College Wide Governance MeetingMarch 19, 2014, Gateway A&B

12:45-1:40PM

Agenda

• Minutes/Opening Remarks/Announcements (Donaghy)

• Research Committee (Vidon)• CoC Actions (Daley)• Webcam Usage in Classrooms (Rufo)• Resolution on webcam use in classrooms and

meeting spaces (Donaghy)

ElectionsNominations being accepted for:• Executive Chair• University Faculty Senator• SU Senator

Send nominations to Bob Meyer at rwmeyer@esf.edu by tomorrow - March 20, 2014

Non-elected – Committee Chairs

Committee on Research Annual Report

March 19, 2014

Committee Composition

• Lee Newman, Kevin Kapuscinski, Bandaru Ramarao, Theresa Selfa, Chris Nowak, John Wasiel, Jessica Clemons, Steve Shaw

• Neil Ringler• USA and GSA representatives• Philippe Vidon (Chair)

McIntire-Stennis and SEED Grant Review process

McIntire-Stennis

• 16 pre-proposals were received• 11 pre-proposals were invited for full

consideration• 4 proposals were funded• 2 proposals are still under consideration• 5 proposals were rejected

Mcntire-Stennis• Newman - Understanding the Role of Select Endophytic Bacteria in

Enhanced Growth and Disease Resistance

• Vidon-Volk - Impact of Commercial Shrub Willow Biomass Crop Production in New York State on Water Related Ecosystem Services

• Mountrakis-Stehman - Developing Advanced Accuracy Metrics for Satellite-Derived Forestry Products

• Fierke – McGee - Nutrient Resources Associated with Establishment and Long-Term Maintenance of Emerald Ash Borer Parasitoid Populations

Under Consideration: Farrell – Germain, and Parry - Beier

SEED Grants

• Proposals were due yesterday.• The COR members will meet on March 25 to

make their recommendation for funding• We expect decisions to be made by April 11

Spotlight on Student Research

• 2 day event this year in Gateway Center

• Judging for grads on Tuesday April 15th

• Judging for undergrads during common hour on the 16th

• Kick-off pizza party on the 15th at 3pm• Keynote, awards, reception beginning on the

16th at 3pm in Nifkin Alumni Lunge• Info sent out to campus earlier this week

Spotlight cont’d• Soliciting faculty judges for graduate posters &

sponsors for prizes and supplies• Proceedings will be available as PDF• Voluntary poster design session on March 26th

• Only one to two posters per class project may be selected

• Abstracts should be reviewed/approved by a faculty advisor

Spotlight Info

• All of the information, including submission guidelines, dates, and times can be found here:

• http://www.esf.edu/spotlight/

ADDITIONAL RESEARCH UPDATESNeil H. Ringler

McIntire-Stennis Meeting, Washington, DC

4E Network of Excellence

“Green Sheet” Summary: Expenditures, New Awards, Proposals

RF Meeting this Morning

MCINTIRE-STENNIS ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE (ATR) MEETING

Held March 5, 2014 in Washington, DC

The McIntire-Stennis Program recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary, signed by John F. Kennedy!

Anticipated outcomes from this meeting:

Improve understanding of the roles of NIFA and the institutions in conducting reviews of M-S project proposals;

Clarify roles and responsibilities of the ATR, and make modifications to ensure that the program is well-managed;

Improve approaches to reporting accomplishments to demonstrate the importance of the M-S program;

Assist 1890 and insular area M-S institutions as they develop their M-S programs;

Update the M-S Strategic Plan;

Determine the future direction of the McIntire-Stennis Program

SUNY 4E Network of ExcellenceEnergy, Environment, Education and Economics

The first round of funding was announced in February 2014. The RF awarded $778,000 to 19 projects, involving 14 campuses.

From ESF:

Dr. Paul D. Hirsch “Understanding and Overcoming Barriers to Communication in Complex

Socio-ecological Systems: An Integrative Approach to Interdisciplinary Research, Policy Translation, and Educational Application.”

SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), SUNY Stony Brook, SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Albany

Dr. Karin Limburg“Restoring Ecosystem Integrity and Ecosystem Services in Jamaica Bay, NY: A

Research Planning Workshop”SUNY ESF, SUNY Stony Brook, Queens College CUNY

Dr. Douglas J. Daley“Workshops to Develop Faculty Mentors and Sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates in Water Resources Science and

Engineering”SUNY ESF, SUNY Oswego

Preston Gilbert Awarded Presidential Fellowship The RF's Presidential Fellowship Program supports the SUNY Networks of

Excellence. Gilbert's fellowship, one of only six awarded by the RF, will support designing and implementing the New Forest Economy initiative.

“GREEN SHEET” HANDOUT

CATHY KASZLUGAVice President for Strategy and Planning

The Research Foundation for SUNY

SUNY-ESF CAMPUS VISIT March 19, 2014

Purpose of visit is discussion:

Strategies for growing research and innovation at SUNY Organization of SUNY-RF in support of research and innovation Allocation of RF revenues SUNY-RF’s priorities for 2015

How to work with us

• Do not hesitate to come see us if you or your department has suggestions about how to strengthen and enhance research

• As in the past, we will make every possible effort to address your concerns.

