SUNY Potsdam

Reporter      No.1024      10/23/09   

Faculty Senate Meeting Agenda

There will be a meeting of the Faculty Senate on October 29 at 4 p.m. in Kellas 106.

The agenda for the Faculty Senate meeting is as follows:

1.  Approval of the agenda as sent to the faculty by e-mail, published in The Reporter of October 23, and posted on the Faculty Senate Web page http://www.potsdam.edu/faculty/senate/index.cfm

2.  Approval of the minutes of the Faculty Senate meeting of October 15, as sent to the faculty by e-mail, published in The Reporter of October 23, and posted on the Faculty Senate Web page http://www.potsdam.edu/faculty/senate/index.cfm

3.  Report from the Faculty Senate Chair – Chris Lanz

4. Report from the SGA President – Danielle McMullen

5.  Report from the University Faculty Senator – Joe Hildreth

6.  Action Items:

7.  Standing Committee Reports
Academic Policies, Standards and Advising (APSA) –     Harold Ellingsen, chair
Academic Programs and Curriculum (APCC) – Michael     Yeomans, chair
Admissions Committee – Susan Haller, chair
Business Affairs Committee – Louise Tyo, convener
Goals and Planning Committee – Krista LaVack & Rob     Ewy, chair
Graduate Affairs Committee – Lisa Wilson, co-chair
Student Affairs Committee – Jessica Rood, chair
Nominating Committee – Jamey Hoose, chair

8. TLTR Report – David Gingrich

9.  Report from the President – John F. Schwaller

10. Report from the Provost – Maggie Madden

11.  SEFA Campaign – Diane Brown

12.  New Business

Adjourn

Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes

There was a meeting of the Faculty Senate on October 15.  The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. in Kellas 106.

1.  The agenda, as sent to the faculty by e-mail, and published in The Reporter of October 9, and posted on the Faculty Senate Web page http://www.potsdam.edu/faculty/senate/index.cfm was approved.

2.  The minutes of the Faculty Senate meeting of September 24, as sent to the faculty by e-mail, published in The Reporter of October 9, and posted on the Faculty Senate Web page http://www.potsdam.edu/faculty/senate/index.cfm were approved.

3.  Report from the Faculty Senate Chair – Chris Lanz

C. Lanz has received notification from President Schwaller, that the Asian Studies Minor was approved. 

Thanks to Danielle McMullen for the following finding student representatives to serve on standing committees:

Business Affairs- Alice Sorensen
Student Affairs- Bradley Rooke and Ashley Balbian
ASPA- Leanne Merrill

If anyone knows of any other students willing to participate, please let Lanz know, as there are still a few vacancies.

Program proposals for changes to the Writing concentration, Creative Writing concentration, Literature concentration and the Writing minor have been received.   In addition, a proposal for a BFA in Creative Writing has been received.  Impact statements are working their way through committees.

There is an LTEC workshop on the Institutional Research Board workshop on Friday, Oct. 16.

There will be no Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting next week.  Lanz will be attending the University Faculty Senate meeting in Albany.  If anyone has any agenda items you would like him to bring to the University Faculty Senate, let him know.

Reminder: Lanz has open office hours Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. in Becky’s Place.

Lanz is interested in mobilizing faculty to take an activist role regarding the budget crisis.   There is an upcoming special UUP chapter meeting with state representatives on October 28, (two sessions, noon and 4 p.m.).  UUP needs faculty participation to enable them to be effective.  UUP and the Faculty Senate are interested in trying to facilitate communication processes regarding policy decisions, especially, who can say what to whom.  All faculty are urged to attend.

There are copies of a two-question survey on the back table.  Please complete the forms and return them to Lanz.  It would be useful for the Faculty Senate to know how the budget cuts will impact faculty’s ability to perform their duties. 

Lanz presented a resolution drafted by the Executive Committee, formally requesting information from President Schwaller regarding the budget gap.  The resolution was not voted on, but Lanz will be bringing it to President Schwaller for discussion.  If anyone has comments, or suggestions, please contact Lanz.  The resolution is:

“That the Faculty Senate Executive Committee asks President Schwaller to share with the faculty, in as much detail as possible, the College’s plans to meet the budget gap in 2010, especially as they may affect college faculty.  We similarly ask for information for meeting including contingency plans and potential new cuts that may occur.”

4. Report from the SGA President – Danielle McMullen
Many SGA club activities have been suspended due to an interruption of the SGA insurance coverage.  SGA has instituted an interim policy to allow groups to continue until an insurance policy solution is found.

Interim solution is as follows:
1. Personal Insurance (school or personal provider)
2. Sign liability waiver
3. Participants must attend a Safety and Facility usage workshop
4. Certified instructor or trainer must be present.

