxton reported on

behalf of R. Kendrick, who was unable to attend due to a grant deadline, that

the EPC met that morning and passed some proposed changes to the

College Curriculum Guide (and by extension) to the College Handbook.These

will be going out to the campus for the two-week review period soon. Buxton

reported further that the EPC resumed their discussion of the TEC and its

relationship to faculty governance.

 

College Research Committee � P. Ducey, Chair - No report (absent)

 

General Education Committee � D. Miller, Chair �No report.

 

X. OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

Committee on Committees -J. Barry, Chair � No report.

 

Ad Hoc Committee on Formation of the Professional Affairs Committee

The �Proposal for the Creation of a Professional Affairs Committee of the

Faculty Senate at SUNY Cortland� was distributed and introduced

for informational purposes by chair M. Holland, with questions taken

from the floor. This will be an agenda item at the next Faculty Senate meeting on

April 7, 2009 under Old Business.The �Supplemental Materials

for the Ad Hoc Committee for the Professional Affairs Committee�

were provided to Recording Secretary B. Kissel and chair W. Buxton and

are available for reference.{SEE Appendix 1)

 

XI. AREA SENATOR�S REPORTS:There were no Area Senator�s reports.

 

XII. SUNY SENATOR�S REPORT � M. Ware � M. Ware gave a brief report.

She stated that since she had been unable to attend the Senate meetings since the

Winter Plenary a full report would be appended to the minutes.Senator Ware

announced that on April 3-5 SUNY is hosting a conference in Albany to

celebrate The 60th anniversary of research, which she and H. Steck will be

attending. There is a $100 fee, which includes dinners, and the former chancellors

will be speaking.She also announced that the University Faculty Senate has

produced a Service Learning Toolkit which is available and urged people interested

to contact her if they were interested in obtaining one. The proceeding of

the 151st Plenary at Morrisville State College on February 27, 2009 is appended to the

minutes along with three resolutions, Resolution 151-01-01, Resolution on Assessment

Streamlining; Resolution 151-02-01 Resolution on Consultation and Collaboration;

Resolution 151-03-01 Resolution in Support of Graduate Education,

Research and Creative Activities. {SEE Appendix 2)

 

XIII. STUDENT SENATOR�S REPORTS: The Students gave a brief report.

 

XIV. OLD BUSINESS:

The Proposed Academic Calendars for 2011-2012; 2012-2013; 2013-2014 were

introduced by G. Levine, with editorial revisions, and questions from the floor

were entertained. The calendars were discussed and voted on and approved

{SEE Appendix 3}

 

The Proposed Changes to Handbook � Chapter 150.05 � Article VII. Section F,

regarding the College Curriculum Review Committee, was introduced and

discussed. Chair Buxton explained the unusual circumstances surrounded this

proposal, which was endorsed by the EPC, and passed by the Faculty Senate in

November, 2006. It was subsequently forwarded to the Review of Governance

Committee.�� Since it was almost 2-1/2 years old, C. Benton, Chair of the CCRC,

inquired as to the status.The Steering Committee decided to put it under Old

Business at the meeting.�� It will be an agenda item under Old Business at the

next meeting on April 7, 2009. {SEE Appendix 4}

 

XV. NEW BUSINESS:

The Ad Hoc Committee on External Review gave its report.There was a lengthy

discussion including questions from the floor.The report has been distributed

on the Faculty Senate listserv and attempts are currently being made to send it

electronically to an all campus distribution list, as well.The External Review

Committee Report will be an agenda item under Old Business at the next

meeting on April 7, 2009. {SEE Appendix 5}

 

Respectfully Submitted:

 

Barbara Kissel

Recording Secretary

 

The following reports are appended to the minutes in the order they are submitted:

 

(1)   Recommendation from the Ad Hoc Committee on the Formation of a

Professional Affairs Committee, submitted by M. Holland, Chair

 

(2)   SUNY Senator�s Report, 151st Plenary, Morrisville State College;

Resolution 151-01-01 Resolution on Assessment Streamlining;

Resolution 151-02-01 Resolution on Consultation and Collaboration;

Resolution 151-03-01 Resolution in Support of Graduate Education,

Research and Creative Activities, Submitted by M. Ware, SUNY Senator

 

(3)   Proposed 2011-2012 Academic Calendars 2011-2012; 2012-2013; 2013-2014

����� submitted by G. Levine, Chair, Calendar Committee

 

(4)   Proposal regarding proposed changes on the College Curriculum Review

Committee submitted by W. Buxton on behalf of the Faculty Senate Steering

Committee

 

(5)   Report of the Committee of External Review, H. Steck, Chair

 

APPENDIX 1

Ad Hoc Committee for the Professional Affairs Committee

Submitted to the Faculty Senate on March 24, 2009

M. Holland, Chair

Proposal for the Creation of a Professional Affairs Committee

of the Faculty Senate at SUNY Cortland:

RATIONALE � Consistent with the Agreement between the State of New York and the Bargaining Agent and the Policies of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York, the faculty of SUNY Cortland includes professional staff having term or permanent appointment.

Last year the Review of Governance Committee strongly recommended that the Senate add a Professional Affairs Committee as an additional Standing Policy Committee of the Senate.At the recommendation of Faculty Senate, the Ad-Hoc Committee for Professional Affairs makes the following proposal to create a Professional Affairs Committee.

We represent 243[1] professionals in 12 areas:Institutional Advancement, the Schools of Education, Professional Studies, and Arts and Sciences; Academic Affairs, Athletics, Information Resources, Enrollment Management, Finance and Management, Student Affairs, the Vice-President for Student Affairs Office and the President�s Office.

Professionals at SUNY Cortland are currently represented only through the Vice President for Professionals of UUP, and by four seats on the Faculty Senate. The committee will provide professionals with the functional equivalent of the Faculty Affairs Committee.

Membership of Committee:

Eleven members that include:

one representative from Institutional Advancement and the President�s Office which includes Alumni Affairs, Publications and Electronic Media, Public Relations, Financial Operations, The Cortland Fund, Leadership Giving, and Planned Giving.

one representative from Finance and Management which includes Finance, and Facilities Management.

two representatives from Student Affairs and the VP of Student Affairs Office which includes Corey Union and Conferences, Academic Support and Achievement Program, Educational Opportunity Program, Residential Services, Recreational Sports, the Student Development Center, Judicial Affairs, University Police, and Multicultural Affairs.

two representatives from Academic Affairs which includes the School of Education (Center for Educational Exchange & Field Placement), School of Arts and Sciences (Art and Art History, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Performing Arts, and Physics.) Schoolof Professional Studies (SUNY Youth Sports Coaching Institute and Kinesiology), Research and Sponsored Programs, Athletics, Clark Center for International Education, Faculty Development Center, Graduate Studies, Institutional Research and Assessment, Intercultural and Gender Studies, and Outdoor and Environmental Education.

one representative from Information Resources which includes Academic Computing, Administrative Computing, Classroom Media Services, Memorial Library and the Center for Advancement of Technology in Education.

one representative from Enrollment Management which includes the Registrar's Office, Admissions, Financial Advisement and Advisement and Transition.

two representatives at-large from the Professionals

one ex-officio non-voting UUP Vice President for Professionals

The chair will be elected by the members of the committee and will serve as a member of the Faculty Senate Steering Committee.�� Although the Review of Governance Committee suggested that the chair of the proposed committee be a professional with permanent appointment, less than 1/3 of professionals represented have permanent appointment.�� Therefore, the committee is not recommending that the chair be required to have permanent appointment.

