College Council Meeting Minutes - March 13, 2026

College Council Meeting Minutes – March 13, 2026

 

Present

  • Mili Makhijani, Chair
  • Melissa Archbold
  • Nicolette Fiore-Lopez (Via Zoom)
  • Phillip Elliott
  • Cania Infante
  • Martha Maffei
  • Theresa Regnante
  • Scott Reich 

Call to Order/Welcome

  • Chair Mili Makhijani called the College Council meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026. Acknowledging that everyone received a copy of the February 13, 2026, College Council meeting minutes. The chair called for a motion to approve the minutes. Council member Reich motioned to accept, seconded by Council member Infante.

New Business

Recording Policy - Dr. David Lanoue

  • Chair Makhijani read the summary of the updated recording policy from Provost Lanoue.
  • Chair Makhijani informed all that a full discussion was had at the last College Council meeting, and then the motion was tabled. 
  • Council members asked for the recording policy to be updated and to narrow it and not to interfere with a student’s right to take notes, to record, to share classroom instruction with a student who may be sick or absent, and things of that nature. 
  • Council member Regnante asked if legal counsel has looked at the policy. Council member Regnante also inquired if there is a section that covers students with disabilities. Chair Makhijani confirmed that there was and read the covered section from the recording policy.  
  • Council member Reich agreed that legal counsel needs to weigh in on the proposed policy.
  • Council member Reich stated that parties can record things under the law. President Sams clarified that the policy speaks to what you do with the recording.
  • President Sams said that the concern is with what’s been referenced as doxing. This has to do with the way people, in this case, faculty, are maliciously mischaracterized, how that affects careers, particularly our faculty, and how it creates a very different environment. This policy doesn’t violate the understanding of the New State law statute and does not have anything to do with prohibiting recording; it speaks to the back end, the distribution.
  • Council member Reich asked if there should be a distinction between the unedited, unaltered recording. Council member Reich also inquired whether recording permission would be granted on a per-time basis or on a blanket basis.
  • Provost Lanoue noted that there are several recording policies around the system. Provost Lanoue also shared that a section of the policy carves out that if the Office of Students with Disabilities says you have someone who helps you, you can, of course, share the recording with them.
  • Chair Makhijani inquired if the permission is based on per occurrence basis. President Sams informed all that the student is required to present their letter of notification to the faculty member.
  • Council member Reich inquired about the disciplinary actions that are associated with this. Provost Lanoue stated that each case would be referred to the Dean of Students.
  • Dr. Edouard stated that each situation is different, but each case will go through the student code of conduct in the same way.
  • Chair Makhijani expressed that this policy isn’t ready, as it would have to be included in the student code of conduct, with its own section, and to put students on notice what this policy is and what their repercussions are.
  • Chair Makhijani suggested the retitling of the policy to the prohibition on distribution and recording. Chair Makhijani also noted that the language in the policy remains overbroad.
  • Council member Reich asked what the standard is regarding recording policies? Have other policies been looked at?
  • Council member Regnante suggested getting this policy into a one-page document that is related to a conduct issue, not a policy issue about taping, recording, distributing, and sharing, as you can’t police it. Council member Regnante said what you want to protect is the institution and the teacher.
  • Council member Archbold asked how the policy will be enforced if a recording is posted to social media with a nameless account.
  • Provost Lanoue informed all that Mr. Dawes had gone through many different recording policies. Provost Lanoue also noted that the prospect has made teachers more reluctant to say things that are controversial but may be relevant to the class. 
  • Chair Makhijani said that there is a way to make that sanctionable, and then you get referred to the Dean of Students.
  • Council member Reich inquired if this is something that should be discussed and adjudicated at the SUNY level, as it seems that this should be a system-type policy rather than something specific to each institution. Mr. Dawes informed all that the SUNY University Faculty Senate issued a resolution on October 11, 2025, entitled "SUNY Doxing Policy." The SUNY Faculty Senate addressed this issue by endorsing the idea that campuses could promote a recording policy.
  • Mr. Dawes discussed changes that have been made to this policy based on concerns raised during the previous council meeting. 
  • Faculty Senate Chair, Dr. Schneider, informed all that this policy came out of another SUNY campus where a professor was doxed. Dr. Schneider emphasized the importance of the policy, noting that without it, there is no recourse for faculty members. 
  • President Sams asked Dr. Schneider if we spell out the nature of the standard, as opposed to saying just don’t upload, but rather do not upload material of this nature with the intent to harm, do you still think we get to our overall effort to provide a safe teaching and learning environment in our classroom? Dr. Schneider said yes and no. 
  • Chair Makhijani said that you can put the policy on the books and say you are going to get disciplined for violating it, but it doesn’t stop the student from doing it. 
  • Chair Makhijani noted that the Council wants this policy more narrowly tailored because you are talking about a small percentage of students who would do this. The council is coming wants to ensure this policy protects the other 95% of the students. 
  • Dr. Elliott discussed how he has been on both sides, being a professor and a student. Dr. Elliott emphasized that this policy needs to be both student- and faculty-centric.  
  • Dr. Elliott noted that the Council wants a policy that stands attest if brought to court over appropriate or inappropriate. 
  • Dr. Kavic mentioned that it will be hard to prove intent, and it makes the execution of the policy a lot harder. 
  • Council member Regnante suggested updated language for the policy.
  • Council member Archbold proposed the need for a continuous discussion with the Student Government Association. 
  • Council member Reich noted that he is sympathetic to the concept of this policy and believes that we can create something slightly different in an academic setting for the very purpose. 
  • The council members agreed to form a small working group to include the University and Council members to revise the policy with clearer language and legal guidance. 
  • This working group will produce an updated draft incorporating feedback and will be circulated to the council for comment before a final vote at the next meeting.  

