Spring 2021 Post-Plenary Report (draft)
Spring 2021 Elections
Congratulations to Heather Maldonado, who was elected President for the 2021-2023 term. And thank you to James McLean, who also stepped up to stand for election.
The following slate of Sector Reps and alternates was approved at the Plenary:
Resolutions, Spring 2021 UFS Plenary
Please report any campus actions that are follow-up to UFS resolutions using this form.
Requests from committees
President’s Report
Gwen Kay, President
(Slide deck - PDF)
Provost’s Report
Shadi Sandvik, SUNY Provost
(Slide deck - PDF)
The Provost updated the Senate on the following topics:
Conversation with the Chancellor
Jim Malatras, SUNY Chancellor
Chancellor Malatras used his time with the Senate to discuss the concerns presented by Sector Reps (sector statements are listed below). Several themes arose from the conversation:
Sector Statements
Campus Governance Leaders
Lisa Glidden (SUNY Oswego)
CGLs asked whether System would work with campuses if they are not able to bring back enough residential students to cover loans associated with housing.
Technology and Agriculture
Tim Gerken (SUNY Morrisville)
Chancellor
Thanks for your time. We appreciate you joining us. The Tech Sector appreciates the social justice initiatives you support and are developing. Your success in this area will make the state a better place.
We believe the SUNY Diversity Action Plan with its focus on Racial Equity and anti-racism can help begin the process “rooting out racism and discrimination” on our campuses.
One concern we have is with the Recommendation C3: Develop a Process to Share Best Practices or Best in Class in Embedding Racial Equity into Curriculum.
As you know, our campuses are the most racially diverse in SUNY. We also face the most constraints in terms of resources. We want to excel in creating racial equity and social justice curricula. However, many Tech Sector colleges lack faculty with expertise which centers on anti-racism, making it difficult for many of our campuses to develop anti-racist curriculum. While cross “campus sharing” may work well on campuses with faculty who have backgrounds in this area, the specialty programs our sector offers do not necessarily share well. Moreover, faculty workload leaves little room for additional curriculum development; this is particularly apparent after Covid cuts, unfilled faculty lines, and extra duties.
To achieve the goals of the Diversity Action Plan, we need additional financial support to hire and retain faculty in this area. To date, PRODiG has not been able to meet the needs of the Tech Sector in regards to our goal for recruiting and retaining new faculty. If the sector with the largest percentage of URM students is unable to provide “faculty-driven curriculum development toward racial equity,” we believe it will be difficult for SUNY to end the racial disparities the plan is designed address.
We hope you can provide us with some specific ways SUNY is going to support the tech sector campuses to help us fully commit to and deliver on this recommendation of embedding racial equity into the curriculum.
Health Sciences
Brigette Desport (Downstate Health Sciences University)
text.
Specialized and Statutory
Carlie Phipps (SUNY Poly)
text.
University Centers
Cemal Basaran (University at Buffalo)
1- The faculty is concerned about maintaining its control over the curricula in relation to the credit by evaluation practices proposed to be mandated by SUNY. There are statements in this discussion draft consistent with faculty control, but other statements which seem to contradict this. There are also concerns with a rollout that is too wide and too rapid for a policy with so many curricular, financial and student implications. Further, we have great concern about how quickly prior learning assessments- credit evaluations are being implemented for transfer credits across SUNY.
2- Faculty are concerned about Fall planning without consultation with the shared governance, students and staff. As New York – and the world – returns to the new normal, how is SUNY planning the return of students, faculty, and staff to the campuses? Will there be a SUNY wide decision, or will the decision be left to the individual campuses? It is not clear if the return to campus date is the same for all staff across the entire SUNY. In regard to the vaccination of faculty/staff and students, Is vaccination required to be able to return to the campuses?
3- Some SUNY Campuses recognized our Indigenous Populations by efforts ranging from senate forums to creating new departments and programs to study their culture, and history. Can SUNY central make this a system wide effort? Such as, hiring indigenous faculty members, increasing the indigenous student population, and celebrating native American culture in annual SUNY events.
4- How much money is coming to campuses from federal aid?
Statement on divestment from fossil fuels
Climate change and sustainability have dominated the news for years. There is a nation-wide effort requesting TIAA to divests its holding of industries and businesses involved with fossil fuels and deforestation efforts. Several SUNY campuses including the University at Buffalo, have passed individual resolutions requesting the SUNY Chancellor to notify TIAA of this divestment action. A motion will be presented at this Plenary making a SUNY-wide request for such action, and hope that if passed the Chancellor act positively on this resolution.
Comprehensive Colleges
Bruce Simon (SUNY Fredonia)
(1) CAMPUS HEALTH AND SAFETY AND THEIR IMPACTS ON RECRUITMENT. As you know, it’s recruitment crunch time. And as others here have noted, New Jersey and California are moving more quickly than New York in providing university students and employees clear guidance on health and safety for Fall 2021. We heard from the Provost in Charge that a decision is coming within weeks. We’re eager to hear a preview.