Proposed Duties:

  1)        To represent the interests and concerns of the college�s professional employees in all matters pertaining to the professional employees� roles and responsibilities as part of the college�s voting faculty.The Committee will consider matters designated to it by the Steering Committee of the Faculty Senate and the President of the College.The Committee will also review requests for consideration from members of the Committee or members of the professional employees and consider such matters as the Committee deems appropriate.

 

2)      �����To conduct periodic review of procedures and policies related to the employment of professionals, including mechanisms for advancement, rank, permanent appointment, et al, as outlined in the College Handbook and contained in the current Agreement between the State of New York and United University Professions, including pertinent Memoranda of Understanding.To propose any changes in language or policy related to the above, as agreed upon by the committee, to the appropriate organization through the appropriate liaison or committee. 

 

In order to enact this proposal, the committee further recommends revisions to the SUNY Cortland Faculty Bylaws:

150.03 SUNY CORTLAND FACULTY BYLAWS

ARTICLE VI: FACULTY SENATE

Section A.

13. The four FIVE Policy Committee chairs, ex officio without vote.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

Section C.

Policy Committees:

There shall be four FIVE standing Policy Committees:

a. The Educational Policy Committee

b. The Faculty Affairs Committee

c. The Student Affairs Committee

d. The Long-Range Planning Committee

e. The Professional Affairs Committee

Membership shall be as follows:

one representative from Institutional Advancement and the President�s Office

one representative from Finance and Management

two representatives from Student Affairs and the VP of Student Affairs Office

two representatives from Academic Affairs

one representative from Information Resources

one representative from Enrollment Management

two representatives at-large from the Professionals

one ex-officio non-voting UUP Vice President for Professionals

Section E.

Steering Committee of the Senate

Membership: The four elected officers of the Senate, the four FIVE committee chairs of the Educational Policy, Faculty Affairs, Student Affairs, and Long-Range Planning Committees and Professional Affairs Committees, and the parliamentarian ex officio shall comprise the membership of the Steering Committee.

The committee further recommends that upon Faculty Senate approval of the recommendations brought forth by the Ad-Hoc Committee for Professional Affairs, a referendum be conducted among all faculty and professional employees before the end of the Spring 2009 semester.

Upon the passing of the referendum, the preferred implementation of this proposed Professional Affairs Committee would be for the start of the 2009-2010 Academic Year.

APPENDIX 2

SUNY Senator�s Report

151stPlenary�Morrisville State College

February 5-7, 2009

President�s Report�Carl Wiezalis:

Maureen Dolan and Carl Wiezalis have been working on the sustainability initiatives advanced by the UFS in past years. System had contemplated the hiring of a System Sustainability Officer, but the troublesome budget has prevented this appointment. However, Phil Wood, Vice Chancellor for Capital Facilities has been asked to take the lead on all things sustainable across SUNY. Given his persistent leadership over the Construction Fund (green building initiative) and his interest in working with us on sustainability projects, Phil has joined Carl on the re-constitution of the Chancellor's Task Force on Sustainability, which will be chaired, again, by Presidents Ray Cross of Morrisville and Neil Murphy of Environmental Sciences and Forestry.

To add to the Task Force on Sustainability, the UFS Sustainability Committee is asking our assistance in populating Sustainability sub-committees. The areas that have been identified are (1) Science and Technology (2) Education (3) Social Justice (4) Policy and Law (5) Economy, Finance, Business of Energy (6) Buildings and Physical Plant Operations (7) Service Learning, Community Outreach, and Volunteerism (8) Health (9) Sustainable Agriculture. Anticipating the long term importance of Sustainability to SUNY, to NYS and the nation and world, the Senate President has been attending local State and national meetings/conferences dedicated to this pressing issue. Additionally, he has been working on developing an on-line newsletter addressing both public health and the health of the environment. A possible title for this newsletter is "Sustainable SUNY: Healthy people, Healthy Planet.�

Carl continues to meet with Liz Clark and Beth Kempter of the Government Affairs Offices in Albany and Washington D.C.They are actively seeking resources for sustainability projects, diversity initiatives and veterans� affairs concerns, among other things. These are all popular themes with the Federal Government, and the Feds are the only ones with money at this point in our fiscal history. Carl has met with key veteran leaders in the Capital Region about supporting the education and employment needs of able and disabled veterans coming home from war. The Office of Diversity and Educational Equity (Pedro Caban) has been working on a grant application to support veterans attending SUNY institutions. Our Student Life Committee is working on survey instruments to measure the needs of veteran students matriculated on SUNY campuses as evaluated by the veterans themselves and as evaluated by faculty and administration. This information may help us better satisfy the needs of veteran students. SUNY could become a model for the nation in veterans� affairs. They are now looking at grant-writing opportunities.

As a SUNY employee, John Clark, former Interim Chancellor, continues to lead the 60th Anniversary - History of SUNY program set for April 3-5, 2009 at the University at Albany.Carl suggested to the Planning Committee that Senators and CGL�s be included in the group identified by each campus president to attend the conference.As far as I know, Henry Steck and I will be representing SUNY Cortland there. He also wants us to advocate for student leaders to be invited to join the table invitations. Several faculty from across the System are active on the Committee and/or will be presenting papers or serving as moderators or commentators at the conference itself, including Carl Wiezalis.

Carl has been attending many meetings of the Board of Trustees and the associated Sub-committees of the BOT. He reminded us that all of these meetings, except for the Executive Committee of the BOT or Sub-committees addressing personnel issues, are now public and webcasted [go to the Senate page]. He wants us to take the opportunity to view some of these webcasts to get a better idea on how the BOT works.He feels that the voice of the faculty, carried by him on our behalf, has had a very positive effect on the work of the BOT. All University Senators and CGLs hope that the new President of the Senate continues to improve our working relationship with the BOT and System Administration. [The election is to be held at the University of Buffalo Plenary meeting].

Provost�s Office Report�Harold Silverman, Senior Vice-Provost

The report highlights what the provost�s office has done regarding the faculty senate leadership. Transfer Articulation has been the central concern on the mind of the Board of Trustees. A Student Appeal Process has been put in place as well as a Teacher Education Template

Report on Assessment initiative�the several campuses audit has been completed.

A Task Force is looking into Admissions.

