About the Buffalo State Council
The Buffalo State Council is responsible for the "operations and affairs" of the university. It is composed of ten members—nine appointees of the Governor of New York, and one elected student representative. Appointees serve seven-year terms, and student representatives are elected for one-year terms.
The council meets at least four times annually, and the chair, or any five members by petition, may at any time call a special meeting. The agenda for such meetings will be available three days prior to the meetings and will be considered public records. Five members attending will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the members present at any meeting is the act of the council.
Council Members
Linda Dobmeier, '71, Chair
Melissa Brinson
Pete Grum
Charles J. Naughton, '85
Cindy L. Odom, '96
Robert M. Zak
Daniel May, Student Representative
This Year
October 4, 2022
4:00 p.m.
Agenda | Minutes (PDF)
November 15, 2022
4:00 p.m.
Agenda | Minutes (PDF)
February 7, 2023
4:00 p.m.
Agenda | Minutes (PDF)
April 11, 2023
4:00 p.m.
Agenda | Minutes (PDF)
Last Year
September 21, 2021
4:00 p.m.
Agenda | Minutes (PDF)
November 30, 2021
4:00 p.m.
Agenda | Minutes (PDF) | Video
February 8, 2022
4:00 p.m.
Agenda | Minutes (PDF)
April 19, 2022
4:00 p.m.
Agenda | Minutes (PDF)
Archive
Agendas, meeting minutes, and podcasts since 2008 are available in the Buffalo State Council archive.
Standing Committees
The Facilities Committee advises and helps to guide the strategic capital program. It keeps the full council current on issues related to the institution's capital program and supports the university in its pursuit of individual capital projects. The committee meets 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
Linda Dobmeier, '71, Chair
Melissa Brinson
Paul McDonnell
Staff
Laura Barnum
The Governmental Relations Committee actively advocates for the institution at the state and, if necessary, at the federal level. The committee meets in January to develop plans for advocacy and in May to assess actions needed to finalize legislation and on an as-needed basis. Members visit with legislators as deemed appropriate.
Members
Linda Dobmeier, '71, Chair
Cindy Odom, ’96
Staff
William Benfanti
This committee receives recommendations and petitions for naming of buildings and grounds at SUNY Buffalo State 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 also periodically reviews the Guidelines for Naming of Building and Grounds at Buffalo State to ensure that they reflect "best practices" at major national institutions of higher education, as well as the advice and counsel of the campus president.
Members
Robert Zak, Chair
Melissa Brinson
Staff
James Finnerty
The Student Affairs Committee regularly reviews nonacademic 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 also periodically makes recommendations to the council related to its authority to make regulations governing the conduct and behavior of students. The committee meets as-needed, normally three to four times a year.
Members
Charles Naughton, '85
Cindy Odom, '96
Daniel May
Staff
Timothy Gordon
The Strategic Initiatives Committee supports and assists the president with identifying and implementing discretionary projects and strategies designed to accomplish specifically identified goals and objectives for the university. These projects and strategies may be outside of the university's day-to-day operational activities and will have a finite-duration.
Members
Robert Zak, Chair
Charles Naughton, '85
Staff
LeVar Nathaniel Burke
Leadership to rotate based upon the projects and strategies identified.
The College Council Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying and recommending nominees to be considered for appointment to the College Council.
Members
Linda Dobmeier, '71, Chair
Pete Grum
Cindy Odom, '96
Staff
LeVar Nathaniel Burke
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
Charles Naughton, '85
Staff
Timothy Gordon