THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:

The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents

FROM:

David Johnson

COMMITTEE:

Full Board

TITLE OF ITEM:

Summary of the March 2004 Meeting

DATE OF SUBMISSION:

April 2, 2004

PROPOSED HANDLING:

Approval

RATIONALE FOR ITEM:

Approval for Public Distribution of the Summary of the Monthly Meeting

STRATEGIC GOAL:

Goal #4

AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

 

SUMMARY:                                     

 

Attached for approval is the Summary of the March 2004 Meeting of the Board of Regents.

 

Your review should focus on the summaries of discussions in Full Board.  Motions adopted in Full Board were already approved as presented.

 

It is recommended that the Regents take the following action:

 

VOTED, that the Summary of the March 2004 Meeting of the Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York be approved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                         SUMMARY OF THE MARCH MEETING

 

                              OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

 

                                                  OF

 

                THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

 

 

 

 

 

                        Held at the State Education Building

                                       Albany, New York

 

 

                                  March 22 and 23, 2004

 

 

                                          David Johnson, Secretary

                                                 Board of Regents


 

THE BOARD OF REGENTS

 

            The Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York held an executive session on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 8:00 a.m. and held two public sessions on Monday, March 22 at 9:00 a.m. and Tuesday, March 23, at 9:15 a.m. pursuant to a call duly sent to each Regent.

 

MEETING OF THE FULL BOARD, Monday, March 22

 

Board Members in Attendance:

 

Robert M. Bennett, Chancellor

Adelaide L. Sanford, Vice Chancellor

Diane McGivern

Saul B. Cohen

Robert M. Johnson

Anthony S. Bottar

Geraldine D. Chapey

Arnold B. Gardner

Harry Phillips, 3rd

Joseph E. Bowman, Jr.

James R. Tallon, Jr.

Milton L. Cofield

John Brademas

 

            Also present were the President of The University and Commissioner of Education, Richard P. Mills, the Counsel and Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs, Kathy A. Ahearn, and the Secretary, Board of Regents, David Johnson.   Regents James C. Dawson, Merryl H. Tisch and Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez were absent and excused.

 

            Chancellor Bennett called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

                                                                ACTION ITEMS

 

            MOVED, that the Board of Regents convene in executive session on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 8:00 a.m. for the purpose of discussing matters leading to the appointment of a particular person and for the purpose of discussing litigation strategy.

 

            Motion by:                Vice Chancellor Adelaide L. Sanford

            Seconded by:         Regent James R. Tallon, Jr.

            Action:                      Motion carried unanimously



Summary of the February 2004 Meeting

BR (A) 2

 

            MOVED,  that the Summary of the February 2004 Meeting of the Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York be approved.

 

            Motion by:                Regent Anthony S. Bottar

            Seconded by:         Regent Geraldine D. Chapey

            Action:                      Motion carried unanimously



State Education Department February 2004 Fiscal Report

BR (A) 3

 

            The Board received the February 2004 Fiscal Report for review and acceptance.

 

            General fund accounts are in structural balance.  With one exception, all revenue accounts are in balance, allowing for normal reimbursement delays and the planned use of prior year balances.  The exception is the Office of the Professions where the imbalance this year will be corrected next year through increased fee revenue through new professions or reduced expenditures.

 

            MOVED,  that the Board of Regents accept the February 2004 State Education Department Fiscal Report as presented.

 

            Motion by:                Regent Geraldine D. Chapey

            Seconded by:         Regent Joseph E. Bowman, Jr.

            Action:                      Motion carried unanimously

 

 

                                                           DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

Commissioner's Report to the Board of Regents

 

            The Commissioner's written monthly report focused on eight subject areas:  State Aid; AYP Report on Special Education; Continued Discussion of Middle Level; College Admission Requirements for Home Instructed Students; School Report Card Data; Developing Leaders:  Leadership Academy II; Continuing Review of Assessment Topics; and, Research on Effectiveness of Teacher Preparation in New York State.

 

            During discussion, Board members requested information on the modified temporary license program, including in New York City the reporting and non-reporting of vacancies.  Chancellor Bennett stated that a Board discussion on this subject would be scheduled in May.

 

2005-2006 Budget Development Process

BR (D) 1

 

            The Board reviewed the steps and timetable in the 2005-2006 budget development process:  review the existing three-year initiatives against established initiative outcomes and evaluation criteria (March 2004); evaluate the 2005-2006 initiatives proposed by the program offices using the established criteria in the Regents Standing Committees (June 2004); discuss the proposed 2005-2006 budget initiatives with the Full Board of Regents (July 2004); and, act on the "Bluebook" 2005-2006 Budget Proposal (September 2004).