Joe Hildreth�Articulation and Transfer Report

93% of the survey tells us transfer is working, which tells us that GenEd and Teacher Education are basically working.Education, Business, and Music are the areas identified where appeals will come from�experts in the area will be identified to help the Transfer Review Committee. There will also be disciplinary conferences every five years to share the new scholarship on the topics to be covered on first and second year courses.The emphasis is on student success after transfer.

Campus Transfer Appeal Process

The campus transfer appeal process is designed to facilitate the seamless transfer between SUNY campuses for courses normally taught in the first and second year at 4-year institutions.The scope and intent of the campus course appeal process is set out in the 2008 UFS-FCCC Joint Resolution:

"a standing committee be formed, known as the Transfer Review Committee, which will resolve the transfer status of first- and second-year courses generally offered at four-year institutions and make final recommendations, in consultation with disciplinary groups, to the Provost on the system wide transferability of a course."

Colleges seeking to submit a course for consideration by the Transfer Review Committee should complete and submit the Campus Appeal Form along with supporting materials.Submissions will be via email as indicated on the form.

The campus referenced in the appeal will be given an opportunity to respond to the Transfer Review Committee (TRC) indicating why it does not accept the course being appealed.

As needed, the TRC will consult with faculty in the discipline involved and make a recommendation on transferability.This recommendation will be communicated to the SUNY Provost along with the rationale.

The SUNY Provost will consult with the chief academic officers of the campuses involved and arrive at final decision.

Review Cycles for Appeals

There will be two review cycles per year which are designed to correspond to the campus academic semester calendars:

For Spring 2009 only.These dates may be adjusted for Spring 2010

February 16, 2009

Deadline for originating campus requests

March 16, 2009

Transfer institution response deadline

May 4, 2009

Deadline for TRC recommendation

May 18, 2009

Deadline for SUNY Provost decision

Fall 2009

September 14, 2009

Deadline for originating campus requests

October 19, 2009

Deadline for transfer institution response

December 1, 2009

Deadline for TRC recommendation

December 15, 2009

Deadline for SUNY Provost decision

Please contact Robert Kraushaar if you have any questions about the process: 518-443-5865.

Note that the provost�s office only gets involved if the campus rejects the request of transfer.

Ethics Committee Report�Janet Nepkie

System administration and faculty constitute the Ethics Committee.More good news to share�we are doing good work, but it has not been publicized. Now there is a website in place towards creating a central repository of ethical policies within SUNY.

Survey needs to be disseminated as broadly as possible�both faculty and administration�10 minutes for us to answer the questionnaire.

A second survey will go to the CGLs�this one is not anonymous.

The Committee will like to present a series of seminars: a SUNY Institute on Ethics

Service Learning Toolkit�Ray Krisciunas

Copies available upon request

Jim Van Voorst�SUNY Budget Update

Impact of budget cuts researched.Solutions range from entrenchment to minimum impact.

Our sector meeting shared the impact of the cuts on individual campuses.Brockport seems to be the only one not affected so far�they are even hiring!

Saturday Morning:

Milton Johnson--Faculty Council of Community Colleges Report

All the work surrounding transfer articulation has to do with the success of transfer students. A recent Student Opinion Survey unfortunately reports that there is less of a sense of belonging among transfer students at SUNY schools.Individual campuses should survey student engagement to see how they are doing.Are we preparing our students satisfactorily? What opportunities exist for transfer students?How much orientation happens at that stage?

A transfer student seminar should also become common practice.

Executive Committee�Norm Goodman

Senate works with UUP in this budget crisis: attrition rates and class sizes

Resolution on Assessment Streamlining passed unanimously

Resolution on Consultation and Collaboration passed unanimously

Resolution in Support of Graduate Education, Research and Creative Activities passed unanimously

Nominating Committee�Bill Baumer

Candidates for Senate President are Sandra Michael from Binghamton and Ken O�Brien from Brockport

SUNY Student Assembly Report�Jacob Crawford, President

100% tuition partnership required�Jacob urged us to sign the petition: studentassembly.org

Governor wants to pass the budget on time.

Awards Committee�Sandra Michael

Conversations in the Disciplines Grants are due by April 1st

They want the non-graduate campuses to apply

The classified staff has a Chancellor�s Excellence Award now�guidelines for 2008-2009 have been sent to campuses. The University Faculty Senate Awards Committee will not be involved in this process.

The Awards� guidelines require nominated individuals to have been in three consecutive years of full-time service just prior to a nomination.An unintended consequence has been a delay in nominating individuals who have leaves such as maternity, sabbatical, or similar.The Committee has adopted new language to allow campuses to create nominations based upon achievements from at least three years of full time service within the last five years just prior to nomination.

Distinguished Faculty Ranks�an advisory council to review the applications/nominations since a few Chancellor�s Awards have been given to individuals who were not eligible.

Graduate Committee�Mark Noll

Compiling best practices models to prepare new teaching assistants

Student Life Committee�Ray Krisciunas

Although initially the new subcommittee of Student Health Services intended to tackle the whole world of student health services, the broad-sweep approach proved too ambitious for the time and resources available. Rather than investigating what health care services are covered (or not) at the campuses, the focus will be researching health care of returning veterans.

Report from the Special Committee for Diversity and Cultural Competence�Phil Ortiz

Because the Office of Diversity and Educational Equity (ODEE) is relatively new, we fear that in times of austerity, diversity initiatives may be viewed as expendable.

Looking for strategies to improve diversity efforts--looking to redesign the office to report straight to the chancellor.

There is an effort to develop list of cultural competencies every SUNY graduate should have.

Some campuses have already identified Learning Outcomes for Diversity for GenED.They will be sharing those soon.

������������ �������������������������������������������***

The resolutions below have been unanimously approved at the last plenary meeting.

Resolution in Support of Graduate Education, Research and Creative Activities

Whereas, the level of implemented budget cuts substantially weaken the reputation and status of SUNY as an institution of high quality graduate education, research and creative activities by creating the potential for a serious loss of current faculty and making the recruitment of new talent (faculty and graduate students) difficult and by decreasing the ability of faculty to secure desperately needed external funding, and

Whereas, the current budget cuts are so severe that they will undermine New York State�s investment in its future by making it more difficult for graduate students to have access to the programs they require, which will hamper their ability to both graduate in a timely fashion and complete meaningful and productive research and also incurring greater costs for their education, and

Whereas, the current financial crisis that is gripping New York State and the nation, and which is likely to continue for several years, will lead to increased unemployment that will result in an increase in the numbers of citizens seeking to enhance existing job skills by enrolling in SUNY graduate programs,

Therefore, be it resolved, that the University Faculty Senate, as the representative body through which the faculty and professional staff engage in the governance of the University, believes that SUNY should not sustain the same percentage budget reductions as other state agencies, and

Be it further resolved, that the state publicly acknowledges the research activities of SUNY faculty and graduate students as a significant investment in its future and as an engine of economic productivity that New York State sorely needs, and

Be it further resolved, that the faculty and academic and professional staff, who define the university, must be preserved at all costs even during periods of budget shortfalls, and

Be it further resolved, that Governor Paterson and the Legislature should provide to SUNY sufficient funds in continuing years to maintain SUNY as one of the premier institutions of public graduate education and research in the country.

