University Senate Meeting Minutes


August 25, 2025, 3:30-5:00 PM (Hybrid Meeting � Wang Theater & Zoom Meeting)

Meeting called to order by Dr. Brenda Anderson, the University Senate President, at 3:30 PM. A link to the meeting recording will be provided upon request. A motion to approve the agenda and the minutes from May 5, 2025 carried.

Greetings from Brenda Anderson, University Senate President

-       Welcomed everyone to the first Fall 2025 University Senate meeting.

-       Expressed appreciation for the leadership and commitment to academic freedom shown by former Interim President McCormick during his tenure.

-        The election of the next University Senate President will occur on Dec. 1. Candidates will be announced on was discussed, with nominations opening in October, introducing candidates in November 3.

-       Welcomed Jennifer Almquist as the new Chief of Staff to the President.

-       Introduced and welcomed Dr. Goldsmith as the new president of the Stony Brook University.

-       Announced there is a welcome reception sponsored by President Goldsmith's office in the Wong Theater lobby after the meeting.

 

Report from President Andrea Goldsmith

-       Full written report can be viewed here.

-       Since arriving on campus, have met many members of the campus community.

-       Shared her excitement about leading Stony Brook University, emphasizing the importance of shared governance. Integrating input from stakeholders will lead to better decisions, or at least an understanding of decisions. In her experience input from shared governance leads to the best decisions.

-       Will identify ways to engage more faculty and staff in the senate, and more broadly.

-       Responsibility to create a more respectful and inclusive environment.

-       Emphasized Stony Brook is committed to free inquiry as the bedrock of education, and our interactions should be guided by intellectual curiosity, where we listen respectfully and engage intellectually in dialog. That is all of our responsibility. Our interactions should be guided by care, and empathy because that is what creates the dynamic, supportive, and welcoming environment that defines our special community.

-       SUNY is receiving a third consecutive year of operating aid increases which covers the cost of labor contracts, and provides $360 million in capital funding for research facilities at the University Centers.

-       The university is monitoring federal policy changes impacting research grants, the OVPR holds research town halls. The total number of grants terminated and not reinstated at SBU is 21, for a total of $20M. Thirteen were reinstated. The university has established an emergency fund to support the twenty five graduate students and postdocs affected by grant terminations. In July, SBU received a record number of new awards.

-       The State Department has revoked over 6,000 student visas this year as part of the Trump administration�s broader enforcement efforts.

-       At SBU, three SBU students who recently had their visas revoked, potentially for minor infractions like traffic violations, though the exact reasons are unclear.

-       Discussed interactions with congressional staff, including campus visits and visits to Albany and Washington, D.C.

-       Introduced Jennifer Almquist, the President�s new Chief of Staff.

-       Announced Jane Savage will join Stony Brook as the new vice president for human resources at the end of September. 

 

Report from Provost, Carl Lejuez

-       Full written report can be viewed here.

-       Shared faculty, chair and mentorship development activities and opportunities.

-       Developing an Undergraduate Student Advisory Board.

-       New pages about the Provost�s Office role in Promotion and Tenure for assistant to associate professor and associate to full are available.

-       People Soft will be upgraded.

-       The high cost and changes in Adobe have made it difficult to navigate. SUNY has negotiated rates. If it is purchased it should be purchased through the state.

-       Shared the recipients of the Stony Brook Trustees Faculty Awards.

-       On Sept. 25, Rowan Phillips will give a Provost�s Spotlight talk.

-       Lav Varshney was named the inaugural director of the campus wide Artificial Intelligence Innovation Institute, or AI3, and inaugural Della Pietra Infinity chair.

-       Stephanie Kelton will become the interim Dean of the School of Journalism, and Laura Lindenfeld will focus on her Directorship of the Alda Center for Communicating in Science.

 

Reports from UUP

-       B. Kube - East campus President

-       No presentation.

-       L. Melious � West Campus UUP President

-       Full written report can be viewed here.

-       2025 - 2026 Fall Individual Development Awards (IDA) Program application period will open on September 1, 2025 to Oct 31.

-       Provided updates on upcoming events and committee sign-ups for the fall semester.

-       9/17 Academic Council meeting

-       9/18 Welcome Back Barbeque

-       9/22 Executive Board Meeting

 

Old Business:

-       No old Business.

 

 

New Business:

    1. Reading of Resolution �In Defense of Our Values, Democracy and Higher Education�

●      The first reading of In Defense of Our Values, Democracy and Higher Education resolution was presented by Jason Torre.

    1. Report on Senate Structure, Chair of the Governance Committee and University Senate

●      Tabled.

    1. University Senate Annual Report, University Senate President

●      Tabled.

    1. State-wide (UFS) Senator & Alternate Nominations

●      Nomination request was made for alternate statewide senators.

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 5:00 PM.

Senate President: Brenda Anderson
Senate Secretary: Richard Stein