Thank you

Curriculum Committee

Report to Faculty Governance3/19/2014

Curriculum Committee Actions (March 5, 2014)

• Courses (new and revised) approved by Committee action– FCH 110 Survey of Chemical Principles: campus approval as

General Education– EST 255 Research Methods for Environmental Studies– EWP 407 Writing for Environmental and Science Professionals– EWP 444 Professional Writing for Paper & Bioprocess

Engineers– FOR 232 Natural Resources Ecology– FOR 740 Advanced Watershed Hydrology and

Biogeochemistry

Curriculum Committee Actions (March 5, 2014)

• Approval to delete 10 inactive courses from EFB– Policy reminder: a course that is not taught within a three

year period could be put on a one year “inactive” status by the Dean of OIGS, with notice to programs, after which it could be dropped by administrative action

• Committee recommends – Adopt Marine Science minor administered by EFB– Adopt Native Peoples and Environment minor administered

by EFB • Reminder: proposal reviews, see the CoC website• Next Meeting March 26, 12:45 p.m. 254 Baker

ITS CLASSROOM CAMERAS

Joe Rufo

College Wide Governance Meeting

March 19, 2014

What are the cameras for?  What purpose do they serve?

The cameras are used as visual aids to assist ITS in providing classroom

support and proactively perform troubleshooting.

When a classroom instructor is having a problem with the classroom

technology and calls ITS requesting help, ITS staff is able to look into

the classroom, view the podium and projection screen and in many

instances remotely assist in resolving the problem. 

When the room is not being used, ITS can remotely turn off the equipment to prolong the projector life and save energy.

26

Where are the cameras located?

There are a total of 11 cameras on the ESF main campus,

managed by ITS, that are used to facilitate classroom

support.   Baker 141, 145, 146, 148 Marshall Auditorium Nifkin lounge Gateway Conference Areas A, B and C Illick 5, 16There are also 2 located at the Ranger School

campus.

27

Are these cameras covered under ESF’s Video Surveillance Policy?

Cameras are managed by ITS and are meant to provide academic/classroom support and as such

do not fall under ESF’s Video Surveillance Policy.

A different set of cameras, providing video but not audio, and managed by UPD are covered by this Policy and exist to support public safety.

28

UPD Surveillance Cameras

Exterior Pan tilt zoom on the quad Fixed cameras (2) east side of Moon Pan tilt zoom on the SE corner of Baker Shop Wing Roof Pan tilt zoom on pole east side of Illick Fixed camera viewing east Illick bike storage Pan tilt zoom SW Gateway building Pan tilt zoom NE Gateway Pan tilt zoom on emergency help phone tower South West sidewalk of Illick

which provides views of Campus Drive

Gateway, fixed cameras North concourse area Trailhead area, common public area Second floor main corridor North end basement of Gateway South end basement of Gateway

29

Are the cameras being used for the purpose they are/were intended?

Yes, and have been a very useful aid for supportingteaching faculty in real time. 

Additionally, in spring 2008, an ITS staff person individual noticed someone attempting to remove some expensive A/V equipment in one of the classrooms. He immediately reported it to UPD who was able to catch the person in the act.  

30

Who has access to the digital feed from the cameras?  Who is monitoring the feeds?

On duty ITS staff and student assistants.

UPD can also access through IP links.

31

Are there both audio and visual feeds?

Yes, however the audio quality is for the most part

very poor and is employed to help a user diagnose

and resolve a reported problem.

32

Can anyone request to monitor a class using these digital and audio feeds?

No.  The system is password protected; only ITS

staff has access. Other than providing the IP links to

UPD, requests for access are not granted.

33

Are the feeds from the cameras recorded? What is done with the archived information?

No. The system is not set up to record and store video

feeds. Nothing has been recorded and there is no

archival footage.

34

What are the policies and procedures for those who monitor the camera feeds?

No formal ESF policies exist.

35

Can the cameras be turned on and off remotely?  Can they be turned off from within the classroom? Why are they on all the time?

Individual cameras cannot be turned on and off remotely, nor can they be turned on and off from within the classroom.

The system is set up for the cameras to be “always on”

type devices.

Each time the system is turned off and on it requires some adjustment. 

36

How is privacy ensured for rooms used for both sensitive meetings and general classes?  

In the context of the current set up, the best way to

safeguard privacy is ensure the campus community is

aware of the camera locations and functionality.

37

Are those who monitor the cameras (particularly students) under any obligation of non-disclosure?

Presently monitors are not asked/required to sign

a formal non-disclosure agreement.

38

Why are there no signs indicating that the area is under surveillance? Or in the very least, an easy to find listing of classrooms with surveillance cameras on ESF’s website?

As noted these cameras are meant as visual

aids for supporting classroom AV systems and not for

surveillance purposes. However, signage placement

as well as website notification should be implemented.

39

Questions

40

Resolution on Webcams in the Classroom and Meeting Rooms

• Unpublicized as to presence and purpose• Audio and video feed being monitored by

professional staff and work study students• Confidentiality of meetings• No non-disclosure agreements or policy

statements• Many question that the cameras are being

used solely for the purpose intended

Resolution

• Temporarily suspending the use of webcams in the classrooms until policy and procedures can be developed.

• Charging a taskforce with creating policy and procedures that govern webcams in the classrooms

• Report due by 4/30/14