151-03-1Passed without Dissent

Resolution in Support of Graduate Education, Research and Creative Activities

February 7, 2009

 

������������������������������������������������������ ***

Resolution on Consultation and Collaboration

From the University Colleges

University Faculty Senate

Whereas the University Faculty Senate recognizes that the current financial crisis creates difficult choices for New York State and the State University; and,

Whereas the University Faculty Senate knows the current budget crisis is threatening the quality of public higher education in New York State; and,

Whereas the University Faculty Senate affirms our continued support for educational quality;

Therefore be it resolved that:

The University Faculty Senate calls for transparency and appropriate consultation between local administration and faculty governance prior to any major decision concerning allocation of resources that affects educational quality and curriculum.

151-02-1Passed without Dissent

Resolution on Consultation and Collaboration

February 7, 2009

���������������������������������������������������������� ***

Resolution on Assessment Streamlining

From the University Colleges

University Faculty Senate

Whereas the multiple layers of assessment and accreditation in SUNY represent redundant efforts that have often become counterproductive to teaching and learning, and

Whereas those assessments are a costly use of faculty time and university resources; and,

Whereas those assessments represent a significant and real cost to the State University of New York, draining money from instruction and educational quality; and,

Whereas the UFS is committed to accountability, with evaluations that are efficient, effective, and applicable;

Therefore be it resolved that:

The University Faculty Senate recommends to the Provost that assessment be streamlined to reduce the multiple layers that now exist in SUNY; and that

The Provost should work with the University Faculty Senate in assessment streamlining.

151-01-1Passed without Dissent

Resolution on Assessment Streamlining

February 7, 2009

Respectfully submitted,

Mary C. Ware

University Senator

APPENDIX 3

Proposed 2011-2012; 2012-2013; 2013-2014 Academic Calendars

G. Levine, Chair, Calendar Committee

 

Proposed 2011-2012 Academic Calendar

Fall Semester 2011

President�s Opening Address and Faculty Meetings...........Thursday, Aug 25

New Student Orientation and Registration.......................... Friday, Aug 26

Academic Convocation.....................................................Sunday, Aug 28

All Classes Begin............................................................. Monday, Aug 29

Labor Day (No classes in session).....................................Monday, Sep 5 First-Quarter Student Teaching Begins.............................................................................Tuesday, Sep 6

* Rosh Hashanah..............................................................Thursday & Friday, Sep 29 & Sep 30

Yom Kippur..................................................................�� Saturday, Oct 8 October

Open House.................................................................... Monday, Oct 10

First-Quarter Classes End..................................................Thursday, Oct 13

Fall Break Begins 8 am......................................................Friday, Oct 14

Classes Resume 8 am..................................................... Monday, Oct 17

Second-Quarter Begins....................................................Monday, Oct 17

First-Quarter Student Teaching Ends................................ Friday, Oct 21

Second-Quarter Student Teaching Begins.........................Monday, Oct 24

November Open House...................................................Friday, Nov 11

Thanksgiving Break Begins 8 am...................................Wednesday, Nov 23

Classes Resume 8 am..................................................Monday, Nov 28

** Last Day for In-Class Examinations............................Friday, Dec 2

All Classes End..............................................................Friday, Dec 9

Study Days....................................................................Saturday & Sunday, Dec 10 & 11

Final Examination Period............................................... Monday, Dec 12 through Friday, Dec 16

Second-Quarter Student Teaching Ends..........................Friday, Dec 16

 

Winter Session 2012

 

All Classes Begin.......................................................... Monday, Jan 2

All Classes End.............................................................Friday, Jan 13

 

Spring Semester 2012

President�s State of the College Address and Faculty Meetings.....Friday, Jan 13

New Student Orientation and Registration...................... Tuesday, Jan 17

All Classes Begin..........................................................Wednesday, Jan 18

Third-Quarter Student Teaching Begins...........................Wednesday, Jan 18

Third-Quarter Classes End.............................................Friday, Mar 2

Spring Break................................................................ Monday, Mar 5 through Fri, Mar 9

Third-Quarter Student Teaching Ends.............................Friday, Mar 9

Classes Resume and Fourth-Quarter Begins 8 am.......�� Monday, Mar 12

Fourth-Quarter Student Teaching Begins........................Monday, Mar 12

Spring Open House......................................................Saturday, Mar 31

* Good Friday..............................................................Friday, Apr 6

* Passover..................................................................Saturday & Sunday, Apr 7 & 8

Easter.........................................................................Sunday, Apr 8

Scholars� Day............................................................Wednesday, Apr 18 or Fri, Apr 20

Honors Convocation................................................... Saturday, Apr 21

** Last Day for In-Class Examinations......................... Tuesday, Apr 24

All Classes End..........................................................Tuesday, May 1

Study Days................................................................Wednesday & Thursday, May 2 & 3

Final Examination Period............................................Friday May 4 through Wed, May 9

Fourth-Quarter Student Teaching Ends........................Wednesday, May 9

Graduate Commencement..........................................Friday, May 11

Undergraduate Commencement.................................Saturday, May 12

* No examinations or quizzes may be given during the period designated for observance

of the religious holidays.

Observance of Jewish holidays will begin at 4 pm the day before the holiday, and end at

7 pm the day of the holiday.

Observance of Good Friday will begin at noon and end at 3 pm.

** No examinations or quizzes may be given the five class days preceding the final

examination period without the approval of the school dean. 2011-2012 Academic Calendar:

draft 3/09

 

President�s Opening Address and Faculty Meetings....Thursday, Aug 23

New Student Orientation and Registration...................Friday, Aug 24

Academic Convocation............................................ Sunday, Aug 26

All Classes Begin......................................................Monday, Aug 27

Labor Day (No classes in session).............................Monday, Sep 3

First-Quarter Student Teaching Begins........................Tuesday, Sep 4

* Rosh Hashanah...................................................... Monday & Tues, Sep 17 & Sep 18

* Yom Kippur............................................................Wed, Sep 26 October

Open House.............................................................Monday, Oct 8

First-Quarter Classes End.........................................Thursday, Oct 11

Fall Break Begins 8 am ............................................Friday, Oct 12

Classes Resume 8 am..............................................Monday, Oct 15

Second-Quarter Begins............................................Monday, Oct 15

First-Quarter Student Teaching Ends........................Friday, Oct 19

Second-Quarter Student Teaching Begins...............Monday, Oct 22

November Open House...........................................Monday, Nov 12

Thanksgiving Break Begins 8 am..........................�� Wednesday, Nov 21

Classes Resume 8 am............................................Monday, Nov 26

** Last Day for In-Class Examinations.....................Friday, Nov 30

All Classes End.....................................................Friday, Dec 7