J. Trybula asked about the criteria for deciding which SGA groups were assigned a high-risk designation.  For example, the Frisbee club cannot have a Frisbee game or tournament, but the Biology Club can.   McMullen responded that the designations were made at an SGA meeting where a list of groups was compiled, based on the name of the group, or the knowledge of the meeting participants.   McMullen is aware that the list is not entirely fair or accurate.

The interim policy was set to enable groups to function.  SGA is currently insurance shopping, but there are not many options.  SGA is trying to obtain a policy that includes third party participants, such as spectators.

E-mail McMullen if you have and questions at x3285.

SGA is planning a World Music Festival in March 2010.
SGA is planning another protest at the capital. The trip is expected to be more successful than last year.  SGA plans to utilize campus contacts.  College Council members have offered their services.

M. Leuthold asked whether there were plans to mobilize students to write legislators regarding the budget situation.  McMullen responded: Yes.  She has been in talks with several individuals.  Budget issues are still up in the air, and it is not clear where cuts are going to be applied. C. Lanz stated that UUP Chapter President Laura Rhodes and the Faculty Senate would appreciate cooperation and collaboration.  The Faculty Senate and UUP are willing to assist with the Albany trip.

McMullen stated that SGA received assistance from Mike Lewis and President Schwaller regarding the budget situation last year and were able to present impacts to legislators.

SGA is planning a voter registration drive.

5.  Report from the University Faculty Senator – Joe Hildreth
University Faculty Senate meets next week.

Phase II of Chancellor Zimpher’s planning process is going forward.  The first meeting of the Planning Committee will be held at Hudson Valley Community College next week. 

The Special Joint Committee on Transfers has prepared two draft documents clarifying SUNY position on transfers.  There is some concern as to how the new Chancellor may decide to implement them.  Committee has sent two versions of the Transfer Committee recommendation.  They are optimistic that the Chancellor will accept one of them.

6.  Action Items:

•    Resolution regarding Faculty Governance Hour
Resolved, That the Faculty Senate requests the Provost to take actions to make the scheduling of Fall and Spring Semester classes during the Faculty Governance Hour (Thursdays, 4:00-5:00) possible only with the approval of the appropriate Dean, and that in recognition of the importance of participating in shared governance, as expressed in the Bylaws of the Faculty and in the Policies of the Board of Trustees, the Deans take all possible measures to limit exceptions to this policy.  We support a directive to the Registrar to make the scheduling of conflicting classes impossible without approval from the appropriate Dean.

Walt Connelly pointed out that this is not a new policy, but a reaffirmation of an existing policy established in the faculty handbook.  Lanz pointed out that the resolutions makes it impossible to schedule classes without approval from the Deans.

W. Connelly moved, S. Haller seconded, to approve the resolution.  The resolution was approved with one abstention.

•    Approval of committee appointments – will be done as Standing Committees report on their membership changes.

7.  Standing Committee Reports
Academic Policies, Standards and Advising (APSA) – Harold Ellingsen, Chair
Newest member of APSA is Leanne Merrill - student representative.  The APSA is still working on the Academic Progress Report proposal.  At their meeting yesterday several concerns were raised.  They will be surveying Faculty Senate members for feedback.

Academic Programs and Curriculum (APCC) – Michael Yeomans, chair
APCC just received the proposals from the English Department.  They will be meeting on October 26 to discuss the proposal.  Department Chair Lisa Wilson, will attend to field questions.  Walt Connelly reported informally that the Business Affairs Committee had no comments regarding impact of the proposals on campus funds.

Admissions Committee – Susan Haller, chair
The Committee has met once on October 2, to set their meeting times for fall 2010 admissions.  New member - Kathleen Miller (Crane).  The committee is reviewing the new test optional admissions policy for certain tiers of students.  There will be small changes to the policy, if test scores are determined to be required, the scores will be obtained from the testing agency.

Business Affairs Committee – Louise Tyo, convener
No report.  C. Lanz reported on the Resource Transparency Committee Web site.  They are asking each department to check the site to verify that data about their department is accurate.  The Resource Transparency Committee intends to include Mike Lewis’ presentation from last spring on the Web site.

Goals and Planning Committee – Krista LaVack & Rob     Ewy, chair
The Committee continues to work on charge to review the plan.

Graduate Affairs Committee – Lisa Wilson, co-chair
Tony Betrus and L. Wilson have been elected co-chairs.  Currently the committee has no official charge and no progress or work to report. 

Student Affairs Committee – Jessica Rood, chair
The committee met on October 20 with Chris Strong.  They have a charge from Chris to gather information on campus traditions.

Nominating Committee – Jamey Hoose, chair
No report.

8. TLTR Report – David Gingrich
TLTR is scheduled to meet in a few weeks. The three sub-committees are working.  An extra committee on large-format printing has been established.  Mark Huff is the chair.  They are looking into issues such as efficiency, cost effectiveness, access, etc.

