MSCHE/ACOE Self Study

The College Administration, as delineated in the organizational chart (see Appendix D-2 or http://www.sunyopt.edu/about/governance.shtml) includes five functional areas: Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Clinical Affairs, Institutional Advancement and Administration and Finance. Each of these is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies appropriate to its area. Position descriptions for administrators are given in the Faculty Handbook (http://www.sunyopt.edu/faculty/hb/college.html). As new policies are implemented or existing policies are reviewed, information is presented to the college community via open meetings, electronic distribution of information, College and Faculty meetings, the College’s monthly electronic newsletter FY EYE (archived copies can be found at http://www.sunyopt.edu/news/index.shtml), faculty retreats, and the policies and procedures section of the College Web site (http://www.sunyopt.edu/about/poli.shtml). Under the leadership of the vice president for academic affairs, this area has recently commenced a comprehensive assessment of its administrative structure. As one of the initial steps in this process, faculty members have been asked to complete anonymous web-based surveys of their department chairs. Surveys will also be completed for academic administrators. The operation of SUNY College of Optometry, as is the case for all other campuses of the University, is informed by a College Council whose function is described in New York State education law section 356 (Appendix D-3). In accordance with this statute and the policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees, the Council advises the President on the operations and affairs of the campus. It is constituted of 10 individuals, nine of whom shall be appointed by the governor and one of whom shall be elected by and from among the students of the institution. This body plays a critical role in the selection of the campus president. A list of current members can be found at http://sunyopt.edu/about/coll_council.shtml. The Council meets about four times per year with the president and other administrators/faculty members at which times the president provides a report on the status of the College and brings issues of importance for discussion. Examples of an agenda and minutes are available on campus. The faculty governance structure is described in the Faculty Bylaws (http://www.sunyopt.edu/faculty/hb/bylaws.html or Appendix C-5). These bylaws were recently updated to reflect a new committee structure that places more responsibility on elected faculty committees for faculty governance. 4.1.3 The institutional structure clearly assigns authority and responsibility for the hiring, evaluation, retention and discharge of the program’s chief executive officer. Per policies of the Board of Trustees (Article IX, Title A, Chapter 1), the hiring, evaluation, retention and discharge of the College’s president, who serves as its chief executive officer, are solely within the purview of the University’s Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the Chancellor of the University. Dr.

60