Study Days..........................................................Saturday & Sunday, Dec 8 & 9

Final Examination Period.......................................Monday, Dec 10 through Friday, Dec 14

Second-Quarter Student Teaching Ends................Friday, Dec 14

 

Winter Session 2013

All Classes Begin...................................................Monday, Jan 7

All Classes End.....................................................Friday, Jan 18

 

Spring Semester 2013

 

President�s State of the College Address and Faculty Meetings..Friday, Jan 18

New Student Orientation and Registration.............. Tuesday, Jan 22

All Classes Begin..................................................Wednesday, Jan 23

Third-Quarter Student Teaching Begins...................Wednesday, Jan 23

Third-Quarter Classes End.................................... Friday, Mar 8

Spring Break........................................................Monday, Mar 11 through Friday, Mar 15

Third-Quarter Student Teaching Ends....................Friday, Mar 15

Classes Resume and Fourth-Quarter Begins 8 am...Monday, Mar 18

Fourth-Quarter Student Teaching Begins................Monday, Mar 18

* Passover..........................................................Tuesday & Wednesday, Mar 26 & 27

* Good Friday.....................................................Friday, Mar 29

Easter................................................................Sunday, Mar 31

Spring Open House........................................... Saturday, Apr 6

Scholars= Day...................................................Wednesday, Apr 17 or Friday, Apr 19

Honors Convocation...........................................Saturday, Apr 20

** Last Day for In-Class Examinations................ Tuesday, Apr 30

All Classes End.................................................Tuesday, May 7

Study Days.......................................................Wednesday & Thursday, May 8 & 9

Final Examination Period...................................Friday May 10 through Wednesday, May 15

Fourth-Quarter Student Teaching Ends...............Wednesday, May 15

Graduate Commencement.................................Friday, May 17

Undergraduate Commencement........................Saturday, May 18

* No examinations or quizzes may be given during the period designated for observance

of the religious holidays. Observance of Jewish holidays will begin at 4 pm the day before the

holiday, and end at 7 pm the day of the holiday. Observance of Good Friday will begin at noon

and end at 3 pm. ** No examinations or quizzes may be given the five class days preceding

the final examination period without the approval of the school dean.

 

2012-2013 Academic Calendar: draft 3/09

 

Proposed 2013-2014 Academic Calendar

Fall Semester 2013

President�s Opening Address and Faculty Meetings...Thursday, Aug 22

New Student Orientation and Registration..................Friday, Aug 23

Academic Convocation............................................Sunday, Aug 25

All Classes Begin.....................................................Monday, Aug 26

Labor Day (No classes in session)............................Monday, Sep 2

First-Quarter Student Teaching Begins......................Tuesday, Sep 3

* Rosh Hashanah.....................................................Thursday & Friday, Sep 5 & Sep 6

* Yom Kippur..........................................................Saturday, Sep 14

Fall Break Begins 8 am............................................Friday, Oct 4

Classes Resume 8 am............................................Monday, Oct 7

First-Quarter Classes End.......................................Friday, Oct 11

Second-Quarter Begins..........................................Monday, Oct 14

October Open House............................................ Monday, Oct 14

First-Quarter Student Teaching Ends.......................Friday, Oct 18

Second-Quarter Student Teaching Begins...............Monday, Oct 21

November Open House..........................................Monday, Nov 11

Thanksgiving Break Begins B 8 am.........................Wednesday, Nov 27

Classes Resume B 8 am........................................Monday, Dec 2

** Last Day for In-Class Examinations....................Monday, Dec 2

All Classes End....................................................Friday, Dec 6

Study Days......................................................... Saturday & Sunday, Dec 7 & 8

Final Examination Period......................................Monday, Dec 9 through Friday, Dec 13

Second-Quarter Student Teaching Ends................Friday, Dec 13

 

Winter Session 2014

All Classes Begin................................................ Monday, Jan 6

All Classes End...................................................Friday, Jan 17

 

Spring Semester 2014

President�s State of the College Address and Faculty Meetings.....Friday, Jan 17

New Student Orientation and Registration.............Tuesday, Jan 21

All Classes Begin................................................Wednesday, Jan 22

Third-Quarter Student Teaching Begins.................Wednesday, Jan 22

Third-Quarter Classes End.................................. Friday, Mar 7

Spring Break.......................................................Monday, Mar 10 through Friday, Mar 14

Third-Quarter Student Teaching Ends................... Friday, Mar 14

Classes Resume and Fourth-Quarter Begins B 8 am...... Monday, Mar 17

Fourth-Quarter Student Teaching Begins................Monday, Mar 17

Spring Open House..............................................Saturday, Apr 5

* Passover...........................................................Tuesday & Wednesday, Apr 15 & 16

* Good Friday...................................................... Friday, Apr 18

Easter.................................................................. Sunday, Apr 20

Scholars= Day......................................................Wednesday, Apr 23 or Friday, Apr 25

Honors Convocation..............................................Saturday, Apr 26

** Last Day for In-Class Examinations.................... Tuesday, Apr 29

All Classes End.................................................... Tuesday, May 6

Study Days........................................................... Wednesday & Thursday, May 7 & 8

Final Examination Period........................................ Friday May 9 through Wednesday, May 14

Fourth-Quarter Student Teaching Ends..................... Wednesday, May 14

Graduate Commencement.........................................Friday, May 16

Undergraduate Commencement............................... Saturday, May 17

* No examinations or quizzes may be given during the period designated for observance

of the religious holidays. Observance of Jewish holidays will begin at 4 pm the day before

the holiday, and end at 7 pm the day of the holiday. Observance of Good Friday will begin

at noon and end at 3 pm.

** No examinations or quizzes may be given the five class days preceding the final

examination period without the approval of the school dean.

 

2013-2014 Academic Calendar: draft 3/09

 

APPENDIX 4

Proposed Changes to Handbook � Chapter 150.05 � Article VII. Section F

College Curriculum Review Committee

Submitted by W. Buxton on behalf of the Faculty Senate Steering Committee

 

���������������������������������������������������������������

To:���������������� John Cottone, Chair, Educational Policy Committee

 

From:����������� College Curriculum Review Committee

���������������������� Cynthia Benton, Chair

 

Date:������������� September 22, 2006

 

RE:���������������� Proposed Changes to Handbook � Chapter 150.03 Article VII, Section F.

 

 

The College Curriculum Review Committee met on September 20, 2006 and reached consensus on the following

recommended changes in the current membership structure ofCCRC.We are forwarding our recommendations for

review by EPC and subsequent approval by Faculty Senate.