9. Report from the President – John F. Schwaller
Schwaller reported on his meeting last week with the new Chancellor and the planning process for the budget for next year.  The Chancellor was sympathetic about the cuts.  Many other campuses are faced with similar difficult decisions. 

The chancellor outlined the budget process in Albany: In the past, when reductions come from the state, they are sent to SUNY, then SUNY sends them on to campuses using a formula.

New process includes a steering committee to assist in evaluating how reductions will be allocated.  The committee consists of five campus presidents, three to four CFOs, two provosts, etc.  The steering committee will be consulting more intimately with representatives from each campus.  Deb Stanley, president of Oswego, and John Ettling from Plattsburg are on the steering committee.  We don’t know what the impact of the latest $90 million reduction will be on our campus.  It would be about $1.5 million if the old formula were applied.  Hopefully the steering committee will cut Potsdam less.

Schwaller met with the governor, Comptroller DiNapoli and Senators Russell and Aubertine at the Democrats dinner last Tuesday.  Before the meeting he worked with Mike Lewis to outline the extents of budget cuts the campus has suffered in recent history.   Potsdam has had $7 million in cuts, so far over time.  One proposal to increase tuition for out-of-state students would be disastrous for most campuses.  Plattsburgh and Potsdam have a high number of Canadian students.

Schaller announced he is planning to make a document available on the Web to clarify the perception vs. the reality of the budget cuts.

The College Cabinet continues to work on permanent cuts for 2010-2011.  Schwaller plans to give a presentation in a few weeks.

President Schwaller then fielded questions from the floor:

Q: Will having a state-wide steering committee to recommend budget cuts be disadvantageous to Potsdam if we don’t have a representative on the committee? And won’t a committee process slow the decision process down?  A: I am not too worried.  President Stanley from Plattsburgh is familiar with the issues we are facing.  I am confident they will try to find a better way to distribute cuts. The chancellor is aware of the need for speed.

The chancellor will be having hearings around the state.  The Planning Committee of 200 members includes three individuals from Potsdam (Joe Hildreth, Lynn Hall and College Council member June O’Neill).

Q: Will Stanley be objective and sympathetic?  A: So far K-12 has been held harmless throughout the budget cuts.  I am confident that the committee will be objective and recognize that the level of cuts to SUNY have been disproportionate.

Q:  Is it a possibility that emergency powers may take effect during the budget crisis?  A: The Policies of the State Board of Regents will stay in effect.

Q: Will having the co-generation plant facility on line realize savings?  A. The price of natural gas is low right now.  We may realize savings.  Whether it will be significant, it is unsure. 

10. Report from the provost – Maggie Madden
Madden had nothing new to report.  She then fielded questions from the floor. There were no questions.

11.  New Business

Meeting Adjourned at 5:03 p.m.

CAMPUS NOTES

Open Office Hours for the President

The next series of open office hours for members of the campus community to meet with President Schwaller have been scheduled.  To make a 15-minute appointment during one of the following times, please contact Diane Brown by phone at x2100 or by e-mail at browndr:

Monday, Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Appointment of Director at the SUNY Center for Professional Development

Kim Scalzo has been appointed to the position of Director at the SUNY Center for Professional Development.  Scalzo will provide leadership to the center’s program planning and support services and will interact with a variety of University-wide initiatives and CPD member campuses. 

Scalzo has spent the past 18 years in a variety of administrative and leadership roles at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.  Most recently, she was Director of Academic Outreach Programs with overall responsibility for Rensselaer’s Summer, Continuing Education, Distance Learning and Outreach Programs.  Her functional areas of responsibility included campus-wide planning, quality assurance, program and curriculum development, new business development, customer relationship management, promotion, recruitment and the provision of customized services for students, faculty, and corporate customers.

Prior to working at Rensselaer, she worked for the New York State Science and Technology Foundation (now NYSTAR) providing oversight for research contracts with universities and scholarship programs for high school students.

Additionally, she is a member of the National University Telecommunications Network (NUTN) Advisory Board and the SUNY Plattsburgh Alumni Association Board of Directors.

For more information, please visit the SUNY CPD Web site at http://www.cpd.suny.edu and join us in welcoming her to the SUNY Community.

Message from Human Resources

Please find below The Empire Plan Basic Medical Program/Non-Network Practitioners Annual Deductible and Coinsurance Maximum for calendar year 2010. You may want to keep this information in mind as you plan for the upcoming year. These changes will be announced in the December 2009 Empire Plan Reports. Please remember, you have no deductible or coinsurance when you use The Empire Plan participating provider program. You can find participating doctors or labs at: http://www.empireplanproviders.com or by calling the number on the back of your card. Bi-weekly rates are not yet available.

