����������������������� ���� FACULTY
SENATE MINUTES #11
����������������������������������� ���������
The
eleventh meeting of the Faculty Senate 2008�2009 was called to order by Chair
William Buxton
on
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,
SENATORS AND MEMBERS ABSENT:�
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
I�
APPROVAL 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,
b. Tuesday, March 31,
c. Wednesday, April 1,
d. Thursday, April 2,
e. Friday, April 3,
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 Committee � R. 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 Committee � C. 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
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.) School� of 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
151st�
Plenary�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.
151-03-1� Passed 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.
151-02-1� Passed 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.
151-01-1� Passed 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 of�
CCRC.� 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 Education� or designee (ex-officio, non-voting)
���� Dean of Professional Studies or designee
(ex-officio, non-voting)
���� DELETE:� Associate Provost for� Enrollment 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 of� those 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 limited� understanding 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
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 |
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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 Professor� ABCDE,
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