University Senate Annual Report
2024-2025 Annual Report for the University Senate at Stony Brook University
The University Senate comprises 3 Major Governance Units, and soon to be 4. This report covers only the activities of the University Senate and its standing committees. It does not cover activities of the Major Governance Units and their standing committees.
1) In the summer of 2024, a call was sent out in August for self-nominations for faculty representatives to serve on the Presidentials Search Committee. In August, elections were held for faculty representatives on the Presidential Search Committee.
2) In the spring of 2024, a Professional Staff Senate was proposed. In the fall, the senate passed a resolution to form a Professional Staff Senate (87% in favor). Michael Boerner, Co-Chair of the PEG Board West Campus has provided repeated updates on the development of this new major governance unit.
3) The Governance Committee, comprises the secretaries of the University Senate, A&S Senate, CEAS Senate and standing in for the HS Senate, the Secretary of the RSOM Senate, and the secretary of the PEG board in lieu of the Professional Staff Senate. They have been asked to review the senate structure.
a. The A&S Senate, one of the three Major Governance Units of the Senate passed a resolution calling for a revision of the Constitution, and another stating the preference for reorganization. These were statements of preferences from one Major Governance Unit. These resolutions were shared with the President’s of the other major governance units. The latter are gathering information and have expressed caution.
b. Although we are due for a revision of the constitution, the Executive Committee decided that the structure of the senate should be considered before embarking on revisions to the constitution.
4) Amy Cook, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs spoke to the Senate about the new requirements for digital accessibility that will be in effect in April of 2026.
5) Resulting from the thorough work of the bylaws revisions group, and through the presentations and explanations in the senate by Jason Torre and Susan Velazquez, five articles of the bylaws were approved (votes > 66%).
Highlights from University Senate Standing Committee Annual Reports
In the Fall of 2024 we resumed bi annual Coordinating Council meetings. The Coordinating Council comprises the University Senate Executive Committee and Standing Committee Chairs.
In the May meeting, the Coordinating Council
· voted to develop a resolution in defense of democracy (later passed October)
· the group identified the need for a phone number to call when physical impediments were encountered on campus (e.g., when an automatic door is no longer working). The request was communicated to SASC, and quickly a phone number was added to their webpage.
Each standing committee provided a report and presentation on their activities, and we had a wonderful opportunity to share thoughts across committee chairs.
Each committees reports can be accessed by visiting the University Senate webpage, and going to the menu itemSenate/Committee Minutes/
Topics addressed by more than one standing committee are highlighted first.
1) In preparation for review of policies, requested by the Senate Executive Committee, standing committee chairs attended a presentation on policy by Marrisa Trachtenberg, Director of Risk Management and Policy Compliance. A video of that meeting is available on the Senate homepage.
2) Four committees received requests to review policies. Of the three committees that responded so far, only one, the Faculty Rights, Responsibilities and Policies Committee (FRRPC), responded with a set of questions. The administration responded quickly. One question, which raises some legal contradictions, remains. The questions and responses were presented to the University Senate in the spring of 2025.
3) A number of standing committees were involved in review of the Turnitin policy, course evaluation revisions, and a revision to the retake policy.
Administrative Review Committee (ARC) Annual Report: Chairs Madeline Turan and Robert Kelly
ARC spent the year tabulating results from the spring 2024 survey, and providing a report to the University Senate in March.
· “Ratings for top University administrators were better than the previous survey, and …than all results for a Stony Brook University President and Provost in the past 25 years of ARC surveys.”
· Parking and facilities fared poorly in the survey. The committee has been asked to tabulate survey details on facilities. These will be included in a report to be published in the Fall of 2025.
Academic Judiciary Committee Report: Chair, Neta Dean
· AJC is considering moving from a two-level appeal process to a one-level appeal process. This would be consistent with other institutions, and justified by the consistency of outcomes across the two levels of appeal.
· AJC and CELT have posted a flowchart of the steps to take upon flagging a paper for A.I. generation.
· The Academic Judiciary Committee has partnerships and collaborations with four different groups allowing them to continue to review best practices, trends, policies and procedures.
