September 10, 1998-vol30n3:FSEC asks caution on awards proposal

VOLUME 30, NUMBER 3 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1998

FSEC asks caution on awards proposal

By CHRISTINE VIDAL
Reporter Editor

The Faculty Senate Executive Committee at its Sept. 2 meeting urged caution over pursuit of a new campus recognition program of awards proposed by the university administration that eventually would phase out SUNY Chancellor's Awards at UB.

The proposed program, the University at Buffalo Recognition Program, would include annual awards in eight categories: teaching; professional service; librarianship; scholarship, research, inventive or creative activity; public service; service by a student, and volunteer service. Awards would be presented at the University Convocation.

Part of the purpose of the recognition program, according to the draft proposal that was circulated to members of the Faculty Senate and Professional Staff Senate executive committees for their review and comments, is to "serve as a morale builder for all employees."

According to the proposal, "The original intent of exploring a university recognition program was to replace the SUNY award with direct recognition from our campus community.

For example, "The University at Buffalo Award for Teaching would be presented annually to the SUNY Chancellor's Award recipients. Steps should then be taken to stress the role the university community plays in the selection process, and market the award as part of the overall university recognition program. Over time the university award will gain its own identity and stature and become the award of choice for UB faculty. The SUNY Chancellor's Awards Program can then be phased out at UB," the proposal states.

But Don Schack, professor of mathematics, called the proposal "juvenile...almost like thumbing our noses" at SUNY.

"It's the dropping part I don't get," he said.

Claude Welch, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Political Science, urged caution in consideration of the proposal.

"I'm also concerned at the potential perception of thumbing our noses," he said.

SUNY Chancellor's Awards have a prestige outside the university community that should not be overlooked, said Judith Adams-Volpe, director of Lockwood Library.

"I would like to speak up for the continued recognition of SUNY awards," she said. "In national professional life, the SUNY award is going to have more of an impact. I would hate to see some of our people eliminated from SUNY award consideration."

Provost Tom Headrick said he, too, was surprised that the proposal suggested the eventual elimination of SUNY Chancellor's Awards.

"I was as surprised as anyone that the chancellor's award program would be phased out. I think that probably comes out of the general posture of people on the fifth floor of Capen of having their fill of the people in Albany," Headrick said.

If adopted, he predicted, "there will be problems with the hierarchical status" of the awards.

According to the proposal, "The status of this series of awards should be prestigious, a notch below the President's Medal. Awarding it at the Convocation, along with the President's Medal, will help promote that level of status, although it will have to be developed over time. Formal recognition by the president, sufficiently publicized, presentation of a medallion for ceremonial wear and some form of permanent recognition in university publications or a gallery area would provide valued reward for the recipients."

H. William Coles, associate director of the Educational Opportunity Program and chair of the Professional Staff Senate, noted a discussion of the proposal by the PSS executive committee "echoed" the FSEC's sentiments.

"It's certainly wonderful to have more awards, but shouldn't eliminate the SUNY awards," he said.