 

College Curriculum Review Committee Membership

 

���� Section F:College Curriculum Review Committee

1.        Membership

a.        A committee of fifteen members shall be nominated by the Committee on Committees

and appointed by action of the Faculty Senate.

b.       Membership shall be as follows:

����

��� One member representing math/science

��� One member representing social/behavioral sciences

��� One member representing fine arts/humanities

��� Two members representing education

��� Two members representing professional studies

��� One member representing professionals

��� One member representing the library

��� Two student members

��� Dean of Arts and Sciences or designee (ex-officio, non-voting)

��� Dean of Education or designee (ex-officio, non-voting)

��� Dean of Professional Studies or designee (ex-officio, non-voting)

��� Associate Provost for Enrollment Management.

 

Proposal for Change in College Curriculum Review Committee Membership [changes in bold]

 

���� Section F:College Curriculum Review Committee

1.        Membership

a.        A committee of fourteen members shall be nominated by the Committee on

Committees and appointed by action of the Faculty Senate.

b.       Membership shall be as follows:

����

���� One member representing math/science

���� One member representing social/behavioral sciences

���� One member representing fine arts/humanities

���� Two members representing education

���� Two members representing professional studies

���� One member representing professionals from Academic Affairs

���� One member representing the library

���� DELETE:Two student members

���� Dean of Arts and Sciences or designee (ex-officio, non-voting)

��� Dean of Educationor designee (ex-officio, non-voting)

���� Dean of Professional Studies or designee (ex-officio, non-voting)

���� DELETE:Associate Provost forEnrollment Management

��� ADD:Registrar (ex-officio, non-voting)

��� ADD:Associate Provost for Academic Affairs (ex-officio, non-voting)

 

Rationale for changes:

 

Rationale for clarification of Professionals seat:

 

���� All voting members should have direct and demonstrable experience from review and critique of curricular matters. Limiting this seat to those involved with Academic Affairs more clearly meets the responsibilities and necessary qualifications for the committee.

 

Rationale for eliminating student seats on CCRC:

 

���� There has been a clear gap in recruiting representatives from the student body. For this past decade no students have served on this committee.[This figure is in memory ofthose who have served for this period of time, it may be longer than 10 years.]Scheduling for student availability is difficult.

���� The appropriateness of voting membership for students is highly questionable. Students may have limitedunderstanding of curriculum construction, and may have limited familiarity with the function of curriculum campus-wide.

���� Student opinion, when important to a curricular decision could be obtained from the student representative to the Faculty Senate.

 

Rationale for elimination of Associate Provost seat and addition of ex-officio members:

 

���� The committee aimed to reduce or maintain the current committee membership number. The faculty wished to emphasize faculty governance for curricular matters, yet at the same time secure the most appropriate and representative ex-officio members.

���� The addition of the registrar (ex-officio, non-voting) reflects a long-time practice of including the registrar in the operation of the committee. The registrar has consistently and appropriately functioned on this committee in an advisory position.

���� Including the registrar as a representative of Enrollment Management allows the elimination of the seat for the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management. Due to assignment of duties, a more appropriate representative to the committee is the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs (ex-officio, non voting).The Associate Provost for Academic Affairs can communicate and assist in the management of curricular issues from the committee to the Provost.

 

APPENDIX 5

External Review Committee Report

Henry Steck, Chair

SUNY Cortland - the online guide

 

To:������ Bill Buxton

����������� Chair, Faculty Senate

����������� SUNY Cortland

Date:��� February 27, 2009

Re:������ Report of the Committee on External Review

I am pleased to forward to you the proposed recommended policies for External Review by the External Review Committee.We were charged with drafting recommended policies in spring 2008.Our intention to complete the work in an expeditious manner was thwarted, I regret to say, by a series of unanticipated impediments.Gathering information from other institutions took somewhat longer than we anticipated.Moreover, extended discussion on the committee revealed divergent views on both the general principles involved and on the details to be included in a recommended policy. As we wished to proceed through consensus, these discussions could not be rushed.Our discussions were thoughtful and productive and were guided by what we understand to be the core values of our faculty community.We were slowed down when our original chair went on sabbatical leave and when several members of the committee could not continue their membership. It took time for HR to conduct an election to fill these vacancies.

The result, we firmly believe, has been worth the wait.The attached report represent not a rush to judgment but a careful and thoughtful process.Throughout, the deliberations of the committee were guided by the policies contained in the college Handbook.These are attached in Appendix 1 and bear careful reading.

When � and if-- the Senate approves the policies proposed herein, it will be necessary, of course, to convert the approved policies into language for inclusion in the college Handbook.��

For myself I wish to thank my colleagues for their cooperation and assistance in this task.I hope � we all hope � that all divergent views will find their particular objectives met in a way that will underscore our common commitment to first-rate scholarly and creative activity and to a strong faculty community.

Henry Steck

Henry Steck

Chair, External Review Committee

Members of the Committee

Lawrence Ashley (Department of Social Philosophy)

Regina Grantham (Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology)

Kevin Halpin (Department of Performing Arts)

Gretchen Hermann (Memorial Library)

Beth Klein (Department of Childhood/Early Childhood Education)

Andrea Lachance (Department of Childhood/Early Childhood Education)

Kathleen Lawrence (Department of Communication Studies)

Thomas Pasquarello (Department of Political Science)

Henry Steck (Department of Political Science)

Susan Wilson (Department of Recreation, Parks, & Leisure Studies)

RECOMMENDED POLICY ON EXTERNAL REVIEW

FOR PROMOTION TO FULL PROFESSOR

1          The External Review Committee (hereinafter ERC) noted that the College had agreed to undertake a program of External Review as a pilot program for candidates for promotion to full professor.This commitment was embedded an MOU with SUNY System Administration drawn up several years ago.�� This committee was charged by the Senate to propose recommendations for implementing this commitment.We note that we have learned that the system of MOU�s has since been scrapped.

 

The Committee reviewed practices of several other institutions, particularly within SUNY.  The Committee also had the benefit of an extended and productive discussion with Provost Prus. The ERC shares the view of Provost Prus that utilizing some form of External Review for promotion to Associate Professor or for Tenure would be cumbersome, and, we assert, unnecessary.

2          In developing its position on external review of scholarly, intellectual and creative work, the Committee reviewed a policy discussed by the School of Professional Studies, SUNY Cortland and the policies of a number of our sister colleges, e.g., SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Geneso, SUNY New Paltz

 

3          Definition: As used herein, External Review will refer to the solicitation of an evaluation of the scholarly, intellectual and creative achievement as outlined in the handbook ((230.04) by qualified professionals from outside SUNY Cortland.Unless otherwise indicated, the term Professor will refer to the rank beyond Associate Professor, that is, the rank of full Professor.

 

4          Aside from the commitment in the MOU with System Administration, the rationale for and goals of External Review have not been well articulated. Accordingly, it is essential to specify clearly the values, goals, and objectives involved.�� The goal of the process of external review that is proposed herein is to provide another perspective on the candidate�s portfolio for the benefit of personnel review committees and recommending individuals at the College.The external review should thus be regarded as adding additional data to the candidate�s portfolio.