Annual Deductible
(Per enrollee, per spouse or domestic partner, per all dependent children combined)

CSEA    $250
ALESU    $375 CPI**
M/C    $375 CPI**
PEF    $375 CPI**
UUP    $375 CPI**

Coinsurance Maximum
(Out-of-pocket expense)

CSEA     $500/300***
ALESU  $1389 CPI*
M/C      $1033
PEF        $1033
UUP          $1033                                               

*Each program's deductible, coinsurance and maximum coinsurance amount is separate and not combined with any other deductible, coinsurance and maximum coinsurance amount.

**These changes reflect the 3.3 percent increase in the medical care component of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, all Cities (C.P.I.-W.) for the period July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.

***The coinsurance maximum out of pocket expense will be reduced to $300 for calendar year 2010 for employees in or equated to Salary grade 6 or below on January 1, 2010.

SUNY Potsdam in the News

The following are selected headlines from local newspapers featuring SUNY Potsdam and its people.

Thursday, October 15
Watertown Daily Times:
SUNY Potsdam Alum Returns

Friday, October 16
Courier-Observer:
Record Breaker (photo)
Story of Early Famous Model Enacted
Frackenpohl
Readings at SUNY
See Grand “Aida” Live in HD
Ensemble Dazzles with Salsa
Guest Cellist Hartka Performs with Crane Faculty Oct. 26

Watertown Daily Times:
SUNY Potsdam Team Wins Competition

Saturday, October 17
Watertown Daily Times:
Natural Redheads (photo)

Sunday, October 18
Advance News:
Orchestra of NNY Opens Concert Season on Sat
16th Annual Diversity Festival Set for Nov. 7
Potsdam Roxy Offer Aida Love Story
Brewer Performing Oct. 29
World in Potsdam Festival Nov. 7
Bone Marrow Registry Sign Up Oct. 21

Tuesday, October 20
Courier-Observer:
Field Trip (photo)
Join Bone Marrow Donor List
ONNY Starts 22nd Concert Season Saturday

Watertown Daily Times:
The Met: Live in HD Features “Aida” this Weekend

Wednesday, October 21
Courier-Observer:
Author Wants to Boost Young Readers
Sample International Foods
ONNY Announces Competition
Honeywell Supports Tournament
Bone Marrow Registry Sign Up Oct. 21
Student Win Ethics Prize
SUHRA Award SUNY Potsdam’s Perry, Butler
Climate Action Rally Saturday

North Country This Week:
Writers’ Reading
CPS to Feature Christine Brewer
Archives Showcased at SUNY Potsdam
Crane Faculty, Cellist to Perform
“Aida” Next Met Presentation at Potsdam Roxy Theater
SUNY Potsdam Group Joining Climate Rally Oct. 24
Life of a Popular Model Portrayed in “American Muse”

SUNY Press Executive Director Gary Dunham on Campus

The LTEC and the Center for Undergraduate Research are happy to announce that Dr. Gary Dunham, executive director of SUNY Press, visiting at SUNY Potsdam on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Dunham will be giving a presentation for interested faculty in the LTEC from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. about publishing and SUNY Press. Designed especially for junior faculty and other first-time authors, this intensive workshop covers the fundamentals of getting your book published. Giving special attention are the following topics: a detailed breakdown of the academic publishing process today, how to research and select the right publisher for your manuscript, how to make contact with a publisher, how to write cover letters/e-mails and proposals, how to respond to readers’ reports, the basic elements of a publishing contract and how to handle rejection.

A reception will follow.

Dr. Dunham will be available for appointments from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.  For questions or to schedule an appointment, please contact Bethany Usher at usherbm@potsdam.edu.

SUNY Strategic Planning Web Site 

The SUNY Strategic Plan Web site has been launched and will be the hub of all communications regarding the plan. Please bookmark the site http://www.suny.edu/strategicplan

SUNY's strategic planning process is now moving into its second phase. The Chancellor has completed her 64-campus tour, convened a Strategic Planning steering committee named representatives to the “Group of 200” and will embark on the first of seven “Conversations” designed to engage all audiences, solicit ideas, and create a statewide dialogue that will culminate in a five-year Strategic Plan for SUNY.

Social Media & Generation SUNY

Social media will play a critical role in the planning process. David Belsky has been named special assistant for Strategic Communications and will oversee various tools designed to keep you informed and to solicit feedback during planning. You may contact him at david.belsky@suny.edu or (518) 443-5311.

Deemed “Generation SUNY,” applications like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube have been branded to allow us to open the doors to truly transparent dialogue and real-time feedback and comments.

Join the Conversation

Please encourage everyone on your campus to become engaged using these tools:

1) Follow SUNY on Twitter at www.twitter.com/generationsuny.

2) Become a SUNY Fan on Facebook - www.facebook.com/pages/Albany-NY/The-State-University-of-New-York/142124764984

SUNY Potsdam Weekly Wall Calendar

The Office of Student Involvement & Leadership is collecting event information for the spring 2010 semester to be included in the SUNY Potsdam Weekly (SPW) wall calendar, which will be posted across campus and distributed to students, faculty and staff at the start of the spring semester.

