Meeting of the Board of Regents | March 2010

Cultural Education Trusteeship Committee Minutes

March 9, 2010

Time:  10:55 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.                               Location:  Seminar Room, 5th floor, EB

REGENTS COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL EDUCATION

Regent James C. Dawson, Chair of the Cultural Education Committee, submitted the following written report.

Your Committee on Cultural Education had its scheduled meeting on March 9, 2010.

In attendance were: Regents Dawson, Bowman, and Tilles.

Regent Brooks Hopkins and Phillips were absent.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

Chairs’ Remarks: Regent Dawson greeted everyone and opened the meeting.

Deputy’s Report: Deputy Commissioner Jeffrey Cannell greeted everyone as well.

CET (D) 1 – The Museum’s StateMap Program

Clifford Siegfried, Director and Assistant Commissioner of the New York State Museum provided a brief introduction before introducing presenter, Dr. Andrew Kozlowski, Glacial Geologist\Senior Scientist in the Museum’s New York State Geologic Survey unit.

Dr. Kozlowski provided a comprehensive presentation that also included background information regarding the New York State Geological Survey (NYSGS).  Established in 1836 it is the oldest continuously operated geological Survey in the U.S. and pointed out that most other states based their surveys on the New York Model.

As part of the Museum, the NYSGS is unique in that its mission is to collect, archive and disseminate geologic data in useable formats.  The principal format has been geologic maps and emphasized that no other state Agency is commissioned to collect and produce geologic maps.   It is empowered to engage in scientific research, cooperate with scientific units, agencies of other states, Federal Government, educational institutions and industry, in the discovery, analysis and dissemination of geologic information to the public and all interested parties.

An opportunity for questions and/or comments was extended to the Committee.

CET (D) 2 – Status of Gallery Renewal Projects

Clifford Siegfried, Director and Assistant Commissioner of the New York State Museum provided a detailed overview/presentation that included background information and talked about the current status of the projects. As stated in a previous update, “The current fiscal crisis has put the implementation of the gallery renewal on hold as discussion continues regarding budget and schedule with the NYS Division of Budget.”  On June 13, 2008, the Cultural Education Trust Board met and approved moving forward with the gallery renewal; it is recommended that the Board continue its endorsement of the overall direction and scope of the Museum gallery renewals.  Handouts were provided.

An opportunity for questions and/or comments was extended to the Committee.

CET (D) 3 – Planned Expansion of State Records Center

Chris Ward, State Archivist and Assistant Commissioner of the New York State Archives, provided a brief overview including background, funding, and current status of this project.

It was recommended that the Board continue:

• to support this effort that will ensure better management of the state’s records by making increased and reasonably priced storage space available to our state agency customers;
• that funding to construct the Records Center be reinstated in the 2010-22 capital budget, and;
• that funding to carry out the architectural design phase of the project be found.

An opportunity for questions and/or comments was extended to the Committee.

CET (D) 4 – Stewardship Collection Facility

Regent Dawson provided a brief update and Jeffrey Cannell, Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education presented background information regarding the stewardship facility including the Cultural Education Trust Board’s recommendation, in 2007, that the Harriman State Campus be considered as the prime location for the construction on this facility.

It is recommended that the Board or Regents continues to endorse the overall direction and scope of the new stewardship facility plan. 

Meeting Adjourned.