Instagram Combined Shape quotation Created with Sketch. 69

Chapter I: Organization & Governance

  1. The Regents Of The University Of The State Of New York
  2. The Board Of Trustees Of The State University Of New York
  3. The State University Of New York (SUNY)
  4. State University of New York At Potsdam

A. The Regents Of The University Of The State Of New York

The University of the State of New York, as opposed to the State University of New York, is the organization which supervises New York's entire system of elementary, secondary, and higher education. It is governed by a fifteen-member Board of Regents who are elected by the Legislature for terms of fifteen years.

The chief executive officer of the University is the Commissioner of Education, who is appointed by the Regents and administers the State Education Department which oversees all educational policies and practices, public and private, in New York State.

B. The Board Of Trustees Of The State University Of New York

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the State University of New York. It consists of  18 members, 15 of whom are appointed by the Governor, by and with consent of the New York State Senate. In addition, the president of the Student Assembly serves as student trustee and the presidents of the University Faculty Senate and Faculty Council of Community Colleges serve as ex-officio trustees. View SUNY Board of Trustees Webpage.

C. The State University Of New York (SUNY)

  1. History
     
  2. Chancellor
    The Chancellor is the chief executive officer of the State University of New York and is responsible to the Board of Trustees for those powers, duties and responsibilities assigned.

D. State University of New York At Potsdam

  1. College
    SUNY Potsdam has been serving youth and the State of New York for more than a century. With a heritage dating back to the St. Lawrence Academy, founded in 1816, Potsdam traditionally has given emphasis to the importance of liberal arts in the preparation of teachers for the public schools.

    The academic program of the College is currently organized around three major schools: The School of Arts and Sciences, with emphasis upon the traditional, historical, liberal education as well as innovative ideas; the School of Education and Professional Studies, which includes programs in primary and secondary education and professional programs to help our students find opportunities in the public world; and the Crane School of Music which has enjoyed national prestige since 1886, particularly in the training of public school music educators. Throughout the three schools, a number of credit programs are available for persons to continue their education. The College also has an extensive program in continuing education, both in credit and non-credit programs of interest to a diversified public.

    Potsdam is continually expanding programs for students preparing for a wide variety of professions. Students may select majors and minors from numerous academic areas of undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

    While location is a definite plus for SUNY Potsdam, the people who make up the College community are its greatest asset. The students, faculty, and staff make us what we are - a very special place.

    The St. Lawrence Academy, which prepared public school teachers, deeded its properties and assets in 1866 to Potsdam Normal School. Potsdam became a teachers college in 1942 and in 1948 became a campus of the State University of New York. The College was authorized to grant masters degrees in 1947 and became a College of Arts and Science in 1962.
     
  2. College Council
    Under general policies determined by the Board of Trustees of the State University, the College Council reviews all major plans of the College which are defined to include plans for the appraisal or improvement of the faculty and other personnel, expansion or restriction of student admissions, appraisal or improvement of academic programs and of standards for the earning of degrees, expansion of institutional plans and appraisal or improvement of student activities and housing.

    The Council also makes regulations governing the care, custody and management of lands, grounds, buildings and equipment; reviews budget requests; fosters the development of citizens' advisory committees; names buildings and grounds; makes regulations governing the conduct and behavior of students; prescribes for and exercises supervision over student housing and safety; makes an annual report to the Board of Trustees; makes and amends regulations pertaining to the affairs of the College; recommends to the Board of Trustees candidates for appointment as President of the College; and performs such other duties or implements such powers as may be authorized by the State University Trustees.

    The College Council consists of ten members, of whom nine are appointed by the Governor, and one of whom shall be elected by and from among the students of the College. One member is designated by the Governor to serve as Chairperson of the Council. The nine appointed members serve for seven years and receive no compensation for their services. Council members may serve to the completion of their terms regardless of age and may be candidates for reappointment. The Chair of the College's Faculty Senate attends meeting and serves as a representative of the faculty.

    The College Council meets at least four times annually. Notice of every Council meeting must be provided to each member at least seven days prior to the meeting unless such notice is waived by a majority of the Council. Resolutions for consideration by the Council must be mailed to each Council member at least seven days prior to the meeting unless the Council Chair makes available in writing on the day of the meeting facts which necessitate an immediate vote.

    Councils and committees and subcommittees of a Council are "public bodies" within the meaning of the Open Meetings Law. Accordingly, meetings of these bodies must be preceded by appropriate public notice for public attendance. Executive session may only be convened in accordance with statutory requirements.
     
  3. College Officers and Organizations
     
    1. Chief Administrative Officer - The chief administrative officer of SUNY Potsdam is the President, who is appointed by the Board of Trustees upon recommendation from the College Council and the Chancellor following consultation with representative staff and the student body.
       
    2. College Administrative Officers and Chairs - College administrative officers are appointed by the President. Chairs of academic departments are designated by the President after consultation with appropriate faculty.
       
    3. College Governance - Consistent with Article X of the Policies of the Board of Trustees, the faculty established bylaws for the democratic governance of the College. View Faculty Senate Bylaws (PDF).
       
    4. State University Faculty Senate - The State University Faculty Senate is the agency through which the University Faculty engages in governance at the University- wide level and is funded through System Administration. The source of funds for this central operating account is through an annual assessment of each State-operated campus for each Senator representing the institution. In addition each campus supports its Senator(s)' travel to all of the Senate's plenary sessions from local campus funds. SUNY Potsdam is represented on the Faculty Senate by one senator and an alternate, elected by the faculty. The Faculty Senator is also a member of the Faculty Senate of the College during his/her term as Senator.
       
    5. United University Professions (UUP) - The New York State "Public Employees Fair Employment Act", popularly known as the Taylor Law, grants public employees the right to bargain collectively with their employers. The approximately 17,000 academic and professional employees at the twenty-nine State-operated SUNY campuses (and System Administration) serve in the Professional Services Negotiating Unit of SUNY; United University Professions (UUP) is the elected bargaining agent for the Unit. UUP is affiliated with the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the State and National AFL-CIO. Information about UUP dues, agency fees, and membership benefits may be obtained from the UUP office on campus.

      A copy of the "Agreement between the State of New York and the United University Professions, Inc." (hereafter called the Agreement) may be viewed online. According to Article XIX of the Policies of the Board of Trustees and Article 5 of the Agreement, in the event that the provisions of the Agreement differ from the provisions of the Trustees regulations, the provisions of the Agreement shall be controlling.
       
    6. Organizational Chart and Statement of Administrative Responsibilities

Additional Information

For more information, please contact the Melissa Proulx, Vice President for Administration and Human Resources.