In addition, all events will be included in the other forms of SPW (tabletents, fliers, channel 6, Facebook, Web site) and on the digital sign in the Union throughout the spring 2010 semester.

The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, Nov. 18. Our goal is to include as many events as possible and we would greatly appreciate your submission.  Please forward any submissions including event title, date, time, and location via e-mail to doldjm@potsdam.edu.

In an effort to maximize the number of listings on our publication, we are looking for concise entries.  The format for submissions should be as follows:

Date; Title; Location; Time.  Ex: Friday, February 20: Women's Hockey vs. Utica, Maxcy, 4 p.m.

An entry can also include a sponsor if needed.  The format with a sponsor should be as follows:

Date; Sponsor; Title; Location; Time.  Ex: Tuesday, February 16: PLACES presents Effective Organizational Marketing, Fireside Lounge, 6 p.m.

In addition to submitting events for our macro pieces, you can also submit for our weekly publications at any point during the semester.   Event information is due by Wednesday, by noon the week prior to the event.  Events can be submitted through the following Web site, www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/spw. Click on "Submit an Event" or e-mail our office at spw@potsdam.edu.

Career Fair Style Program to Select Major

We need your help with encouraging students to attend "A Major Affair.” The event is scheduled on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the Barrington Student Union, MPR and sponsored by Career Planning, Center for Campus Life and Alumni Offices.

This event is a career fair style program geared toward freshmen, sophomores and undeclared students.  At this event students will have the opportunity to speak informally with faculty representatives from all undergraduate academic departments, alumni, and student services staff.

If you have questions or need more information, feel free to call Career Planning at x2344. We thank you for your help.

Student Teaching in Australia

Drop-In informational meetings for students interested in Student Teaching in Australia will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Satterlee 113 boardroom.

Morning session: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Afternoon session: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend part or all of a session and to meet Colin Balfour, managing consultant, Australian Student Teaching Program.  Student teaching abroad in Australia is coordinated through SUNY Potsdam's Office of International Education, the Office of Field Experiences and Colin Balfour.  All students interested in this program are encouraged to meet Balfour and learn more about student teaching in Australia. These are drop-in sessions that students and faculty can attend as their schedules allow.

More information may be found at http://www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/fieldexperiences/australia.cfm

Faculty Readings

"Sampler Series": Readings by Potsdam Creative Writing Faculty. Viki Levitt and James Hall. Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. in Carson 106 College Writing Center.

"Sampler Series": Readings by Potsdam Creative Writing Faculty Stephanie Coyne DeGhett and Alan Steinberg, Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. in Carson 106 College Writing Center.

Halloween Reading and Costume Contest

Halloween Reading and Costume Contest to benefit scholarships for English Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta. Reading to be held on Oct. 29, at 4 p.m. in Carson 106, College Writing Center featuring Dr. Donald McNutt, Heather Horning and Abid Salem. 

Costume contest with prizes at 8 p.m. in Union Fireside Lounge.  Readers of appropriate Halloween or scary material welcome at both events.

New Exhibition in Dunn Theater Lobby

A new exhibition, "Juliana Seraphim & the Nobel Laureates," has opened in the Dunn Hall Theater Lobby and will remain in place until the end of the semester.  In 1971, the artist, Juliana Seraphim, was commissioned to produce a limited edition set of etchings honoring nine Nobel Laureates in Literature. The Gibson Gallery has six etchings honoring three Nobel Laureates.  They will be displayed through December in the Dunn Lobby exhibit cases, along with the story of the etchings and biographies of the artist and the Laureates.

State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) Update

After our first week of the SEFA campaign, we have raised more than $2,500 for deserving organizations in St. Lawrence County and nationwide.  Thank you to everyone who has contributed thus far.  If you would like to contribute, please call Diane at x2100 or e-mail her at browndr@potsdam.edu for a SEFA form.  Our campaign runs through December 4. 

Emerging Leaders Hosts Potsdam Appreciation Week

Emerging Leaders will be holding the Inaugural Potsdam Appreciation Week (PAW) in the lobby of Barrington Student Union October 26 through October 30.  The event will be held daily between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.  Throughout the event, Emerging Leaders will offer games, prizes, voting and other activities to show appreciation to a different component of SUNY Potsdam every day of the week.

Throughout the week, Emerging Leaders will also accept contributions to the 09/10 Student Gift, which will be a donation to Students’ Greatest Needs, as voted on by the student body during Welcome Weekend and other student events earlier this year.  All proceeds of PAW will go toward the student gift.

Each day of the event the College Store will be offering a 20 percent discount on your purchase (exceptions: textbooks, special orders, postage stamps, computer software and electronics) for the following groups: Faculty, Staff, Students, members of Student Organizations (must wear a student organization shirt).