 

5 �� As this is a pilot project, it should be subject to:

���� (a) A sunset deadline (e.g., five year);

(b) An evaluation methodology that will need to be developed to test whether External Review adds an effective dimension to the evaluative process.

6          The guiding policies shall be the criteria for promotion contained Chapter 230, College Handbook.��These must be forwarded to all external reviewers along with the material from the candidate.

 

See Appendix 1 for Chapter 230.3 and 230.4.

7       Bearing in mind the broad mission of SUNY Cortland, the definition of professional obligation contained in the Policies of the Board of Trustees, the diversity of disciplines and of departmental practices, and the weight of past practices, our strong counsel is that recommending bodies (i.e., Departmental Personnel Committees, School Personnel Committees,), and individuals (i.e., Chairs of Departments, Deans, Provost and President) shall take care that undue weight not be given to letters of evaluation from external reviewers.They shall not be regarded as determinative but as providing additional data for the candidate�s portfolio.

 

8       Consistent with the College�s commitment to faculty governance and departmental autonomy, each department will be required to develop its own external review policies.However:

 

(a)   Solicitation of external evaluations will be solely in hands of the candidate. The candidate will have the responsibility of soliciting and receiving letters of review in a timely fashion and for including them in her or his portfolio.The Committee notes that our sister institution, SUNY Oneonta, puts the burden of soliciting external evaluations on the candidate for promotion and we conclude that this provides a workable approach for us.We attach (Appendix 2) a suggested letter for candidates to use in inviting colleagues to provide an external review of their work.

 

(b)   No more than three letters shall be required under the provisions of this External Review policy.Departments may stipulate that fewer are required for Departmental review.

 

9       The policies and provisions should be adopted as part of each department�s �Personnel Policies and Procedures�.Departmental policies and procedures shall be approved by the Faculty Affairs Committee or such other body that the Faculty Senate shall designate.They shall be reviewed every five years and submitted for approval to the Faculty Affairs Committee or such other body that the Faculty Senate shall designate.�� Processes and policies regarding External Review shall safeguard the interests of the Department, shall be workable and shall be fair and equitable in terms of protecting the due process rights of the candidate.

 

10   Following approval of these policies by the Faculty Senate, they shall take effect on September 1 of the next academic year and shall be applied to persons appointed on or after that date. The committee considered this point at length.It concluded that to apply this new policy to current faculty � especially absent its prior approval and inclusion in the College Handbook � would be the very definition of an ex post facto rule, i.e., changing the rules of the game and applying them retroactively after the game is underway, and would disadvantage those who have structured their career choices according to the provisions of the College Handbook effective at the time of their initial appointment.

 

11   These proposed policies must be consistent with the provisions of the NYS-UUP Contract, the policies of the Board of Trustees and controlling College policies.Because evaluation of an employee is a mandatory subject of negotiations under the Taylor Law, UUP shall be consulted at the appropriate level (e.g., campus or statewide) prior to the effective approval of these policies and thereafter when the policies are amended.�� See Appendix 3 for a discussion on this point.

 

March 1, 2009

From the College Handbook, 2008-2010 (rev. July 2008)

230.03 PROMOTION CRITERIA

As used in this document, the term criteria shall mean the standards established for evaluating candidates for promotion.

Any instructor, assistant professor, or associate professor who meets the educational qualifications set forth above and who satisfies the criteria for the next higher rank shall be eligible for promotion.

Criteria for rank of assistant professor shall include:

a. A demonstrated ability (i) to organize and carry out courses of instruction in a manner that is intellectually sound and effective in terms of student learning, and (ii) to assume a broad range of professional responsibilities for the educational development of students;

b. A demonstrated ability to undertake a potentially productive program of intellectual inquiry, research, or creative work (The completion of the doctorate will normally satisfy this criterion.);

c. A demonstrated willingness to accept and discharge service responsibilities within the department or the College.

Criteria for the rank of associate professor shall include:

a. A demonstrated and continuing ability (i) to develop areas of instruction in a manner that is intellectually sound and effective in terms of students learning, and (ii) to discharge in an effective manner a broad range of professional responsibilities for the development of students;

b. A demonstrated ability to undertake and successfully carry out a productive program of intellectual inquiry, research, or creative work and to do so with a degree of intellectual or creative excellence;

c. A demonstrated and continuing service to the department and the College or the University in a manner that makes a significant contribution to the overall excellence of the institution.

Criteria for the rank of professor shall include:

a. A demonstrated and continuing ability (i) to develop areas of instruction in a manner that is intellectually excellent and significantly effective in terms of student learning, and (ii) to make a substantial contribution to the educational development of students;

b. A demonstrated and continuing ability to undertake and successfully carry out a serious and productive program of intellectual inquiry, research, or creative work and to do so in a way that makes a contribution to the intellectual, scholarly, or artistic community;

c. A demonstrated and continuing service to the department and the College or the University in a manner that makes a significant contribution to the overall excellence of the institution.

The criteria contained in paragraphs 3-5 should not be interpreted to exclude any meritorious service not mentioned that contributes to the achievement or excellence in the areas of scholarly activity, teaching, and university service.

For disciplines to whose activities the above criteria cannot be reasonably adapted, equivalent criteria shall be determined by the discipline or department in question and approved by a properly designated faculty body. In all cases, the burden of proof that the criteria are equivalent shall rest with the discipline or department in question.

A person who does not meet the criteria described above may be eligible for promotion if exceptional circumstances are judged to warrant advancement. Such circumstances would include an exceptional record of achievement in the areas of teaching and service, combined with evidence of a satisfactory record of scholarly activity. The burden of proof that such achievements are of truly exceptional quality rests with the faculty member and with the recommending department.

230.04 APPLICATION OF PROMOTION CRITERIA

In this document the term recommendation shall refer to a written statement conveying (a) the recommender's decision or recommended decision concerning a personnel matter; (b) the specific reasons for the recommended decision or decisions; (c) the evidence and other pertinent data supporting the decision or recommended decision. Recommendations shall provide specific reasons and supporting evidence justifying why a colleague should be promoted. For purposes of this section "recommender" shall be defined as that person or committee obliged by the College policies and procedures to provide a personnel decision or recommendations.

Evidence of accomplishments in scholarship, teaching, and service, since the time of initial appointment or since the last promotion, whichever is more recent, shall be given primary consideration in all recommendations.

Recommenders shall take into consideration all supporting evidence presented by the candidate or by the recommending department. Examples of the types of evidence ordinarily considered appropriate in each area are listed below. (Note: activity via technology is legitimate activity within the scope of professional obligation, and it should be evaluated and entered under whichever category on the personnel action form is appropriate for the specific activity. Departments are requested to discuss the issue with a view of incorporating involvement in technology in their personnel policies.)