 

School Report Card Data
BR (D) 3



            The Board reviewed significant trends in the school report card data, distributed by the Department to the public on March 17.


            The trends in the 2002-2003 statewide school report card data show:  more students are taking and passing Regents exams at 65, even as five exams are required; 96 percent of the seniors in the 1999 cohort met the Regents English exam requirement in four years; the majority of students in all racial/ethnic groups scored over 55 on the Regents English exam after four years, but an achievement gap continues by race/ethnicity; as many students scored 55 or higher on the Regents Math A exam in 2003 as took the Math I exam in 1996; in 2002-2003, 14.9 percent of grade 9 students were held back because they were not prepared for high school work; the number of high school graduates has remained stable and the percentage of students earning Regents diplomas has increased significantly since higher standards were adopted in 1996; while Hispanic and Black students in the 1998 graduation rate cohort have the lowest graduation rate after four years, they also have the largest percentage still enrolled and working toward diplomas; more students are getting a Regents diploma, requiring a 65 passing score on eight exams; and, elementary and middle school achievement is improving among all types of schools and all racial groups compared to 1999 results, with more students achieving all the standards in elementary English and math and middle school math, while fewer students are achieving all the standards in middle school English.

 

MEETING OF THE FULL BOARD, Tuesday, March 23

 

Board Members in Attendance:

 

Robert M. Bennett, Chancellor

Adelaide L. Sanford, Vice Chancellor

Diane McGivern

Saul B. Cohen

Robert M. Johnson

Anthony S. Bottar

Merryl H. Tisch

Geraldine D. Chapey

Arnold B. Gardner

Harry Phillips, 3rd

Joseph E. Bowman, Jr.

Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez

James R. Tallon, Jr.

Milton L. Cofield

John Brademas

 

            Also present were the President of The University and Commissioner of Education, Richard P. Mills, the Counsel and Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs, Kathy A. Ahearn, and the Secretary, Board of Regents, David Johnson.   Regent James C. Dawson was absent and excused.

 

            Chancellor Bennett called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

Election of the Officers of the Board

            The Board met in public session to elect its Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for the period April 1, 2004 through March 31, 2007.  The elections followed procedures adopted by the Board in February 1995.

 

            MOVED, the nomination of Chancellor Robert M. Bennett for the office of Chancellor.

 

            Motion by:                Vice Chancellor Adelaide L. Sanford

            Seconded by:         Regent Saul B. Cohen

 

            MOVED, that nominations for Chancellor be closed.

 

            Motion by:                Regent Robert M. Johnson

            Seconded by:         Regent Anthony S. Bottar

            Action:                      Motion carried unanimously


            Following the nomination and an opportunity for the candidate to make a statement and receive comments and questions from his colleagues, the Board voted by paper ballot.  Regent Anthony S. Bottar and Regent Merryl H. Tisch were designated as Tellers.

 

            Chancellor Robert M. Bennett was re-elected Chancellor by unanimous vote of the members of the Board, the term of office to be April 1, 2004 through March 31, 2007.  The paper ballot vote count was 15-0.

 

            MOVED, the nomination of Vice Chancellor Adelaide L. Sanford for the office of Vice Chancellor.

 

            Motion by:                Chancellor Robert M. Bennett

            Seconded by:         Regent Milton L. Cofield

 

            MOVED, that the nominations for Vice Chancellor be closed.

 

            Motion by:                Regent Robert M. Johnson

            Seconded by:         Regent Joseph E. Bowman, Jr.

            Action:                      Motion carried unanimously

 

            Following the nomination and an opportunity for the candidate to make a statement and receive comments and questions from her colleagues, the Board voted by paper ballot.  Regent Anthony S. Bottar and Regent Merryl H. Tisch were designated as Tellers.

            Vice Chancellor Adelaide L. Sanford was re-elected Vice Chancellor by unanimous vote of the members of the Board, the term of office to be April 1, 2004 through March 31, 2007.  The paper ballot vote count was 15-0.


Acceptance of Funds


            Vice Chancellor Adelaide L. Sanford, on behalf of the Hines and Sanford families, presented Chancellor Robert M. Bennett with a check in the amount of $10,000 for the purpose of establishing awards for research and study of the African experience in New York State, The Americas and the Diaspora.  An award will be presented annually or as appropriate at a Regents monthly meeting.