Schedule of Events:
Monday – Appreciating Faculty
In the Union, you will be able to send thank you notes and coupons for coffee to your favorite professor.  You will also have the opportunity to vote for professors for different categories.  You may even have an opportunity to see one of your professors in our “lock-up.”

Tuesday – Appreciating Students
Come on down and send your friends a balloon message, personally delivered by an Emerging Leader.  Vote for the student with the most school spirit.

Wednesday – Appreciating Student Groups
Show your school spirit and support your favorite student organization during our “Coin Carnival.”  The group with the most money in their jar at the end of the day will win most spirited student group (a $50 prize).  You can also send thank you notes to your fellow student group members.

Thursday – Appreciating Staff
Swing by the Union to check out our service auction offered by SUNY Potsdam staff.  Some services include 30-minute tarot reading, manicure and resume workshops.  You can also vote for your favorite staff person.

Friday – Closing Ceremony (Noon – 1 p.m.)
Attend the closing ceremony and see who won the most votes for all of the votes throughout the week, such as:

•    Most Spirited
•    Faculy Superlatives
•    Favorite Staff Categories
•    Student Group Jar Wars
•    And much more

For more information about the event, contact Taylor Harper at harpertp@potsdam.edu or Ruth Policella at policera@potsdam.edu.

Emerging Leaders is a student group that focuses on volunteerism and philanthropy at SUNY Potsdam.  The group represents the up-and-coming leaders of today’s campus and tomorrow’s alumni.

Support Available for Service-Learning Courses & Activities

Thanks to the generosity of the Institute for Ethical Behavior an endowment has been established in honor of Dr. Harold Hughes to provide service-learning opportunities and experiences for SUNY Potsdam students related to the promotion of ethical behavior. Preference shall be given to those programs that address North Country at-risk-youth and criminal justice-related programs. 

Faculty may apply for funding for activities that may include, but are not limited to, transportation to community site(s), support materials for projects, and project activities such as learning games for an after-school tutoring program. 

Send a one-page description of the project with budget to Toby White, director, Office of Experiential Education, Sisson S116. There is a maximum award up to $250 per course.  Grants will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Service-Learning Course Development

Faculty interested in developing service-learning courses should contact the campus faculty liaison for service-learning, Heather Sullivan-Catlin in the Department of Sociology, at x2570 or e-mail sullivha@potsdam.edu.  Sullivan-Catlin has a variety of resources on service-learning curriculum development for many disciplines and is available for one-on-one consultations with individual faculty or for presentations to whole departments/programs.  For more information on the campus criteria for designating courses as SL (service-learning) see the Office of Experiential Education Web site at www.potsdam.edu/EEO.

Individual Development Awards

The Individual Development Awards Committee is accepting applications for Individual Development Awards.  More information can be found at http://www.nysuup.lmc.state.ny.us/development/individual.html.

The deadline for submittal of applications is November 6.  Please visit the UUP or the Office of Human Resources Web site for details.

Optional Retirement Reps on Campus

Dave Howe, a representative from TIAA-CREF, will be on campus on November 18 and December 16. If anyone would like to meet with him, please call the Rochester office at 1-877-209-3144.

Rick Wolf, a representative from VALIC, will be on campus on October 29, November 12 and December 10. If you would like to meet with him, please send him an e-mail Rick.Wolf@VALIC.com.

Employee Assistance Program

The SUNY Potsdam Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has two EAP Coordinators, Toby White, at x3434 and Ada Santaferra, at x2229. Both are available to discuss personal concerns and make appropriate referrals. You may contact Toby or Ada at the numbers listed above, or you may call the Statewide EAP in Albany at 1-800-822-0244. EAP is a confidential referral service available to all campus employees, retirees and their families.

OFF CAMPUS

Seminar on Global Recession

The mini-seminar will be held at SUNY Canton at noon on October 29.  Everyone is welcome, cost is free and it should be an interesting discussion on The Global Recession and its Impact on the Eastern European Criminal Justice System.

CALENDAR

October

Faculty and Staff Excellence

Biman Das (physics) was the advisor of a research paper titled "Inspection of the Path Length of a Relativistic Projectile", published by his student, Nicholas Trombley, at the Proceedings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research held at University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, WI, April 15 – April 17, 2009. Trombley is a physics major who plans to teach physics after he graduates.

Donald George (Crane) just returned from Germany having performed in the famous Crystal Hall of the Salt Mines of Heilbronn, Germany. The Crystal Hall was built in 1903, 600 feet underground as a place of worship and is also used as a concert hall with wonderful acoustics.

Maria Hepel (chemistry) had her paper, “Antineoplastic Drug, Interactions with DNA Modified Gold Piezoelectrodes,” published as a chapter in the Electrochemical Society Transactions book titled, Dielectric and Engineered Interfaces in Biological and Biomedical Applications, Volume 19, 2009.

