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The Buffalo State College Council

The Buffalo State College Council serves as the primary oversight and advisory body to Buffalo State, its president, and senior officers. Established in accordance with New York State Education Law, the council consists of 10 members, nine who are appointed to seven-year terms by the governor of the State of New York, and one student member who is elected to an annual term by the university's students.

Among the regular duties of the council are reviewing all major plans and activities of the university in the areas of academics, student life, finances, buildings and grounds, as well as making recommendations and regulations for the benefit of the university in matters of community and alumni relations. One of the council's foremost, albeit infrequent, responsibilities is to recommend candidates to the state university trustees to serve as campus president. A more detailed description of the roles and responsibilities of the council can be found in New York State Education Law, Section 356.

The Buffalo State College Council is chaired by Howard A. Zemsky.

College Council Members

Howard A. Zemsky, Chair

William J. Bissett

James Brandys, '71, '73

Charles J. Naughton, '85

Alphonso O'Neil-White

Muhammed S. Sumbundu, Student Representative

Standing Committees

Facilities Committee
The Facilities Committee advises and helps to guide the strategic capital program. It will keep the full Council current on issues related to the institution's capital program and will support the college in its pursuit of individual capital projects. The committee will meet at least twice during the academic year to review and assess the progress of capital activities and discrete project issues on an as-needed basis.

Members:
Alphonso O’Neil-White, Chair
William Bissett
Todd Brason
Melissa Brinson
John T. Hoskins
Samuel J. Savarino
Howard Zemsky

Staff:
Michael LeVine

Governmental Relations Committee
The Governmental Relations Committee actively advocates for the institution at the state and, if necessary, at the federal level. The committee will meet in January to develop plans for advocacy and in May to assess actions needed to finalize legislation and on an as-needed basis. Members will visit with legislators as deemed appropriate.

Members:
William Bissett, Chair
Gary Brost
Mylous Hairston ’86
Charles Naughton, ‘85
Alphonso O’Neil-White
Muhammed Sumbundu

Staff:
William Benfanti

Naming of Buildings and Grounds
This committee receives recommendations and petitions for naming of buildings and grounds at Buffalo State College (SUNY) and evaluates those requests based upon the established guidelines. The committee makes recommendations to the College Council regarding each request for the naming of buildings and grounds. The committee will also periodically review the Guidelines for Naming of Building and Grounds at Buffalo State (SUNY) to ensure that they reflect "best practices" at major national institutions of higher education, as well as the advice and council of the college president.

Members:
William Bissett, Chair
Gary Brost
James Brandys, ‘71 & ‘73
Linda Dobmeier

Staff:
Susanne Bair

Student Affairs Committee
The Student Affairs Committee regularly reviews non academic student-related issues and activities. The committee periodically assesses the quality of student life on campus to enable the College Council to prescribe for, and exercise supervision over, student housing and safety. The committee will also periodically make recommendations to the Council related to its authority to make regulations governing the conduct and behavior of students. The committee will meet as needed, normally three to four times a year.

Members:
James Brandys,’71 & ’73, Chair
Mylous Hairston ’86
Charles Naughton, ‘85
Muhammed Sumbundu

Staff:
Hal Payne

Judicial Appeals Board
The purpose of the Judicial Appeals Board is to determine which cases involving violations of the Code of Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities of Students will be granted appeals. The board will then review such cases and, where deemed appropriate, will vacate convictions in verdicts and/or reduce sanctions; will grant new hearings; or will uphold the decisions of the original hearing board. The board normally meets two to three times a year and as needed.

Members:
James Brandys, '71, '73
Alphonso O’Neil-White
Charles Naughton, '85

Staff:
Hal Payne

Nominating Committee
The College Council Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying and recommending nominees to be considered for appointment to the College Council.

Members:
Howard Zemsky, Chair
William Bissett
Ross B. Kenzie
Alphonso O’Neil-White

Staff:
Bonita R. Durand

Buffalo State College Council Standing Committees (PDF)

Annual Reports

2012-2013 College Council Meetings

October 16, 2012
Download podcast (MP3)

December 4, 2012
Download podcast (MP3)

February 6, 2013 (previously scheduled for February 26)
Download podcast (MP3)

April 17, 2013
Download podcast (MP3)

Unless noted otherwise, all meetings are held at 4:00 p.m. in Cleveland Hall 518.