 

            On behalf of the members of the Board of Regents, Chancellor Bennett accepted the funds.

 

Appointment of Assistant Commissioner of Vocational and

Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities

BR  (A) 4

 

            MOVED, that the Board of Regents approve the appointment of Edward W. Placke as Assistant Commissioner for Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, effective April 22, 2004.
 

            Motion by:                Regent Saul B. Cohen

            Seconded by:         Regent Diane McGivern

            Action:                      Motion carried unanimously

           

Resolution in Honor of Doris T. Garner


            Commissioner Richard P. Mills presented a Resolution honoring Doris T. Garner for her twenty-four years of outstanding service with the State Education Department and her contributions to higher education in the State.

 

            The Resolution is attached as Appendix III.

 

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS



Update on SED Leadership Academy

BR (D) 2

 

            Certificates were presented to the graduates of the Department's Leadership Academy II.

 

            Academy participants are required to complete an application project as part of a team.  Representatives of each of the five teams presented a brief summary of their project topic:  Conceptual Design for the Use of Technology in the State Assessment Program; Strategies to Recruit Public School Students into Teaching; Project Management; Using a Balanced Scorecard to Manage VESID's Vocational Rehabilitation Procurement Processes; and, The Power of USNY.

 

Preview of April Monthly Meeting

 

            The Board received an overview of activities scheduled during the monthly meeting in Buffalo on April 19-20.  These include:  discussions on teaching and teacher education with area college presidents, deans of schools of education and public school administrators; visits to community collaborative education programs; visits to a series of public schools; and, a public business meeting.



                                             STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

            MOVED, that the reports from the Regents Standing Committees be approved as submitted.

 

            Motion by:                Regent Anthony S. Bottar

            Seconded by:         Regent Joseph E. Bowman, Jr.

            Action:                      Motion carried unanimously

 

            During discussion of the Committee meetings, Regent Robert M. Johnson, Chair of the Committee on Quality, requested that Board members submit proposed topics for the annual retreat in July for discussion at the May Committee on Quality meeting.

 

 

               REGENTS COMMITTEE ON ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, SECONDARY

    AND CONTINUING EDUCATION-VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

 

            Regents Anthony S. Bottar and Merryl H. Tisch, Co-Chairs of the Committee on Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing Education-Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, presented on behalf of the Committee the following written report.


            Your EMSC-VESID Committee held its scheduled meeting on March 22, 2004.  Regent Dawson was absent and excused.

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

Charter Applications

 

·        Your Committee recommends approval of the charter applications relating to elementary, middle, secondary and continuing education.  [BR (A) 1]

 

State Plan

 

·        Your Committee recommends approval of the amendment to the State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation and Supported Employment[EMSC-VESID (A) 1]

 

Charter Schools

 

·        Your Committee recommends approval of the proposed charters for the following charter schools:  Girls Preparatory Charter School of New York, CSD #1; and KIPP Tech Valley Charter School, Albany.  [EMSC-VESID (A) 2]

 

·        Your Committee recommends approval of the proposed charter for the following charter school: Oracle Charter School, Buffalo.  The vote was 5 approve and 1 oppose (Regent Bowman).  [EMSC-VESID (A) 2]

 

·        Your Committee recommends approval of the proposed revisions to the charters of the following charter schools:  Genesee Community Charter School at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, Rochester; and Roosevelt Children's Academy Charter School, Roosevelt.  [EMSC-VESID (A) 2]

 

 

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

 

Building capacity to improve performance of limited English proficient/English language learners  [EMSC-VESID (D) 1]

 

Committee members discussed a number of issues:  the persistent problem of recruiting certified teachers; early childhood intervention for English language learners; use of distance learning and technology in providing instruction in districts where there are teacher shortages; call to teaching forums for ESL and bilingual education teachers; options for exiting the NYSESLAT testing program; the educational needs of incarcerated English language learners; issues involving newly arrived English language learners with limited or interrupted formal education; and potential of support by the business community in providing scholarships for students.  The Committee asked for data on the performance of students who take State assessments in native languages. Board members and Department staff will receive copies of studies/articles cited by Regent Cortés-Vázquez for review and analysis.  Data on English-speaking students from Caribbean countries will be provided to the Committee in April or May.  Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo addressed the Committee about the importance of working together to meet the needs of English language learners.

 

Review of other states' approaches to using State assessments to meet graduation requirements [EMSC-VESID (D) 2]

 

The Committee asked for more information on the processes and experiences of other states in developing State assessments.  Committee members noted that, as the Board reviews broad policy topics relating to assessment, it will need to determine the avenues to pursue further, i.e., an assessment system that is objective vs. subjective, policies that may affect small numbers of students, etc.

