COLLEGE SENATE

RESOLUTIONS AND OTHER MATERIALS

  • In accordance with the College By-laws, the College Senate  is responsible for oversight of policies that influence or direct members of the college community. Policies emerge from examinations by members of the College Senate Standing Committees, concerns of individuals on campus, as well as queries from campus units. Standing Committees or Ad Hoc Committees  of the Senate prepare resolutions, to recommend policy measures and actions concerning academics, student conduct, and faculty/staff development. These resolutions are presented to the College Senate  for discussion and approval. Following approval by the College Senate, the resolutions are forwarded to the College President  for final approval, and action. Recommendations for amendments and changes to the Senate By Laws are also gathered in this forum.
Resolutions  on past issues, and the tools used in those decision processes, are included in this section.

The following has been accepted by the President upon the recommendation of the College Senate

Response to Senate Bylaws Change-Posted September 1, 2011

 

From the President
At its February 4, 2011, meeting, the College Senate approved an amendment to the bylaws that requires a campuswide referendum. The statewide University Faculty Senate (UFS) now allows members of the Professional Staff Caucus (PSC) to serve as university faculty senators. If all seven at-large senators and the two university faculty senators were to be PSC members, our Buffalo State Senate would be out of compliance with Article III, Section C of our bylaws, which state, “Faculty members shall be the majority membership of the College Senate.”

After much debate, the Senate is recommending that two of the seven at-large seats be reserved for faculty (also referred to as “academic staff members”), and that they be elected when university faculty senators are not on the ballot. In other words, the campus has a three-year election cycle, with UFS seats elected two out of the three years. The faculty-only election would occur on that third year. The exact changes are listed below. Voting took place between April 28 and May 6.

Current:

C. Faculty members shall be the majority membership of the College Senate. The College Senate shall include only the following groups: faculty (consisting of the four schools and the library), professional staff members, support staff members, students, and administrators (non-voting), with specific members as follows:

  1. The president of the college, ex-officio, non-voting; and
     
  2. The provost and vice president for academic affairs, ex-officio, non-voting; the vice president for student affairs, ex-officio, non-voting; and the vice president for finance and management, ex-officio, non-voting; and
     
  3. Seven members of the college faculty (Article II, Section A and B) elected at large by a majority vote of the college faculty; and
     
  4. Six members elected at large by a majority vote of the professional staffs of Instructional Resources, Student Affairs, and other professional groups not otherwise represented; and
     
  5. Six members elected from each of the approved faculties (School of Arts and Humanities, School of Education, School of Natural and Social Sciences, School of the Professions) and other faculties recommended by the Senate and approved by the president; and one member from the Butler Library faculty. Each of these faculties shall determine how its senators shall be elected; and
     
  6. Two university faculty senators elected by the college who must be members of the college faculty (Article II, Section A and B); and
     
  7. Twelve students elected by the student body whose terms of office and method of election shall be determined in accordance with the United Students Government constitution; and
     
  8. One member of the college support staff elected as determined by the support staff; and
     
  9. Two members, ex-officio, non-voting, appointed by the president.

Proposed change:

C. Faculty members shall be the majority membership of the College Senate. The College Senate shall include only the following groups: faculty (consisting of the four schools and the library), professional staff members, support staff members, students, and administrators (non-voting), with specific members as follows:

  1. The president of the college, ex-officio, non-voting; and
     
  2. The provost and vice president for academic affairs, ex-officio, non-voting; the vice president for student affairs, ex-officio, non-voting; and the vice president for finance and management, ex-officio, non-voting; and
     
  3. Five members of the college faculty (Article II, Section A and B) elected at large by a majority vote of the college faculty; and
     
  4. Two members of the faculty (academic staff) elected at large by a majority vote of the faculty; and
     
  5. Six members elected at large by a majority vote of the professional staffs of Instructional Resources, Student Affairs, and other professional groups not otherwise represented; and
     
  6. Six members elected from each of the approved faculties (School of Arts and Humanities, School of Education, School of Natural and Social Sciences, School of the Professions) and other faculties recommended by the Senate and approved by the president; and one member from the Butler Library faculty. Each of these faculties shall determine how its senators shall be elected; and
     
  7. Two university faculty senators elected by the college who must be members of the college faculty (Article II, Section A and B); and
     
  8. Twelve students elected by the student body whose terms of office and method of election shall be determined in accordance with the United Students Government constitution; and
     
  9. One member of the college support staff elected as determined by the support staff; and
     
  10. Two members, ex-officio, non-voting, appointed by the president.

The election has concluded, and the referendum was voted in favor of the proposed change (see items 3 and 4 above).