The paper was coauthored with Anna Nowicka, a postdoctoral research associate from Warsaw University and Shawn Hafner, a SUNY Potsdam graduate student.  The project was partially funded by DOD Grant No. AS073218.

David S. Kistler (business administration) conducted a simultaneous chess exhibition, where he played all participants at the same time, at Massena High School for the students and faculty on Tuesday, Oct. 20.  There were 26 students and faculty.  Final outcome was 25 wins and 1 draw for Kistler.

Frank A. Revetta, (geology) presented a poster on the relation of earthquakes to gravity anomalies in New York State at the Seismological Society of America Conference at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University.

PACES NEWS

The College Store & Union Market Sales

October 26 – October 31
SCARY MOVIE DEAL, $6 liter of soda, popcorn and selected scary movie titles, Union Market.
20 percent off CDR’s, DVD’s and CD’s, Union Market.

GEEK WEEK,The College Store, sale specials.

October 31
Local pumpkins available for purchase at the Union Market.

Make a Difference Week
Make a difference day coupons will be distributed to people interested in making a donation during Make a Difference Week. Visit a table at the Student Union to receive one good on purchases made at the College Store or Union Market.
 
Annual NACUFS Dining Services Benchmarking Survey
November 9 – November 20
Faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in this national benchmarking survey. On or after November 9, log on to your BearPAWS account to get a unique identifier. Use that code to log into the survey. A faculty/staff e-mail will be sent to those who do not access BearPAWS. Prizes are awarded randomly to people who participate in the survey and evaluate at least two units.

The prizes are:
    $250 gift card to the College Store
    Garmin nuvi205 GPS
    Coby AM/FM Top Loading CD Player
    Meade Capture View Binoculars with VGA Digital Camera & video capture
    Kross Highway Emergency Road Kit
    (5) Flex Account credits of $15
    (5) Coupons for a free pizza & soda
    (5) Coupons for a free gourmet dessert & coffee

New Meal Plans Announced for 2009-10
For a complete listing and description of meal plans, visit
http://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/dining/MealPlans/0910residents.cfm

VACANCIES

Keyboard Specialist 1

ID. NO. TBD       
Salary Grade 6
Temporary Full-Time            
Salary:   $11.50/Hour

Keyboard Specialists 1 incumbent format and type correspondence, reports, forms, charts and other material to produce final copy that is accurate and grammatically correct.  This work is carried out under varying conditions of direction and availability of guidelines and by the skilled use of various kinds of equipment, such as microcomputers with a variety of software packages, other automated systems and equipment and typewriters.  Keyboard Specialists 1 typically spend the majority of their work time operating equipment which requires the skilled manipulation of an alphanumeric keyboard in accordance with standards of acceptable levels of production to prepare correspondence, reports, charts and other material.

Qualifications: 
There are no minimum requirements of education or experience.

Supervisor:    Joshua Holmes
Location:        Graduate Studies
Shift:                Days, Monday through Friday

Persons who are interested and who qualify for this position may apply at http://employment.potsdam.edu by November 3, 2009, close of business.

Keyboard Specialist 2

ID NO. 00342     
Salary Grade 9
Permanent Full Time   
Salary: $31,397

Keyboard Specialists 2 are second level positions in the Keyboard Specialist Series and are located throughout State service.  Incumbents perform complicated clerical processing and records maintenance activities, perform a variety of office support activities and/or may supervise staff assigned to keyboarding and clerical activities.  All of these functions require skilled use of keyboarding and information processing equipment and systems. 

Minimum Qualifications:
One year of service as a Keyboard Specialist 1. This is a competitive class position.  To be eligible for appointment, applicants must be reachable from the appropriate Civil Service List.

Location:        Student Success Center
Supervisor:    Shailindar Singh 
Shift:                Days, Monday through Friday

Persons who are interested and who qualify for this position may apply at http://employment.potsdam.edu/

RESEARCH

Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant

The Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant application deadline for fall 2009 Department Curriculum Development Program awards is November 2. The deadline for Faculty/Student Travel Program awards to conferences is November 9. Faculty interested in submitting a proposal should visit the Title III Web site at http://www.potsdam.edu/faculty/research/titleiii for additional information, including application forms and funding levels or contact Gerald L. Ratliff, Title III Project Director, at x2107.

Institutional Review Board

The SUNY Potsdam Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews and approves all research activity involving the use of human subjects or activities involving data collection from, or related to, human subjects. State and federal laws require that all projects involving human subjects be reviewed.

Please allow adequate time for your proposal to be reviewed prior to the intended start date of the project. The board requires sufficient time to review the proposal and to suggest any revisions prior to project approval by the institutional official. Please use the following as a guide for submission of proposals:

Fall 2009 Meeting Schedule

An electronic copy of the application should be submitted to the chair, Maureen McCarthy, at mccartma@potsdam.edu. In addition, the signed cover page with original signature(s) should be mailed to Maureen McCarthy, Dunn Hall 100C.