Shifting Academic Advising For All Students - Dr. David Lanoue

  • Provost Lanoue outlined plans to shift academic advising to professional advisors for the entire undergraduate experience. 
  • The current advising splits the first two years with professional advisors and the last two years with faculty advisors. 
  • The literature on student success says that professional advising is strongly correlated to student success. 
  • The new model is expected to improve student retention and graduation rates as part of SUNY’s academic momentum initiative. 

SUNY Old Westbury AI Roadmap - Dr. Michael Kavic 

  • Dr. Kavic introduced the two co-chairs of the campus’s task force: Dr. Renu Balyan and Dr. Runi Mukherji. The AI task force presented a plan shaping the responsible future of generative AI in teaching, learning, research, and administration. 
  • Dr. Kavic discussed the four pillars: Ethical AI Policy Development, Curricular Integrity & Academic Integration, AI Literacy & Workforce Readiness, and Infrastructure & Resource Ecosystem. 
  • Dr. Kavic noted that each student will have a fully AI-engaged education, and they will include specific classes in their content areas, which is emphasized on workforce development needs. 
  • The task force recommends a permanent Evergreen Bot. This would be a one-stop shop where people can find answers, where all the initiatives that are related to AI are organized. 
  • Chair Makhijani asked the task force to provide a more in-depth presentation at the May 8, 2026, Council meeting. 

Council Members - General Comments

  • There were no comments from the council members

Faculty Representative: Dr. Stephanie Schneider

  • Dr. Stephanie Schneider expressed appreciation for the communication that we’ve had with the administration. 

Alumni Representative: Dr. Lorraine Cochrane

  • Dr. Cochrane discussed an upcoming event for the Alumni Association, Beyond Perks & Policies: Redefining Workplace Culture, scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in the Duane L. Jones Recital Hall. 

Student Representative: Ms. Jayda Jarvis

  • Ms. Jarvis was not present to report. 

Open Meeting

  • Chair Makhijani reviewed the upcoming dates and asked for a motion to adjourn.