(2) ANTI-RACISM, RACIAL EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND GENERAL EDUCATION. We value your passion and sense of urgency on these efforts and appreciate how they are incorporated into SUNY’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Phase One Action Plan. Last night we discussed GEAC’s Proposed SUNY GE Framework Draft from many angles, and we’ll use the form to share our views. Today, we want to zoom in with you on the alignment between these two initiatives. After a general education framework has been revised and approved by the SUNY Board of Trustees, what do you see as SUNY System Administration’s role and opportunity to further anti-racism, racial equity, and social justice through its implementation guidance?
(3) SHARED SERVICES AND THE COST OF ADMINISTRATION AT SUNY. We were surprised to hear about the decision to have Plattsburgh and Potsdam share a Chief Financial Officer. How was this decision arrived at? Why was there so little apparent consultation before it was made? We’re in favor of an efficient and effective administrative structure that costs as little as possible relative to instruction and direct support of students. However, past attempts have shown that what seems promising in the abstract often functions poorly in practice. We hope you’ll consider UFS, its committees, and its sectors, along with campus governance bodies, as partners in this important effort going forward.
(4) TELECOMMUTING AND THE FUTURE OF WORK AT SUNY. In our sector meeting, we discussed the value of granting campuses flexibility to continue trying to find the right mix of on-site and remote work for each office and department. What steps are you taking to have SUNY HR work with campuses to assess the effectiveness of the telecommuting arrangements that have been in place since March 2020, the system-wide costs/benefits of telecommuting we experienced, and employee interest in expanded telecommuting opportunities going forward?
(5) SUNY ONLINE AND THE FUTURE OF LEARNING AT SUNY. As you know, our sector is deeply committed to the value of in-person instruction, residential life, student engagement, learning communities, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, and applied learning opportunities. We also include campuses and programs that are leaders in online and distance education. Thus, we are keenly interested in the relation between the two and want it to be as mutually supportive and effective as possible. What lessons has SUNY System Administration learned regarding the appeal of SUNY Online to our intended audiences over the past 13 months?
Congratulations to Heather Maldonado, who was elected President for the 2021-2023 term. And thank you to James McLean, who also stepped up to stand for election.
The following slate of Sector Reps and alternates was approved at the Plenary:
- University Colleges: Jan Trybula (Wendy Gordon, alternate)
- Health Science Centers: Pamela Youngs-Maher (Chris Tanski, alternate)
- Colleges of Technology/Agriculture: David Vitt (Sinikka Grant, alternate)
- Specialized and Statutory Colleges: Carlie Phipps (alternate to be presented and approved at the Fall 2021 Plenary)
- University Centers: Cemal Basaran (Fred Stoss, alternate)
- Campus Governance Leaders: Bhakti Sharma (Genevieve Birren, alternate)
Resolutions, Spring 2021 UFS Plenary
- OP & GOV: 188-01-1 Implementation of 360 Reviews for SUNY’s Management/Confidential (M/C) Employees
- This resolution requests that the Chancellor direct campuses to implement 360 reviews of M/C employees, that the cycle of reviews is accessible to campuses, and that support for the process is made available by System.
- For: 33 / Against: 13 / Abstain: 2
- SL: 188-02-1 Holistic Student Space
- This resolution requests that the Chancellor direct campus presidents to ensure that there are both physical and virtual spaces available to support the holistic wellness needs of students, including plans to promote and maintain these spaes once established.
- For: 41 / Against: 5 / Abstain: 3
- UG: 188-03-1 On Academic Planning for Responding to Future Crises.
- This resolution urges System Administration and campuses to develop plans for maintaining academic functions in the event of future emergencies similar to the covid-19 pandemic, and to examine policies regarding the various instructional modalities used during such emergencies.
- For: 46 / Against: 1 / Abstain: 0
- UG: 188-04-1 Recognition of COVID-19 Pandemic Response and the Need for Continued Support
- This resolution recognizes the hard work and resilience displayed by faculty, staff, students, and administrators in responding to the pandemic, recommends that these good efforts be documented and memorialized, and requests that System Administration continue to provide wellness, mental health, and professional development support going forward.
- For: 41 / Against: 1 / Abstain 0
- UCenters: 188-05-1 TIAA Divestment.
- This resolution expresses support for TIAA fossil fuel divestment resolutions that have passed across the system, and calls of the Chancellor to encourage TIAA to invest in renewable energy funds.
- Note: Background information will be added listing or linking to the divestment resolutions that have been passed on various SUNY campuses. Until then, this resolution is provisionally posted, so that members can share the approved text with their campuses.