I hereby declare that the changes to the College Senate bylaws that have been duly adopted by the faculty are effective immediately.

Posted: Thursday, September 1, 2011

Response to Senate Resolution: Smoke-Free Campus

 

From the President
At its May 13, 2011, meeting, the College Senate voted to approve and forward to the president for review and action the following Smoking Policy Resolutions:

Student Welfare Committee Smoking Policy Resolution
Whereas New York State has declared public buildings smoke free; and

Whereas smoking near buildings constitutes a health risk for faculty, students, and staff; and

Whereas smoking outside creates unsightly litter and diminishes the quality of life for all at Buffalo State College; and

Whereas Buffalo State College has a vital interest in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, visitors, and others who utilize campus facilities. Research findings show that use of tobacco products in general constitutes a significant health hazard. Under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines, secondhand smoke is a Group A carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) known to cause heart disease, cancer, respiratory issues, and irritation of the eyes and nose. In keeping with Buffalo State’s desire to protect the health of its students, faculty, staff, visitors, vendors, and guests, as well as other campus constituents and the public in general; and

Whereas there is a desire to show respect for other students, faculty, and staff, the policy will include a period of educational training,

Therefore, be it resolved that it is Buffalo State’s policy to provide a smoke-free and tobacco-free environment in all university facilities and outdoor areas in full conformance with applicable statutes, including the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act (Public Health Law Article 13-E).

Be it further resolved that the Buffalo State College administration will develop a plan to implement this no-smoking policy and will share it with the Senate for discussion before it is put into effect.

Be it further resolved that Buffalo State College will become a tobacco-free campus on January 1, 2012, following a period of education and awareness conducted during the fall semester 2011, during which smoking-cessation programs will be made available to faculty, staff, and students; promotional efforts aimed at smoking cessation and prevention will be actively carried out; and a campaign to inform the campus community of the university’s smoking policy will be implemented. Further, to show respect for other students, faculty, and staff, the enforcement of smoking or any use of tobacco within 25 feet of building entrances will be enforced starting September 1, 2011.

Be it further resolved that faculty, staff, and students have a shared responsibility for enforcement of the university’s tobacco-free-campus policy. Individuals found in violation are to be reminded in a professional and courteous manner of the university’s policy. Repeat offenders are to be reported to their respective supervisors, for faculty and staff, and to the Judicial Affairs Office, for students.

Be it further resolved that effective January 1, 2012, Buffalo State College reserves the right to initiate progressive disciplinary action against any individual found to be in violation of the university’s tobacco-free-campus policy. Disciplinary action may include verbal counseling and education about the health effects of tobacco use, written warnings, a monetary fine or community service, or other appropriate disciplinary actions in accordance with the Code of Student Rights, Freedoms, and Responsibilities for students and Human Resource Management policy guidelines for faculty and staff. Visitors, vendors, contractors, and other guests will be informed that Buffalo State College is a tobacco-free campus. Any visitors who continue to violate the policy following a warning will be escorted off campus.

I accept the recommendation of the College Senate regarding a smoke-free policy for Buffalo State. I charge the vice president for student affairs with the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of an education and awareness program to begin on September 1, 2011. I further charge the vice president for student affairs with the responsibility of overseeing the development of a policy to be distributed and implemented by January 1, 2012.

The following have been accepted by the President upon the recommendation of the College Senate

At it's May 15, 2009, meeting, the College Senate voted to recommend to the president the academic calendars for 2009-2013 (please visit the Academic Affairs Web site to download the calendars).

 

President's Response to the Motion on Mid-Term Grading(pdf) May 23, 2011

President's Response to the Motion to Revise Policies related to Undergraduate Academic Standing (pdf) December 9, 2010

The following have been accepted by the Interim President upon the recommendation of the College Senate

At it's May 15, 2009, meeting, the College Senate voted to recommend to the president the academic calendars for 2009-2013 (please visit the Academic Affairs Web site to download the calendars).