College Council

The Buffalo State College Council

The College Council is responsible for the "operations and affairs" of Buffalo State. 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 College Council meets at least four times annually, and the chair, or any five members by petition, may at any time call a special meeting of the council. 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.

Members

Linda Dobmeier, '71, Chair

Charles J. Naughton, '85

Cindy L. Odom, '96

Robert M. Zak

Chyna Richards

Chyna Richards, Student Representative

Standing Committees

Facilities Committee

The Facilities Committee advises and helps to guide the strategic capital program. It keeps the full council current on issues related to institution's capital program and supports the college 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
Todd Brason
Melissa Brinson
Paul McDonnell

Staff
Laura Barnum

Governmental Relations Committee

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

Naming of Building and Grounds Committee

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 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

Student Affairs Committee

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
Chyna Richards

Staff
Timothy Gordon

Strategic Initiatives Committee

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 college. These projects and strategies may be outside of the college’s day-to-day operational activities and will have a finite-duration.

Members
Robert Zak, Chair
Mylous Harrison '86
Charles Naughton, '85

Staff
Crystal Rodriguez
Leadership to rotate based upon the projects and strategies identified.

Nominating Committee

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
Crystal Rodriguez

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
Charles Naughton, '85

Staff
Timothy Gordon