- For: 28 / Against: 10 / Abstain: 4
Please report any campus actions that are follow-up to UFS resolutions using this form.
Requests from committees
- Communications (report)
- .We are still looking for short and/or long articles/blogs for the UFS Connects page on topics of general interest to SUNY faculty and professional staff. We would be especially interested in publishing some reflections on the Year-Plus of Covid - how it has impacted your academic career over the last 15 months, how you adjusted (teaching, personal life - whatever you’re willing to share). We’d like to be able to post a number of reflections on this year+ that we’ve had behind us.
- We’re also interested in any submissions that might reflect on how your campus has (or hasn’t) employed shared governance principles in dealing with the various ramifications of the Covid crisis and/or other financial/admission/academic issues facing your campus.
- Of course, we welcome any other topic. But we really would like you to consider submitting a relevant piece, whether it be short or long, and to share this request with your campus community. Please submit articles to Acting Chair Knuepfer ([email protected]).
- Equity, Inclusion and Diversity (report)
- Thank you for those who have sent me feedback on developments regarding Racial Equity and Social Justice Curriculum on your campus. The committee really appreciates your feedback. Consequently, please continue to inform us of developments on your campuses.
- Similarly, please continue to advocate for the resolution for Racial Equity and Social Justice Curriculum and engage campus governance bodies to enact on the resolution action items.
- When you get the EID committee faculty survey, please help us get the information we need.
- Ethics and Institutional Integrity (report)
- We would be happy to continue to receive any comments on any of the above issues (see report), and any other issues relating to ethics and institutional integrity.
- Governance (report)
- No specific requests at this time.
- Graduate Academic Programs and Research (report)
- No specific requests at this time.
- Operations (report)
- No specific requests at this time.
- Programs and Awards (report)
- No specific requests at this time.
- Student Life (report)
- No specific requests at this time.
- Undergraduate Academic Programs and Policies (report)
- Communicate anecdotes of excellent outcomes to Exemplary Outcomes Form.
- (Editorial comment: Also, please note the Appendix to the Undergraduate committee report, which includes the committee's responses to the proposed general education framework, and the proposed policy on awarding academic credit by evaluation.)
President’s Report
Gwen Kay, President
(Slide deck - PDF)
- Budget: description.
- General Education: description
- Other Initiatives: description.
- Upcoming Meetings: description.
- Searches: description.
- Board of Trustees Updates: description.
Provost’s Report
Shadi Sandvik, SUNY Provost
(Slide deck - PDF)
The Provost updated the Senate on the following topics:
- Item. description.
- Item. description.
- Item. description.
- Item. description.
- Item. description.
Conversation with the Chancellor
Jim Malatras, SUNY Chancellor
Chancellor Malatras used his time with the Senate to discuss the concerns presented by Sector Reps (sector statements are listed below). Several themes arose from the conversation:
- Item. description.
- Item. description.
- Item. description.
- Item. description.
- Item. description.
Sector Statements
Campus Governance Leaders
Lisa Glidden (SUNY Oswego)
CGLs asked whether System would work with campuses if they are not able to bring back enough residential students to cover loans associated with housing.
- His response: campuses were in different financial shape prior to the pandemic, and System recognizes that they may need to address issues that arise on a campus by campus basis.
- His response: he gets it, hopes we talked to the Provost about this, recognizes that everyone is exhausted, but also that we have been able to bring in new students because of the more flexible modalities we had...
- He recognizes these challenges, and notes that some campuses do better than others. He thinks this is a broader conversation that we must have a system, and he is welcoming of having faculty voices in those conversations.
Technology and Agriculture
Tim Gerken (SUNY Morrisville)
Chancellor
Thanks for your time. We appreciate you joining us. The Tech Sector appreciates the social justice initiatives you support and are developing. Your success in this area will make the state a better place.
We believe the SUNY Diversity Action Plan with its focus on Racial Equity and anti-racism can help begin the process “rooting out racism and discrimination” on our campuses.
One concern we have is with the Recommendation C3: Develop a Process to Share Best Practices or Best in Class in Embedding Racial Equity into Curriculum.
As you know, our campuses are the most racially diverse in SUNY. We also face the most constraints in terms of resources. We want to excel in creating racial equity and social justice curricula. However, many Tech Sector colleges lack faculty with expertise which centers on anti-racism, making it difficult for many of our campuses to develop anti-racist curriculum. While cross “campus sharing” may work well on campuses with faculty who have backgrounds in this area, the specialty programs our sector offers do not necessarily share well. Moreover, faculty workload leaves little room for additional curriculum development; this is particularly apparent after Covid cuts, unfilled faculty lines, and extra duties.
