Discussion about the preliminary report of the Commission on Higher Education dominated the January meeting of the SUNY Board of Trustees.

Interim Chancellor John Clark praised its recommendations, including its call for the hiring of 2,000 more full-time faculty. He noted New York would be bucking national trends at a time when many states are cutting spending for higher education.

Trustee H. Carl McCall also lavished praise on the report, but warned that the state should respond to it promptly.

“We can’t let this sit on the shelf,” he said. McCall also suggested that applicants from diverse groups be given consideration when hiring the new faculty.        

Addressing the board, Commission Executive Director John Reid said the panel’s work is not done.

“This is not over. We still need to prepare a final report,” he said. “This is not a budget document. Its focus is on the long-term future of higher education in New York state.”

In other business, the SUNY board voted unanimously to accept the tentative contract agreement between UUP and the state. The resolution authorizes the chancellor to take all steps necessary to implement the agreement and its guidelines.

Also, board chair Carl Hayden announced the formation of a search committee for a new chancellor. Hayden said the search comes at a fortuitous time.

“The system is in improvement mode,” he said, referring to the emphasis placed on SUNY by the governor and the Commission on Higher Education. “The stakes have been raised. This is a good climate for us.”

Among those named to the search committee was Carl Wiezalis, a UUP delegate from Upstate Medical University and president of the SUNY Faculty Senate. Wiezalis also serves as a member of the New York State Public Higher Education Conference Board.

The committee is looking for a permanent successor to John Ryan, who resigned from the position last May. Interim Chancellor Clark is not a candidate for the permanent position.

— Donald Feldstein