 

Federal strategy to address adequate yearly progress for students with disabilities  [EMSC-VESID (D) 3]

 

The Committee asked to be kept informed on this issue as well as other concerns identified in implementing the No Child Left Behind legislation.

 

Strategy for implementing Regents Policy Statement on Middle-Level Education  [EMSC-VESID (D) 4]

 

The Committee asked for a cost/benefit analysis on the proposed strategy.  The Committee also asked that we emphasize that all students are expected to achieve the intermediate level of the 28 State Learning Standards by the end of grade 8.  The question-and-answer document will continue to be refined.

 

Joint meeting of Regents EMSC-VESID and HE&PP Committees

 

Proposed amendment to Section 3.47 of the Rules of the Board of Regents and Section 100.10 of the Commissioner's Regulations relating to requirements for the conferral of a college degree and the home instruction of students of compulsory attendance age and college study  [EMSC-VESID/HE-PP (D) 1]

 

 

REGENTS COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND
 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

 

            Regent Diane McGivern, Chair of the Committee on Higher Education and Professional Practice, presented on behalf of the Committee the following written report.

 

            Your Committee on Higher Education and Professional Practice held its scheduled meeting on March 22, 2004.  All Committee members were present.

  

                                                                ACTION ITEMS

 

PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE CASES

 

            Your Committee recommends that the reports of the Regents Review Committees, including rulings, findings of fact, determinations as to guilt, and recommendations, by unanimous or majority vote, contained in those reports which have been distributed to you, be accepted in 7 cases, except that one member abstained in two cases, as hereinafter set forth.  In addition, your Committee recommends, upon the recommendation of the Committee on the Professions, that 21 consent order applications and 11 surrender applications be granted.

 

            In the cases under calendar numbers 18550 and 18551, Regent Geraldine D. Chapey abstained.

 

            These recommendations are made following the review of 39 cases involving 12 registered professional nurses, three certified social workers, three licensed practical nurses, two certified public accountants, two licensed practical nurses who are also registered professional nurses, two massage therapists, two veterinarians, one architect, one architect professional corporation, one audiologist, one chiropractor, one dentist, one land surveyor, one land surveyor professional corporation, one pharmacist, one physical therapist, one professional engineer, one respiratory therapy technician.


CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

 
            Your Committee recommends that the Regents approve an amendment to the absolute charter of Practical Bible College to change the corporate name to “Davis College.”  [BR (A) 1]

 

Your Committee recommends that the Regents approve that an absolute charter in the first instance be granted to St. Joseph's College of Nursing at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center.  [BR (A) 1]

 

Your Committee recommends that the Regents approve an amendment to the master plan of Rochester Business Institute, Rochester, effective March 23, 2004, authorizing the Institute to offer an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program in Homeland Security Specialist.  This amendment will be effective until March 31, 2005, unless the Department registers the program prior to that date, in which case master plan amendment shall be without term.  [HE & PP (CA) 1]

 

Your Committee recommends that the Regents approve an amendment to the master plan of D’Youville College, effective March 23, 2004, authorizing the College to offer an Ed.D. program in Educational Leadership.  This amendment will be effective only until March 31, 2005, unless the Department registers the program prior to that date, in which case master plan amendment shall be without term.  [HE & PP (CA) 2]

 

Your Committee recommends that the Regents approve the Report of the Committee on the Professions regarding Licensing Petitions.   [HE & PP (CA) 3]

 

Your Committee recommends that the Regents approve the following appointments and reappointments to the State Boards for the Professions:  [HE & PP (CA) 4]

 

           State Board for Chiropractic - appoint Humayun J. Chaudhry (Commack), Stephen T. Eble (Mt. Kisco), Jay A. Okin (Rye Brook), and Todd R. Olson (Pelham) each for a term beginning April 1, 2004 and ending March 31, 2009

 

           State Board for Massage Therapy - appoint Cheryl A. Flynn (Syracuse) for a term beginning April 1, 2004 and ending March 31, 2009

 

State Board for Medicine - reappoint Nathan G. Kase (New York) for a term beginning April 1, 2004 and ending March 31, 2009

 

State Board for Nursing - appoint Prissana Alston (Dix Hills) for a term beginning April 1, 2004 and ending March 31, 2009

 