To achieve the goals of the Diversity Action Plan, we need additional financial support to hire and retain faculty in this area. To date, PRODiG has not been able to meet the needs of the Tech Sector in regards to our goal for recruiting and retaining new faculty. If the sector with the largest percentage of URM students is unable to provide “faculty-driven curriculum development toward racial equity,” we believe it will be difficult for SUNY to end the racial disparities the plan is designed address.
We hope you can provide us with some specific ways SUNY is going to support the tech sector campuses to help us fully commit to and deliver on this recommendation of embedding racial equity into the curriculum.
Health Sciences
Brigette Desport (Downstate Health Sciences University)
text.
Specialized and Statutory
Carlie Phipps (SUNY Poly)
text.
University Centers
Cemal Basaran (University at Buffalo)
1- The faculty is concerned about maintaining its control over the curricula in relation to the credit by evaluation practices proposed to be mandated by SUNY. There are statements in this discussion draft consistent with faculty control, but other statements which seem to contradict this. There are also concerns with a rollout that is too wide and too rapid for a policy with so many curricular, financial and student implications. Further, we have great concern about how quickly prior learning assessments- credit evaluations are being implemented for transfer credits across SUNY.
2- Faculty are concerned about Fall planning without consultation with the shared governance, students and staff. As New York – and the world – returns to the new normal, how is SUNY planning the return of students, faculty, and staff to the campuses? Will there be a SUNY wide decision, or will the decision be left to the individual campuses? It is not clear if the return to campus date is the same for all staff across the entire SUNY. In regard to the vaccination of faculty/staff and students, Is vaccination required to be able to return to the campuses?
3- Some SUNY Campuses recognized our Indigenous Populations by efforts ranging from senate forums to creating new departments and programs to study their culture, and history. Can SUNY central make this a system wide effort? Such as, hiring indigenous faculty members, increasing the indigenous student population, and celebrating native American culture in annual SUNY events.
4- How much money is coming to campuses from federal aid?
Statement on divestment from fossil fuels
Climate change and sustainability have dominated the news for years. There is a nation-wide effort requesting TIAA to divests its holding of industries and businesses involved with fossil fuels and deforestation efforts. Several SUNY campuses including the University at Buffalo, have passed individual resolutions requesting the SUNY Chancellor to notify TIAA of this divestment action. A motion will be presented at this Plenary making a SUNY-wide request for such action, and hope that if passed the Chancellor act positively on this resolution.
Comprehensive Colleges
Bruce Simon (SUNY Fredonia)
(1) CAMPUS HEALTH AND SAFETY AND THEIR IMPACTS ON RECRUITMENT. As you know, it’s recruitment crunch time. And as others here have noted, New Jersey and California are moving more quickly than New York in providing university students and employees clear guidance on health and safety for Fall 2021. We heard from the Provost in Charge that a decision is coming within weeks. We’re eager to hear a preview.
(2) ANTI-RACISM, RACIAL EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND GENERAL EDUCATION. We value your passion and sense of urgency on these efforts and appreciate how they are incorporated into SUNY’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Phase One Action Plan. Last night we discussed GEAC’s Proposed SUNY GE Framework Draft from many angles, and we’ll use the form to share our views. Today, we want to zoom in with you on the alignment between these two initiatives. After a general education framework has been revised and approved by the SUNY Board of Trustees, what do you see as SUNY System Administration’s role and opportunity to further anti-racism, racial equity, and social justice through its implementation guidance?
(3) SHARED SERVICES AND THE COST OF ADMINISTRATION AT SUNY. We were surprised to hear about the decision to have Plattsburgh and Potsdam share a Chief Financial Officer. How was this decision arrived at? Why was there so little apparent consultation before it was made? We’re in favor of an efficient and effective administrative structure that costs as little as possible relative to instruction and direct support of students. However, past attempts have shown that what seems promising in the abstract often functions poorly in practice. We hope you’ll consider UFS, its committees, and its sectors, along with campus governance bodies, as partners in this important effort going forward.
(4) TELECOMMUTING AND THE FUTURE OF WORK AT SUNY. In our sector meeting, we discussed the value of granting campuses flexibility to continue trying to find the right mix of on-site and remote work for each office and department. What steps are you taking to have SUNY HR work with campuses to assess the effectiveness of the telecommuting arrangements that have been in place since March 2020, the system-wide costs/benefits of telecommuting we experienced, and employee interest in expanded telecommuting opportunities going forward?
(5) SUNY ONLINE AND THE FUTURE OF LEARNING AT SUNY. As you know, our sector is deeply committed to the value of in-person instruction, residential life, student engagement, learning communities, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, and applied learning opportunities. We also include campuses and programs that are leaders in online and distance education. Thus, we are keenly interested in the relation between the two and want it to be as mutually supportive and effective as possible. What lessons has SUNY System Administration learned regarding the appeal of SUNY Online to our intended audiences over the past 13 months?