If you are unsure whether the research you plan to conduct should be submitted for IRB review or if have any questions about the IRB process, please contact McCarthy at x2919 or by e-mail at mccartma@potsdam.edu.

The Institutional Review Board has extended the approval of the project “TLQP - Inservice Professional Development Reflection,” submitted by Julie Reagan, Department of Curriculum and Instruction. This approval has been extended through August 31, 2010.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Meetings

The SUNY Potsdam IACUC reviews any use of live animals in research, teaching, service or display by faculty, staff or students affiliated with SUNY Potsdam, regardless of where the activity occurs and of the activities funding source.

Please allow adequate time for your proposal to be reviewed prior to the intended start date of the project. The committee requires sufficient time to review the proposal and to suggest any revisions prior to project approval by the institutional official.

If you are unsure whether the project you plan to conduct should be submitted to the IACUC or have questions about the approval process, please contact Steve Marqusee, chair of the IACUC, at x3186 or by e-mail at marqussj@potsdam.edu.

Researchers are reminded that state and federal laws require that all projects involving animal subjects be reviewed. Application forms are available in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Researchers may contact Kathy LaMay at x3121 or by e-mail at lamaykm@potsdam.edu for application materials.

Title III Undergraduate Research Programs for 2009-2010

SUNY Potsdam is the recipient of a five-year, $1.6 million Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant Award from the U.S. Department of Education to promote undergraduate research across-the-curriculum, enhance faculty professional development related to undergraduate research and support student/faculty participation at regional and national conferences. For additional information, please contact Gerald L. Ratliff, Title III project director at ratlifgl@potsdam.edu, or Julie Ellingsen at ellingmj@potsdam.edu, Title III administrative assistant. The following campus award program applications are available at http://www.potsdam.edu/faculty/research/titleiii/index.cfm.
                           

Faculty Professional Development

The goal of the faculty development travel program is to provide professional enrichment opportunities for faculty to attend regional/national association meetings or conferences to cultivate instructional skills or teaching techniques related to undergraduate research. 

Application deadlines: February 26.

Faculty Curriculum Development

The goal of the faculty curriculum development program is to integrate undergraduate research into an individual course that will have significant impact on a substantial number of students. The curricular proposal may focus on plans to revise an existing course or design a new course that introduces and promotes active research opportunities for undergraduate students. 

Application deadlines:  December 7 and April 2.

Student/Faculty Travel

The goal of the student/faculty undergraduate travel program is to increase the current number of students/faculty engaged in collaborative projects of high quality whose preliminary research results are competitively presented at regional or national conferences. 

Application deadlines:  November 9, February 15 and March 29.

Department Curriculum Development

The goal of the department curriculum development program is to permanently incorporate additional or new undergraduate research opportunities in at least three required or elective courses in the academic and/or minor degree-granting curricula. The curricular proposal may focus on plans to revise existing programs and courses or design new courses that promote active research opportunities for undergraduate students. 

Application deadlines: November 2 and March 22.

Research and Creative Endeavors Program for 2009-2010

The Research and Creative Endeavors Program is designed to provide faculty with seed money to pursue a research or scholarly project and eventually seek and attract external funding for their work.   As in the past, in making awards, the Committee will especially emphasize projects that have the potential to encourage new faculty, women and minorities; to support research and creative endeavors across the disciplines; and to attract external resources.  The maximum award per project is $1,000.  Generally, this program does not provide funding for conference travel, computer equipment and general office expenses.

DEADLINES:  April 7, 2010

Grant Development Program 2009-2010

This program will provide awards of up to $1,500 to full-time faculty or professional staff to pursue the development of new proposals for submission to external funding agencies.  All successful applicants will be required to submit a full proposal (with a budget of at least $50,000/yr.) to an external sponsor within one year from the time of award.  It is expected that those interested will have identified a potential sponsor and contacted that sponsor to discuss funding possibilities.  The application form requires a description of the proposed project and a project time line that incorporates the applicant’s plans for meeting the grant submission deadline.  Allowable budget items include travel, supplies, books, duplicating, telephone, etc.

DEADLINE:  Open.

Grant Writing Initiative (GWI)

The Research and Sponsored Programs Office will make up to 6 awards of $250 each to faculty and professional staff who develop and submit viable proposals to external funding agencies during 2009-2010.  All grant proposals submitted through the Research and Sponsored Programs Office (excluding continuation and fellowship applications) will automatically be eligible.

Awards will be made based on the following considerations:

•quality of proposal

•match between proposal and sponsor (likelihood of success)

•institutional support of proposal

Up to three awards will be made in November 2009 for proposals submitted up to October 31, 2009.

Up to three awards will be made in June 2010 for proposals submitted up to May 31, 2010.

In affirming its commitment to equal opportunity for all individuals, SUNY Potsdam actively seeks faculty, staff and students without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or veteran status.