State Board for Podiatry - reappoint Bob S. Biller (Oceanside), Jignasa Joshi (Roslyn), Donna T. Landi (Brooklyn), and Richard Montag (Melville) each for a term beginning April 1, 2004 and ending March 31, 2009

 

State Board for Public Accountancy - reappoint David Joseph Hasso (Wynantskill) and Nicholas J. Mastracchio, Jr. (Glenville) each for a term beginning May 1, 2004 and ending April 30, 2009

 

State Board for Respiratory Therapy - appoint Paul L. Goldiner (Larchmont) for a term beginning April 1, 2004 and ending March 31, 2009

 

Your Committee recommends that the Regents approve the following appointments and reappointments as extended members to the State Boards for the Professions for service on licensure disciplinary and/or licensure restoration and moral character panels and the following appointments and reappointments to the State Committee for Professional Assistance:

 

           State Board for Athletic Trainers - appoint Louann Kuntz (Albany) as an extended member for a term beginning April 1, 2004 and ending March 31, 2009

 

           State Board for Massage Therapy - appoint Cynthia R. Black (Newfield) as an extended member for a term beginning April 1, 2004 and ending March 31, 2009

 

           State Board for Medicine - reappoint Charles C. Gibbs ((Rainbow Lake) and Ralph J. Lucariello (Bronxville) as extended members each for a term beginning April 1, 2004 and ending March 31, 2009

 

           State Board for Optometry - reappoint Murray Fingeret (Hewlett) and William F. O'Connell (Scarsdale) as extended members each for a term beginning April 1, 2004 and ending March 31, 2009

 

           State Committee for Professional Assistance - appoint K. Balasubramanian (Latham), Annie B. Smoke (Dewitt), and Richard T. Young (Hoosick Falls) each for a term beginning March 23, 2004 and ending March 22, 2009 and reappoint David W. Bowie (Albany), John G. Knowles (Tully), and Suzanne Stanton (Syracuse) each for a term beginning January 1, 2004 and ending December 31, 2008 and Edward R. Hammock (Queens) for a term beginning May 1, 2003 and ending April 30, 2008

 

 

 

APPROVAL ITEMS

 

Your Committee recommends that the Regents approve the proposed emergency amendments to sections 80-1.3, 80-2.1, 80-3.8, 80-3.9, and 80-5.17 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to pathways to certification in the classroom teaching service, effective March 30, 2004.  The Committee revised Section 4 of the proposed regulation creating a pathway for licensed speech language pathologists to achieve certification.  Under the revised proposal, candidates for a professional certificate must complete three years of experience as a teacher of speech and hearing handicapped, rather than two years of experience as initially proposed.  [HE & PP (A) 1]

 

Your Committee recommends that the Regents approve the proposed emergency amendments to sections 80-1.2, 80-2.12, 80-2.13, 80-3.1, 80-3.5, 80-4.3, 80-5.6, and 80-5.13 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to technical changes in requirements for certification in the classroom teaching service, effective March 30, 2004.  [HE & PP (A) 2]

 

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

 

            Your Committee discussed several topics of interest, including:  

 

Examining the Pathways for Teacher Preparation  [HE & PP (D) 1]

 

Your Committee discussed with Professor James Wyckoff the independent research project he is heading that will examine teacher preparation pathways at CUNY and approximately 10 independent colleges.  Professor Wyckoff and his colleagues will be looking at the attributes of teacher education programs at these institutions and their impact on issues including the preparation of quality teachers, as evidenced by gains in student learning in the New York City public schools, and retention of teachers.  The research will assess the role that traditional and nontraditional pathways into teaching play in both improving the quality of the teacher workforce and equalizing the distribution of highly qualified teachers across urban schools.

 

Full-time/Part-time faculty and Faculty Load Requirements for Teacher Education Programs

 

Your Committee discussed the requirement in regulation concerning the percentage of teacher education programs that must be taught by full time faculty and the requirement concerning faculty load.  Staff recommends that the Board allow flexibility in those requirements for institutions that have achieved accreditation of their teacher education programs and whose programs meet or exceed the 80% pass rate requirement for their graduates.  It was agreed that staff would report back to the Committee with additional information that could assist the committee in further analyzing this requirement and its impact on the quality of teacher preparation programs.

 

Implementation of the New Illegal Practice Law [HP & PP (D) 2]

 

Your Committee was provided an update on the steps being taken to implement the new Illegal Practice law.  Major aspects of the law and what it does, proposed strategies to ensure that the law is implemented successfully, as well as challenges being faced were all discussed.