These lists should not be taken to exclude any evidence of meritorious accomplishment not specifically mentioned. While some types of evidence may be more important than others, it is the function of the recommender to judge the weight and quality of each item of evidence.

a. Teaching

student evaluations of courses and field work

student recommendations

colleague observations

recognition by colleagues

independent student scholarship

curriculum development

off-campus recognition

academic advisement and counseling

contribution to institutional change

interdisciplinary instruction

honors and awards for teaching

course development

work with student organizations

developing instructional materials

postgraduate student performance

course outlines

b. Scholarly, Intellectual and Creative Achievements

publication in scholarly and intellectual journals

presentations of papers and research reports

completion of unpublished work

work in progress including exploratory research

artistic achievements as demonstrated by recitals, shows, performances and exhibitions

editorial service for scholarly journals

editorial service for scholarly journals

reviews of manuscripts and books in the discipline

grant awards and fellowships

reputation among colleagues as demonstrated by letters, citations, reviews and other honors

participation in proceedings or learned societies

consultative work or institutional research enhancing one's scholarship

speeches, workshops, presentations, books, monographs

service to professional and learned societies

c. Service to the Department, College and University

administrative work

faculty governance

service to off-campus populations

contribution to institutional change

institutional research

work with the community

external reviews

 

4. Using the criteria set forth above, all recommendations shall be based upon qualitative as well as quantitative considerations in the areas of scholarly activity, teaching, and university service. Primary but not exclusive weight shall be given to the areas of scholarly activity and teaching, except as provided in paragraph 230.03 (8). In evaluating a candidate's work to determine whether a favorable recommendation is warranted, all recommenders shall consider and all recommendations shall explicitly address the following questions and provide supporting evidence with respect to scholarly activity, teaching, and university service, unless promotion is sought under the exception established in paragraph 230.03 (8):

Has the candidate's past work achieved a level and quality of excellence appropriate to the rank sought?

Does the candidate demonstrate promise of continuing growth and continuing excellence in the future?

(Approved by President Jones, Feb. 6, 1978)

MODEL LETTER FOR INVITING AN EXTERNAL REVIEW

The following is a suggested letter for candidates to utilize.While candidates may, of course, draft their own request to external reviewers, the points contained in this suggested letter should be covered.We suggest strongly that the request be made in writing and that the candidate keep written records of the request and subsequent correspondence.The candidate should be sure to note the date when the external evaluation is received.

Dear ProfessorABCDE,

I am being considered for promotion to the rank of Professor from the rank of Associate Professor.SUNY Cortland believes it will be valuable to have a review of my scholarly and creative work by qualified colleagues from outside our college to assist those charged with evaluating my work and making a recommending on promotion.

In light of this, I would like to ask if you would be willing to review my�� work.Those engaged in the process of reviewing my work would value your evaluation of my scholarly and creative work.You will not be asked to comment on my record of teaching or service.��

If you do agree, I will forward the following to you:

A � The materials that I would like you to review and comment on.

B � The relevant sections from the SUNY Cortland College Handbook relating to promotion to the rank of Professor.   I must ask you review this carefully as SUNY Cortland includes a wide range of activities under the broad heading of scholarship and creative work.

 SUNY Cortland believes in the maximum transparency in its personnel considerations. Accordingly, you should return a copy of your evaluation directly to me for inclusion in my portfolio.

Those who will be responsible for reviewing my work and making recommendations are interested in your assessment and appraisal of the materials.  Your review will become part of my portfolio and will provide additional data for the review committees and recommending individuals to consider.I should emphasize that you are not asked to recommend whether or not I should be recommended for promotion but only to provide an evaluation of the materials that I forward to you.

 I know that this is a busy time for you and I and my colleagues appreciate your willingness to assist.   I do need to advise you that we have a strict timetable.   Should you agree to review the materials, I will forward them to you immediately.  I ask that your review and the materials be returned to me by MM DD, YYYY.If problems or impediments arise, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 Finally, on behalf of myself and my colleagues, I appreciate your willingness to consider this request and I hope you will reply in the affirmative at your earliest convenience.Your willingness to assist is an affirmation of our common commitment to a wide community of scholars and academic colleagues.

If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely

___________________________________________

From the UUP Voice, January 2009, p. 14

From the VP for Academics Fred Floss ��� �Letters of review� is tricky topic

Over the last few UUP chapter presidents and vice presidents� meetings, there have been lively discussions about whether letters of review of research made by academics from outside the campus should be a requirement of the tenure process. Such �outside letters� are standard at some research universities around the country, but are much less common at the college level. But should these outside letters be an integral part of the peer review process within SUNY? Unfortunately, that is not an easy question to answer. What is important to note is the evaluation of an employee is a mandatory subject of negotiations under the Taylor Law and a campus cannot impose a change in policy on evaluations without first negotiating with UUP.

Discussions over the use of outside letters for evaluations are not new, particularly at the universities. Past discussions have focused close attention on whether or when the employee can see the outside letters. In fact, several early rounds of contract negotiations in the 1970s and later negotiations between the state of New York and UUP addressed a candidate�s access to a written evaluation or recommendation. Article 31 of our contract memorializes the collective bargaining negotiations. In past decades, the members of negotiations teams used the descriptor of �solicited letters� for these materials. Often times, heated discussions occurred on the argument that a candidate had a right to face an evaluator and must have access to the document to prepare an adequate reply for the evaluation file. Healthy debate continues on the aspects of whether a candidate�s access to an evaluation or recommendation prejudices the author of the evaluation and restricts the scope of potential commentary.

Before a campus changes its procedures� and I am not recommending that changes occur, UUP needs to review any procedure changes and consider the effects. This is an important part of UUP�s role in protecting members� rights. Equally important is that the details of any specific procedural change needs to be equitable and fair to those involved. The contract addresses the evaluation process along with the rights of members to appeal, and any changes in procedure would have to be consistent with our negotiated agreement. One final note on this subject: Article 33 of our contract details relevant procedures regarding job security reviews.

In thinking about a procedure change, a one-size-fits-all approach may not be appropriate for all SUNY campuses. The type of campus and its mission within the SUNY family must be part of any proposed solution. In fact, the status quo procedures arrived at after many years of practical experience at a given chapter may be the optimal procedure for that campus. Yet, any good solution will look at the costs and benefits of a change in procedure. It will clearly explain the change, the steps involved, and how its implementation will occur fairly. It will set out all due process rights and a procedure for appeal.

This issue also raises some practical considerations. How will letters be solicited and by who? What will happen when a reviewer�s letters never arrives? Will there be a review of the letters by a neutral party representing our member�s interests if they cannot see the letters affecting them? A good procedure not only works when everything goes right, but also considers potential problems and ensures fairness before problems arise.

What may look like a simple issue at first blush is actually very complex and that is why there has been so much discussion among chapter presidents and vice presidents. Before any procedure is negotiated, all the affected parties must be brought into the discussion of the issues and workable, fair and equitable solutions need to be arrived at, preferably by consensus.

http://www.cortland.edu/senate/minutes/0809min11.html

 



[1] Number provided by UUP on March 20, 2009