The next meeting of the Buffalo State College Council will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, in Cleveland Hall 518.
Agenda
Call to Order
Action Items
--- Approval of Minutes: April 29, 2008
--- Approval of the Annual Report
Council Chair’s Report
President’s Report
Committee Report
Announcements
Adjournment
From the Chair of the College Senate
The agenda for the October 10 meeting of the College Senate is available online. The following item will be presented for action at the meeting:
Motion to Remove the ‘Double-Dipping’ Restriction in the Intellectual Foundations Program
Introduced by the Instruction and Research Committee at the May 2008 Senate meeting:
WHEREAS, limitations on students’ ability to “double-dip” requirements between certain Intellectual Foundations categories and their majors present graduation difficulties for students in some majors; and
WHEREAS, the goal of breadth in students’ education can be substantively achieved with a less restrictive policy,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Intellectual Foundations resolution as amended be changed from the current language:
Each student may select one course from the Cognate Foundations or American History or Civilizations areas (up to 4 credits total) in her or his major to fulfill both a major requirement and an Intellectual Foundations requirement.
to:
Each student may use courses to fulfill both major requirements and Intellectual Foundations requirements.
From the Vice President for Finance and Management
This policy describes the assignment, use, and management of desk and cellular telephones by employees of Buffalo State College.
Policy
Desk and cellular telephones are to be used for official business-related activities only. Personal use should be limited to emergency calls. Payment for reimbursement of personal desk or cellular telephone calls should be forwarded to the Accounting Office.
Cellular Telephones
Cellular telephones may be assigned only to employees whose duties and responsibilities require immediate or remote communications capabilities. The assignment of cellular telephones must be approved by the vice president for finance and management, who will review assignments annually to ensure compliance with this policy.
Each employee assigned a cellular telephone shall be primarily responsible for its security and maintenance, and must immediately report any theft, loss, damage, or vandalism of the unit.
New York State law prohibits the use of handheld cellular phones while driving.
From the Vice President for Finance and Management
All contracts and agreements that involve the use of college-owned equipment, supplies, or facilities and/or require the college to provide any nature of services shall be approved by both the appropriate vice president and the associate vice president/comptroller prior to execution. Contracts and agreements may be signedonly by the college president, the vice president for finance and management, the associate vice president/comptroller, or the director of purchasing. Any other college employee who signs a contract or agreement may be held personally responsible for its performance (payment, liability, etc.). Any contract executed by an employee without express prior authorization is not valid or binding on Buffalo State College. The Public Officers Law is meant to protect state employees only in the performance of their official duties. Employees place themselves at potentially great financial risk by entering into such agreements, written or oral, on behalf of the college without express prior authorization in writing.
From the President
To: All Faculty and Staff
In compliance with the New York State Governmental Accountability, Audit and Internal Control Act of 1999, the campus Internal Control Program ensures that Buffalo State not only meets its obligations to external entities, but also provides a supportive and responsive environment that facilitates the achievement of institutional goals and enables individual programs to become more effective.
The objectives of Buffalo State’s Internal Control Program are:
It is the expectation of New York’s Office of the State Comptroller that all members of the Buffalo State College community be aware of the provisions of the Internal Control Program and participate in its success. To that end, members of the Internal Control Steering Committee are actively engaged in program oversight, and the work of the committee will ensure campus adherence to program guidelines. Please recognize the significance of this program when contacted, or when program changes occur in your area that may affect internal controls. Successful internal controls are everyone’s responsibility.
If you have questions regarding the Internal Control Program, please contact Rebecca Schenk, director of budget and internal controls, at 878-4312.
From the Chair of the College Senate
The Research Foundation of the State University of New York and the University Faculty Senate will sponsor a free workshop, “How to Get Your Proposal Funded,” from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Buffalo Marriott Niagara, 1340 Millersport Highway, Amherst, on Monday, October 6.
Hosted by the University at Buffalo, the workshop will provide essential information to increase the number of successfully funded SUNY faculty research proposals. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Details about the program, including speakers, are available on theUniversity Faculty Senate Web site. The workshop is free, but registration is required.
From the Chair of the College Senate
Please be informed that the following motion was discussed at the September 2008 meeting of the College Senate and will be voted upon at the October 2008 meeting:
Motion to Remove the ‘Double-Dipping’ Restriction in the Intellectual Foundations Program
Introduced by the Instruction and Research Committee at the May 2008 Senate meeting:
WHEREAS, limitations on students’ ability to “double-dip” requirements between certain Intellectual Foundations categories and their majors present graduation difficulties for students in some majors; and
WHEREAS, the goal of breadth in students’ education can be substantively achieved with a less restrictive policy,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Intellectual Foundations resolution as amended be changed
From the current language: Each student may select one course from the Cognate Foundations or American History or Civilizations areas (up to 4 credits total) in her or his major to fulfill both a major requirement and an Intellectual Foundations requirement.
To: Each student may use courses to fulfill both major requirements and Intellectual Foundations requirements.
Domestic violence permeates the lives and compromises the safety of thousands of New York State employees each day, with tragic, destructive, and often fatal results. Domestic violence occurs within a wide spectrum of relationships, including married and formerly married couples; couples with children in common; couples who live together or have lived together; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender couples; and couples who are dating or who have dated in the past.
Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of coercive tactics that can include physical, psychological, sexual, economic, and emotional abuse perpetrated by one person against an adult intimate partner with the goal of establishing and maintaining power and control over the victim. In addition to exacting a tremendous toll from the individuals it directly affects, domestic violence often spills over into the workplace, compromising the safety of both victims and co-workers and resulting in lost productivity, increased health-care costs, increased absenteeism, and increased employee turnover.
Buffalo State College, to the fullest extent possible without violating any existing rules, regulations, statutory requirements, contractual obligations, or collective bargaining agreements, will take all appropriate actions to promote safety in the workplace and respond effectively to the needs of victims of domestic violence.
The college’s Policy on Domestic Violence and the Workplace is available on the Web in its entirety.
From University Police
As part of our ongoing campus-safety initiatives, the Buffalo State College Annual Security Report has been updated and is available for download from theUniversity Police Web site. Questions about the Annual Security Report should be directed to the chief of university police at 878-6333.
Portions of the Buffalo State College Emergency Response Plan are available on the University Police Web site.