CAPRA Report: Chair Alfredo Fontanini.
1) The Chair of the Committee represented the senate in the New Economic Framework (NEF) Steering Committee, and representatives from CAPRA periodically meet with the University Budget Team.
2) In the Fall, CAPRA organized a Q&A on the New Economic Framework for department chairs, area leaders, center/institution directors, associate deans and deans.
3) CAPRA continues to work on new guidelines for the creation, maintenance and sunsetting of centers and institutes.
4) CAPRA evaluated proposals to rename units, create two new departments. They continue work in this area.
5) CAPRA heard presentations on construction projects and provided feedback on the Facilities Master Plan.
Faculty Rights, Responsibilities and Policies Committee Report: Chair, Kathleen De Riesthal
FRRPC addressed many policy issues, from advising on bylaws revisions, promotion and tenure voting practices, and policies related to protest.
1)· Provided guidance on a proposed bylaw revision.
2) Reviewed the following university policies and noted concerns from the faculty:
i. Responsible use of online resources ▪
ii. Policy on Data and Data Access
iii. Information Security Program Administration Policy
iv. Free speech
v. Public Assembly
vi. Posters/Flyers
vii. Public Demonstration and Protest Guidelines
3)· Addressed at what levels Associate Deans should be voting on tenure cases, within their home departments or within the Dean’s office.
Graduate Council Report: Chair, David Green
The GC reviewed 29 proposals for new programs or program revisions, and evaluated 5 policies
Evaluated 6 new program proposals (3 Masters, 2 Certificates, 1 PhD)
Evaluated 18 program revisions
Evaluated 5 program reaffirmations
Evaluated 5 policies
Library Services and Resources Report: Chair, Philip Doesschate
Briefed about the effects of the rainstorm and aging HVAC systems on library resources.
Consulted on the Library Strategic Plan
Briefed on plans for digital repositories and journal access platforms.
Monitoring library funding and use of library space for AI technology, and makerspace technologies.
Research Committee Report: Chaired by Mark Chambers and Qiaojie Xiong
Expressed concerns for research support through conversations with administrators.
Developed a better understanding of the International Travel Policy through a conversation with Susan Gasparo, Director for Research Security.
In discussions with the Director of Support Service, Henry Joseph, the committee raised awareness of software used frequently by faculty. A campus license may lead to savings.
Education Services and Information Technology (SCEDIT) Report: Chaired by Victoria Pilato and Cynthia Davidson
Addressed concerns over the introduction of a.i. technology, and formed an AI Advisory subcommittee.
SCEDIT is working with DoIT to establish a formal procedure for evaluating new software purchases for pedagogical impact (impact on learning objectives, student experience, faculty effectiveness).
A SCEDIT subcommittee is addressing the technological tools for plagiarism detection.
Student Life Committee Report, Chaired by Robin-deLuca-Aconi and David Ecker
Led an initiative to ensure that students continue to have safe spaces for positive discourse on issues that may be emotionally charged.
Listened to the unique challenges and changes happening to commuter students, and explored options for improvements, and for reaching commuter students.
Working on a healthy screen use initiative. At the request of students, developing some screen free events aimed at increasing social interaction.
Undergraduate Council Report: Chaired by Hanna Nekvasil
Works closely with the General Education Advisory Committee revising requirements.
Approved a modification in the retake policy, and modification to Course Evaluations and automatic graduation application.
University Affairs Report: Chaired by Alexander Orlov, who deserves credit for reviving the activity of this committee
The committee met with Marketing and Communications, Staller Center and Athletics and the Chief Deputy. Their reports are available along with their annual report.
Environment Committee Report: Chaired by Mona Ramonetti and Christopher Sellers
Prepared a report on Pedestrians and Bike Access to Stony Brook University from the East. They made many recommendations to improve safety and access.
Years of advocacy from members of the University Senate Environment Committee and Friends of Ashley Schiff preserve led to actions. In May and July of 2024, the Stony Brook Council, through two resolutions voted to preserve and name the Ashley Schiff Preserve. The Board of Trustees passed a resolution to name the Ashley Schiff Preserve. The Committee has recommended next steps.