The agenda also included a brief discussion of the election-in-progress for the chair vacancy created by Michael Stokes' departure. The candidates for chair are Keith Herms, interim chair; Tommy Babbs, and William Coles.

Lack of a quorum meant official business could not be conducted, and prompted frustrated comments from senators.

Greiner reported that several capital projects long in the planning are nearing fruition. "Our five-year plan will transform this campus and make amendments on the North Campus that will really pull our two campuses together," he stated.

These projects, he said, include:

- A new mathematics building on the North Campus that is in the 1998-99 budget and should be completed within two years once construction begins.

- Renovation of Farber Hall on the South Campus to create the Clinical Health Sciences Education Center, or CHESEC, a project that will go out for bid next year

- Removal of all temporary buildings on the South Campus except the daycare center, landscaping of those sites and installation of new sidewalks and more attractive fencing.

- Expansion of seating for UB Stadium to meet Division-IA standards, to begin this summer.

- Improved campus signage.

Other projects further down the pipeline, but definitely in the pipeline, he said, are a new student-services building on the North Campus, apartment-style undergraduate student housing off of Hadley Road, and "an urban high-rise" on Lee Road with shops on the first floor and housing above.

Discussions also are under way, Greiner said, on improving the Main Street entrance to the South Campus by creating a public plaza and walkways leading into the campus, and on a possible conference center and new housing at Main and Bailey.

"We are going to make this campus look like a permanent campus," he said. "It doesn't look like one now. We want it to be inviting, attractive and accessible."

On the SUNY New Paltz controversy, Greiner said he considered the situation a First Amendment issue, not one of academic freedom, and would like to have seen it presented as such from the beginning.

He said SUNY campus presidents were concerned about Chancellor John Ryan's criticism of New Paltz president Roger Bowen, and his implication that Bowen was responsible for the conference's content.

"None of us are going to approve all conferences," Greiner said. "No one wants to pre-approve content. Nevertheless, I think the presidents feel this will have a chilling effect on the way conferences are sponsored on SUNY campuses."

Greiner also reviewed progress toward filling several top administrative vacancies:

- Vice President for Health Affairs-Michael E. Bernardino, former director of managed care with the Emory University System of Health Care, Inc., in Atlanta and professor of radiology in the Emory University School of Medicine, began work April 1

- Dean of Arts and Sciences-should be named by the end of the semester

- Vice President for Student Affairs-should be determined by early Ma