 

Proposed Amendment to the Rules of the Board of Regents and the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Requirements for the Conferral of a College Degree and the Home Instruction of Students of Compulsory Attendance Age and College Study  [HE & PP and EMSC-VESID (D) 1]

 

The HE & PP and EMSC-VESID Committees met in joint session to discuss with staff the proposed amendment to establish alternatives to the requirement that a candidate for a college degree hold a high school diploma or the equivalent, and to provide pathways for students to attend college while still of compulsory school age. 

 

 

REGENTS COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL EDUCATION

 

            Regent Robert Johnson, presented on behalf of James Dawson, Chair of the Cultural Education Committee, the following written report:

 

            Your Committee on Cultural Education had its scheduled meeting on March 22, 2004 in the Regents Room, State Education Building.  Regents Johnson, Bowman, Cortés-Vázquez and Tallon were present. Regent Dawson was absent and excused.

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

            Your Committee reviewed the summary recommendations with respect to charter applications.  Items listed under Cultural Education were recommended for approval.

REGENTS COMMITTEE ON QUALITY

 

Regent Robert M. Johnson, Chair of the Committee on Quality, presented on behalf of the Committee the following written report.

 

Your Committee on Quality held its scheduled meeting on March 22, 2004. Vice Chair Cortés-Vázquez and Regent Bowman were present.  Chancellor Bennett and Vice Chancellor Sanford also attended.

 

APPROVAL

 

No items were recommended for formal approval by the Regents.

 

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

 

The Committee discussed three items:

 

l      Your Committee continued its conversation about the USNY Convocation, with a focus on the format for the event and the criteria for selecting whom to invite.

 

The Convocation must be forward looking and focus on how the assets of USNY can be applied effectively and innovatively to closing critical gaps related to student achievement, educational opportunity, and access to educational and cultural resources.  While plenary sessions may be useful for setting the context for the day, most of the Convocation should be spent in interactive group discussions of promising strategies and new institutional collaborations to address closing the gaps.

 

Staff will collaborate with the external Convocation Planning Advisory Committee and the Quality Committee to prepare an assessment or analysis of the current situation as background to inform the conversation during the Convocation.

 

Your Committee confirmed that the Convocation would be held in the Main Education Building in Albany.  This will necessitate that participation in the event be by invitation and that the invitation list be capped at 150 people.  Some invitations will be reserved for key stakeholders who are not members of USNY, such as legislative leaders, Governor’s staff, or other State agency executives.  Staff will begin compiling the list of potential invitees from among USNY institutions using the following criteria:

 

ü      Is actively engaged in issues concerned with closing gaps related to student achievement, educational opportunity, and access to educational and cultural resources.

 

ü      Has demonstrated experience in collaboration across USNY institutions to solve difficult issues.

 

ü      Taken together, the participants must reflect both the diversity of the many institutions that comprise USNY and the diversity of the State.

 

ü      Participants should include both institutional leaders and highly effective practitioners.

 

 

Staff will consult with the external Convocation Planning Advisory Committee and solicit suggestions from the Board in its work to compile the invitation list.

 

l      Your Committee received an update on the USNY Technology Policy and Practices Council:

 

ü      Don Jacobs, Director for Applied Technologies in Education from the University at Buffalo and Dr. Ellen Meier, Co-Director, Center for Technology and School Change at Columbia University have agreed to serve as the Council’s Co-Chairs.

 

ü      Regents Bowman and Johnson will soon talk with the Co-Chairs to set the first meeting, confirm the Council’s initial focus, establish tentative deliverables, and set timelines.

 

The Council’s initial work should be to identify the State’s technology assets in terms of infrastructure and electronic content as well as the capacity to create additional electronic content.  This work should be advanced in time for use at the Convocation, since technology promises to be an effective tool for dealing with certain aspects of gap closing strategies.

 

l      Your Committee also discussed the annual Board retreat.  Topics suggested for the agenda are:

 

ü      Assessment of the changes to Board structure and the conduct of meetings put into place at last year’s retreat.  Possible outcomes include: further refinements of this current approach, move to shorter monthly meetings, or establish an annual schedule of longer, but less frequent Board meetings.

 

ü      Update of the Strategic Plan, last revised in January 2000.

 

ü      Discussion of the topics included on the issues list developed at the last retreat for which the Board has not yet devoted time to consider.

 

Staff will find a local site, possibly SUNY at Albany.  Staff will also develop a proposed agenda for both the retreat and a highly truncated July business meeting  that allows the Board adequate time for thoughtful deliberation during the retreat.